Looking to beat the heat? Here are some places to go and things to do in Rutherford County

If you're looking to beat the heat, get your kids to burn off some energy or enjoy the water, here are some places in and around Rutherford County you can go this summer.

Boro Beach

Celebrate summer with the opening of Boro Beach at SportsCom, 2310 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro, on May 28.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. Lap hours are available most days from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Groups of 15 or more should call for reservations.

Memorial Day Madness festivities are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 30. In addition to swimming, there will be music and prizes.

Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for youth. For more details and info on rentals, call 615-895-5040.

Middle Tennessee campgrounds: 11 Tennessee State Park places to camp

Splash Town

Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center's Splash Town outdoor water facility at 611 Nolan Drive will open for the season from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 28. There are two large slides, a zero-depth entry children's splash playground and a current channel.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. From Aug. 6 through Sept. 5, the pool is only open on weekends.

Cost is $6 for adults and $5 for children and seniors older than 55. Memberships and rentals are available. Groups of 20 or more should register before visiting. Call 615-459-2553 for details.

Splash Pad in Smyrna

The season opens at the Splash Pad May 25. Enjoy playing under sprinklers and sprays at Gregory Mill Park, 390 Enon Springs Road E. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The pad is closed during inclement weather. Admission is free. Rentals are available. Groups of 10 or more should register ahead of time. Call 615-459-9773 for details.

Indoor pools

  • Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Murfreesboro, is open daily for play in the water park. Rentals are available, as well as various classes and lap swimming. Cost is $4 for adults, and $3 for seniors and youth. Call 615-893-7439.

  • SportsCom, 2310 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro, hosts open swim daily as well as lap swimming and classes. Cost is $4 for adults, and $3 for seniors and youth. Call 615-895-5040.

Be a tourist in your town: Places to go you may not know

Outdoor watering holes

Walter Hill Dam and park, located off Lebanon Highway between Thompson Lane and Jefferson Pike in Murfreesboro, is a favorite favorite watering hole where you can enjoy free swimming and fishing. Take a picnic lunch and bring your lawn chairs.

Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park, 401 Volunteer Road in Murfreesboro, offers several miles of rugged trails with access to the Stones River. The park also has playgrounds and a disc golf course. Admission is free.

Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, 732 Stone Fort Drive in Manchester, is a 30- to 45-minute drive up Interstate 24. The Little Duck River winds throughout the park, offering a beautiful backdrop as well as numerous places to play in the water. There are also miles of rugged trails, camping and a museum that highlights Native American history. Admission is free.

Machine Falls/Rutledge Falls are not far from Old Stone Fort — and right around the corner from each other. Rutledge Falls, 1276 Rutledge Falls Road in Tullahoma, is a short hike down to the falls. Down the road is Machine Falls at Short Springs Natural Area, a 1.6-mile round-trip hike.

J. Percy Priest Lake is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, Percy Priest Lake is shared by Rutherford, Wilson and Davidson counties. Visit Anderson Road Recreation Area for camping and swimming, or slip your boat in one of nine boat ramps for some fishing or paddling. Visit percypriestlake.org/ to learn about offerings.

Splash Out!

Play under the spray of the Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department at the summertime Splash Out! Wear clothes and shoes to get wet in, and don’t forget your sunscreen and towel. Admission is free. Times are 1:30-3 p.m. and dates are:

  • June 16, Siegel Neighborhood Park, 500 Cherry Lane

  • July 7, Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Veterans Parkway

  • July 21, Old Fort Park on Old Fort Parkway

June in the Creek

Explore the creek at Gregory Mill Park, 390 Enon Springs Road E. in Smyrna. June in the Creek will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. June 2, 16, 23 and 30.  Wear close-toed shoes and clothing you can get wet. There is no charge.

Boat Day

discover canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at Boat Day.
discover canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at Boat Day.

Thinking about getting into boating? Try out a variety of watercraft at the annual Boat Day. Times are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 18 at the Jefferson Springs Recreation Area off Jefferson Pike at Percy Priest Lake, and 9 a.m. to noon June 25 at the Stones River Greenway's Manson Pike Trailhead, 1208 Searcy St. (off Medical Center Parkway). Flotation devices, paddles and boats are provided. This event is free and open to all ages.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com. Keep up with restaurant news by joining Good Eats in the 'Boro (and beyond) on Facebook and follow Murfreesboro Eats on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Cool off in Rutherford County at these creeks, pools and waterfalls