Popular Charlotte pools, water parks and lakes to cool off at this summer

Another Carolina summer is here, and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than with a dip in the water.

Charlotte may not be on the Carolina coast, but there are still several spots around the city to swim and beat the heat this season.

From public pools and water parks to lakes and public beaches, here’s a guide to some popular places where you soak up the sun in the area:

Pools and water parks

Carolina Harbor Waterpark

Location: 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273

Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cost: $39.99+ (included with admission to Carowinds)

Ride water slides, chill in a wave pool and more at Carolina Harbor. Along with multiple high-speed water slides, Carowinds’ water park also has play structures, a kids’ area and a lazy river.

Cordelia Pool

Location: Cordelia Park, 2100 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Hours: 12-6 p.m.

Cost: $2

Cordelia Pool, a 50-yard pool which also has a waterslide, is open for swim sessions from 12-2:30 p.m. and 3-5:30 p.m. It’s only open to swimmers on weekends until June 10, but will then be open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center

Location: 2014 Statesville Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206

Hours: 12-6 p.m.

Cost: $2

Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center, which has a 25-yard pool and a slide, is located in North Charlotte. It is temporarily open on weekends with swim sessions from 12-2:30 p.m. and 3-5:30 p.m, until June 11, when guests will then be able to stop by on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Eastway Regional Recreation Center

Location: 3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte, NC 28213

Hours: Leisure pool open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4:30-8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-6 p.m.

Cost: $8+ for county residents and $10+ non-residents. Free for infants.

Among the many amenities at Eastway Regional Recreation Center is a waterslide and pool open every day for guests. Aside from splashing around for fun, swimmers can also practice laps and take water aerobics classes.

Great Wolf Lodge

Location: 10175 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Cost: $41.99+

Great Wolf Lodge, a family-friendly resort in Concord, has several waterslides, pools, games and other attractions for guests. Whether you want to have a quick dip or a longer trip, the indoor water park offers half day passes and full day passes for swimmers.

Marion Diehl Recreation Center

Location: 2219 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., 5-8:30 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday 1-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $8+ for county residents and $10+ non-residents. Free for infants.

Along with a gymnasium and fitness area, Marion Diehl Recreation Center also has an indoor pool to cool off and hang out in. Pool times vary, but it is open to the public everyday.

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center

Location: 800 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.; Friday 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

Cost: $8+ for county residents and $10+ non-residents. Free for infants.

The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center has a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard therapeutic pool and hot tub. Located in uptown, the indoor pool also offers swim lessons year-round.

Northern Regional Recreation Center

Location: 18121 Old Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 4-8 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 4-8 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-6 p.m.

Cost: $8+ for county residents and $10+ non-residents. Free for infants.

Like many other county public pools, Northern Regional Recreation Center has a swimming pool for leisure swimming and lap swimming. Guests can also sign up for swim lessons and water aerobics, too.

Ray’s Splash Planet

Location: 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Hours: Monday, 4-7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wednesday, 4-7:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

Cost: $8+ for county residents and $10+ non-residents. Free for infants.

Ray’s Splash Planet is an indoor water park at Irwin Creek Academic Center. The uptown swimming spot has a three story water slide, a lazy river, an area for water sports and more.

Lakes and public beaches:

Cane Creek Park

Location: 5213 Harkey Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Summer season hours are 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Cane Creek Park, located in Waxhaw, is made up of 1,300 acres of woodlands next to a 300-acre lake. During the summer season, you can go swimming, boating, fishing and more at the family-friendly spot in Union County.

Lake Norman State Park

Location: 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC 28166

Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. (May-August)

Cost:Free

From swimming and paddling to fishing and boating, Lake Norman State Park has a lot to do if you want to get out on the water. It’s free to get into the park, but there is a cost for boat rentals and swim passes.

The Quarry at Carrigan Farms

Location: 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville NC 28115

Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; 3:45-sunset

Cost: $20

Another Lake Norman summer hot spot is the Quarry at Carrigan Farms in Mooresville. During the summer season, you can take a dip in the deep, natural quarry and go fishing at the ponds onsite.

Ramsey Creek Beach

Location: 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 12-6 p.m.

Cost: Varies. Entry fees range from $0-$15

Ramsey Creek Beach is a 46-acre waterfront spot about 20 miles outside of Charlotte. The Lake Norman park also has a playground, picnic shelter, trails, fishing pier and more.