hot mama seeks summer cool down
Hello summer heat! How are you cooling off this summer? I’m a Scorpio - which is a water sign - so I head towards water every chance I get! This month, I’m excited to be traveling to spend some time off with family who lives close to water. I’ll take my son to the beach and hope to get in a few canoe rides while we are near a lake. When we get back to Colorado, you will find me seeking all the best watering holes to cool off in the July heat. And no, “watering holes” is not a cool, old-school code for bars.
If you love to splash too this list of my favorite pools, splash pads, and watering holes will keep you cool and entertained this summer.
For those of you in households without children - don’t skip this list! Being a grown-up who runs through splash pads or taking a day to go play on some water slides instead of just reading a book by the pool is a sure-fire way to make your inner child giggle and help your summer come alive!
And for my pregnant folks. Maybe save this list in your car alongside an emergency swimsuit and towel —because when you are pregnant in summer in Colorado, sometimes you and baby/babies need an unplanned swim break in your day.
Scott Carpenter Pool - Boulder
I appreciate that Scott Carpenter is open in the early morning in the summer to get in those laps. I will totally admit to being intimidated by the super fast swimmers who practice here, but when it’s really busy they mark the lanes just like ski slopes: green for flow, blue for intermediate, and black diamond for the people in speedos, caps, and goggles who are super fast 🙂🏊♀️🏊🏊♂️
Coal Creek Park - Erie
This park in Erie has an amazing splash pad, a ropes playground for bigger kids, and best of all it’s free. So those days when you want to get in the water but don’t want to commit to big pool day this is the perfect stop.
Louisville Community Park - Louisville
Splash pad - check. Climbing structures - check. Community concerts - check. Dog park - check. Nearby ice cream - check.
Elks Pool - Boulder
Known for a great swim team they have revamped to add more community events. This little gem is tucked away in North Boulder and ready for a splash.
Memory Square Park Pool - Louisville
If you need a quick swim in the heart of Louisville this is the prime spot. Plus they have a host of louisville rec centers aqua-aerobics in the summer. (Fun fact - I used to teach yoga at Louisville Rec and would almost always go to aquafitness classes before teaching. Definitely a recipe for a good night’s sleep!)
Pearl Street Splash Pad - Boulder
Save this for the kids after brunch, but then let them run wild and wet all over downtown!
Great Escape Outdoor Water Park - Lafayette
All the same fun kid splash pads, high slides, and lazy rivers you can find at most of our outdoor pools now, but in Lafayette.
Festival Plaza - Lafayette
This sweet little splash pad is in the middle of Lafayette which means you can pop by after your morning breakfast at Tangerine and shopping Little Herbal Apothecary or for your afternoon snack at Eats N’ Sweets. On Thursdays June-August there is free live music from noon-one.
The Bay Aquatic Park - Broomfield
The feel of an old school water park with the prices of a rec center, which to me is the perfect combo. I haven’t been to this one myself yet, but I keep hearing from you all about it!
Sunset Pool - Longmont
It’s so rare to get a pool here where you can also spread your blankets out and dig your toes into the grass. This spot has it. And a slide that looks super fast.
Further afield we have loved Horsetooth Reservoir, watching boats on the Dillon Reservoir, and taking a weekend trip to Grand Lake.
I know I’ve missed some awesome spots close by like the Superior pool where they do movie nights in the summer and splashing in the Boulder Creek SO please feel free to share more of your favorite spots to splash and cool down.
