Best Places To Keep Your Cool Around Pittsburgh
Need a break from the heat and humidity this summer? Of course you do! Without packing up the family and heading out for the far-off beaches, we've come up with a couple local places that will keep you cool as the temperatures rise.
Sandcastle Waterpark
1000 Sandcastle Drive
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri – Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Daily Price: General Admission: $30.99
Junior and Senior Admission: $20.99
Child under 3 years old Admission: Free
(412) 462-6666
Business Directory Listing
Website: www.sandcastlewaterpark.com
If you ask me, Sandcastle is one of the best water parks I have ever been to, and it just so happens that it's located right in the 'Burgh! The park has a Lazy River for a relaxing float, the Mon Tsunami wave pool for some of the most intense waves outside of the ocean, a kiddie area packed with fun water activities, and a huge variety of slides to peak everyone's interests. There are body slides, tube slides, slides for racing a friend, and slides for riding with a friend. My personal favorite is The Monster, an 85-ft. tall free fall slide that gets my adrenaline pumping every time.
Insider Tip: Go to Sandcastle on an overcast day. The sun may not be shining, but the slides are just as fun, and the lines are half as short!
Idlewild's Soak Zone
2582 US 30
Ligonier, Pa.
Hours: 10: 30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Limited operation last week of August
Daily Price: Regular Admission: $31.99
Senior Citizen: $23.99
Children under 2 years old: Free
(724) 238-3666
Business Directory Listing
Website: www.idlewild.com
While Idlewild is a popular amusement park in the area, recent additions to the Soak Zone area of the park have made it a great place to cool off! The WOW-abunga wave pool is the most recent addition, offering a huge pool with equally impressive waves. The park also has multiple interactive soak areas, including the Tipping Bucket that dumps hundreds of gallons of water on you and your friends. Add in some body slides, raft slides, and a family friendly kid area, and you've got yourself a great day of fun in the water.
Allegheny County Wave Pools
Hours: Sun – Sat 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Price: Adult: $5
Senior Citizen and Youths: $3
Junior: $4
Children: $1
Website: www.alleghenycounty.us/parks
The best part about these wave pools is that they're all located within county parks, meaning that even when you get out of the pool, there's still plenty to do. Plus at only $5 for an adult, it's a cheap way to beat the heat without breaking the bank.
Settler's Cabin Park
1225 Greer Road
Oakdale, Pa.
(412) 787-2667
Website
Business Directory Listing
During the warm weather months the wave pool is definitely the most popular attraction at Settler's Cabin Park. That's partly due to its convenient location, but more likely, it's because of the awesome diving platform. When you're done in the water, be sure to check out some of the history surrounding this park – it's quite interesting!
Boyce Park
675 Old Frankstown Road
Pittsburgh, Pa.
(724) 325-4677
Website
Business Directory Listing
Popular among local teens, the Boyce Park pool offers a snack bar, lots of room to lie out, and some great waves. Although you could easily spend all day lounging in the pool, Boyce Park also has tennis courts, basketball courts, and an archery range to check out.
South Park
Buffalo Drive
South Park, Pa.
(412) 831-0810
Website
The South Park wave pool is a very family-friendly place to enjoy the water this summer. And not only is South Park a great place to enjoy the water, it's also a great place to golf, play tennis, ride BMX bikes, or enjoy a free summer concert in the evening!
Jessica LaRosa is a fitness and Pittsburgh enthusiast currently residing in suburban Philadelphia. You can follow her healthy living journey at www.forthefunoffit.wordpress.com.
