Thursday is National Waterpark Day: Enjoy late-summer fun at theme, water parks

OK, summer is starting to wane and soon kids will be headed back to school. Ugh. That means, everyone needs to take advantage of summer break while they still can!

Thursday is National Waterpark Day, so what better way to soak up some summer fun? Why by visiting a water park, of course!

Coney Island in Cincinnati is on the banks of the Ohio River and offers a variety of water features. Or if you prefer to stay a little closer to home, consider Zoombezi Bay!

Zoombezi Bay offers plenty of fun in the sun

Zoombezi Bay reimagined and relocated the park entrance near Big Boa Falls and Python Plunge. The new entrance means guests no longer have to enter through the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The plaza entrance features a new shopping center: Sea Star Sundries. Also, there is a brand-new Pepsi Oasis location that has been added near Surfside Grill and Coconut Joe's, and an all-new menu at Otter's Street Tacos.

Zoombezi Bay has events to carry water park fanatics through the rest of the season.

On Friday, it's Zoombezi Bay Summer Nights! In addition to certain attractions being open until 10 p.m., there will be a showing of "Frozen 2" at the Wild Tides wave pool at 8 p.m.

Tickets after 5 p.m. cost $20, and after 10 p.m., they drop to $10.

On Aug. 19, the park will offer a sensory-friendly experience for guests from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors must reserve tickets in advance and can expect smaller crowds as there are limited tickets available.

Music will be turned off throughout the park and sensory kits with noise-canceling headphones, fidget spinners and sunglasses can be purchased for $10.

Admission to this event is free for season pass holders, but there will be a minimal fee to be announced once tickets go on sale.

Until Aug. 7, the park will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The week of Aug. 8-12 is Back to School Week and the park will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

From Aug. 13 to Sept. 5, the park will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. only on weekends.

Call 614-645-3400 for daily closures or visit  www.zoombezibay.columbuszoo.org for more information.

Day trip destinations: Five great Ohio water parks to visit near Cedar Point, Kings Island

Coney Island

Coney Island has been a destination to splash, ride, cheer and play for over 130 years in Cincinnati. The park will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Aug. 28.

Home to the largest recirculating swimming pool in the world, Sunlite Water Adventure, offers fun for all ages with a kiddie pool and a 9-foot diving board.

On Thursday, Coney Island will celebrate National Waterpark Day by offering 50% off all tickets at the gate. Plus, a free soft drink when you purchase a super slice of pizza.

For the week of Aug. 8, first responders and health-care workers will receive free general admission (with a valid first responder or health-care worker photo ID) and up to four additional guests will receive $5 off admission as a thank you to those who serve our community. This offer is valid at the gate only.

For thrill seekers, there are water slides to make you scream and get soaked — like The Twister, which has four water slides that intertwine.

Every Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.  through Aug. 14, join The Sunburners for Sunday Funday. The band will perform live music poolside from Sunlite Water Adventure.

For more information, visit their website at www.coneyislandpark.com.

Theme parks with adjacent water parks

And for thrill-seekers, consider visiting Ohio's two amusement parks: Kings Island and Cedar Point, which also offer water parks of their own.

Perfect for a summer day with family and friends, Ohio's theme parks are always seeking to entertain guests.

Kings Island's 'Golden' 50th celebration

Kings Island in Mason is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and from food to shows, they are commemorating in style.

When guests purchase a ticket, they get access to both Kings Island and its water park, Soak City. Kings Island park hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Soak City will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The park is celebrating its birthday with a daily parade called the "50 Years of Fun Street Party." Do some vocal and leg warmups as the party gets started daily at 6 p.m. near the entrance to the park on International Street in Coney Mall through Aug. 14.

Guests opting to celebrate the history of the park at a more leisurely pace can check out the Tower Gardens History Walk on International Street. The attraction serves as a walk-through timeline through Kings Island history, complete with beautiful floral displays and fun facts about the park.

Even when the sun goes down, the park's birthday party is just getting started.

From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every day except Tuesday, International Street turns into Club KI. Join The Royal Coasters as they perform a variety of musical hits. DJ Diamondback keeps the party going with his Kings Island anniversary mix while stilt walkers, acrobats and festive dancers liven up the dance floor.

Guests 21 and older can order the 50th anniversary cocktail The Golden Fizz, Tito's vodka and Sprite infused with passionfruit, for $12.99. Underage guests can purchase a non-alcoholic version for $9. All orders are served in a limited-edition souvenir cup.

Heat's up, cool down: Columbus extends hours at select community centers, pools, splash pads due to heat wave

The grand finale comes at 10 p.m. on International Street with the park's brand-new nighttime show "Fun, Fireworks and Fifty — A Kings Island Nighttime Spectacular." The 14-minute show is a tribute to the first five decades of the park's history and is narrated by Barry Williams, best-known as Greg Brady in "The Brady Bunch." The sitcom famously filmed the episode "The Cincinnati Kids" at the park in 1973.

The Kings Island Summer Concert Series at Timberwolf Amphitheatre presented by Platform Beer Company is winding down but still has a couple of events:

• Aug. 2: Daryl Hall and Todd Rundgren

• Aug 20: Five for Fighting with The Verve Pipe

Also, Kings Island Halloween Haunt will be running weekends starting Sept. 23 through Oct. 30.

For more information on events and tickets, visit www.visitkingsisland.com.

Cedar Point: America's Roller Coast

Cedar Point in Sandusky is home to 17 world-class roller coasters and earned its nickname "America's Roller Coast" because of its position on Lake Erie.

The park also has a water park, Cedar Point Shores, that requires a separate ticket. Cedar Point's operating hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Cedar Point Shores will operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Come hang with Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang for creator Charles Schulz's centennial.

Cedar Point is offering a ticket package this summer called the Funday Bundle that includes admission, parking and all-day dining for $69.99 a person.

From Friday through Aug. 21, the Cedar Point beach turns into a glow-in-the-dark beach party for Cedar Point Nights from 7 to 11 p.m. There will also be fire pits, games and an all-you-can-eat dining experience.

Want to look a little beyond summer? Cedar Point's HalloWeekends will return Thursday evenings, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 15 through Oct. 30.

For more information on tickets and events, visit https://www.cedarpoint.com/.

Take a turn: Ohio's numerous merry-go-rounds put a fun spin on National Carousel Day

David Kwiatkowski is a features intern for The Columbus Dispatch. You can reach him+ on Twitter @kwiatkdm or his email dkwiatkowski@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio's amusement and water parks still have plenty of summer fun