Want to spend the last holiday weekend of the summer poolside? Head to one of these five venues in the Scottsdale area for water slides, water balloon fights, and even pools full of ice! Stay cool and be safe this weekend, everyone.
The Westin Kierland Resort’s Big Chill: Most local resorts have special activities and rates for Labor Day, but none celebrates the holiday weekend on the scale that The Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale does. Activities include a mid-morning snowfall with eight tons of snow on Saturday and Sunday, 1,000 pounds of ice dropped into the pool in the afternoon, and Glacier Glide, a synthetic ice rink on Friday and Saturday evenings (open to the public, skate rentals $10).
You can also enjoy a two-lane Slip and Slide, an inflatable Water Balloon Battle game, and a frozen t-shirt obstacle course. Of course, as always, you can surf on the Kierland FlowRider wave simulator, lounge in the resort’s 900-foot-long lazy river, or zip down the 110-foot waterslide.
Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park: This Northwest Phoenix waterpark boasts 30 water slides and attractions, including Maximum Velocity, the “world’s first, gravity-defying, dueling Master Blaster water coaster.” It’s also home to the Constrictor, an enclosed flume slide voted one of the top five water slides by the Travel Channel’s show, “Extreme Water Parks.”
The park will celebrate Labor Day Weekend with a spectacular fireworks show that will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Admission is $39.99 for adults and $29.99 for seniors and children under 42 inches tall. Children ages two and under are free. There is an additional charge for parking, lockers, and tubes.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Dream-cation Weekend: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess transports you to the South Atlantic for Labor Day Weekend as the resort takes on a cruise ship-like atmosphere complete with a lei greeting and a gangway to the lobby. Once on “board,” take hula lessons, sip Bora Bora banana hurricane cocktails, and listen to the steel drummer poolside.
At night, get wild at the Techno Glo Party with waterslides, lasers, fog, and hit music. Or, watch Polynesian fire dancers perform during intermission at the Dive-In Movies at the South Pool. Rates start at $199 per night for the Sip, Savor & Splash package which includes a $50 daily credit for dining, spa, or the Trailblazers Kids Club.
Salt River Tubing is an affordable way to stay cool
Salt River Tubing: Floating in a tube on the Salt River is one of the most popular ways to cool off during the summer. If you have your own tubes and two cars, you can park one at the starting point and one downstream and float for free, but if not, Salt River Tubing and Recreation runs shuttle buses to and from the parking lots and river as well as rents out tubes.
The price for one tube rental and bus ride is $17, including tax. Bring cash (there are no ATMS and cards are not accepted) and one valid driver’s license as a deposit for up to five tube rentals. Salt River Tubing and Recreation operates seven days a week starting at 9 a.m.
Big Surf Waterpark: Waikiki Beach isn’t as far as you think—in fact, it’s only a short drive away in Tempe! The beach is one of several attractions at Big Surf Waterpark, the first inland surfing facility in North America. You can rent surf boards, boogie boards, and rafts to ride the waves at Waikiki Beach or tackle the park’s thrill rides, including the Hurricane Slides and The Black Hole, a completely dark, enclosed tube. Bora Bora Bay is a safe, tame area for younger kids to play.
Tickets are $27.00 online ($29.95 plus tax at the park) for adults and children over 4 feet tall; $19.95 for children three years to 4 feet tall; and $14.95 for seniors. Tickets for children under three can only be purchased at the gate for $2.95.
We have no shortage of cool events going on this weekend, so get out there and make the most of the last days of summer.
If you need other recommendations or have any questions about what’s going on in the Scottsdale area, please feel free to give me a call!
