Beat the Heat

It's the dog days of summer, and sticking near the air conditioner is one way to stay cool. Heading to the nearest pool, beach or water-park can be even more satisfying and budget friendly, too. Kelli Grant, Senior Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com, offers some tips on how to save money while in search of water fun.

First, call your area hotels. Many allow non-guests to use the facilities for free, or a nominal fee. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, for example, charges $20 a day six days a week, and Sundays are free. The UN Plaza Hotel in New York charges $40, but that fee also includes health club access.

Don't be afraid to visit a school campus. Some schools offer free or cheap passes for alumni and local residents. During open swim times, Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois, offers free access to current students and district residents. Other guests pay $5.

It's also smart to clip coupons. Amusement parks are still trying to advertise themselves as bargain entertainment as consumer spending picks back up. The result is coupons galore. Breakers Water Park in Arizona has one good for $5 off the regular $20 adult admission, while The Wave Waterpark in California, has another for buy one, get one 50% off through the end of June.

And if you live near a water park or beach, get a season pass. Passes can quickly pay for themselves. At Geauga Lake Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio, an adult pass is $53; exactly twice the price of a single day's admission. At Shipbottom Beach in New Jersey, daily access is $7, while a season pass costs $35. It pays for itself in five sunny days.

And finally, take advantage of state and national parks. More than 200 are free year round, and those that aren't can often be accessed for as little as $5 per carload. Many also offer free weekends throughout the summer.

For more tips on how to save at water parks and other consumer tips, click here.
by Kelli Grant and Jenn Eaker