Everyone knows about the Dells and the miles and miles of waterpark fun that can be had there, but it’s not feasible to head there over and over as the summer goes on. Your pocketbook and your sanity will thank us for finding these amazing local aquatic centers that offer tons of fun for your family this summer. Cool off, have fun, ride slides and have a ball at these local spots that are not only nearby, but whose admission prices won’t break the bank.
If you live nearby, every one of these spots also offers season passes for a discount that will allow you and your kids to go back time and again. They all offer options for kids of all ages, with zero-depth spots and areas for small kids as well as the big slides for your biggest children – or children at heart. When the temperatures rise and no one can stand to be in the house anymore, find one of these local spots to beat the heat and burn off some of that energy everyone has been storing up all summer.
1. Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Aquatic Center
The park is open 12 pm to 8 pm every day from mid-June to mid-August. If you get there before 4:15, admission is $4.00 for kids and $5.00 for adults. After 4:15, it's $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for kids. Children 2 and under are always free and non-swimmers pay just $1. Located at 439 Martin Ave., Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
2. Manitowoc Family Aquatic Center
Not only does this great spot cost just $4 for adults and $3.50 for kids and seniors, but they have a mini golf course attached, as well. This awesome spot is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Located at 940 N 18th St., Manitowoc, WI 54220.
3. Veteran's Memorial Aquatic Center - Hartford
This spot is cash only, so make sure you're prepared. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for kids and $5 for seniors, though prices are half that if you live in the city of Hartford and have proof of residence. Open regularly from mid-June to mid-August, they also have some pre-season and post-season hours. The pool is open for lap swim and lazy river walking for ages 16 and older in the mornings and opens up for everyone at 1 pm during the week and 12 pm on weekends. Located at 777 S Main St., Hartford, WI 53027.
4. Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Pool - Madison
These folks open in early June and stay open through Labor Day. It's a huge spot with something for everyone. Their hours are Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Prices are $6 for adults, $4 for kids and $5 for seniors. Resident prices are a dollar less.
Located at 325 W. Olin Ave., Madison, WI 53715
5. Cool Waters Aquatic Center - West Allis
This spot right in the city of Milwaukee is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, with hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays,Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rates are $7.75 for anyone age 12 and up, $6 for ages 3-11 and seniors, and $5 for children up to age 3 or anyone after 6 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Located in Greenfield Park at 2028 S 124th St., West Allis, WI 53227.
6. Mount Horeb Family Aquatic Center
The Aquatic Center features a 35 meter pool, zero depth baby pool, water slide, wet sand play area, and grass decks. Admission is $5 for anyone over the age of 13, $4 for kids age 2-12 and free for children under two and seniors. Prices are a dollar less for Mount Horeb residents. They're open June 2 through August 18 daily from 1:00 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. Located at 204 Park St., Mount Horeb, WI 53572.
7. Wakanda Waterpark - Menomonie
No, it's not the home to superheroes, but it is nearly 14,000 square feet of amazing water fun. Open from late May to late August, daily hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m on Sunday. Admission is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for kids age 6-17 and $3.50 for kids age 1-5. Located at 909 Pine Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751.
8. Weston Aquatic Center - Weston
With something for kids of all ages, you won't be able to resist a trip to this awesome location. Credit cards are accepted, but have a convenience fee, so you should bring cash. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for kids and $2 for everyone after 6 p.m. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Located at 5815 Alta Verde St., Schofield, WI 54476.
9. Sun Prairie Family Aquatic Center - Sun Prairie
This center opens in early June and stays open until the last Saturday in August. All tickets are $4.50 for the afternoon session, $3.50 in the evening. Hours are Monday through Friday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. and Monday, Wednesday and Friday Evenings: 6 - 8:30 p.m. On weekends, it's from 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. Located at 920 Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590.
10. Tosa Pool at Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa
This place has the bonus of an attached beer garden for the parents to enjoy while the kids are swimming. The pool is open Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fridays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays and holidays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They also reopen on Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $8 during the day and $5 at night.
Located at 1800 N Swan Blvd., Wauwatosa, WI 53226.
11. Columbus Area Aquatic Center - Columbus
These folks have an outdoor, heated pool to enjoy even in chillier weather. Hours are Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 during the day and $3 for the evening session Located at 1049 Park Ave., Columbus, WI 53925.
12. Erb Pool - Appleton
Open from early June to late August, admission to Erb Pool is just $4 for adults, $3 for kids and senior citizens. Hours for open swim are Monday through Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Located at 1800 N Morrison St,, Appleton, WI 54911.
13. Plymouth Aquatic Center - Plymouth
This pool is cash only, so plan ahead. The pool is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6 during the day and $3 after 5 p.m. Rates are a dollar less for city residents. Located at 203 Suhrke Rd., Plymouth, WI 53073.
14. Watertown Aquatic Center
Open from early June to mid-August, this pool is heated and has a sandy beach area. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $4. Located at 1009 Perry St., Watertown, WI 53098.
15. Waupun Aquatic Center
Open swim hours are Monday through Friday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $4 during the day, $2 for the night session. Located at 701 County Park Rd., Waupun, WI 53963.
16. Holmen Area Aquatic Center
This aquatic center is open from early June to late August. Admission is just $3. The hours are Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m., Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Located at 315 Anderson St., Holmen, WI 54636.
Does your community have an awesome aquatic center we need to know about? Let us know in the comments!
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