Taking the Plunge Close to Home

11 acres, 14 slides. This small park-within-a park offers stationary Hydro Blasters (think water guns on steroids), a massive swimming pool built in 1932 and lots of watery fun for the little ones. Hydro Racers lets four people slide headfirst and compete at the same time.

THE BIG SPLASH

Two-person rafts twist, crash through water curtains and then drop 50 feet on the Pipeline Plunge's enclosed chutes.

NOTES

Ticket includes the rest of the 200-acre Idlewild amusement park . . . Free parking.

Splash Zone

Wildwood, N.J.

609-729-5600

www.splash zonewaterpark. com

VITALS

Drive time: About 3A hours (190 miles).

Cost: $27.99, $22.99 (48 inches and under).

WHAT' THERE

Four city blocks, 16 slides and rides. The twisty, dual-tubed Spider's Web has both enclosed and open chutes. Clock your speed on the Speed Dominator, float down the Adventure River or stand under the 1,000 gallons of water dumped by the Giant Bucket every three minutes.

THE BIG SPLASH

The Jersey shore's only Beast of the East whitewater ride can carry up to six people per raft. Catch a great view of the beach and boardwalk as you careen down the wide slide.

NOTES

It's on the boardwalk in Wildwood, so you can cool off in the ocean as well . . . Parking included with two full-price tickets.