Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

According to past visitors, Big Kahuna's is pricey for a park of its size, but it's also one of Destin's best spots to take the family when you need a break from the beach. The water park is open from mid-May through August and features more than 40 attractions, including slides, water rides and the Honolulu Half Pipe with a wave simulator. You can also float through the park along its lazy river. And between September and early May – when the water rides are closed – you can still enjoy Big Kahuna's Adventure Park, which is home to a mini-golf course and other thrill rides.

Adults and children who are more than 48 inches tall pay $48.99 for a single admission to the water park, while tickets for kids shorter than 48 inches cost $40.99. If you purchase tickets online in advance you can save up to $8 per ticket. Plan to pay $5 to park and between $11 and $15 to rent a locker. Adventure Park tickets are sold separately.

Recent visitors said the park can get crowded (especially on weekends), and lines can be long. Also, plan to budget for lunch since food prices run high (especially since the park does not allow outside food and drink). Big Kahuna's is open from 2 to 9 p.m. every day from March to Labor Day. On Fridays, the park opens early at 12 p.m.; on weekends, hours are from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. For more information on pricing and hours, visit the Big Kahuna's website.