Beat the heat with top picks for fun in the sun

When Vegas heats up, nothing feels better than cooling down. What better way to do that than to grab your swimsuit and dive into the nearest pool or water park? There are plenty of them. Don’t forget the sunscreen, and prepare for prune skin if you stay long enough. Here are some super spots to get your splash on!

Cool Pools

Mandalay Bay

Vegas may not have a real beach, but it has a 1.6 million-gallon wave pool with plenty of white sand. This 11-acre mega resort pool also hosts summertime concerts. The property includes three pools — open to hotel guests only — a lazy river and the adults-only “toptional’’ Moorea Beach Club.

3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
mandalaybay.com

Golden Nugget

The three-story Shark Chute slide at the Golden Nugget allows you to slip past the jaws and splash down safely in the 200,000-gallon main pool. Enjoy the exotic fish aquarium and peaceful waterfalls. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., admission is $30 for non-hotel guests.

129 Freemont Street Experience
goldennuggethotel.com/lasvegas

Wonderful Water Parks

Wet ’n’ Wild

This 20-acre water park about 12 miles southwest of the Strip features more than 25 slides and attractions, so there’s something for everyone. Thrill-seekers will love the Tornado, Rattler and Constrictor. Or you can chill out at Paradise Falls, the Colorado Cooler lazy river and Red Rock Bay wave pool. Friday night is Dive-In Movie night. General admission is $35.

7055 S. Fort Apache Road
wetnwildlasvegas.com

Cowabunga Bay

This desert oasis located about 20 minutes east of the resort corridor, in Henderson, has eight slides, five attractions and plenty of beach treats. Stop by the arcade for a cool blast of air conditioning. The attraction is heated in the spring and fall. Hours vary. General admission is $40.

900 Galleria Drive, Henderson
cowabungabayvegas.com

by Dao Vu, LA Times Content Solutions