One of the best things about visiting Gulf Shores, Alabama, is basking in the summer sun! With 32 miles of coast, lined with quartz white sand, spending the day out in the fun and the sun is one of the most popular activities in town. One thing about the heat is that eventually, we all need to cool off. The great thing about Gulf Shores is that there are plenty of places to cool off and take a splash. In this article, we’re going to go through our picks for the top water parks in the Gulf Shores area.
Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
Starting off hot with one of the coolest places in town, Waterville USA features 20 acres, with both a water park and an amusement park! Serving the area since 1986, this park has invested over $10 million in new attractions, making it an ideal destination for enjoying two parks in one.
The water park features over 10 massive water slides, a surfing simulator, a lazy river, and the Shrimp Boat Village. A water playground perfect for all ages to cool off from the hot sun.
Once you’re done splashing around, you can head to the amusement park portion of Waterville, where you can play a round of mini golf, enjoy the arcade, or grab a go-kart and race around on the Waterville 500.
Waterville also offers parents and other visitors a place to cool off in one of its cabanas, where you can enjoy the shade, food, and beverage service while the kids explore the park.
- Hours: Noon – 9 PM
- Location: 906 Gulf Shores Pkwy
- Website
Tropic Falls at OWA in Foley
Located about 30 minutes away in Foley, this award-winning theme park and indoor water park combines thrills with fun water attractions in a year-round island paradise. Take a dive in Big Water Bay, a 30,000 square feet wave pool that’s perfect for the whole family. The region’s largest indoor water park also features a 75-foot water slide, a surf simulator, a lazy river, and Tuki’s Tower, a sprawling water playground featuring 5 slides and a dump-bucket tower.
The theme park truly sets itself apart from other parks in the area with its variety of thrill rides and attractions for younger children and families, giving you a complete amusement experience. This section of the park features classic rides and fair staples, including a drop tower, a crazy mouse coaster, and a teacup ride. The centerpiece of the amusement park, however, is going to be the Rollin’ Thunder, a state-of-the-art roller coaster that reaches over 100 feet and features 4 inversions. For a thrilling afternoon with excitement for the whole family, look no further than OWA.
- Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM | Fri – Sat: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Location: 1501 S Owa Blvd
- Website
Adventure Island in Orange Beach
Head down to Adventure Island, just a town over in Orange Beach, for a classic day of local theme park fun. For an especially warm day, cool off with the bumper boats as you try to splash those around you, or test your skills at their go-kart track through a series of curves and spins. If that’s not enough, you can head to their indoor mini golf course, or keep things indoors at the arcade, and enjoy a series of fun games along with the Max Flight Roller Coaster Simulator. This park is also unique in that every experience requires a certain number of paid points, meaning you can customize your experience at Adventure Island to your liking.
- Hours: 9:30 AM - 11 PM
- Location: 24559 Perdido Beach Blvd
- Website
Plan Your Ultimate Summer Stay in Gulf Shores
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Need more time to cool off during your trip? Book a stay with Bender Vacation Rentals to make the most of your trip. Many of our rental properties are conveniently located near the beach, making it easy for you to enjoy the sun and cool off in the Gulf whenever things get a little toasty. Aside from beachfront rentals, our properties include condos, dog-friendly rentals, and homes for large groups from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach. Browse all our rentals today and save big when you book direct with Bender Vacation Rentals!