THRILLS & CHILLS OF SUMMER

HURRICANE BAY at KENTUCKY KINGDOM

937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209 • 502-813-8200 kentuckykingdom.com

Two-and-a-half hours north, Kentucky Kingdom’s Hurricane Bay includes two dozen attractions for families to enjoy.

While Kentucky Kingdom’s main attraction is the theme park with upwards of 70 rides, cooling off means Hurricane Bay. Fun options include the Family Wave Lagoon, Castaway Creek (floating experience) and Wikiwiki Wai (catapult throughwater tubes). Can you handle three seconds of preparation before taking a 12-story drop on Deep Water Dive? What about rafting down Plummet Summit? Little ones may feel more comfortable at Buccaneer Beach, with 10,000 square feet of interactive play elements and slides.

Beginning July 7, visitors can catch the nightly Summer Blast, Kentucky Kingdom’s first-ever fireworks show. And new in Hurricane Bay this season are performances from local musicians at the new Sound Waves Stage.

DOLLYWOOD’S SPLASH COUNTRY

2700 DreamMore Way, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

1-800-DOLLYWOOD • dollywood.com/waterpark

Three-and-a-half hours east and sprawled across 35 acres, Dollywood’s Splash Country is an ideal destination in the Smokies.

Lots of big waterslides, food, entertainment and cleanliness make Splash Country a super-fun destination for families every summer. Daily operations go through August 6, so July makes for a perfectly timed visit.

New at the park this year are multiple shade structures near the Mountains Waves pool (25,000-square-feet of super splash) so nobody has to stand around in the blazing sun. Sixteen different rides are available for all ages of guests, according to the website. Thrills come from experiences like the TailSpin Racer (a six-lane mat-racer slide); or the Ragin’ River Rapids (which will leave you drenched). RiverRush water coaster includes dramatic drops and lots of sprays. Refreshing (albeit dark!) tube slides make up Wild River Falls, and The Cascades is an 8,000-squarefeet lagoon-style leisure pool. Of course, there’s also Bear Mountain Fire Tower, a multi-level interactive water adventure. And for a little winding down, take a float on the Downbound Float Trip, a relaxing lazy river plus an interactive kid’s play area. Little ones also flock to Little Creek Falls featuring zero-depth entry.

One-day Splash Country tickets are $54.95 for adults, $44.95 for children ages 4 - 9 and $44.95 for seniors ages 62 and older. A Dollywood theme park ticket can be added for $30.05 for adults. Towels are only available for purchase at Splash Country, so be sure to pack yours in addition to sunscreen and water-safe shoes. Good to know: attractions close when cloud-to-ground lightning is indicated within a 10-mile radius and rain checks will be distributed at ticket windows should severe weather shorten your visit.

One-day tickets include entry to Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay and cost $29.99 - $54.99 plus tax. Child and senior discounts are available. Other ticket options are available online.

Deep

SOAKY MOUNTAIN WATER PARK

175 Gists Creek Road, Sevierville, TN 37876 833-687-6259 • soakymountainwaterpark.com

Soaky Mountain Water Park is giving Dollywood’s Splash Country a run for its money.

The area’s newest water park — it opened in 2020 — has a total of eight thrill rides plus nine family rides and four just for kids. Outstanding highlights include the Avalaunch watercoaster with high-speed turns and a huge, splashy finish. Black Bear Rapids is an adventure river; the wave pool (Soaky Surge) measures 35,000 square feet. Slippery Salamanders is a water obstacle course for the competitors in your family, and young kids will enjoy smaller versions of adult rides such as Mini Mayhem (smaller version of Blue Mountain Mayhem); and ‘Lil Rattlers, a tube ride for little kids. There’s ample food available in the park, but like the other water parks, bring your own towels and accessories.

Daily admission to the park is $47.99 for those above 42 inches and $39.99 for those under 42 inches. Ages 2 and younger do not require a ticket.