Great River Water Park

Need another tool in your box to push through the last few weeks of chilly Minnesota temps? Give the (indoor!) Great River Water Park in St. Paul a try. And make sure – if you’re able – to hit it up on the third Friday of the month to take advantage of their Family Fun & Fitness Fridays deal. Every body – swimmers and non-swimming chaperones alike – pays just $2 admission. Friday Open Swim hours for the water  park are generally from 10:30am – 12:30pm and from 4 – 8:30pm. I’d recommend checking the website for the most current schedule.

Now, don’t get Water Park of America visions in your head. The children’s activity pool at Great River is equipped with a medium-sized water play structure, small slides, bubblers and a few interactive touches. But this is what makes the junior water park such a relief to those parenting multiple little ones! The zero-depth entry maxes out at 18 inches deep. Vigilant lifeguards pace the perimeter. The tot’s pool is also kept in a separate room to cut down on cross-traffic from older kids. (Just a note: I found this pool a little cool for my liking, but my little ones didn’t complain.)

Speaking of those older kids – if you’ve got them – they’ll appreciate the two enclosed-tube waterslides that snake outside the building and back, and the larger swimming pool.

It’s no substitution for summer, but a day at the Great River Water Park might make bearing the end of winter just a little easier.

Great River Water Park at the 
Oxford Community Center
270 N. Lexington Parkway
Saint Paul, MN 55104
(651)-642-0650

Current admission: $6-$7/pp or $24/family up to 5 members
Deals: Family Fun & Fitness Fridays (3rd Friday of each month, $2 per person during Open Swim hours), half-price swims each Monday & Wedneday, and $4 Sundays.

More Indoor Swimming Ideas: Family Exercise Fun: Twin Cities Indoor Waterparks and Pools