You don’t have to travel far to find a water park near Hollywood! Broward County has four children’s water parks, all within a 20-minute drive of our hotel.

All four parks open March 20. The two largest parks, Splash Adventure and Tropical Splash, sometimes operate on “session” time, which limits the amount of time you’re allowed to play in the park. Coolers are allowed, but alcohol isn’t. Season passes also are available.

The water park nearest our hotel is Castaway Island, located at Topeekeegee Yugnee Park, 3300 North Park Road, Hollywood, FL 33021 (954-357-8811). The water park is divided into two sections, one for younger children and one for older children. Features include:

• Water slides. In addition to the gigantic water shower, there are three slides in the main water park. Behind the main water park is a smaller water park for little children.
• Swim Lagoon. Ranging from inches deep to five-feet deep, the swim lagoon is away from the action in the two water parks.
• Waterfall. Located at one end of the Swim Lagoon, this continual waterfall is one of the Park’s main attractions.

Pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, snacks and drinks are available on-site. It’s $8/person for all day, plus $1.50 for park entrance. Show up after 3 p.m., and the water park fee is only $5/person. Open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:20 p.m.

Other great Broward County water parks include:

Paradise Cove Water Park at CB Smith Park                                    (954) 357-5170

900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

Paradise Cove, located inside CB Smith Park, features:

• Water Slides. The park features four five-story water slides, each more than 400-feet tall. With more than 400 gallons of water/minute flowing through the slides, you must be at least 42 inches tall to ride the slides.
• Water Tube. The water ride is less stressful. The tube meanders for about 400 feet, with interactive elements interspersed along the route.
• Water Playgrounds. The park features two water playgrounds, one for larger children and one for smaller kids. Sharky’s Lagoon features a couple water slides for all ages, while Parrot’s Point’s pool has a maximum depth of one foot.

The water park costs $9.50, plus $1.50 for park entrance on weekends and holidays. Open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:20 p.m.

Tropical Splash at Central Broward Park                              (954) 357-5400

3700 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill, FL 33311

Tropical Splash, located at Broward Central Park,features two water playgrounds for:

• Older Children. This playground has climbing features and small slides.
• Younger Children. This playground features three slides, water guns and a water bucket.

Admission is $5/person per session when sessions are in effect, or $5/person per day when sessions are not in effect. On weekends and holidays, you also must pay $1.50 park entrance fee.

Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park                               (954) 357-5100

401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Splash Adventure is a children’s playground in a water park! The interactive playground includes slides, tunnels, turn valves, water curtains, crawl spaces and a big water bucket that empties onto the playground. Great for small children, the water is only one-foot deep at its deepest.

Admission is $5/person per session when sessions are in effect, or $5/person per day when sessions are not in effect. On weekends and holidays, you also must pay $1.50 park entrance fee.