Summer in New Orleans brings the heat, but luckily, there are plenty of fun and refreshing ways to cool down. Whether you’re searching for free splash pads, public pools, or exciting water parks, this 2025 guide covers the best spots to stay cool in and around New Orleans.
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Best Pools In New Orleans
NORDC
The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) operates fifteen public swimming pools across the city, all free and open to the community. Most pools are outdoors and open only during the summer, while a few indoor facilities are available year-round. NORDC also offers swim lessons for all ages and aquatic fitness classes like water aerobics and yoga. It’s an excellent option for families looking for a no-cost way to cool off, get active, and learn water safety. You can find a complete list of pools and schedules on the NORDC website.
UNO Aquatics Center
Located at 6801 Franklin Avenue, the UNO Aquatic Center offers indoor and outdoor pools on the University of New Orleans campus. It’s open to the public through affordable memberships, which start at $30 per month with a $100 sign-up fee. The facility is well-maintained and used for both recreational and lap swimming. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a structured swim or want to stay active year-round. Check their website for current hours and program updates.
Johnny Jacobs Pool
Located at Johnny Jacobs Playground on 5th Avenue in Marrero, the Johnny Jacobs Pool is open from April through August. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. YMCA-certified lifeguards are on duty, and the pool offers swim lessons for children as young as 6 months to adults. Admission is just $2 for swimmers and $1 for spectators.
Hotel Pools
Several hotels in New Orleans open their pools to residents. With day passes starting at $20 per person, you can enjoy a resort-style experience without booking an overnight stay. It’s an excellent option for a mini staycation, a girls’ day out, or a relaxing afternoon by the pool. Availability and pricing vary by hotel, so check ResortPass online for options and book ahead.
Water Parks and Splash Pads in New Orleans
Audubon Zoo’s Cool Zoo
Cool Zoo at Audubon Zoo is one of the most exciting ways to beat the summer heat in New Orleans. Located at 6500 Magazine Street, the splash park features water slides, a lazy river, and plenty of space for kids to play and cool off. It’s open daily through July 26, 2025, and on weekends only from July 27 through September 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to Cool Zoo is included with your zoo ticket ($38 per person). Audubon Members can access Cool Zoo for just $10 with a special add-on ticket.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Located along the Mississippi River near the French Quarter, Woldenberg Riverfront Park is a favorite spot for locals and tourists. However, the splash pad will be closed in 2025 for renovations. The park is still beautiful for a riverside stroll, picnic, or break while exploring downtown New Orleans.
Lafreniere Park Spray Park:
The Lafreniere Park Spray Park is a fun and free way for kids ages 3 to 10 to cool down during the summer. Open seasonally from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., the spray park features 13 water elements across 4,000 square feet of space. It’s conveniently located in Lafreniere Park in Metairie, offering walking trails, picnic areas, a carousel, and two playgrounds.
Parc des Familles Spray Park
Located at 6101 Leo Kerner Lafitte Parkway in Marrero, Parc des Familles features a free seasonal spray park perfect for cooling off with younger kids. The park is open weekends only from April through May 14 and August 19 through September 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and daily from May 15 through August 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park also offers covered seating, restrooms, and green space.
Johnny Jacobs Splash Park
Located at Johnny Jacobs Playground on 5th Avenue in Marrero, the Johnny Jacobs Splash Park is a seasonal spray park designed for children ages 10 and under. It features fun water sprayers, fountains, and a safe play surface, making it an excellent spot for younger kids to cool off during hot summer days. The splash park is free to use and open during daytime hours throughout the summer season.
Best Splash Pads Near New Orleans
Ormond Spray Park
Located on Ormond Boulevard in Destrehan, about 30 minutes from New Orleans, Ormond Spray Park is a convenient and refreshing spot for families during the summer. This free splash pad features fun water jets and shaded areas perfect for a quick escape from the heat. It’s ideal for younger children and offers a peaceful setting in a quiet neighborhood.
St. Bernard State Park Water Playground
St. Bernard State Park’s water playground is an excellent place for kids to splash and play surrounded by nature. Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the playground offers a fun way to cool off while enjoying the park’s scenic trails and picnic areas. Admission is $2 for guests 16 and older, and $1 for children 15 and under.
