Photo Gallery: Scores Head to Splish Splash To Beat Heat

When temperatures soar, Riverhead residents and visitors know is a surefire place to cool down and suit up for some fun and adventure.

Throughout my son's childhood, Splish Splash has always been the go-to destination every summer. So many memories of packing the car with a pile of Cub Scouts and heading out for a cool day of fun. So many memories of sun-kissed days spent on Shot Gun Falls and the Lazy River, of eating churros -- of watching my son's face light up as he'd come roaring down the water slides.

When my oldest childhold friend Lindis arrived from Norway this week with her four children, ranging in age from 16 to 4 -- all of whom, unused to the high temperatures and humidity that have been simmering on the East End recently, were feeling the heat -- Splish Splash was the first place on the agenda.

And this year, Splish Splash, which offers 96 acres of water slides and attractions, including the new Dinosaur Falls, where visitors can grab a raft for a prehistoric adventure, is back, with more rides and attractions than ever.

Also new is the H2Go Pass, a virtual rider reservation system that holds a guest's place, so less time is spent waiting in line and more time having fun -- a definite plus in the sweltering sunshine.

The park features rides for all ages. The older kids, including my friend's two boys, Levi and Alexander, and my own son, Billy, 19, tried them all, including Mammoth River, Hollywood Stuntrider, Dr. Von Darks Tunnel of Terror of Terror, the Dragon's Den, the 85 foot Cliff Diver -- a definite favorite -- Max Trax and Shotgun Falls, always my son's best-loved ride. For the little ones, Sofie and Sara, Monsoon Lagoon, Elephant Pool, Kiddie Cove and Pirate's Cove offered hours of splash time.

The moms in the group especially enjoyed just sitting and shooting the breeze in Spish Splash's two wave pools, Surf City and the all new Kahuna Bay -- there is just no better way to watch the kids having fun and beat the heat at the same time -- and relaxing in the Lazy River, a 1300 foot river with cooling fountains, where hundreds of visitors floated and escaped the heat.

Sitting in the wave pool at Splish Splash, lazing in the bright summer sunshine as our children splashed in the cool water, sharing stories and making memories -- suddenly, even the adults felt like kids again, just enjoying a quintessential July day.

And isn't that what summer's all about?

Do you and your family have any special memories of Splish Splash? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section.