With temps in the upper 90’s and no relief in sight- how do you keep cool? I saw this article and thought of how much fun water parks are!
Whether you want to enjoy the post-Independence Day fun in your backyard or venture out and about in Charlotte, this is a pretty good list that I wanted to share.
Stay cool and as always-
-Linda
Charlotte summers are hot and sticky, we all know this. I walk half a mile from where I park to the office and this past week I’ve been a sweaty mess by the halfway point (gross, I know, but true). Not because it’s a hard walk, but because the humidity is at approximately eleventy-billion percent right now.
On this walk, I keep thinking about how nice it would be to dive into a pool or play in a fountain or do anything to break the heat.
Turns out there are a lot of places to get wet in Charlotte when it’s hot out. Here’s what I came up with:
(1) An apartment pool, preferably one with a view of uptown like this one at The VUE. (Just don’t forget to have proper pool etiquette.)
(2) The splash fountain on The Green uptown. (These things don’t have to be just for little kids.)
(3) The waterfall at Romare Bearden Park. (Probably the most efficient soaking you can get at an uptown fountain.)
(4) Mecklenburg County’s only public beach at Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius. (Get there early, though, because that little parking lot fills up fast.)
The beach is full! People getting turned away from new beach on Lake Norman. Live report @ 6pm. #WCCB @WCCBCharlotte
(5) Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center. (It just reopened to the public after being closed for renovations.)
(6) Whitewater rafting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. (If you’re with an adventurous group, the raft guide might “accidentally” make sure your butt ends up in the water.)
(7) Carowinds’ new Carolina Harbor water park. (I don’t know how I feel about that slide where the floor drops out from under you, though.)
(8) Marion Diehl Pool (Which is near the world’s largest standing lion statue — one of my favorite places to take out-of-town friends.)
(9) Ray’s Splash Planet uptown. (Never been here but Ray looks like a fun dude.)
(10) Mecklenburg County outdoor pools — Cordelia and Double Oaks. (I’m picturing the pool scene from “Caddyshack.”)
(11) Craft City Social Club at the Sheraton uptown. (For those craving a fancy pool party.)
(12) On Lake Wylie in a boat you rented. (All the perks of owning a boat without all the pesky maintenance because ain’t nobody got time for that.)
(13) This little fountain on the Rail Trail and Carson right outside of the 1100South apartments.
(14) Standing outside during a summer shower. (Watch out for thunderstorms, though. Safety first.)
(15) One of those water fountains on Queens Road in Myers Park. (Just stick your face right in it.)
(16) The Sprayground at Latta Park.
(17) The Sprayground at Veterans Park. (This one and the one above it come highly recommended by C5 writer Joanne Spataro.)
(18) A Micro Brews Cruise (kayaking and beer) or Unwined (stand-up paddleboarding and win) dinner excursion at USNWC.
(19) Paddleboating at University Place shopping center in University City. (I don’t know if I’d want to swim in that water, but a little splash wouldn’t hurt.)
(20) Splash fountain at First Ward Park. (Why do people think these things are just for kids?)
(21) The pond at Freedom Park. (This is probably frowned upon, but desperate times …)
What did I miss? Let me know by email, on Facebook or Twitter.
Photos: Robert Lahser; Google Street View; USNWC; David T. Foster; Corey Inscoe; Diedra Laird
