How to Keep Cool in Atlanta: Splash, Raft, Tube, Swim, Water Ski

By Carol Carter

Published May 23, 2025
Last Updated June 5, 2025

Artículo disponible en español.

Whether it’s sitting on the dock of Lake Clara Meer in Piedmont Park, tubing down the Chattahoochee River, water skiing at Lake Lanier, getting soaked at a neighborhood splash pad or swimming at a public or hotel pool, Atlanta is home to plenty of ways to beat the summer heat. You can even get in the water at the Georgia Aquarium.

Lakes

Stone Mountain Lake, located inside Stone Mountain Park, is a destination for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. In addition, Stone Mountain Park offers pontoon boat tours and rentals. 

Located in Midtown’s Piedmont Park, Lake Clara Meer is a popular spot for catch-and-release fishing or just relaxing on the dock or in the gazebo. The lake is routinely stocked with fish, including largemouth bass, crappie, bream and catfish. Be sure to have a valid Georgia fishing license.

About an hour’s drive north of Atlanta, find Lake Lanier, popular for swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing. The lake was the venue for rowing and canoe/kayak competitions at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands features sandy beaches, water slides and lake-front cabanas. 

Chattahoochee River

The Chattahoochee River originates in Union County, Ga., north of Atlanta, and flows through the Atlanta metropolitan area before terminating in Lake Seminole, at the Georgia-Florida border. Atlantans love the ‘hooch for tubing or rafting, which is known as shooting the ‘hooch in Atlanta. During the summer, especially, Atlantans flock to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area for walks, rafting through rocky shoals, fishing or picnicking.  The Chattahoochee Nature Center, located on the banks of the river in suburban Atlanta, features trails, exhibits, programs and events on 127 acres of forest, wetlands and river habitat.

Atlanta Attractions

Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Midtown oasis, which is the Atlanta Botanical Garden, is a treat any time of year, and during the summer months, kids who visit the Children’s Garden can get wet in the splash pad.

Georgia Aquarium

Yes, of course, there is a whole lot of water at Georgia Aquarium, one of the world’s largest aquariums with more than 10 million gallons of water. Did you know that you can get into the water at the aquarium? Well, you can. Try the immersive shark and ray interaction. You can suit up and get in the water with the sharks and rays or you can get in the water with the 75,000-pound (give or take a pound or two) whale sharks.

Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags Over Georgia’s Hurricane Harbor water features include Bonzai Pipeline, three thrilling slides, Calypso Bay Wave Pool, Paradise Island water playground, and Tsunami Surge.

Six Flags White Water

Six Flags White Water is home to 20 water rides/attractions. These range from an activity pool and an ocean wave pool to body flumes, a bob slide, really tall water slides and Python Plunge, a fast-paced, two-person water slide featuring multiple swirling discs and adrenaline-pumping drops.

Zoo Atlanta

Splash Fountain at Zoo Atlanta is located on a 2,500-square-foot section of the zoo’s KIDZone rides and attractions area. The fountain features 18 water jets. It is open from April 1 through Nov. 1 .

Swimming Pools

All outdoor public swimming pools operated by the city of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation open at 12:30 p.m. in the summer months and close at 7 p.m. Admission is free. They are located in neighborhoods ranging from Adams Park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to Candler Park, known for its charming homes; and Grant Park, where you’ll also find Zoo Atlanta.

Another option is hotel pools. Many Atlanta hotel pools offer day passes. Take a Daycation at these Incredible Rooftop Pools in Atlanta.

In addition to the swimming pools run by the city of Atlanta, there are community pools in Piedmont Park, Garden Hills and Chastain Park.

Splash Pads

Most public splash pads in Atlanta are open May 1 through Oct. 1. The following are sprinkled throughout the city:

Center Hill Sprayground, 2305 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW

Rodney Cook Sr. Park, 616 Joseph E. Boone Blvd.

Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave. W NW

Old Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St. NE

Legacy Fountain at Piedmont Park, 1320 Monroe Drive NE

The Rev. James Orange Park, 1305 Oakland Drive SW.

Perkerson Park, 770 Deckner Ave. SW

D.H. Stanton Park, 213 Haygood Ave. SE

Looking for more ways to have fun? Here are 10 Free Things to Do with Kids in Atlanta during Summer Break. Also, visit our Ultimate Guide to Summer in Atlanta.

Journalist Carol Carter writes and edits for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.