Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparksby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 28 Jun 2008 12:50 PM Today I'm wrapping up my series on wet and wild waterparks by spotlighting some of the most popular scream inducing soggy rides in California, Colorado and Minnesota. These parks prove how easy it is to get your family soaked this summer. If you are headed off on a summer road trip in the next few weeks and your car's A/C bites the dust consider cooling off at one of the following waterparks: CALIFORNIA The hugely popular Raging Waters located in San Jose, California (about 50 miles from San Francisco) is home to more than 23 acres of wet and wild fun. The park's signature ride is the 60-foot-long Blue Thunder/White Lightning tunnel slide. Another head turner is Dragon's Den, which catapults a two-person tube through darkness before a sudden, gut-wrenching drop into a massive pool. If you aren't traveling near San Jose you can visit other Raging Waters locations in San Dimas (near L.A.) and Sacramento. Otherwise, Wild Rivers waterpark in nearby Irvine, California is another cool option. COLORADO Denver's Water World is nothing like the Kevin Costner big screen bomb. Rather, the 67-acre park is a Mecca for thrill seeking families who love getting wet. The park's signature ride is the Voyage to the Center of the Earth, in which riders hop onto inner tubes and journey into the dark--where they're confronted by large, animatronic dinosaurs, including a 15-foot T. rex. If you are looking for thrills and chills in the light head over to the park's TurboRacer ride where you jump headfirst onto toboggan mats and race your friends down four stories, eventually launching--at more than 20 mph--onto a straightaway to the finish line. Each rider's time is recorded, so you can tell if you are the reigning speed demon of Denver. Note: The park allows you to bring picnics into the pavilion area. Also, you can get $6 off admission by bringing in a can of nonperishable food. MINNESOTA Water Park of America is adjacent to the gargantuan Mall of America. The popular Bloomington, Minnesota park is located less than 15 minutes from Minneapolis/St. Paul and is a year-round attraction. The highlight is its mile-long indoor Whitewater Family Raft Ride, which propels riders over a river, suspended 10 stories above vehicles speeding along a busy local interstate. Other noteworthy attractions include an immense video arcade a spa for parents who want to be pampered while on vacation. Related Articles: Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks (Florida) Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks (Midwest) Super Summer Fun: Wet and Wild Waterparks (South) Get Ready to Splash Into a New Water Park Summer Theme Park Review: Splashes and Screams Serious Family Fun---Spending Spring Break at an Indoor Waterpark Creating Your Own Backyard Water Park Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags california, Colorado, Minnesota, Mall of America, waterparks Discuss this article
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