Splish splash: Suburban water parks opening for the summer

Time to grab a swimsuit, beach towels and, most importantly, sunscreen as suburban, family-friendly water parks are reopening this weekend. Here are some options for where to have fun in the sun this summer.

Bensenville Water Park and Splash Pad

Water fans of all ages can have a ball on the slides, a splash pad, the pool and more. Special events throughout the summer include Decorate the Deck Day June 6 and July 6, Slushy Day July 11, National Hot Dog Day July 17 (free hot dog with the purchase of a drink), National Ice Cream Day July 21 (free ice cream sundae), a dive-in movie screening of “Elemental” Aug. 3 and more.

Details: 1100 W. Wood St., Bensenville, (630) 766-7015, bvilleparks.org/parks-facilities/bensenville-water-park/. Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. daily now through Aug. 11.

Admission: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday: kids 3-17 $11, adults $14; after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday: $7. Noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday: kids 3-17 $13, adults $16; after 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday: $8. Free for kids 2 and younger. Season passes available.

Hurricane Harbor

With a variety of water attractions — including Tsunami Surge, Bahama Mama and Bubba Tubba, Buccaneer Bay, Castaway Creek, Dive Bomber, Hammerhead and Barracuda, Hurricane Bay, Hurricane Mountain, Monsoon Lagoon and Surf Rider — there are lots of ways to cool off this summer at Six Flags’ adjacent water park, which opened Saturday.

The Rockford location offers waterslides, including the Tidal Wave, The Abyss, Bermuda Triangle, Typhoon Terror, Wipeout and more.

Details: Hurricane Harbor is at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee, sixflags.com/hurricaneharborchicago, and 7820 Cherryvale North Blvd., Cherry Valley, sixflags.com/hurricaneharborrockford. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Gurnee) and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Rockford) Saturdays and Sunday through June 16, and then daily through Aug. 11. Weekends only Aug. 17 through Sept. 2.

Tickets: One-day tickets start at $30 online. The Platinum Pass, Six Flags Plus and Diamond Pass include admission to Six Flags Great America, parking and more.

Itasca Waterpark

Now open, the Itasca Waterpark offers thrills on the 185-foot waterslide, plus a drop slide, a dive well with high and low dives, a zero-depth entry main pool with a vortex, sprayers and bubbler bench, and a family interactive pool.

Details: 100 N. Catalpa, Itasca, (630) 773-1213, itascaparkdistrict.com/176/Waterpark. Hours are 12:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and holidays. Back-to-school hours Aug. 19-Sept. 2. See website for later hours and closings.

Admission: Check the website. Individual and family passes are available.

Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center

Mystic Waters, which opened Saturday, boasts two 37-foot slides, plus drop slides at Otter’s Run, the Crocodile Cove lazy river, Dolphin Bay (with a zero-depth leisure pool with fountains, jet sprays and a child-size dolphin slide) and the Beluga Beach splash pad.

Details: 2025 Miner St., Des Plaines, (847) 391-5740, dpparks.org/parks-facilities/mystic-waters/. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday though Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, now through Aug. 11. Special hours: Noon to 7 p.m. July 4 and Aug. 17-18 and 24-25.

Admission: Adults $20, kids 17 and younger and seniors 60 and older $17.75. Residents: Adults $15.50, kids 17 and younger and seniors 60 and older $13. Twilight after 6 p.m.: Adults $17.25/$13, kids 17 and younger and seniors 60 and older $14.50/$11.75. Free for kids 2 and younger.

Paradise Bay Water Park

Soak in the sun at Lombard Park District's water park featuring Hurricane Cove (a zero-depth entry leisure pool with water sprays and a whirlpool), Sidewinder (body slide), Wipeout (bowl slide), Pipeline (speed slide), Alligator Crossing water walk and Splashdown (with a 3-meter and 1-meter diving board and drop slide). Special events include Night at the Movies from 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 13; Root Beer Float Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 20; Family Luau from 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 27; Rubber Ducky Night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 18; Cardboard Boat Regatta from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 25; Grandparent's Day Aug. 4 and more.

Details: 437 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard, (630) 627-6127, lombardparks.com/paradise-bay-water-park/. Hours are 12:30-5:30 and 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:30-6:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday through Aug. 14. Postseason hours are 12:30-6:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 17 through Sept. 1. July 4 and Labor Day: 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Admission: Before 5 p.m.: Adults $12-$18; kids 3-17 and seniors 60 and older $9-$16. After 5 p.m.: Adults $10-$15; kids 3-17 and seniors 60 and older $8-$12. Free for kids 2 and younger.

Raging Waves Waterpark

Located in Yorkville, the Australian-themed water park is Illinois' largest. Starting Saturday, June 1, thrill-seekers can ride The Boomerang, Kangaroo Falls, Aussie Mat Dash, Wonambi, Kookaburra Kreek, The Three Sisters, PJ's Plummet, Platypus Plunge, Cyclone, Koala Kove, Quokka-Nut Island, Wild Wallabies, Tasmanian Twisters, Brock's Giant Sandbox and many more.

Details: Raging Waves is at 4000 N. Bridge St., Yorkville, (630) 882-6575, ragingwaves.com/. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 1-7 and Aug. 12-16; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 8-Aug. 11 and Aug. 17-18 and 24-25; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 2 and Sept. 7-8.

Tickets: $44.99 for pick-your-date tickets and $59.99 for any-day tickets. Admission is free for kids 1 and younger. Individual lockers cost $14 and family lockers are $18. Standard parking is $20 and preferred parking is $30.

Rainbow Falls Waterpark

Take advantage of Rainbow Falls Waterpark’s tropical paradise, which features the Barracuda Bowl vortex pool, Pelican Plunge waterslide, Iguana Island play area and more. Don’t miss events such as the Lazy River Run 5K at 8:30 a.m. June 30, Teen Summer Blast at 8:15 p.m. July 19 and Aug. 2, and the Duck Race at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 11.

Details: Rainbow Falls is at 200 Rev. Morrison Blvd., Elk Grove Village, (847) 228-2860, elkgroveparks.org/rainbow-falls-waterpark-community-center/. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 1 through Aug. 11. Postseason hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only, Aug. 17-Sept. 1.

Admission: $12 for residents, $18 for nonresidents; seniors 65 and older $9 residents, $13 nonresidents. Free for kids younger than 2. Season passes cost $160 for residents, $225 for nonresidents, with discounts for seniors.

Water Works

Since Schaumburg's Water Works is indoors in the Community Recreational Center, a rainy day won’t matter. This year-round water park features three waterslides, a sprayground, a whirlpool, a diving pool, a rapid water channel, a zero-depth entry pool and more.

Details: 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, (847) 490-2505, parkfun.com/pools/the-water-works. Summer open swim hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 1 through July 28.

Admission: Residents $10; nonresidents $14; free for kids 2 and younger.