During the summer, living down the street from a pool can seem like the best thing in the world. Whether you want to cool off or find a place where your kids can learn to swim, there’s no question a pool is a boon in the Chicago summertime heat. The city has tons of neighborhood pools, but there are still plenty of places to swim and play in the city’s suburbs. Whether a park district spot or water park, you can dive into pools in these eight suburbs.

Aurora

Aurora, a suburb west of Chicago, is situated on the scenic Fox River. If seeing the river makes you want to take a dip, the Fox Valley Park District operates the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center. The water park has a zero-depth entry pool, water slides, a kids’ play area, sand volleyball courts, and a concessions stand. If you’re in the mood for less splashing and more exercise, the aquatic center also has lap swim hours. In addition to the aquatic center, the park is also home to the Phillips Park Zoo, making it the perfect place for an all-day outing.

Bolingbrook

Bolingbrook is a near neighbor of Aurora, separated only by Naperville. The suburb’s Pelican Harbor Aquatic Park is an indoor/outdoor water park with enough excitement to keep kids busy all day. The pool has four water slides, a lazy river, a playground with spray features, beach volleyball courts, and a picnic area. Also, Pelican Harbor is just down the street from Bolingbrook’s Poplar Park.

Burr Ridge

Woods Pool is located on the northern edge of Burr Ridge, just across the street from Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. A part of the Burr Ridge Park District, Woods Pool has a 25-yard long pool with swim lanes and diving boards. There’s also a smaller kiddie pool located next to the larger one. The pool is open seven days a week—from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Elk Grove Village

Rainbow Falls Waterpark is a tropical-themed pool in the northwestern suburb of Elk Grove Village. The water park’s regular season runs from early June 9 to Aug. 12, but it has postseason hours that run up through Labor Day. Rainbow Falls has giant water slides, a diving pool, a kiddie pool, a lazy river, a picnic area, and a cafe. If you’re looking for more outdoor time after the pool, Rainbow Falls is located between Lions Park and Olmstead Park.

Elmhurst

Elmhurst has two big pools, both operated by the city’s park district. East End Pool is further north in the suburb, while Norman P. Smalley Pool is located further south. East End Pool has four 25-yard lanes for lap swimming, a wading pool for kids, two diving boards, and concessions. Norman P. Smalley Pool has a pool with zero-depth entry, a water slide, a diving board, a kids’ spray park, a sand play area, and concessions. The Elmhurst Park District offers swimming lessons for children as young as six months old and as old as 12. Other swim programs include adult swim teams, water fitness classes, and diving lessons. 

Joliet

In Joliet swimmers can head over to Splash Station, a train-themed water park. Relax on an inner tube swept down the lazy river, or get more adventurous on the park’s water slides. Residents get a deal on general admission and season passes to the park.

Lisle

Sea Lion Aquatic Park, located in Lisle, is an ideal spot for kids to play and adults to get in some exercise. The pool opens bright and early at 6 a.m. for adult swim Monday through Friday. Open swim takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, but pass holders can get in a little early on the weekend. The pool offers a variety of swim lessons (group, semi-private, and private) and has its own introductory swim team.

Woodridge

Like a lot of suburban water parks, Cypress Cove in Woodridge offers significant resident discounts. A map of the water park reveals a ton of attractions, including a lazy river, a plunge pool, a diving pool, multiple waterslides, concessions, and a picnic area. Cypress Cove, conveniently located at I-355 and 83rd Street, is easily accessible by residents and visitors from other suburbs.