Soak up as much sun as possible while it is shining
By 425 staff | June 27, 2017 | Courtesy of 425magazine.com
ummer in the Northwest equals soaking up as much sun as possible while it is shining. And it also is the time when the area theme parks are spinning us ’round and ’round, wave pools are packed, and ice cream is being consumed by the gallons. Here are some of our favorite area attractions.
Wild Waves & Enchanted Village
It’s a water park on one side, and an amusement park on the other. Plan to spend the whole day at this Federal Way gem. Little kids will enjoy Hook’s Lagoon, a water area with small slides and some splashing. Daredevils will find plenty of water slides to get the butterflies going. However, we could float along the Lazy River all day long. On the ride side, there are several roller coasters to get the heart pumping, and plenty of kiddie rides for those littles. Since you’ve burned all the calories, don’t forget to refuel with an elephant ear.
Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach
Silverwood Theme Park is worth the drive to Idaho — whether you are a thrill-seeker or a kid just getting into rides and slides, there is something for everyone. Travel Channel highlighted the “Aftershock” as the best top-hanging coaster. It reaches 65 mph, and has a 177-foot drop. It goes forward and backward. Intense!
OK. Sometimes the sun isn’t shining, or you need a respite. Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound to the rescue. This indoor waterpark is open year-round, and you won’t have to worry about sunburns when you swim, slide, and splash. If you want to head outside, there’s a neat ropes course!
Slidewaters Lake Chelan Waterpark
Any Eastsider who has made their way to vacation at Lake Chelan has probably visited Slidewaters. The theme park is consistently named in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards.
U-pick fields, rides, and ice cream. This is like an old-fashioned country fair in Carnation, and it’s open every day during the summer through Sept. 4, when it switches to the fall schedule. There’s a train!
