Keep Cool in St. Louis

As temperatures soar in St. Louis, consider some of these ways to keep cool. From water parks to float trips, water access abounds across the metro area.

Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags

Open every day of summer, Hurricane Harbor offers endless access to watery fun with interactive water gadgets at Adventure Cove, a calming lazy river at Gulley Washer Creek and a zero-gravity slide at Typhoon Twister. Both young and old will have a splashing good time at Hurricane Harbor, which is part of the Six Flags St. Louis experience, where thrills can be found around every corner.

Spray and Wading Pools at Citygarden

Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, Citygarden is a free urban park and sculpture garden. When it’s hot outside, families flock to the park’s Spray Plaza, where water dances while little ones jump, play and race through the cooling jets. Citygarden features pools and a waterfall, as well, with monitors on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer season.

Float Trip at Brookdale Farms

At Brookdale Farms in Eureka, you can rent rafts, tubes, kayaks or canoes for a float trip on the beautiful Meramec River. The adventure outfitter offers a four-mile float and a nine-mile float daily, and its stretch of the river offers access to gravel bars and swimming holes, with the natural beauty of bluffs and wildlife as a backdrop to your day on the water. Just half an hour from downtown St. Louis, this is an easy day trip for the entire family.

Raging Rivers

“It’s cool when it’s hot” is how Raging Rivers famously puts it. The water park overflows with pools, slides and interactive water features, all designed to help you chill out on a summer day. Located in Grafton, Illinois, a quick drive up the beautiful Great River Road from Alton, Raging Rivers is fun for the entire family. While you’re there, check out the concessions – the Mississippi Monster serves a pound of fries dressed to the nines with cheese, chili, pico de gallo and jalapeños.

Wine Down on Miss Augusta

The deck breezes on Miss Augusta will keep you cool as you tour the Missouri River and indulge in a glass of Missouri wine. Just an hour outside of St. Louis in Augusta, the luxury yacht offers daily cruises, including afternoon and sunset sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises and Sunday brunch cruises, which also include a tour of Mount Pleasant Estates’ vineyards when you return to shore.

Staycation at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

When you feel like splurging on a hot summer day, check yourself into the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis for a pampering stay that includes access to the hotel’s stunning pool overlooking the downtown skyline, the Mississippi River and, of course, the Gateway Arch. If you don’t have time to make a night of it, treat yourself to a massage at the hotel’s spa, purchase a pool wristband and live the lounge life as you watch the sun sink over the city.