Great American Vacations: America's Best Water Park
Schlitterbahn serves up waves of fun.

By Rose Edmonds and Christina Antoniades

They were once just souped-up pools offering a fun way to cool off on a hot day, but over the years America's water parks have morphed into the wet counterparts to the theme park - mixing adrenaline-pumping thrills with family-style fun.

Eighty-foot drops, white-water rapids, lazy rivers and wave pools all find their home in the nation's water parks. Of course, some do it better than others.

They are the kings of wet, and we've got the best below. So grab your sunscreen and swimsuit and head with us to the best water park in the United States.

BEST WATER PARK IN AMERICA: SCHLITTERBAHN
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
What's Cool: Incorporates neighboring Cormal River into several attractions
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The mercury in southern Texas rarely falls below 90 degrees during summer, prompting many families to pack their coolers, don their bathing suits and head to Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Voted the top waterpark in America for the past three years, the 65-acre Bavarian-themed oasis features tunnel slides, tube chutes, floating areas and at least four swimming pools. Schlitterbahn's main attraction, however, is the six-story, super-soaker Master Blaster uphill water coaster, located just inside the Blastenhoff entrance.

In 1994, Schlitterbahn opened the first ever uphill water ride, known as the Dragon Blaster. Since then, they have added several other uphill water coasters, the Master Blaster and the Family Blaster. The Master Blaster in particular has often been voted as the best water ride in the US by travel publications and is frequently mentioned on the Travel Channel as such. In addition to these water coasters, the New Braunfels park now boasts over 3 miles (5 km) of inner tube rides, 7 water playgrounds for children, 17 water slides, and the world's first surfing machine (Boogie Bahn, which is used by both professionals and casual visitors).