Splash down!: Beat the heat at suburban water parks

Wow, is it hot out! What better way to cool off than at a family-friendly water park in the suburbs. So grab a swimsuit, sunscreen, water (hydration is key in this heat) and beach towel before heading out for some fun in the sun.

Bensenville Water Park and Splash Pad

Water fans of all ages can have a ball on the slides, a splash pad, the pool and more. Special events includes Veterans Swim for free from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Wednesday, July 15 is SnoCone Day; get a free small snocone while supplies last. And make plans for Zumba Surf ‘n’ Turf at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

Details: 1100 W. Wood St., Bensenville, (630) 766-7015, bvilleparks.org/parks-facilities/bensenville-water-park/. Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through mid-August.

Admission: Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday: kids and seniors 55 and older 3-17 $12, adults $15; after 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday: $8. Noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday: kids 3-17 and seniors $14, adults $17; after 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday: $9. Free for kids 2 and younger. Season passes available.

Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park

Take a float on Cajun Creek lazy river, slide down Pelican’s Plunge, dip your toes in Cattail Bay, lounge on the beach or cool off with a swim in the pool.

Details: 8301 Janes Ave., Woodridge, cypresscove.org/. Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Admission: $12.50 for residents and $21 for nonresidents.

Hurricane Harbor Chicago

With 25 water attractions spread out over 20 acres — including Tsunami Surge, Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba, Buccaneer Bay, Castaway Creek, Hammerhead and Barracuda, Hurricane Bay, Hurricane Mountain, Monsoon Lagoon and Surf Rider — there are lots of ways to cool off this summer at Six Flags’ water park in Gurnee.

The Rockford location offers waterslides, including the Tidal Wave, The Abyss, Bermuda Triangle, Typhoon Terror, Wipeout and more.

Details: Hurricane Harbor is at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, sixflags.com/greatamerica/hurricane-harbor, and 7820 Cherryvale North Blvd., Cherry Valley, sixflags.com/hurricaneharborrockford. Hours are: Gurnee: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Aug. 9; Rockford: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 9. Weekends only Aug. 15 through Sept. 7.

Tickets: One-day tickets start at $30 online.

Itasca Waterpark

The Itasca Waterpark offers thrills on the 185-foot waterslide, plus a drop slide, a dive well with high and low dives, a zero-depth entry main pool with a vortex, sprayers and bubbler bench, and a family interactive pool. Special events include the Penny Plunge at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, when participants can dive for pennies, and a Water Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Details: 100 N. Catalpa, Itasca, (630) 773-1213, itascaparkdistrict.com/176/Waterpark. Hours are 12:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and holidays. See website for later hours and closings.

Admission: $10 Monday through Friday and $15 on the weekends and holidays.

Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center

Mystic Waters boasts two 37-foot slides, plus drop slides at Otter’s Run, the Crocodile Cove lazy river, Dolphin Bay (with a zero-depth leisure pool with fountains, jet sprays and a child-size dolphin slide) and the Beluga Beach splash pad.

Details: 2025 Miner St., Des Plaines, (847) 391-5740, dpparks.org/parks-facilities/mystic-waters/. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday though Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, now through Aug. 9. Special hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Aug. 15-16 and 22-23.

Admission: Weekdays: Adults $21, kids 17 and younger and seniors 60 and older $19. Residents: Adults $16, kids 17 and younger and seniors 60 and older $14. Weekends: Adults $22, kids 17 and younger and seniors 60 and older $19; residents: $17. Free for kids 2 and younger.

Paradise Bay Water Park

Soak in the sun at Lombard Park District's water park featuring Hurricane Cove (a zero-depth entry leisure pool with water sprays and a whirlpool), Sidewinder (body slide), Wipeout (bowl slide), Pipeline (speed slide), Alligator Crossing water walk and Splashdown (with a 3-meter and 1-meter diving board and drop slide). Special events include Summerween (Halloween in July with a costume contest, trick-or-treating, games, music and more) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9; Mother’s Day (moms are free with their kids) Sunday, July 12; Rubber Ducky Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16; Cardboard Boat Regatta (bring a cardboard boat and race it) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 23; Flick and Float (movie music, games and character visits) from 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday, July 30; Customer Appreciation Night (games, activities and prizes) from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4; and Grandparents’ Day (grandparents admitted free with one paying grandchild) Sunday, Aug. 9.

Details: 437 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard, (630) 627-6127, lombardparks.com/paradise-bay-water-park/. Hours are 12:30-5:30 and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:30-6:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday until Aug. 12. Postseason hours are 12:30-6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 15 through Sept. 6. Labor Day: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission: Before 5 p.m.: Adults $13-$19; kids 3-17 and seniors 60 and older $10-$17. After 5 p.m.: Adults $11-$16; kids 3-17 and seniors 60 and older $9-$13. Free for kids 2 and younger.

Raging Waves Waterpark

Located in Yorkville, the Australian-themed water park is Illinois’ largest. Thrill-seekers can ride The Boomerang, Kangaroo Falls, Aussie Mat Dash, Wonambi, Kookaburra Kreek, The Three Sisters, PJ's Plummet, Platypus Plunge, Cyclone, Koala Kove, Quokka-Nut Island, Wild Wallabies, Tasmanian Twisters, Brock's Giant Sandbox and more.

Details: Raging Waves is at 4000 N. Bridge St., Yorkville, (630) 882-6575, ragingwaves.com/. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 9 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10-11, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 and Sept. 5-7.

Tickets: $49.99 for single-day tickets and $54.99 for any-day tickets online. Admission is free for kids 1 and younger. Parking is $10- $30 online and more at the park.

Rainbow Falls Waterpark

Take advantage of Rainbow Falls Waterpark’s tropical paradise, which features the Barracuda Bowl vortex pool, Pelican Plunge waterslide, Iguana Island play area and more. Don’t miss events such as the dance party July 7, Ollie’s Birthday Party July 15, Teen Summer Blast from 8:15-10 p.m. July 17, Christmas in July on July 25, Cruel Summer Party (Taylor Swift music and friendship bracelets) July 30, Back to School Bash Aug. 5 and Duck Race at 6 p.m. Aug. 9.

Details: Rainbow Falls is at 200 Rev. Morrison Blvd., Elk Grove Village, (847) 228-2860, elkgroveparks.org/rainbow-falls-waterpark-community-center/. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 9. Postseason hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 15-Sept. 6. Labor Day: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission: $12 for residents, $18 for nonresidents; seniors 65 and older $9 residents, $13 nonresidents. Free for kids younger than 2.