Whizzing down a water slide, drifting on a lazy river and getting splashed under tipping buckets of water may not sound like an option in Maryland in the middle of winter, but it is. If your family is suffering from cabin fever, one of these five swim centers just might have the cure.
Find out what each has to offer, age or height restrictions, location and more below. All effort has been made to make sure that the information here is correct, but please check hours of operation before heading out.
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Bypass the eight-lane competition pool and take the kids straight to the leisure pool and water park. Kids love sliding down the 134-foot water slide, floating with the current in the vortex area and standing under buckets that periodically dump water. A smaller slide is just right for preschoolers, and a zero-depth entry leads to a three-lane, 20-yard lap pool for those who want to swim in a more traditional pool.
Children must be at least 3 years old to swim and completely toilet trained.
Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays Waterpark Timed Sessions: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 12:45 p.m. to 2:25 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7 for Anne Arundel County residents and $11 non-residents; ages 17 and younger, $5 residents and $9 non-residents.
7888 Crain Highway, Glen Burnie
410-222-0090
aacounty.org
Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool
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The Rollingcrest-Chillum Splash Pool in Prince George’s County has something for all ages. An area for tots has just 6 to 8 inches of water in a playground with five different slides and a giant mushroom that gently sprays water. A second family pool has an additional spray area in deeper water and a large, winding slide that starts in the upper part of the building, winds around outside and deposits swimmers into the pool. For serious swimmers there are three 25-yard lap lanes.
Hours: Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Monday, noon-5 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 4-5:45 p.m.; and Friday, noon-8:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $6 county residents, $8 non-resident; ages 3-17, $5 county residents, $7 non-residents; and ages 2 and younger are free.
6122 Sargent Road, Hyattsville
301-853-9115
pgparks.com
Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center
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A tropical beach getaway may not be in the cards this winter, but the beach-themed children’s pools at the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center in Prince Frederick come close. Three sets of small slides empty into balmy waters kept between 82 and 84 degrees. Water buckets hang near the tops of artificial palm trees, and a friendly gator and snake are waiting in the water for kids to climb on.
Hours: Leisure Pool: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, noon-8:45 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $7.50 Calvert County residents, $10 non-residents; ages 3-17, $5 county residents, $7.50 non-residents; ages 1-2, free for county residents, $4 non-residents.
130 Auto Drive, Prince Frederick
410-414-8350
calvertcountymd.gov
Prince George’s Aquatic Center
The aquatic center’s leisure pool offers fun activities in water kept at a balmy 84-86 degrees. A winding slide is perfect for older kids who can swim with tumble buckets and water blasters in shallower water for younger children to enjoy. A lazy river allows swimmers to float along with a constant current in water 3 to 4 feet deep. Parents can warm up in the 18-person spa with temperatures between 102 and 104 degrees.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 6 a.m. -8 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday, 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $6 Prince George’s County residents, $8 non-residents; ages 17 and younger, $5 residents and $7 non-residents.
The Aquatic Center is part of The Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Road, Landover.
301-583-2400
https://www.pgparks.com/facilities/prince-georges-sports-and-learning-complex
Columbia Swim Center
SplashDown at the Columbia Swim Center was recently renovated and is now open for sliding, twisting, wet and wild fun. Tubes are no longer necessary and the slide is smoother and faster than ever. A rope swing, diving board and recreational swimming in the program pool complete the experience. Kids must be at least 4 feet tall to slide.
SplashDown hours: Saturday, 1:30-7 p.m.
Admission: Members, $5; Columbia Cardholder, $12; non-member/non-resident, $19
10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
410-730-7000
columbiaassociation.org
Originally posted Jan. 4, 2016 and updated March 2024 by checking all websites for times and admission fees
By Regina Verow