Cool Off This Summer

Waterparks in YOUR Area!

(Hawaiian Falls- 3 area locations)
Website: http://www.hfalls.com/
Locations in The Colony, Garland and Mansfield
All location prices : General admission is $22.99 for guests 48 inches and over; $15.99 for children 48 inches tall or shorter and seniors 60 and older; free for children 2 and younger.

The Colony location
4400 Paige Road
The Colony, TX 75056
Hours: Open Saturday through Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Closed August 23 through 27 and August 30 through September 3.
Phone: (972) 370-4327

Garland location
4550 North Garland Ave.
Garland Texas 75040
Hours: Open Saturday through Thursday from10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Closed August 23 through 27 and August 30 through September 3.
Phone: 972-675-8888

Mansfield location
490 Heritage Parkway South
Mansfield, Texas 76063
Hours: Open Saturday though Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Phone: (817) 853-0050



It’s summertime in Texas — there is no doubt that it’s hot outside. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun water parks around the area to help you, your friends and family beat the heat on even the hottest day in July.



Six Flags Over Texas: Hurricane Harbor

1800 E Lamar Boulevard
Arlington, TX 76006
The moment you enter Hurricane Harbor, you are greeted by the overwhelming atmosphere of excitement: people passing by you on the Lazy River, music pumping out the park speakers, and kids screaming as they make their way down the nearest waterslide. All are promises of a good time.



Prep work

Before you leave the house, buy your tickets online. Not only is it cheaper, but it saves time — you can completely bypass the ticket line and walk straight into the park. Same goes for a parking pass and a food voucher, if you want them. Lines are the worst before noon, so make plans in the morning for activities outside of the park — I suggest doing some shopping and eating breakfast at the nearby Lincoln Square.

Since I went with a large group, we decided to split a family-sized locker to stow all our bags and towels. Because the lockers were opened via wristband (it has a code to your locker and recognizes it when you place it near a sensor), I never had to worry about my stuff being stolen and felt very safe about leaving it. However, there are two sides to every coin: they only give out one wristband per group, so my friends couldn’t get in the locker when they were separated from me.

Also Online Weather: Get the local weather forecast

Traffic: Find traffic reports
Before taking your first dip in the water, remember the first rule of any water park: sunscreen. A sunburn is just the thing that will ruin your park experience (I have one to prove it), so apply your sunscreen and apply it often.



What to eat

We ate lunch in the park at the Surfside Grill, which wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great, either. Food snobs, beware. The pickings are pretty slim (and definitely not diet-approved) at every eatery within the park — mostly hamburgers, fries, pizza, funnel cakes or chicken fingers. Any place inside the park will run you a lot more money, so if you don’t want to leave the park, bring lots of extra cash.



What to ride

There are 24 total rides in the park, so you’re sure to find something you like. I’m a big thrill-seeker, so I was very pleased with the attractions on which I could scream my head off. The Black Hole (a water ride in which you ride in almost complete darkness) and Der Stuka (a waterslide in which you’re in virtual free fall for over six stories) were my favorites, followed by the Tornado and the park’s newest ride, the Mega Wedgie. The park also features a non-water ride, the Caribbean Swing, which hoists you and two friends 183 feet above the Surf Lagoon and drops you (and your stomach) in an extreme pendulum. The experience does run you some money, though — $20 per person if three people go on, $25 per person if two people go on and $35 if one goes on.

Being a family-friendly park, there are also quite a few attractions for kids, including Hook’s Lagoon Treehouse, the Bonzai Boggan and the Bubba Tub. All of it is centered around the Surf Lagoon (often called the wave pool) and the Lazy River, where you can take breaks and cool off in-between thrills.



Staying dry

If water isn’t your thing, there are plenty of things to do without getting wet. Hundreds of beach chairs are placed all throughout the park and waiting if you need to sit down or work on your tan as well as covered areas with tables and chairs to keep families in the shade. If you forget anything (sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit), need souvenirs or just want to hide in a place with air conditioning, check out the Cabana Brothers shop by the main entrance.

Once we were thoroughly soaked to the bone and generally tuckered out, we rinsed off the chlorine and made our way to Lincoln Square, which is about a ten minute drive from the park. After grabbing dinner at the nearby El Chico’s (we needed some spice after a day of bland park food), we finished the day with a cherry on top at Marble Slab for a much cheaper ice cream than we could have gotten in the park.

All in all, Hurricane Harbor does not disappoint in its variety and general knack for fun — kids and adults alike can find something to keep them having a good time and, most importantly, cooled-off throughout the day.



General information

Hours: Open Sunday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Website: http://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneHarborTexas/index.aspx
Phone: (817) 640-8900
Price: General admission is $25.99 at the entrance for guests 48 inches and over; $19.99 for guests under 48 inches; free for children 2 and under.


FOR DALLAS FOLKS:


Bahama Beach

1895 Campfire Circle
Dallas, TX 75232
Hours and prices: Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Not open Mondays except for Memorial Day. General admission is $13 for those over 48 inches; $9 for guests under 48 inches; free for children 2 and under.
Phone: 214-671-0820
Website: www.bahamabeachdallas.com