Metro Detroit's best places to take a dip and cool down
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Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Swimming pools, beaches and water parks are accessible across Metro Detroit to beat the heat.
Why it matters: It's hot! Temps in the mid-90s are expected all week.
Belle Isle beach: The city's island mega-park has a beach with a buoyed swim area open from 5am-9pm through Labor Day.
- Sign up for Belle Isle text updates for notifications that could impact your visit. The beach has temporarily closed in the past because of high levels of E. coli.
Wayne County Family Aquatic Center at Chandler Park: The water park has two 23-foot-high water slides, a wave pool, swimming pool and a splash pad with more than 100 spray fountains.
- 12600 Chandler Park Drive, Detroit.
- Admission ranges from $2 (2 and under) to $8 (non-Wayne County adults).
Brennan Pool: Within Rouge Park on the city's west side, Brennan opened in 1929 and sports two Olympic-size pools and a pool house designed by famed architect Albert Kahn, per Outlier.
- 21415 Plymouth Road, Detroit.
- City recreation membership required.
Metroparks: A handful of southeast Michigan's 13 Metroparks have beaches and pools. An annual pass ($40 for patrons from Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw or Wayne counties; $45 for non-residents) or a daily pass ($10) is required for each vehicle.
- Metroparks with beaches: Kensington (Milford), Lake St. Clair (Harrison Township) and Stony Creek (Shelby Township).
- With pools: Lake Erie (Brownstown), Lower Huron (Belleville), Willow (New Boston) and Lake St. Clair.
Red Oaks Waterpark: In anticipation of sold-out crowds in the heat, Red Oaks allows users to buy tickets up to three days in advance.
- 1455 E. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights.
- Tickets: Monday-Thursday, $18 for Oakland County residents, $26 for non-residents; Friday-Sunday and holidays, $20 for Oakland County residents, $28 for non-residents.
Rolling Hills Water Park: The lazy river is a unique attraction to go along with Rolling Hills' water slides, wave pool and an activity pool for younger children.
- 7660 Stony Creek Road, Ypsilanti.
- Tickets: $6 per vehicle to enter the greater Rolling Hills County Park for Washtenaw County residents, $10 for non-residents; Entry to the water park is $12 for Washtenaw County residents and $16 for non-residents.