A water park is an outdoor amusement park filled with pools, water slides, and splash areas where people go to cool off and have fun, especially during hot summer months. Picture enormous slides that twist and turn before dropping you into a pool, lazy rivers where you float on inner tubes, and wave pools that create artificial ocean waves. Some water parks have slides so tall they feel like roller coasters, while others feature gentler splash pads perfect for younger kids.

Most water parks require you to wear a swimsuit and follow safety rules, like height requirements for certain slides. Lifeguards watch over the pools and attractions. Between rides, people often relax on lounge chairs or grab food at concession stands.

Today, water parks exist around the world, from small local ones to massive destinations with dozens of attractions. Some hotels even have their own indoor water parks that stay warm year-round, so visitors can enjoy water slides even when it’s snowing outside.