The secret to living in Houston is air-conditioning, a cool beverage (or two) and access to some of the amazing waterparks of Texas. Check out these pictures for inspiration then double-back to read our full list of amazing water-centric theme parks, near and far.

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    Splashway Water Park, 5211 Main Street, Sheridan, 979-234-7718, splashwaywaterpark.com
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    Splashway Water Park, 5211 Main Street, Sheridan, 979-234-7718, splashwaywaterpark.com
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    Splashway Water Park, 5211 Main Street, Sheridan, 979-234-7718, splashwaywaterpark.com
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    Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, 1-800-582-4673, moodygardens.com/attractions/palmbeach
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    Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, 1-800-582-4673, moodygardens.com/attractions/palmbeach
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    Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, 1-800-582-4673, moodygardens.com/attractions/palmbeach
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    Palm Beach at Moody Gardens, One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, 1-800-582-4673, moodygardens.com/attractions/palmbeach
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    FlowRider at Wet’n’Wild SplashTown, 21300 I-45 North, Spring, 281-355-3300, wetnwildsplashtown.com
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    Tornado at Wet’n’Wild SplashTown, 21300 I-45 North, Spring, 281-355-3300, wetnwildsplashtown.com
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    Alien Chaser at Wet’n’Wild SplashTown, 21300 I-45 North, Spring, 281-355-3300, wetnwildsplashtown.com
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    Texas Freefall at Wet’n’Wild SplashTown, 21300 I-45 North, Spring, 281-355-3300, wetnwildsplashtown.com
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    MASSIV Water Coaster at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark, 2026 Lockheed, Galveston, 409-770-9283, schlitterbahn.com/galveston
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    Tiki Tikes Kids Area at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark, 2026 Lockheed, Galveston, 409-770-9283, schlitterbahn.com/galveston
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    The swim up bar at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark, 2026 Lockheed, Galveston, 409-770-9283, schlitterbahn.com/galveston
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    MASSIV at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark, 2026 Lockheed, Galveston, 409-770-9283, schlitterbahn.com/galveston
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    Boogie Bahn at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark, 2026 Lockheed, Galveston, 409-770-9283, schlitterbahn.com/galveston
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    Torrent River at Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark, 2026 Lockheed, Galveston, 409-770-9283, schlitterbahn.com/galveston
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    The Master Blaster ride at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas, 400 North Liberty Avenue, New Braunfels, 830-625-2351, schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels
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    Black Knight waterslide at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, 400 North Liberty Avenue, New Braunfels, 830-625-2351, schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels
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    The Schlitterbahn West section (on the Comal River) of Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, 400 North Liberty Avenue, New Braunfels, 830-625-2351, schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels
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    NLand Surf Park, ETJ 4836 East Highway 71, Austin, 512-806-1900, nlandsurfpark.com
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    NLand Surf Park, ETJ 4836 East Highway 71, Austin, 512-806-1900, nlandsurfpark.com
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    Sandcastle Cove and river system at Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, 33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, 956-772-7873, schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island
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    Los Rios Azul Torrent Tidal Wave river at Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, 33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, 956-772-7873, schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island
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    Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, 33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, 956-772-7873, schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island
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    Agua Blanca Tube Chute next to Wizard’s Waterways at Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, 33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, 956-772-7873, schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island
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    Schlitterbahn South Padre Island, 33261 State Park Road 100, South Padre Island, 956-772-7873, schlitterbahn.com/south-padre-island
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    Bob’s Cabana Bay, a heated swim-up bar at Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Riverpark, 14353 Commodores Drive, Corpus Christi, 361-589-4200, schlitterbahn.com/corpus-christi
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    Sky Blaster ride and Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Riverpark Resort, 14353 Commodores Drive, Corpus Christi, 361-589-4200, schlitterbahn.com/corpus-christi
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    Boogie Bahn inland surf ride at Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Riverpark, 14353 Commodores Drive, Corpus Christi, 361-589-4200, schlitterbahn.com/corpus-christi
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    The C.C. Christi kiddie boat attraction at Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Riverpark, 14353 Commodores Drive, Corpus Christi, 361-589-4200, schlitterbahn.com/corpus-christi
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    Riversystem and Aquaveyer at Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Riverpark, 14353 Commodores Drive, Corpus Christi, 361-589-4200, schlitterbahn.com/corpus-christi
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    The Snake Pit at Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, 832-426-7071, typhoontexas.com/houston
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    The Texas Twister at Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, 832-426-7071, typhoontexas.com/houston
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    The Texas Twister at Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, 832-426-7071, typhoontexas.com/houston
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    Lone Star Racers mat ride at Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, 832-426-7071, typhoontexas.com/houston
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    The Typhoon at Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, 832-426-7071, typhoontexas.com/houston
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    The Typhoon at Typhoon Texas, 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy, 832-426-7071, typhoontexas.com/houston
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    Big Rivers Waterpark is scheduled to open summer of 2018, 23101 State Highway 242, New Caney, 281-302-4020, bigriverswaterpark.com

Susie Tommaney is a contributing writer who enjoys covering the lively arts and culture scene in Houston and surrounding areas, connecting creative makers with the Houston Press readers to make every week...