Looking for a way to beat the summer heat? Make a visit to Poplar Bluff's Hydro Adventures.
"Hydro Adventures is a great park with a lot to do," said Barrett Byers, Hydro Adventures manager.
The park features something for all ages on the water park and dry side alike.
"There is no other amusement and water park in Southeast Missouri," Byers said stating location makes Hydro Adventures different from other parks.
"We are bringing a big town feel to a small town," he said.
The water park includes water slides such as the Twisted Six and Poseidon's Pipeline, a crashing wave bay, an easy river and Splish Splash Bay for the younger visitors.
The dry side includes rides such as the Scrambler, Tip N Twirl, Poplar Hopper, Hydro Maiden, roller coasters and Truckstop for smaller children. The dry side does not stop with amusement rides. Mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, amusement games and an arcade will keep visitors of all ages busy for hours.
Additions this year include new arcade games to the already 40 plus options in the arcade as well as a laser tag arena.
Byers describes the new laser tag setup as "top of the line."
He added this particular laser tag setup is much more than just running around and firing infrared beams at one another. According to Byers, "chips" can be placed in the vests to allow players to go dark, as well as other advantages, and many hiding options are available throughout the course. The game can be played in teams or everyone for themselves.
"We hope to continue birthday parties throughout the winter and add more special events around holidays," Byers said.
According to Byers, the roller coasters at Hydro Adventures draw people from all over the world, especially the newest coaster at the park.
The Galaxy 500 was added to the park last year joining the Tiger Coaster. Byers said the Galaxy 500 was previously located at a boardwalk in Florida.
"The curves at the end of the Galaxy 500 end stacked upon one another four to five times, drawing coaster enthusiasts from all over the world," Byers said. He heard a group from Europe have made plans to ride the Galaxy 500 on a special trip to the area after a stop at Six Flags in St. Louis.
"The Galaxy 500 is like no other coaster around," Byers said.
An opportunity to check out all the new additions and everything Hydro Adventures has to offer at a discounted price is during the Christmas in July promotion.
For $12 and two non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, an ultimate pass, which includes water park and rides, can be purchased on July 24 through 27 and be redeemed from Aug. 1 through 27. There is a limit of six per person.
A new event to the park this year will be a cook-off to have a speciality burger on the menu at Hydro Adventures next year. The first annual burger cook-off between five local businesses will take place Aug. 5. The local businesses will go head-to-head and be judged by a panel of local people to name the winner.
Byers said he is already looking forward to the second annual burger cook-off with excitement as well as all the upcoming new events at Hydro Adventures.
The water park will be open during weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exception will be on July 28, with extended hours until 9 p.m. for Friday Family Night. During the event, everyone can enjoy the entire park for $14 after 3 p.m. and includes special food items and family activities.
Weekends can be spent in the water through Aug. 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and beginning Aug. 13, the water park will be open only on Saturdays and Sundays until 6 p.m. through Sept. 4.
The dry side of the park can be enjoyed a little later into the evening for the remainder of the summer until October.
On Saturdays through Aug. 12, the dry side will be open from 1-9 p.m. and during the week through Aug. 11 be open from 1-8 p.m. Saturdays from Aug. 19 through Sept. 30, the dry park will keep the same hours of 1-8 p.m. Sundays hours from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1 will be from 2-8 p.m.
Prices for water and dry park admission can be found on the website at hydroadventures.com. The prices are broken down depending on age and admission time. Individual game and attraction prices can be found online as well.