Watermine allows outside food (no glass or alcohol). It will reach capacity on weekends, so you may have a wait if not there in morning. My kid works there and it’s extremely well run. They train the heck out of those lifeguards and have the county inspectors in all the time for assessments.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ that was my rec
I love this place, sand
Swimming area
Slides and stairs

So much fun, plus they serve cheap horrible food like burgers and fries

You can bring your own.

Such a gem but worth the drive

You can’t bring in outside food to any of the NOVA parks without allergies. They search your bags. My sister had to take a granola bar back to the car on Wednesday at Volcano Island. She had forgotten about it in the bottom of her bag.

Well they didn’t check us or other people at all

So you just follow the rules as you want to? It says very clearly on their website “No outside food.”

Love the water mine!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ that was my rec
I love this place, sand
Swimming area
Slides and stairs

So much fun, plus they serve cheap horrible food like burgers and fries

You can bring your own.

Such a gem but worth the drive

You can’t bring in outside food to any of the NOVA parks without allergies. They search your bags. My sister had to take a granola bar back to the car on Wednesday at Volcano Island. She had forgotten about it in the bottom of her bag.

Well they didn’t check us or other people at all

One more vote for Watermine in Reston. You are permitted to bring outside food. It kept my 4 year old entertained due to the variety of slides.

Anonymous wrote:^ that was my rec
I love this place, sand
Swimming area
Slides and stairs

So much fun, plus they serve cheap horrible food like burgers and fries

You can bring your own.

Such a gem but worth the drive

You can’t bring in outside food to any of the NOVA parks without allergies. They search your bags. My sister had to take a granola bar back to the car on Wednesday at Volcano Island. She had forgotten about it in the bottom of her bag.

Water Mine is the best in the area but it will always be a madhouse on weekends. Pirates Cove and Volcano Island are the best of the NOVA parks.

My kids (then ages 4 and 6) went to Great Wolf's Lodge in Michigan with their cousins. They are now 2 years older and CANNOT stop talking about it. My hubby and I were concerned that we'd all get hand-foot-mouth or MRSA or something... but it all was good and my kids can't wait to go back!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A water park with sand...? Do you want a beach or a waterpark?

Pirates Cove

Oh yes, it’s SO cute there!

^ that was my rec
I love this place, sand
Swimming area
Slides and stairs

So much fun, plus they serve cheap horrible food like burgers and fries

You can bring your own.

Such a gem but worth the drive

Anonymous wrote:A water park with sand...? Do you want a beach or a waterpark?

Pirates Cove

We loved Volcano Island in Sterling when my kids were little. They have a large pool which is about 2-feet deep that has slides and a bucket that dumps water. There is also a little beach area with sand! Great for young children! It is part of Nova Parks which also runs other waterparks in the area, some closer to DC such as in Arlington and Alexandria. I don't know if they all have such low-depth pools, though. That's what we really liked about Volcano Island. Here is the link: https://www.novaparks.com/

A water park with sand...? Do you want a beach or a waterpark?

I'm thinking of taking my 4yo to a waterpark for this first time this weekend. I know there are a lot of options around, but I haven't been to any of them yet. We live in NW DC, but I'd be willing to drive a reasonable distance. He loves sand, but that would be a bonus, not a requirement. Which park would you recommend and why?