WCCO Viewers' Choice For Best Outdoor Water Park In Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota sun has been showing off this summer, and it is time to get wet and wild!
Instead of driving hours to the lake, cool off at Cascade Bay in Eagan -- voted the Best Outdoor Water Park in Minnesota.
"Cascade Bay is our water park here for the City of Eagan, operated by Eagan Parks and Recreation Department, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and just filled with summer fun for families, adults, young people, a little bit of something for everyone," Eagan Parks & Rec Director Julie Seydell Johnson said.
Early mornings are reserved for those dipping their toes in the water for the first time, and those dipping to the music.
But at 11 a.m. the gates open, and it is a dash for the water. The lazy river is a popular destination.
"Eight-o-clock at night this turns into a whole different place. People come out and they walk either with the current if they want relaxation or against the current. Seven-and-a-half laps to a mile," Seydell Johnson said. "So you can come and either relax all afternoon or come back at night and get a little bit of a workout."
They also have seven water slides, and some are much faster than others -- all under the watchful eye of their mascot.
"Captain C. Breeze oversees everything here at Cascade Bay. Captain has his slide, his ship with two very exciting slides that go into the deeper water on this side," she said. "The other side has a little calmer slide, an orange slide that anybody can go down on."
Water not your thing? Lounge under an umbrella, hang out at concessions or pick up a club and play nine holes of mini golf.
"It's been here for 16 years. We were one of the original, and I would like to think one of the best and still one of the classics," Seydell Johnson said.
Moms, dads and all caregivers agree: Cascade Bay is a cool way to celebrate the sunshine.
"The setting is perfect. It's big enough to have lots of fun but small enough to not lose your kids," she said.
Cascade Bay is open daily through Labor Day from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Cardio Bay is open 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
There is free parking on site, and admission is $10 with discounts.
Your other favorites are Bunker Beach and Wild Mountain.
