5 Best Wet and Wild Slides
They twist, they twirl, and they make your stomach feel like it’s going to fall right out. Water slides are the unrivaled way to catch a refreshing thrill on a hot summer day, and you’ll burn off some of those extra ice cream calories on your way up the stairs. That’s right: They’re not just for kids. So grab your swimsuit, your kids and the SPF 45, and prepare yourself for a wet and wild ride.
1. The Slide—Kalani Towers
Where to ride it: White Water, 3505 W. Hwy. 76, Branson, 417-336-7750, bransonwhitewater.com
Cost: One day passes are $36 for adults, $30 for kids 11 and younger, children 3 and younger are free
Why you’ll love it: Branson’s famous water park’s newest addition packs six slides into one attraction. The 7.5-story-tall Kalani Towers features two 300-foot-long drop slides where riders slide solo and reach up to 40 miles per hour (holy cow!), as they body-slide their way to water-drenched indulgence. The ride also features four 312-foot lane slides, where thrill-seekers can plop on a body mat and race their friends.
2. The Slide—Tree House slides
Where to ride it: Splash Country Indoors, 1945 W. Hwy. 76, Branson, 417-334-3919, grandcountry.com
Cost: $15 for all ages
Why you’ll love them: Is it raining outside? Never fear: Splash Country Indoors promises wet and adventure-filled fun 365 days a year. This park has a huge tree house with two large, tube-style waterslides that riders must brave one at a time, sans tube. The smaller slide stands more than 20 feet from the ground and packs a twisting, twirling, 100-foot-long trip, and the large slide stands 26 feet from the floor and tests gravity with four twists and turns before the shallow slide catch.
3. The Slide—Peasant’s Plunge
Where to ride it: Castle Rock Resort & Water Park, 3001 Green Mountain Drive, Branson, 417-336-6000, castlerockbranson.com
Cost: Four free water park passes available with each room. Rooms range from $129–$189 per night
Why you’ll love it: If a name like Peasant’s Plunge isn’t fun enough to lure you in, the four-story-high, spiraling slide should do the trick. The slide is enclosed, so it’s dark on the way down, adding additional excitement for the riders. Those brave enough to take this plunge ride down alone, with a tube being the only separation from their body and the rushing water. The park also has another large slide called The Corkscrew and several themed kiddie slides for the little ones.
4. The Slide—The Yellow Slide
Where to ride it: Branson AquaPlex, 1500 Branson Hills Pkwy., Branson, 417-335-2368, bransonparksandrecreation.com
Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for kids
Why you’ll love it: You don’t need a full water park to have a great slide. The Branson Rec Plex features many ways to drench yourself with fun, including a zero-depth entry pool, diving boards and two water slides (blue and yellow). Cindy Shook, director of parks and recreation for the City of Branson, says the yellow slide is the one you should ride if you’re looking for that lose-your-stomach thrill. “It’s really, really fast,” she says. The enclosed tube slide includes a drop, a sharp, quick right turn and a curve before shooting riders into water.
5. The Slide—Blue Flume Slide
Where to ride it: Nixa Aquatic Center, 701 N. Taylor Way, Nixa, 417-725-5486
Cost: $4 for Nixa residents, $5 for non-residents
Why you’ll love it: The Nixa Aquatic Center features two water slides, one being an enclosed blue flume slide. Riders must tackle the translucent blue flume slide one at a time, feet first, lying down with their arms across their chest. And if you’re going to ride it, be warned: You’re going to go fast. The flume features two slippery-wet turns, a straight away and a plunge at the end.
