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Summer officially started this week with Sunday's solstice, which means many more of the 90-degree days we've been having. Beat the heat this year by splashing around the cool waters of these Charlotte parks.
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Kids and parents will find cool fun at this new hotel and resort in Concord, which features an indoor water park, arcade and spa. Use of the water park is included with your stay – just look out for the massive soaker bucket that sits atop Fort McKenzie. Every few minutes, the 1,000-gallon bucket dumps its contents onto parkgoers below. 10175 Weddington Road, Concord. Rates start at $179 a night. www.greatwolf.com.
RAY'S SPLASH PLANET
This indoor water park includes the Blue Comet, a three-story slide; a lazy river called the Orbiter; and Saturation Station, an interactive water-play area with four slides and a tumble bucket. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m-7 p.m. Saturday; 1-7 p.m. Sunday. 215 N. Sycamore St. $8-$11; 17 and younger $6-$8. www.rayssplashplanet.com.
WHITEWATER CENTER
Adventurous outdoorsmen and women can navigate a raft or kayak down the rapids at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, where the manmade river ranges in difficulty from medium to very difficult. Open daily at 10:30 a.m. 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway. Parking is $5; rates for activities vary. 704-391-3900 or visit www.usnwc.org.
BOOMERANG BAY AT CAROWINDS
The 20-acre water park was expanded last year to include Bondi Beach, a 600,000-gallon, 34,000-square-foot wave pool that provides a surf-like experience for guests. For more thrills, climb the tower to the Sydney Sidewinder, a winding and twisting 370-foot chute, or brave the 80-foot-high spiraling body ride, Pipeline Peak. Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 14523 Carowinds Blvd. $21.99-$46.99, plus $10 for parking. Admission to the theme park is included. www.carowinds.com.
SPRAY GROUNDS
Get wet at Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation “Spraygrounds” at Cordelia, Latta, Nevin, Veterans and West Charlotte Recreation Center parks. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m daily. Free. For locations, go to www.charmeck.org.
