Places to go to stay cool this weekend

Trying to find a way to beat the heat that can make the Las Vegas Valley feel like an oven at this time of year?

We have compiled a list of some options aimed at children and families.

Mount Charleston

Temperatures are typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the higher elevations. There are several options for picnic and camping locations throughout the Spring Mountains. Some areas charge a fee, some can be reserved at recreation.gov, and some may be cash-only at the entrance. The Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway includes a visitor’s center, education building, group picnic areas, two amphitheaters, trailheads and viewing areas. gomtcharleston.com.

Spring Mountain Ranch State Park

The park is one the few places you can reliably spend a summer evening outside in comfort. And Super Summer Theatre is back after a COVID-driven hiatus last summer. During the day, you can tour historic buildings, including a ranch house once owned by Howard Hughes, go hiking or picnic under the trees. parks.nv.gov; supersummertheatre.org.

Splash pads

Kids have always loved to splash in puddles, but splash pads has made that activity a whole lot cleaner. There are 82 splash pads in parks: 31 in unincorporated Clark County, 28 in Las Vegas, 17 in Henderson (one of those, at Heritage Park, is only for dogs) and six in North Las Vegas. Plus, there are public splash pads at Town Square and The District at Green Valley Ranch.

Water parks

Wet ‘n’ Wild: On the southwest side of the valley, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, the park offers 12 different attractions, including nine water slides of varying levels, a lazy river and other attractions. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission starts at $29.99 for all day and a twilight session begins at 4 p.m. for $19.99. Cabanas begin at $100. wetnwildlasvegas.com.

Cowabunga Bay: The east valley park, at Galleria Drive and Gibson Road, offers 10 water slides and six other attractions including a beach, pools, splash zones and a lazy river. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and Sunday and until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 702-850-9000; cowabungabay.com.

Indoor options

Adventuredome: Twenty-five acres of fun, including free circus acts and 25 amusement rides are a longtime Las Vegas tradition at Circus Circus on the Strip. July hours are 10 a.m. to midnight every day. Children under 33 inches in height ride free with an adult, those 33 to 48 inches pay $20, and people over 48 inches pay $40. 702-794-3939; adventuredome.com.

Area15: One of the newest attractions in the valley, an industrial space at 3215 S. Rancho Drive, No. 100, has been turned into art galleries, virtual experiences, a zip line and arcade. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under, $8 for adults and $7 for those 65 and older. Area15.com.

Flip N Out Xtreme: Trampolines and more than a dozen attractions including warped wall, obstacle course and dodgeball. Costs vary from $12 to $45. Grip socks are mandatory and cost $4, and T-shirts are $15.50 or $18. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Henderson location: 1235 W. Warm Springs Road. Summerlin location: 4545 S. Grand Canyon Drive. 702-579-9999; flipnoutxtreme.com.

Gravady: Trampoline park and other attractions, 7350 Prairie Falcon Road. 702-843-0395; defy.com.

Henderson’s Lifeguard Arena: The home of the Henderson Silver Knights AHL team is a cool place to be, with two ice rinks and an ambient temperature of 55-60 degrees. You can learn to skate or participate in open skating or watch league play and pickup games. lifeguardarena.com.

Madame Tussauds: The wax museum features dozens of wax figures of celebrities among other attractions, divided into zones and experiences. It is on the Strip at The Venetian. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with last entry at 6:45 p.m. Admission begins at $36.99 if booked at least 24 hours in advance. madametussauds.com.

Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart: An interactive, mind-bending art experience at Area15, 3215 S. Rancho Drive. Participants explore an extraordinary supermarket that bursts into surreal worlds and unexpected landscapes. Tickets are $45 to $49. Nevada residents pay $34 to $39. 725-241-6300; meowwolf.com.

Pole Position Raceway: Electric-powered go-karting for adults and children on an indoor track, plus small arcade and gift shop. Closes at 11 p.m. 4175 S. Arville St.; 702-227-7223; polepositionraceway.com.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park: Multiple trampolines, foam pits and similar attractions at 7440 Dean Martin Drive. Tickets range from $21 to $29 with required socks costing $5. Required glow shirts are $6.50. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 702-966-4080; skyzone.com.

Uptown Jungle Fun Park: Trampolines, obstacles courses, ninja course, mini zip line and other attractions at 27 S. Stephanie St. in Henderson. Prices from $13 to $20 with parents playing for half price. 702-935-9833; hendersonuptownjungle.com.

Attractions

High Roller: The world’s tallest observation wheel. Tickets range from $8.50 to $23.50 (daytime), $17.50 to $34.75 (anytime) to $60 for adult Happy Half Hour. Locals can ride for up to 50 percent off. At The Linq on the Strip. 855-234-7469; caesars.com/linq.

Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix: Mostly outdoors at 1401 N. Rainbow Blvd., it has four go-kart tracks, three amusement rides, a super slide and several arcade games. Tickets range from $9.99 for one ride to a package for $82.99. 702-259-7000; lvmpg.com.

Contact Marvin Clemons at mclemons@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Marv_in_Vegas on Twitter. Contact Heidi Knapp Rinella at Hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.