As leisure travel continues to rebound, families are packing as much fun as possible into these last few weeks of summer. As the days grow a little shorter every day, one last splash of summer may be on your travel wish list.
Wondering where to go for fun in the sun? Year-round, enjoy warm waters at an indoor waterpark in Washington State. Or paddle your way along the Columbia River during a stay at a new boutique hotel. Perhaps the kids would love to hang out with their favorite Nickelodeon characters at a new waterpark resort? Maybe the lure of Las Vegas sunshine always calls you back to a top resort pool deck.
Wherever your travels take you, keep an eye on the latest airfare deals to trim your travel budget this summer. Then pack your swimsuit and sunblock and enjoy these last few weeks of summer with our suggestions below.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya Aqua Nick waterpark
courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera MayaSwim with SpongeBob in Riviera Maya
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya by Karisma Hotels & Resorts has recently opened, offering a six-acre Aqua Nick waterpark and themed accommodations for character fans of all ages. This is Mexico’s first and only Nickelodeon resort and guests here are treated to inclusive dining and entertainment with all amenities inspired by favorite characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Paw Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Enjoy an oceanfront swim-up suite or immerse yourself in SpongeBob’s pineapple suite with every guestroom comfortably accommodating families of five and featuring two full bathrooms and oversized balconies to take in Caribbean Sea views. Playful design elements and art ensure young guests continuously feel part of the Nickelodeon world.
The heart of the resort is the waterpark with waterslides, river rides and even a slime attraction. Paw Patrol Adventure Bay focuses on smaller scope slides for younger kids, while Bikini Bottom Beach is a multi-level water playground with water guns and jets, tipping buckets and more.
In celebration of the resort’s opening, promotional rates start at $259 per person, per night and can be booked through August 31, 2021 for travel now through January 4, 2022. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya is just a few blocks from additional attractions, eateries and shopping in Playa del Carmen.
The Wave Pool at Great Wolf Lodge
Jarrod R./Yelp.comWild fun in Grand Mound
There are many charming small towns in Washington State worthy of a weekend adventure, yet to guarantee perfect pool temperatures you may want to treat the family to the indoor waterpark in Grand Mound. Great Wolf Lodge offers enjoyable year-round temperatures for slipping down tube slides, swirling down a 6-foot funnel slide or splashing in the kid-friendly play areas.
Onsite the resort also boasts a ropes course, quest adventures, an arcade and Build-A-Bear Workshop. Dining at the resort ranges from pizza slices to a wood fire grill with smoked ribs, roasted chicken and more. And while accommodations at the resort include water park passes and events, it is possible to purchase day passes to enjoy a whole day of fun before enjoying other area attractions.
Grand Mound is home to a new Fairfield Inn & Suites that shares the parking lot of recently added Talking Cedar, a brewery, distillery, tasting room and restaurant. Then for late-night grownup fun, Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel is just a few miles away, offering table games and slot machines, along with a lodge-style hotel with a heated indoor pool and Jacuzzi suites.
The FlowRider surf simulator on the Planet Hollywood pool deck
courtesy of CTS PhotosSun and surf in Las Vegas
Nevada’s desert terrain may be hot and dry but there are so many amazing resort pools in Las Vegas and, yes, it’s possible to surf right on The Strip thanks to the surf simulator at Planet Hollywood. Then there’s the Splash Zone waterpark at Circus Circus, ideal for family fun in the sun.
Recent resort addition Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is also a go-to destination for family pool time. This new property opened in March 2021 at the site of the former Hard Rock Hotel, and its footprint includes a sand entry beach pool open to hotel guests of all ages. A separate pool district, Élia Beach Club, features luxurious daybeds and cabanas, live music and DJs, and the occasional dance party.
After pool time, another cool way to cool down is with a visit to the air-conditioned and interactive immersive arts experience at AREA15. Here guests can wander through a bamboo volcano, soar on ziplines, wander through digital art installations and stroll through Omega Mart, Meow Wolf’s trippy interactive permanent exhibit. Basic admission into AREA15 doesn’t cost a thing to peruse the dayglo art, while attractions may be purchased individually or with a package pass.
Then in the evening, take in a splashy performance with Cirque du Soleil’s O, a remarkable aquatic and acrobatic performance that will keep even the young ones on the edge of their seat.
Adrift Hospitality’s new Bowline Hotel in Astoria, Oregon
courtesy of Adrift HospitalityBoutique getaway on Astoria Riverfront
Fans of Adrift Hotel in Washington’s Long Beach will want to check out the latest boutique offering from Adrift Hospitality, the Bowline Hotel in Astoria, Oregon.
The local hospitality group transformed a former cannery into an artful and luxurious 40-room boutique property set along the Astoria Riverfront. Located on the north end of 9th Street between the Columbia River and the Astoria Riverwalk, guests can enjoy leisurely getaways with easy access to both the Washington and Oregon coastlines. The river itself offers a great summer cool-down with kayaking and paddleboarding readily available.
The new hotel is part of the riverfront’s renaissance, with neighboring Buoy Brewing Company, wine bars and more populating the waterfront. Adrift Hospitality retained the original character of the cannery, including exposed beams, while producing a luxury retreat with modern Scandinavian-style furnishings. The property also called on local art makers and added custom lighting over sealed concrete floors for a fresh, contemporary space full of comfort.
Guests can cozy up in hooded jersey bathrooms or wrap themselves in a cozy throw while enjoying a cup of Astoria Coffee Company on their private balcony or patio. Property amenities also include an electric vehicle charging station, loaner bicycles, barrel saunas, fire pits and a swanky cocktail bar and lounge.