Aquaport

Aquaport Summary

We've been going to Aquaport for about three years now, and it's become our go-to "once a summer" tradition.

Let's get the main thing out of the way: the price. It's gotten more expensive. For non-residents, it's $20 for an adult and $15 per kid. For our family, that's $70 just to walk in the door.

Ouch.

That's why we only go once a year. Now, if you're a Maryland Heights resident, it's a completely different story. It's only $7 for an adult and $5 for a kid. That's a fantastic deal.

But for us, it's still worth that once-a-year splurge. Why? Convenience. It's probably the closest water park to our house, only 10-15 minutes away. You just can't beat that. We always go with friends, and we've always had a ton of fun.

This isn't the fanciest water park you'll ever visit. And yes, it gets pretty crowded in the summer. My advice? Get there early. You can have more of the park to yourself, hit the big slides, and then grab some lunch and just hang out in the lazy river.

The slides are fun, the kids' area is great, and the whole place has a good family vibe. In my opinion, it's a much, much better value than the water park at Six Flags. So, while the price gives me pause, the fun and convenience keep us coming back.

Aquaport Things To Do

For a local park, Aquaport has a good variety of attractions.

Tube Slides

These are my personal favorite. They have two big tube slides, one open and one enclosed, tucked away in their own area. They are pretty long and pretty fast. The only downside? That ramp you walk back up can get really hot on your feet. But, it's not the worst.

The "Toilet Bowl" Slide

This is their big, marquee attraction. It's definitely for older, more confident kids. You go down a fast, enclosed trap, spin around a giant "toilet bowl," and then get dropped into a deep whirlpool exit.

The problem is, that whirlpool is serious. You must be a good swimmer to get out. I'd say about once every 30 minutes, we saw a lifeguard have to jump in and grab someone who was struggling. My 10-year-old handled it fine, but you have to pay attention. This is not a "turn your mind off" ride like the others.

Medium Slides and Kids Pool

The main pool has two medium-sized slides that are perfect for the 5-to-6-year-old crowd. My little guy loved them. He must have gone on them on repeat for a solid half-hour. There's also a separate, dedicated kid pool area for the really little ones.

Lazy River

This is a classic, good-for-the-whole-family lazy river. It's a great way to cool off and relax. I will say, it has a tendency to have leaves and other bits floating in it, so it can feel a little "nature-y" on occasion. Just be aware of that.

FlowRider (Surf Pool)

They have a surf pool where you can go bodyboarding or try to surf. It's pretty fun to watch and to do. It does cost an extra $3 to use, which is kind of a pain in the butt, but it's a unique feature.

Aquaport Details And Info

Cost and Value

As I mentioned, it's $20 for non-resident adults and $15 for kids. This compares to just $7 and $5 for residents. It's a huge difference.

But let's talk value. We went to the Six Flags water park this summer, and it was incredibly expensive. If you're just going for a water park experience, I think Aquaport is a much better value. Sure, the rides at Six Flags might be technically better or bigger, but the ones here are perfectly fine. For a fraction of the price, you're getting a great afternoon.

Food

The food is reasonably priced. You're getting your standard chicken fingers and fries. It's not a huge portion, but it's not crazy expensive like at Six Flags. It does the job.

Cleanliness

A lot of the reviews I saw online mentioned cleanliness being an issue. Honestly, in the last three years we've been going, we have not had any problems with it being dirty. The bathrooms are fine, the pools are clean. No complaints there. Maybe those are older reviews.

Amenities

They have lockers you can rent (I think it was $1) and changing rooms in the bathroom if you need them.

Parking At Aquaport

Parking is really easy. They have a giant, dedicated lot right out front. A big plus: they have solar panels covering some of the parking spots, which creates some much-needed shade on a hot summer day. That's a nice touch.

Aquaport Receipt