5 Tips to Beat the Heat at Valleyfair

With summers being so short in Minnesota we try to cram as much as possible into it.  One of our favorite Minnesota places to spend time in the summer is Valleyfair. It’s a must-visit place for us every summer. But this summer Mother Nature is trying to break some records with triple-digit days! That is not something we normally deal with in Minnesota.  However, hot days will not keep this Minnesotan away from Valleyfair so I have 5 tips to beat the heat at Valleyfair.

Enjoy the Water Rides

Valleyfair has 2 water rides that you are guaranteed to get soaked on.  The Wave is located in the front of the park. There are a few ways to get some relief from the heat with this ride. First, you can ride The Wave and get soaked. At the end of the ride a huge wave of water comes over the vehicle and you will get pretty wet. Some spots in the vehicle get more we than others but everyone usually walks out with a little relief from the heat. If you don’t get enough relief from the heat there is also the bridge you can stand on while you exit The Wave. If you are standing on the bridge when the next group of people come down the hill a huge wave will splash up and soak everyone on the bridge. There is also a third way to get some relief from the heat from The Wave. Stand in front of the ride in the park. The splash zone from the wave is so large that it projects out into the park area and you can get wet there too. This is great for the little ones that are too small to go on the ride but want to play in the water.

The second water ride is Thunder Canyon, it’s located in the back of the park.  On hot days if you ride The Wave when you first get into the park, you can enjoy the rides on your way back to Thunder Canyon. By the time you make it to Thunder Canyon, you’ll be dry or mostly dry so ready to get on another water ride! Thunder Canyon holds 6 people in the ride vehicle at a time. You’ll float through some rapids and have water splash over the sides and there are even some waterfalls. Depending on where you sit and how the weight is distributed you could walk away soaked. It’s another great way to get some relief from the heat.

Soak City

Soak City is a must-visit in the summer. Soak City is a 7-acre water park inside of Valleyfair complete with a wave pool, 12 waterslides, 2 raft rides, and a lazy river! There are even cabanas you can rent to spend the day in.  The wave pool is Peyton’s favorite spot in the waterpark. She’ll spend the whole time there. However, the waterslides are pretty amazing. They have the classic, iconic water slides from when I was a kid, plus there are additional slides with various intensities. You are sure to find a few slides you love. Plus, the lazy river is a must on these hot days. Just drift around the park on a tube.

While you are in Soak City there are a few places to grab some lunch, plenty of lounge chairs, and lockers too. There are also male and female changing areas complete with showers. Everything you need to enjoy a day at the waterpark is inside Soak City.

Take a Break in Air Conditioning

I’ve been going to Valleyfair for years and I know all the cool spots.  When I’m getting hot and need a break I’ll head into a store that has air conditioning and do a little shopping. Or if it’s around lunchtime I’ll take a break at 1 of the 3 eateries that have air conditioning. And on days that are extremely hot, like the ones coming up this week, I’ll take a break in all three. Get a little snack at each one.  So where are these coveted air-conditioned eateries?

Subway – the Subway shop has a few tables inside and is air-conditioned.  They have sandwiches, chips, cookies, and cold beverages available to purchase.

Coasters  Drive-In – Another air-conditioned spot to stop for lunch. They serve milkshakes, burgers, chicken strips, french fries, and cold beverages. They have a larger area for seating with some booths and tables.  You can use mobile ordering at this location to help cut down on wait times for food.

Stadium Grill – Another spot, right outside Soak City, that is air conditioned and serves classics like burgers, chicken strips, french fries, and cold beverages. This location is full of tables and even has an upper section where you can enjoy your meal. Simply place your order when you first walk in, take your tent number, find a table and someone will bring your food to you when it’s ready. It’s perfect for families.

Misting Stations

With the record-breaking temps that are predicted for this week and weekend another way to cool down is to take a break at one of the many misting stations throughout the park.  Taking a pass through a misting station is a great way to get some relief from the heat. It has been said that a misting station releases an evaporative ultra-fine mist, reducing temperatures in the immediate area by as much as 20–30 degrees! On our most recent visit to Valleyfair, the temperature was around 88F and those misting stations were wonderful. They really did provide immediate relief so we could continue to enjoy our day and go on more rides.

Drink Plenty of Ice Water

Valleyfair does allow you to bring in water bottles. I highly suggest getting a thermos-type bottle and bringing it with you. We personally use Iron Flask water bottles when we go to Valleyfair. I rarely have to add more ice to our bottles, Iron Flask keeps the ice frozen the whole day! I just add more water as needed. I always fill our water bottles with as much ice as they will hold and then add water in to fill the remaining space before we leave home and then refill with additional water throughout the day.

There are several locations throughout the park where you can fill your water bottle with fresh water for free.  If you forget your water bottle, Valleyfair does have an all-day drink pass you can purchase.  You’ll receive a souvenir cup that can be refilled throughout the park all day long. Throughout the park, there are cocoa-cola free style machines stocked with Powerade which is a good drink choice to help replace electrolytes too.

Just because the weather is hot outside doesn’t mean you can’t go outside and enjoy yourself. You just have to be strategic and aware of what your body needs. Staying hydrated, utilizing the misting stations and water rides to cool down plus taking breaks when needed will make your day at Valleyfair a day filled with fun with the kids. And don’t forget the sunscreen!