If you’ve spent a summer or two in the Lone Star state, you understand what the word scorching truly means. Get out of the heat and keep your cool this season. Head to one of these seven destinations around Coppell, where you can wait out Texas’ three-digit temperatures.

The Trinity River

Beat the heat in Coppell afloat the Trinity River. This waterway is the longest river in Texas at 710 miles with 130 miles that cross our Dallas area. The river features 21 official sites where you can access the water and explore the shoreline. Many companies offer guides excursions, like the Trinity River Kayak Company on East Sandy Lake Road.

Coppell residents Jeff and Pam Varnell opened the company in 2013. This team offers single or double-occupancy kayaks or traditional canoe trips. Paddlers get an orientation and water safety instructions before casting off. There’s even a shuttle service that will take you back to your vehicle after the trip.

Summer hours begin after Memorial Day. Boats launch from the company’s dock hourly between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Consider making a reservation as walk-up availability is limited. River trips journey up and down the Elm Fork from Lake Lewisville Dam to California Crossing Dam, including:

  • The Blast: six miles (two to three hours).
  • The Double Rush: 12 miles (five to six hours).
  • The Iron Man: 10 miles (five to six hours).
  • Sunset-Moonlight Paddles: two miles (two to three hours).

Bahama Beach

Image via Flickr by vastateparksstaff Licensed CC BY 2.0

Bahama Beach on Campfire Circle is worth the 30-minute drive from Coppell. Opening day is May 28, 2022, and this premium attraction is one of the best places to have a blast and get away from it all this summer. Park staff provides free life jackets and tubes for daily use.

Big kids and the young at heart can climb 45-feet in the air to the top of two enclosed high-speed slides: Riptide Slide and Bahama Bullet. Race to the bottom on an inner tube, then head to the Coconut Cove. This interactive rain-fortress playground provides your little ones with hours of water time fun.

Your tiniest water babies will love splashing at Lil Paco’s Pad, or let the lazy river’s gentle current take all your cares away. Bahama Beach’s grounds offer plenty of shade, reservable private cabanas, and a snack shack called Bahama Bob’s Island Eatery. It has an affordable menu of kid’s favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, chips, and funnel cakes to satisfy all of your summertime cravings.

The CORE

Coppell’s Parks and Recreation Department oversees this 3,300 square foot public fitness facility at East Parkway Boulevard. The center is open year-round with cardiovascular and strength training equipment, group exercise classes, and personal training. It also has an indoor pool for swimming laps, a play feature for the kids, and seasonal outdoor facilities that stay open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The CORE is also the perfect place for swim lessons. Help keep your children safe around the water with on-site programs for preschoolers and beginners. If your family would rather practice from home, take advantage of virtual swim classes that you can watch on any connected device. You don’t even need a pool to learn something new. These videos cover the basics using a standard bathtub. After class, your kids will be ready to jump right in.

Jungle Castle

Jungle Castle on Long Prairie Road in Flower Mound is a fantastic indoor playground. Its wild theme spans almost 3,000 square feet. Kids of all ages can let loose and explore, interact, and play safely. You don’t need to make a reservation to check out this cool local attraction, so it’s convenient to drop in whenever your family needs to chill out.

The staff at this facility didn’t forget about you parents. There’s a complimentary coffee station, free high-speed WiFi, and a cafe. Have a seat and watch your little ones explore numerous multilevel Interactive structures, including:

  • Jungle of fun.
  • Three-lane slide.
  • Big tube slide.
  • 5,000-ball pit.
  • Toddler play area.
  • Wall games.

Institute for Creation Research

The faith-based Institute for Creation’s Discovery Center on Royal Lane in Dallas is another terrific place to stay cool this summer. Curators filled its galleries with numerous exhibits, a planetarium, and live presentations. Science experts will answer your most riveting questions about dinosaurs, origins, earth’s history, and more. Stop by the store on your way out and pick up a new religious resource or memento.

Your Local Library

We all know the Cozby Library and Community Commons is the best place in town to borrow a book, but did you know this longstanding institution also offers loads of summer programs for the whole family? Get out of the sun and get inside your closest branch on North Heartz Road.

Kids in kindergarten through 5th grade can join Wize Academy and your librarian for Introduction to Coding, Design, and Modding in Minecraft. This immersive course engages students with abstract concepts in a digital environment.

The library hosts its Splish Splash Storytime at the CORE’s pool. Staff designed this program for infants and kids up to 10. In addition to swimming, your kids will hear stories and sing songs. Storytime is free, and you don’t need a CORE membership to participate.

Crème de la Crème of Coppell

Our integrated summer camp program offers children ages five to 12 a cool experience. Your kids will while away the long hot days in air-conditioned comfort, enjoying age-appropriate activities, going on exciting field trips, and splashing in the onsite water park. Guest speakers and events for the whole family blend fun and learning. Your kids continue to grow and develop during the break.

There you have it. Crème de la Crème of Coppell shared this list of seven places to stay cool this summer. What do you think of our ideas? Let us know if we forgot your family’s favorite place to chill out. Send us a note, and we’ll add your awesome summer suggestions to our guide.