A water park is an amusement park you're supposed to get wet in. Expect tube and body slides, a wave pool, a lazy river for floating around on an inner tube, splash zones for small kids, and usually a few steep drops for the brave. Outdoor parks typically open only in the warm months, while indoor water parks, often attached to a resort or hotel, can run all year.

Some water parks stand alone; others sit next to a theme park and share a ticket or a parking lot. Community pools and aquatic centers with a slide or two can be a cheap, uncrowded option for a hot afternoon close to home.

The Date Activity

A water park makes a fun, silly date for a couple who already know each other a bit, since swimsuits are the dress code. Two-person tube slides are built for screaming together, the wave pool is good for bobbing and talking, and the lazy river is about as relaxing as a date gets. It's hard to worry about looking cool when you're both soaked and laughing.

Claim a shady spot early, or rent a cabana if you want a home base for the day. Afterward, dry off over dinner nearby. If you're keen for more, plan a second date at the theme park or a calmer afternoon out on a paddle boat.

On Your Own / With Friends

Water parks are made for groups and families. Big raft rides seat several people, groups usually get a discount, and many parks host birthday parties with a reserved table or pavilion. Set up at one spot and agree on a meeting time, since phones usually stay in a locker. With kids, pick a spot near the shallow areas so an adult can always see them.

Going solo is easy, too. You can hit the big slides back to back without negotiating, then float the lazy river for as long as you like.

Good to Know

Wear a swimsuit that stays put on a fast slide, and skip anything with metal buckles, rivets or zippers, which many slides don't allow. Water shoes save your feet on hot pavement. Use waterproof sunscreen and reapply it often. Weak swimmers and kids should stay near lifeguards and wear a life jacket, which many parks lend for free. Bring a towel, a dry change of clothes and a waterproof phone pouch, and rent a locker for everything else. Check the height and weight limits on the big slides, and arrive early or stay late to beat the lines. Tickets are usually cheaper online, and parks often close rides when there's lightning nearby.