Abita Springs Park Splash Pad
This charming splash pad is located near the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, making it a great stop on a family day out. It’s perfect for relaxing while kids play with multiple water jets, shaded benches, and open green space. The splash pad is open during regular park hours, from dawn to dusk, and admission is entirely free. It’s also a short walk from local restaurants and the Abita Brew Pub.
Mandeville Lakefront Splash Pad
Situated along beautiful Lakeshore Drive, the Mandeville Lakefront Splash Pad offers a breezy, scenic way to stay cool during the summer. Open daily from May through October, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., it’s a local favorite for families with young children. Admission is free, though food and drinks are prohibited inside the splash area. The nearby lakefront path is perfect for a walk or bike ride after some splash time.
Fontainebleau State Park Water Playground
Located within Fontainebleau State Park, this water playground provides a fun and safe place for kids to play while adults enjoy the park’s beachfront and picnic areas. The splash zone is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Park admission is $3 per person, but seniors 62 and older and kids under 4 get in for free.
Tickfaw State Park Water Playground
Tickfaw State Park features a shaded, forest-surrounded water playground that is perfect for cooling off after exploring the park’s nature trails. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, it provides a great mix of water play and natural beauty. Admission is $3 per person, with free entry for seniors 62+ and children under 4.
Slidell Heritage Park Splash Pad
This large splash pad in Heritage Park is conveniently located next to the playground, making it easy to keep kids entertained for hours. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer season, it’s a favorite among local families. Admission is free.
Pearl River Water Park
Located in Pearl River Playground, this splash pad offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat for kids of all ages. Open daily from May through October, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., it’s a great low-key spot for families to cool off. The surrounding park also includes picnic tables and shaded areas. Best of all, it’s free to use.
Coquille Park Splash Pad
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Coquille Park Splash Pad in Covington is a well-maintained and popular spot for families. It’s perfect for toddlers and young children with colorful water features and safe, slip-resistant flooring. The larger park area includes sports fields and walking trails, making it an excellent destination. Admission is free.
Madisonville Park Splash Pad
The Madisonville Park Splash Pad is next to a brand-new playground, which is ideal for families with young children. Open daily during regular park hours, it provides a fun, shaded spot for cooling off during summer playdates. The surrounding park is clean and family-friendly, with space to run, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
Best Water Parks Near New Orleans
White Sands Day Lake Beach
Located in Covington, about an hour north of New Orleans, White Sands Lake Day Beach is a spring-fed lake that offers a relaxing and fun-filled day for the whole family. The beach features clear water, white sand, and various floating inflatables perfect for kids and adults. Visitors can enjoy picnic tables, grills, volleyball courts, playgrounds, and a snack bar.
The beach is open daily during the summer from 10 am to 7 pm. Admission is $20 per person for ages eight and up, $15 for kids ages 3 to 7, and free for children under 3. No pets or glass containers are allowed. This is a great day trip for those looking to swim, relax, and soak up the sun.
The Salvation Army Kroc Center – Biloxi, MS
The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Biloxi, located at 575 Division Street, offers a clean, well-maintained indoor aquatic facility perfect for families looking to escape the heat. The center features a leisure pool with a lazy river, interactive splash play area, water slides, and lap lanes. It also offers swim lessons, water fitness classes, and a gym.
The pool is open to the public Monday through Saturday, with varying hours depending on the day, typically from 6 am to 8 pm.
Daily guest passes are $8 for adults, $5 for youth, and free for children under 2. Memberships are also available for those who want regular access. The Kroc Center is a great all-weather option, especially for families with younger kids or those seeking a more structured environment.
Gulf Islands Water Park
Gulf Islands Waterpark, located at 17200 16th Street in Gulfport, Mississippi, is one of the Gulf Coast’s most popular water attractions and is just about 90 minutes from New Orleans. The park features over 15 exciting water slides, including the Horn Island Blaster and Riptide Racer, a lazy river, wave pool, and Lil’ Pelicans’ Bay for younger guests.
Open from late May through early September, the park typically operates Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
General admission is $39.99 for guests over 42 inches tall, $29.99 for those under 42 inches, and free for children under 2. Discounts are often available online. With shaded cabanas, food stands, and family-friendly attractions, it’s an action-packed day for all ages.
Blue Bayou Water Park
Blue Bayou in Baton Rouge will be closed for the summer of 2025, but the owners of Gulf Islands Water Park recently purchased it and will reopen it in the summer of 2026.
What’s your favorite way to stay cool in the summer? Share your top spots in the comments!
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