In case you missed it, Lexington aquatic centers officially opened this past weekend + neighborhood pools will be opening on Sat., June 4. This means, at least in our minds, summer is here to stay.

A full list of the city’s pools and aquatic centers can be found here — addresses, hours of operations, entry fees + more.

But let’s take a deeper dive into water recreation — spots for little kids, beach bums + adrenaline junkies. Here are some alternative aquatic activities near Lexington.
Splashgrounds
City splash pads make for a quick + easy way to cool off. These two splash pads are located outside of the city center, making it convenient for those that don’t want to trek downtown for a dip.

Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Rd. | Free | This splash ground overlooks the lake + is located next to a playground + a picnic shelter.

Pro tip: For an epic picnic party, reserve the shelter online.

Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd. | Free | The wide-open fields make for a great sunny day excursion, with plenty of sunscreen of course.

Beaches

Twin Knobs Recreation Area, 5195 KY-801, Morehead | $10 per car | 1-hour drive | Located within the Twin Knobs Campground, go for a dip while taking in the backdrop of Appalachia's foothills.
Laurel River Lake Spillway Beach, 86-98 Robert E.Blair Memorial Highway, Corbin | $5 per car | 1.5-hour drive | This lake has been named the “clearest lake in Kentucky.”

Water parks

Somersplash Waterpark, 1030 KY-2227, Somerset | $17.95 | 1.5-hour drive | Rated as Kentucky’s No. 1 waterpark, you can cool off with a lazy river or action-packed waterslides.
Great Wolf Lodge, 2501 Great Wolf Dr, Mason, OH | $50-80 | 2-hour drive | Located north of Cincinatti, this indoor waterpark features on-site lodging, making it a great weekend get-a-way.