10 Ways to Make a Splash in St. Louis This Summer

Offering a refreshing escape from the heat, water is the ultimate summer sidekick. From thrilling water parks to chill hotel pools to family-friendly splash pads, St. Louis has an aquatic adventure for every visitor. Let’s dive in!

Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags St. Louis

Everybody scream! Six Flags St. Louis boasts nine exhilarating rollercoasters with more than 22,000 feet of combined track. Located in Eureka, the amusement park continues to add attractions, appealing to thrill-seekers of all ages. Need to cool off? Head to Hurricane Harbor, a water park inside Six Flags St. Louis, where you can experience zero gravity on the Typhoon Twister, compete for first place on the Wahoo Racer and set sail on Gulley Washer Creek. Hurricane Bay offers beach vibes and wild waves, while Adventure Cove encompasses multiple levels of interactive water features for kids under 54 inches.

Raging Rivers Water Park

Water slides, wave pools and lazy rivers – Raging Rivers Water Park is a kid’s paradise and the perfect place to make a splash in St. Louis this summer. Take tiny tots to the Itty Bitty Surf City, sail down the Mississippi Monster with older kids and then relax in a rented cabana with an ice-cold drink. On select Mondays in June, July and August, little ones can also swim with mermaids at the St. Louis water park. Take photos with the magical creatures and then join them for story time.

Citygarden

Designed specifically for families, Citygarden should be on your summer bucket list. The downtown oasis includes conversation-starting sculptures, lush plant life, rain gardens, dancing fountains and a 180-foot-long shallow pool with a six-foot-tall waterfall where kids can play. This is a memorable pit stop between visits to the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium – just make sure you have a towel handy!

Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Parents, listen up! One of the coolest playgrounds in St. Louis – complete with water features, of course – is tucked inside the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden introduces kids to the significance of plants and nature in fun and innovative ways. Youngsters can splash through a stream, navigate a rope bridge and play with the locks and dams. They can climb to new heights in a treehouse and then glide down Spelunker’s Slide into a limestone cave. Bringing botany and 19th-century history to life, the garden invites children and adults alike to explore the wetlands, board a steamboat and visit a Midwestern prairie village.

Destination Playground in Brentwood Park

In 2023, a new playground opened between Brentwood Boulevard and Hanley Road, attracting active families from near and far for long afternoons of free fun. The impressive three-acre playground in Brentwood Park features a cascading waterfall, bubbling fountains and splash pads – plus, a climbing wall and a zip line! You’ll also find epic slides, bridges, jungle gyms and ropes courses among the mature trees and flowering plants. Destination Playground is part of Brentwood Bound, a $79.6 million flood mitigation project that seeks to reclaim the floodplain between the aforementioned roads.

Looking for a convenient cooldown? Book a room at one of these first-rate hotels with top-notch pools.

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

At the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, luxury is as limitless as the blue skies above the eighth-floor pool. If you’re interested in an indulgent upgrade, book a private pool cabana, which comes with scented towels and frozen treats. Spa packages also include access to the resort-style rooftop pool, where you can soak up views of the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River.

Hotel Saint Louis

Perched on the roof of Hotel Saint Louis, this swimming pool offers a chic escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Order craft cocktails and curated plates at Form Skybar and enjoy them poolside along with sweeping views of downtown.

Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton

Transporting guests to coastal Europe, Le Méridien St. Louis Clayton will offer special summer pool programming for residents and visitors alike. For a curated sense of relaxation, the hotel will partner with The Novel Neighbor to supply poolside reads for guests; Aria Thomé to host sound baths on the deck; and local artists to create a summer playlist for the space. The hotel’s pool deck will be open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can savor a food and beverage menu designed for recovery and rejuvenation. Summer room and resort packages are also available to elevate your excursion to St. Louis.

St. Louis Union Station Hotel

Housed in a former train station, the hotel at St. Louis Union Station has a glittering outdoor pool – just one of many kid-friendly features of the entertainment venue. The seasonal pool has a soaring glass-and-steel canopy, lush greenery, lounge chairs and private cabanas. It’s the ideal spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis

Palm trees, stone porticos and elegant fountains set the scene at this Mediterranean-inspired swimming pool. Serving refreshing cocktails and light snacks among the high-end loungers, The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis delivers sun-soaked perfection.