Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park

8301 Janes Ave., Woodridge

Perfect for: Families who can’t agree on slides versus splash time
The draws: A lazy river, a zero-entry pool, six (!) water slides (three body, one inner tube, one drop, one kiddie), and a six-lane lap pool
Why worth the drive: It feels like a mini-resort. With the slides and preteen splash pads, plus plenty of shade and a transportive Bayou theme, it has the makings of an all-day outing.
Nonresident admission: $21

Photograph: Courtesy of Centennial Park Aquatic Center

Centennial Park Aquatic Center

15600 West Ave., Orland Park

Perfect for: Big kids who want speed and drops they can brag about later
The draws: A 200-foot flume, tube slide, zero-entry pool, and platform cliff jump where adventure seekers can freefall into a pool below
Why worth the drive: It’s big, clean, and impressively varied. And did we mention the cliff jump?
Nonresident admission: $28; $26 Monday to Thursday

Photograph: Courtesy of Mystic Waters

Mystic Waters

2025 Miner St., Des Plaines

Perfect for: Families with kids far apart in age and swim skills
The draws: Two 37-foot-tall slides, a cliff jump, a 550-foot lazy river, and a zero-entry pool with fountains and spray features, plus a dedicated tot area with small slides and shallow water
Why worth the drive: It’s a favorite of families from the city and neighboring suburbs of Des Plaines who like the big-park feel.
Nonresident admission: $17.75 (under 18 years old) to $20.75

Photograph: Courtesy of Paradise Bay Water Park

Paradise Bay Water Park

437 E. St. Charles Rd., Lombard

Perfect for: Parents who want to sneak in some laps while their kids splash around
The draws: A zero-entry pool with fountains, a bowl slide, two drop slides, a body slide, a 12-foot-deep dive well with high and low boards, lap lanes, and a toddler area
Why worth the drive: The park is compact but with distinct zones for thrill rides, lap swimming, and tot play, so it’s easy for families to explore different activities without losing track of one another.
Nonresident admission: $17 (under 18 years old) to $19

Photograph: Courtesy of Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park

Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park

200 Lindsey Ln., Bolingbrook

Perfect for: Year-round splash fiends
The draws: Inside, there’s a heated zero-entry pool, a 25-yard lap pool, an enclosed big-kid slide, a tot slide, giant dump buckets, and a 10-person hot tub. Outside, you get four speed slides (two enclosed), a lazy river, a drop slide, another zero-entry pool, a sprayground, a sand playground, and beach volleyball.
Why worth the drive: It’s the only indoor-outdoor water park in the area. Access to heated pools and a hot tub in February — need we say more?
Nonresident admission: $18 in the summer; $7 for indoor lap swim and $11 for indoor open swim in the winter