Let’s face it: Houston is hot. The combination of high temperatures and equally high humidity means sweltering summers that leave you drenched in sweat.
You may be tempted to hole up inside with the air conditioning on full blast, but then you’d miss out on all the summer fun, and H-Town has a lot of it. From full-blown water parks to lazy floats down the bayou, this city beckons you outdoors year-round.
The best way to stay cool is to get wet, so we’ve selected eight water-based attractions in Houston where you can experience everything from a waterfall mist to a deep dunk. Here’s your guide to water-based attractions around Houston.
Take a boat tour on Buffalo Bayou
Where: Allen’s Landing, 1019 Commerce St.
Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for children 4-12 years old
What’s in it for you? A safe distance from the gators
Whether you’re escaping the heat of the day or seeking a sunset sail, Buffalo Bayou Boat Tours will put you directly on the water in the middle of one of the best urban landscapes in the country.
Right there in downtown Houston, you’ll hop on a pontoon boat that will instantly transport you to nature. You’ll motor past this city’s infamous alligators (and be able to see them from a blessedly safe distance), watch egrets tiptoe on stick legs looking for prey, and ooh and ahh as herons soar overhead, all while catching a cool breeze from the deck.
Each ride is 45 minutes and runs daily, but it’s a good idea to make reservations and purchase your tickets online in advance.
Note: Children under 4 years of age are not permitted on the boat tours.
Catch the spray off the Houston Waterwall
Where: 2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Cost: Free
What’s in it for you: Fantastic photos for the ‘Gram
Houston boasts tons of Instagrammable spots that showcase the city, and Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is one of the more popular ones.
It also happens to be the perfect place to cool off for those who prefer a spray over a plunge. Stand in front of this city waterfall that plunges from a 64-ft.-high, semicircular wall, and let the spray and rising mist gently cool you off.
Between the sound of the rushing water, the laughter of children running through the surrounding park, and the towering live oak trees providing much-needed shade, you’ll feel like you’ve found an oasis in Uptown District.
Jump into high-energy water fun at Typhoon Texas
Where: 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy
Cost: $54.99 for any day you choose, or save some money and buy your ticket for a specific day
What’s in it for you: A good night’s sleep after a full day playing in the water
Waterparks are perfect for endless fun and a great way to expend a whole lot of energy—especially for restless kids. Take the family to Typhoon Texas Waterpark, and enjoy sweet dreams from a day spent playing in the water.
Race for the win on the Derby Dash slide, get the whole family in a raft and take on Monster Storms, and walk across water on the Howdy Hollow. The kids will love the giant Gully Washer, a water playground where massive buckets of water dump over your head and tunnels lead you to a hundred ways to get even wetter.
For the more tame at heart, the lazy river is calling to you. You can catch all the action as you swirl along in your tube, staying cool under sunny skies.
Discover water meditation at Houston’s Japanese Garden
Where: 1700 Hermann Dr.
Cost: Free admission and free onsite parking
What’s in it for you: Time to reflect on how lucky you are
If you’ve ever sat on the beach for hours watching the tide roll in, you know how meditative water can be. Houston’s Japanese Garden in the heart of Hermann Park (also one of Houston’s outdoor spaces for workouts) takes that feeling to the next level and is a lovely place to while away the summer.
Its 5.5 acres of calm beauty was designed by Tokyo-based landscape designer Ken Nakajima in 1992, and it’s been a respite for city dwellers ever since. In the center of the garden, you’ll find a hidden pond that reflects the blooms, greenery, and rocks on its border. Just taking in that view from a shimmering mirror is enough to feel the temperature drop about 10 degrees.
Cross over bridges and wander along shady paths while you reflect on how lucky you are to live in Houston.
Release your aggressions in Discovery Green’s bumper boats
Where: Kinder Lake, Discovery Green
Cost: $12
What’s in it for you: Maniacal giggles as you crash into friends and family
There’s nothing that takes you back to your childhood like the memories of bumper cars and bumper boats. When “safety first” is screamed at you in every other area of your life, it’s sometimes fun to do the opposite, to break all the rules, and to listen to the devil on your shoulder.
Discovery Green Bumper Boats encourage you to do just that, and the result is a whole lot of mischievous fun. Climb into a round, motorized bumper boat and take the wheel. You’ll spin, you’ll plow into unsuspecting strangers, and you’ll let out a whoop when someone else shows you who’s boss.
A couple of notes: You can ride alone or with a partner—that’s up to you. And know that each ride is only five minutes, so you’ll want to waste no time going on the attack.
Take the little ones to Levy Park Splash Pad
Where: 3801 Eastside St.
Cost: Free
What’s in it for you: Watching your kids’ faces light up as they play in the water
Located in Upper Kirby, Levy Park’s playground is so much more than slides and swings. In the center of it all is an interactive splash pad that makes this park a winner with kids trying to cool down on a hot summer day.
Parents love it too. That’s because you can keep an eye on the little ones as they spend time wherever they like, whether it’s climbing the rock wall or dancing through a fountain. The park is mostly shaded, so kids can frolic freely outdoors, and the splash pad is the chocolate syrup on the sundae, especially during the summer months.
The park is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., offering loads of flexibility for water play, and surrounding picnic tables mean you can hang out in the shade and chow down on a lunch or dinner picnic. Or grab a bite at one of Houston’s dog-friendly restaurants, Hearsay at Levy Park.
Swim in a rooftop pool & lazy river shaped like Texas
Where: Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St.
Cost: $75 a person or $125 for a family of four
What’s in it for you: Epic city views from a rooftop infinity pool
New-to-Texas residents are always surprised to hear about the lazy river in the shape of Texas located in Downtown Houston. But once you’ve discovered it, you’ll insist upon returning every summer.
The Altitude Rooftop and Pool at the Marriott Marquis isn’t just for overnight guests—you can buy a day pass that gives you access to the rooftop pool and iconic lazy river, a true urban retreat for those looking to beat the heat.
Elevate your visit even further with a poolside cabana, casita, or pergola for your entire group. A full bar and an on-deck grill keep your tummy happy, and by night and on the weekends, you can enjoy live music and some fabulous people-watching, all while gazing out at the Houston skyline from your lofty perch.
Plunge into Houston’s largest waterpark
Where: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, 21300 I-45 North, Spring
Cost: $25 when you purchase your ticket online
What’s in it for you: Bragging rights for conquering 41 water rides
At Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, it’s a game of numbers: 41 rides, slides, and attractions; 2 million gallons of water; and 40 acres of summer fun.
This park was already big, and the new interactive children’s area, Coconut Bay, only adds to its size and options, especially for the smallest children. Older kids and adults can race against their friends on the six-lane Stringray Racer, which holds the record for longest and largest Octopus Racer in the entire state of Texas.
And be sure to take the entire family to Tree House, where the littlest can splash around in shallow waters, and everyone can climb up to the tree house and whoosh down a colorful slide. Giant spray fountains complete the picture and keep you just wet enough to stave off high temps.
Wherever you decide to float, leap, or splash this summer, Houston has you covered. So grab your swimsuit, don your goggles, and get outdoors for some water-based fun.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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