Beat the Heat: Waterparks & River Cruises

Let's be honest — when the forecast says 90s all weekend, nobody's thinking about their to-do list. The dogs are already sprawled on the cool tile floor, the cat has claimed the shadiest spot in the house, and even the pottery projects are on hold until it cools down. So this week, we're setting the house talk aside and sharing our favorite ways to actually enjoy the heat instead of hiding from it.

Whether you want to send the kids down a water slide, float a lazy river with a good book, or sip something cold on a boat while someone else does the navigating — the Twin Cities has you covered.

Waterparks Worth the Drive:

• Bunker Beach Waterpark (Coon Rapids) — Minnesota's largest outdoor water park, with six slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and play structure. Bring the whole crew and plan to stay all day.
• Splash Valley Water Park (Apple Valley) — Upgrades to this facility include a new theme, new water features, lawn games and more shaded areas! The park includes a lazy river, large zero-depth entry pool and slides.
• Tropics Indoor Waterpark (Shoreview) — If you want air conditioning guaranteed, this indoor option has a three-story slide, zero-depth beach area, play structure, and a tropical theme that makes 90 degrees feel like a bonus.
• Superior Shores Waterpark at Valleyfair (Shakopee) — Brand new for 2026, and celebrating National Waterpark Day this Tuesday, July 28th, if you want an excuse to go twice.

Prefer to Stay (Mostly) Dry? Try a River Cruise:

• Padelford Riverboats (St. Paul) — A 90-minute narrated sightseeing cruise along the Mississippi from Harriet Island, with skyline views and a little local history mixed in. A relaxing option if "beat the heat" means "sit somewhere with a breeze and let someone else drive."
• Stillwater River Boats (Stillwater) — Cruise the St. Croix River past bluffs and historic homes; dinner cruises are a nice option if you want to turn it into a full evening out.

A Few Heat-Smart Reminders:

• Sunscreen reapplied every couple of hours (yes, even at the waterpark, and yes, even on cloudy days)
• Freeze water bottles the night before so they stay cold longer
• Check wait times before you go — popular waterparks fill up fast on 90-degree weekends

And if you happen to be shopping for a home this summer, don't be surprised if a shaded backyard, a covered porch, or a pool moves up your must-have list real fast on a weekend like this one. Outdoor living spaces are worth more than people think — both for enjoyment now and resale value later. We're always happy to chat about what that's worth in today's market.