places to go / THE BIG TO-DO

Water

THE SPLASHIEST FUN

Dive into these 10 epic water attractions worth the hype

With 11 waterslides, the Flowrider for surfing and boogie boarding and an aquatic fort just for little ones, EPIC WATERS INDOOR WATER PARK is pretty impressive. And at a sprawling 80,000-squarefeet—including the glass-enclosed park with a retractable roof and an outdoor wave pool—it’s the largest indoor water park in DFW. But recently their offerings got even bigger with the addition of the Locura, a seven-story waterslide. It starts out with a 40-foot straight-down vertical drop, then riders hit speeds of up to 35 miles per hour as they slide through a 360-degree loop before shooting out the bottom.

// Grand Prairie, 972/3373131; epicwatersgp.com

Sandcastles in North Texas? The sandy LITTLE ELM BEACH offers plenty of room for beachy play and water fun. It’s one the largest open swim areas in North Texas, plus offers sand volleyball courts, kayak, paddleboard and bike experience, dip your feet in the water walkway or lounge in the lazy river. Families with kids with specials needs should come for Champion’s Day, June 20 and July 22, which includes free admission and special programming. // Multiple locations; hfalls.com

You could kayak, paddleboard or even ride an aqua-cycle water trike, but perhaps the most unique way to enjoy a day out on LAKE CAROLYN is to glide across the water on the back of a massive white swan. SUP NTX (or Stand Up Paddle North Texas) rents out all of the aforementioned, including a giant Swan Pedalboat that can hold four passengers between its wings. No lessons or experience required to drive this boat, so it’s perfect for kids. // Irving, 972/567-7871; supntx.com

2-mile sunset-moonlight paddle. TRKC recommends kids between 3–10 paddle in a tandem kayak or canoe with a parent. // Coppell, 214/513-0649; trinityriverkayak.com

WhoaZone, the enormous, inflatable playground at Meadowmere Park is the largest floating aqua park obstacle course in Texas. So what exactly does that mean? Almost like a floating bounce house, this on-the-water water park on GRAPEVINE LAKE features climbing walls, platforms, and obstacles. Plus, the park boasts a swimming area, kayak and paddleboard rentals, a playground and picnic area. // Grapevine, 817/241-4883; whoa. zone/grapevine

More Splashy Fun

AQUATIC CENTERS

Bad Konigshofen Family Aquatic Center Arlington, 817/459-5223 arlingtontx.gov

Jack Carter Pool Plano, 972/208-8081 plano.gov

Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex Carrollton, 972/466-6399 cityofcarrollton.com

The Cove at Fretz Park Dallas, 214/670-6464 dallasaquatics.org

The Frog Pond Farmers Branch, 972/919-8720 fbh2o.com

Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center Plano, 972/769-4044 plano.gov rentals and a playground.

// Little Elm; lakefrontlittleelm.com

One-part 5,000-square-foot splash pad, one-part public art installation, KLYDE WARREN PARK’S NANCY BEST FOUNTAIN is the world’s largest interactive fountain. Water jets nearly 100 feet in the air from its three 15-foot whimsical stainless steel “trees.”

Fourteen mini fountains and countless small streams surround the centerpiece sculptures. By day, the fountain is a play area and at night, it comes alive with colorful light shows with streams of water synchronized to music. // Dallas, 214/716-4500; klydewarrenpark.org

Speed down a three-way racer, join the kids on a family raft ride or zip down a soaring 65-foot body slide at the Mega WaterWorld attraction at HAWAIIAN FALLS ROANOKE, billed as the largest aquatic play structure in the world

For a more low-key

A six-story water slide, a 40-foot water-jet fueled vortex and a four-story water fort treehouse are among the big attractions at GREAT WOLF LODGE. And with 80,000-square-feet of wet fun plus spacious family suites where you can turn your visit into a mini vacation, it’s the biggest water park resort in Dallas-Fort Worth. Day passes are available if you’re not up for an overnight, and arcade games, bowling and a ropes course are on-site for when you dry off. // Grapevine, 800/693-9653; greatwolf.com

At 710 miles long, the Trinity River is the longest running river in the state of Texas. Paddle the river’s Elm Fork on an outing with TRINITY RIVER KAYAK

CO. Choose from 6- to 12mile daytime outings or a

Swim across Texas at the most legendary pool in the Lone Star State. THE TEXAS POOL, a historic 168,000-gallon saltwater pool shaped like the state of Texas, first opened in 1961 and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s equipped with a diving board, two water slides and free community life jackets. In “South Texas” there’s a wading area where the littlest Texans can get their feet wet. // Plano, 972/881-8392; texaspool.org

The largest outdoor water park in North Texas is home to some of the tallest, fastest and wettest water rides in the nation. SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR’s most soaring draw is the Black Hole, a coiling tower of tube slides standing 80 feet tall. There are a dozen other massive slides to brave, along with family rides, a surfing simulator, splashpad and a million-gallon wave pool. // Arlington, 817/640-8900; sixflags.com

Water Works Park Denton, 940/349-8800 dentonwaterworks.com

BEACHES

Burger’s Lake Fort Worth, 817/737-3414 burgerslake.com

Lynn Creek Park Grand Prairie, 972/237-4120 grandfungp.com/lynncreek-park

Meadowmere Park Grapevine, 817/410-3450 gograpevine.com

FOUNTAINS & FEATURES

Fort Worth Water Gardens Fort Worth, 817/392-7111 fortworthtexas.gov

Main Street Interactive Fountain Coppell, 972/462-5100 coppelltx.gov

Wayne Ferguson Plaza Lewisville, 972/219-3400 cityoflewisville.com

WATER PARKS

Bahama Beach Dallas, 214/671-0820 bahamabeachdallas.com

NRH2O North Richland Hills 817/427-6500 nrh2o.com

The Cove at Lakefront Little Elm, 214/618-2047 thecoveatthelakefront.com