Places to stay cool this summer

So its no surprise that south Florida summers can be brutal. Here are some cool (and inexpensive) places to spend a hot summer day.

• Coconut Cove Water park
• 11200 Park Access Road, Boca Raton. Open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 12 and older, $10; 3-11, $8; 1-2, $3; younger than 1, free. (Prices slightly reduced after 3 p.m.)
• Float on inner-tubes along Lazy River, a meandering stream that circles part way around the park. A ropes course keeps kids hopping on sea-creature-shaped floats bobbing on water. The daring — and those at least 42 inches tall — tackle two four-story water slides.
• Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park
•  401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach. Admission is $4.50 per serson (when sessions are in effect). Park is open 9:30 am - 5:20 pm all summer long.Concession stand and funbrella rentals are available.
• This interactive children's water playground allows young children to create their own fun with hand wheels and levers, water curtains, crawl tunnels, and much more.
• More details available at Splash Adventure
• Red Reef Park
• 1400 N. A1A, Boca Raon. Park is open from 8 am - 10 pm daily.
• Park picnic areas are equiped with grills, tables, and restrooms. Park is located on the beach. Just off shore is a a beautiful reef for snorkel enthusiasts.
• For more information, visit Red Reef Park and while you're there, check out all of the other cool parks the City of Boca Raton has to offer.
• Castaway Island at T.Y. Park
• 3300 N. Park Road, Hollwyood. Admission is $6.50 per person per session.
• Check out session times and more info at CastawayIslandWaterPlayground
• Paradise Cove Waterpark at C.B. Smith Park
• 900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines. Open 9:30 a.m.-5:20 p.m. daily, $8.50 all day; $5.50 after 3 p.m. $1.50 per person gate fee to enter C.B. Smith Park.
• Features include: Crazy Creek 410-foot-long tube ride with interactive play elements along a curved route. Parrot’s Point water playground, for ages 5 and under, is a 12-inch-deep pool that includes two waterslides and many interactive play elements. Sharky’s Lagoon water playground, for all ages, is an 18-inch-deep pool that includes three waterslides that are 83 feet, 98 feet, and 125 feet long, and many interactive play elements. H2Whoa! has two 450-foot water slides (must be able to swim and at least 42 inches tall to ride).
• Get more details at ParadiseCoveWaterPark
• Arts Park at Young Circle
• Hollywood Boulevard at U.S. 1, Hollywood. FREE!!! The fountain operates 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Benches and a small canopy offering shade are nearby. The park covers nearly 10 acres and includes a playground. No drinks, glass or animals allowed. Adult supervision required for kids younger than 12. Restroom nearby
• Tropical Splash at Central Broward Regional Park
• 3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill. $4.50* per person per session (children 12 months and under are admitted free). *In addition, the park’s regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect.
• Two interactive water playgrounds: one for small children with climbing features and small slides and the other for bigger children with two spiral slides, water guns and a dumping bucket.

If all else fails- party at my pool!