Michigan has two temperatures — cold as ice and hot as hell.

Summer in the Mitten State is here and with it comes all of the heat. When it’s scorching out, a nice dip in some cool water is ideal for everyone.

These splash pads and waterparks are the perfect place to cool off with the family.

Zehnder’s Splash Village 1365 S. Main St., Frankenmuth; zehnders.com Zehnder’s Splash Village features 50,000 square-feet of slides, pools, and splash zones. Credit: Zehnder's Splash Village/Facebook
Mt. Elliott Park 110 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit; detroitriverfront.org The newly renovated Mt. Elliott Park and Pavilion features a Great Lakes-themed water feature, cannons, wind chimes and other interactive features. There’s also fishing piers, walkways, restrooms and a café. Credit: Facebook / Detroit Riverfront
Red Oaks Waterpark 1455 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Madison Heights; 248-858-0918; oakgov.com/parks Red Oaks Waterpark is a metro Detroit favorite. Though it left us a bit sad last summer because the River Ride was closed due to staffing, this year all attractions will be open. Red Oaks will open for the season on Saturday, June 25, will only operate on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Credit: Red Oaks Water Park/Facebook
The Sprayscape 46640 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth; 734-453-3567; plymouthwp.org This Plymouth water playground features water cannons, and is made to accommodate all ages. Credit: Plymouth/Facebook
Heritage Park Splash Pad 24915 Farmington Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-871-2400; fhgov.com This Heritage Park Splash Pad is located in Farmington Hills’ Heritage Park. The splash pad features geyser and sprinkler-like water features and is only a few feet away from one of the park’s playscapes. Credit: Farmington Hills Special Services Department/Facebook
Great Wolf Lodge 3575 N. U.S. 31 S., Traverse City; 866-478-9653; greatwolf.com Though located Up North, this park provides year-round water fun for the whole family. There’s tubing, water slides, hot tubs, and even cabanas you can rent during your stay. Credit: Google Maps
Flodin Park Splash Playground 43399 Saltz Rd., Canton; 734-394-5310; canton-mi.org Flodin Park Splash Playground is one of the features of Flodin Park, a 28-acre park in Canton that also houses a baseball diamond, nature trails, and a basketball court. Credit: Canton Leisure Services/Facebook
Lily Pad Springs 6200 Farmington Rd., West Bloomfield Twp.; 248-451-1940; wbparks.org Lily Pad Springs has more than 50 water features, four water slides, and a 55-gallon water dump bucket. Credit: Lily Pad Springs/Facebook
Troy Family Aquatic Center 3425 Civic Center Dr., Troy; 248-524-3514; troymi.gov Whether you’re looking for a chance to splash around in the pool or slip down the slide, the Troy Family Aquatic Center has both for your water fun. Credit: Troy Aquatic Center/Facebook
Heritage Park Splash Playground 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton; 734-394-5310; canton-mi.org Heritage Park Splash Playground is a sprinkler-style splash pad in Canton’s Heritage Park, perfect for children who might not be ready for the big pool. Credit: Canton Leisure Services/Facebook
Handy Park Splash Pad 26590 Capitol, Redford Charter Twp.; 313-387-2650 Handy Park Splash Pad is a quick water escape for your little one, on a auto-themedstreet with cars, street signs, and a “car wash,” too. Credit: Google Maps
Rolling Hills Water Park 7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti; 734-484-9676; washtenaw.org This Ypsilanti water park includes an area for smaller children that features a waterfall and kiddie slide. Entry tickets have to be purchased online in advance. Credit: Rolling Hills County Park/Facebook
Normandy Oaks Park Splash Pad 4234 Delemere Blvd., Royal Oak Royal Oak’s Normandy Oaks Park Splash Pad not only features the water playground, but also a playscape nearby for some dry fun as well. Credit: Royal Oak Parks and Recreation/Facebook
Ford Woods Pool 5700 Greenfield Rd., Dearborn; 313-582-3736; cityofdearborn.org Dearborn’s Ford Woods Pool not only features the swimming pool, but also water slides and dumping water features. Credit: Dearborn Parks and Recreation/Facebook
Soaring Eagle Waterpark 5665 E. Pickard Rd., Mount Pleasant; 989-817-4800; soaringeaglewaterpark.com Soaring Eagle Waterpark features a lazy river, water basketball, a wave simulator for bodyboarding and surfing and a water slide that you can tube down. Make a trip and stay overnight or buy a single day pass. Credit: Alex Washington
Brandenburg Park Splash Pad 50050 Jefferson Ave., Chesterfield Township; 586-949-0400; parks.chesterfieldtwp.org Just because Brandenburg Park sits on Lake St. Clair, does not mean the lake is the only way to enjoy the water. The Brandenburg Park Splash Pad will make for a day of water fun. Credit: Brandenburg Park
Lamarand Splash Pad 12111 Pardee Rd., Taylor;cityoftaylor.com This baseball-themed splash pad is a Downriver home run. The splash pad is designed for children under 12 and also has a playscape for children. Credit: Taylor Recreation/Facebook
Renee Przybylski Memorial Spray Park 6000 Clarkston Rd., Village of Clarkston; 248-625-8223; indtwp.com The Renee Przybylski Memorial Spray Park offers 3,200 square feet of splash pads. Credit: Independence Township Parks, Recs, Seniors/Facebook
Van Houten Park Splash Pad 6000 Silvery Ln., Dearborn Heights; 313-791-3600; dearborn-heights.mi.us The Van Houten spray park is designed with warm weather in mind (literally, the park won’t operate below 70 degrees). Located in Dearborn Heights, it’s the perfect place for kids to splash around. Credit: Dearborn Heights City Hall/Facebook
Water Warrior Island 3361 S. Lapeer Rd., Orion Charter Twp.; 248-672-3713; waterwarriorisland.com Why not live out your Wipeout dreams at this inflatable water park in Orion Charter Township? Not only is there the obstacle course, you can also kayak and paddleboard, too. Credit: Water Warrior Island/Facebook

Have something to share?

Since 1980, Metro Times has been Detroit’s premier alternative source for news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more from a liberal point of view.