The best water parks in Miami to beat the summertime heat

This family-friendly addition to Aventura’s JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is about the best hotel perk any kid could ask for. Free to guests, and open to the public, Tidal Cove packs in all the water-park essentials—slides, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf simulator and a splash zone for the little ones. Plus, it boasts a full bar, poolside service and rentable cabanas for the grown-ups to chill under and sip frozé.

Must ride: The Boomerango for a brief but terrifying moment of near-weightlessness. 

Every true South Florida kid has a memory of Rapids Water Park. The sprawling attraction has been a favorite birthday party spot for thousands and thousands of kids thanks to its selection of insane water slides and epic lazy river. The commute (an hour and a half from Miami) is far from convenient, but folks keep flocking to Rapids despite the distance, which speaks to the park’s quality. 

Must ride: Dubbed Mega Mayhem, the first dueling water coaster ride in the state of Florida (and one of only six in the world) will open at Rapids in 2023.

This is a public attraction owned and operated by the city that offers a lazy river, a few playground areas, a pirate-themed area and a shipwreck water playground. There are wade pools for toddlers and large recreational pools for more experienced swimmers, plus splashy slides for thrill-seekers. Note: the park opens on weekends during the summer season.

Must ride: The Pirate’s Plunge.

It’s way up north in Hialeah, but Amelia Earhart Park has lots of distractions for children that make it well worth the trip, including Miami Watersports Complex, one of the largest cable wakeboard parks in the U.S. Though they offer classes and activities for all skill levels, wakeboarding is far from the only attraction here.

Must ride: Open to kids eight years old and up, the Aquapark is an inflatable playground floating in the lake where kids can bounce, climb and swim to their hearts' content.

While not quite a waterpark, Venetian Pool is the crème de la crème of fancy swimming holes in Miami. Created in 1923 from a naturally occurring coral rock quarry, the 820,000-gallon pool is fed by a fresh-water spring. Surrounded by palm trees, shady fields and beautiful porticos, it’s a lushly fabulous way to beat the Miami heat. Everyone three years of age and older is welcome March through November.

Must ride: Swim up to the waterfall.

The aquatics area here is far from your average neighborhood pool, boasting zero-depth entry, a kids’ play area (the Tot Lot) and multiple waterslides, as well as a facility for recreational and lap swimming. You need to find a friend in Surfside, however; the center is open only to residents and their guests.

Must ride: All of it because getting in is tough—but worth it.

The water attraction set amid this beautiful, 17-acre Hialeah park has so much to offer. Opened seasonally, it’s a public attraction with a water playground, wave pool, lazy river, waterfall, splash pad, party areas, and a snack bar. It’s absolutely perfect for day parties or birthdays, and the price is right, too.

Must ride: The 1,000-foot lazy river.

The zoo in town offers playground-esque water attractions. Think giant spray fountains, a “whale tail waterfall” and overflowing buckets. Check out Ocean Voyage inside the Playworld Playground, and the Beyond Village Plaza (Fiesta Fountain at the Amazon is currently closed). Both are great places to take your kid, or the kids you’re entertaining, to stomp around and get totally soaked while you hang back in the shady alcoves.

Must ride: The cooling mist stations for parents or overheating teens.

This public aquatics center in North Miami Beach features a 25-yard heated pool, rentals and a shower facility, plus a dedicated water playground for the youngsters complete with  fountains and splash zones.

Must ride: The toddler-sized water slide.

Perfect for little ones, Pinecrest Gardens’ mini splash pad offers water features galore and shaded benches for parents who chaperone. When the water play is tapped out, take a stroll through the gorgeous gardens and then head to the snack bar. There's also a farmers' market on Sundays from 8am to 2pm.

Must ride: Run through the water spouts.