This post is written by Sandi Combs , Marketing Coordinator for Experience Columbus.

The first time I learned of Zoombezi Bay was when I was visiting the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium with family two summers ago. We took one look at the towering slides of the water park we never knew existed and said “we’ve got to go there!” A year later, a group of friends and I finally made the trip there, and we loved it! We ended up staying until the park closed at 9 to make sure we got one last go on each of the attractions before making the two-hour drive home.

Now that I’m a full-fledged resident of Columbus, of course one of the first things on my summer fun to-do list was to go back to Zoombezi Bay. Lured by my memories of last summer and the park’s two new water slides, my boyfriend and I headed out this past Sunday armed with our sunscreen, beach towels and swimsuits to make the most of the July heat by cooling off at our favorite water attraction.

So, here’s the scoop on the park: Zoombezi Bay features 17 water slides, an action river, a lazy river, a wave pool, two kiddie play areas, plenty of lounge chairs for sun bathing and much, much more. It is a very popular place and you’ll find all kinds of people there, from thrill-seeking young adults to families to everyone in-between.

The two new slides, Big Boa Falls and Python Plunge are great. Python Plunge shoots you through a winding tunnel at high speeds before sending you down a hill to the splash pool, while Big Boa Falls blasts you up a hill, giving you the rush of feeling weightless, and then shoots you back down to the landing pool. It kind of feels like you’re riding a waterslide uphill. Both are experienced via rafts. Here’s a picture of the slides.

Do note that lines for some of the most popular attractions, like the action river and the Cyclone slide, will be long during peak periods of the day (from about noon-4 p.m.), especially on weekends; my advice is to hit those toward the beginning or end of your visit so you can do more during the hours you are there. Also, the sidewalks can get toasty if it’s a super-hot day, so if you or anyone in your group has sensitive feet, I’d recommend wearing water shoes or keeping flip-flops on until you’re at the next activity on your list.

Zoombezi Bay offers a couple other amenities to enhance your visit. The first is that your admission ticket also gets you into the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, which is great. We usually do the zoo in the morning, and then as it gets warmer, we head over to the water park. Zoombezi Bay also offers private cabanas that you can rent out for the day. If you have a large group, renting one of those makes life much easier because you get a private wait staff to take your food and beverage orders, a special discounted menu, plus a convenient place to park all of your stuff.

That’s the basic low-down. I’ll leave you with my top four favorite things to do:

• Cyclone water slide
• Big Boa Falls water slide
• Wild Tides wave pool
• R oaring Rapids action river

Zoombezi Bay’s Facebook page has a nice collection of photos that will help you get a feel for what the park is like.

This post is written by Anthony Cordo, visitor services manager, at Experience Columbus.
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We’ve got a three-day vacation package for your entire family to check out the hottest attractions in Columbus; all starting at $375 for a family of four.

Day 1
Play at COSI , the number one science center in the nation. Their newest exhibit is Dinosaurs - a massive experience of animatronic dinos, a maze, and simulators that let you be a dinosaur!

Day 2
Get wet at the Zoombezi Bay waterpark with activities including two all-new slides: Anaconda Falls, a fast, curvy slide and the Python Plunge a thrilling water coaster!

Day 3
Experience the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium , the number one zoo in the nation. Stay cool in the new Polar Frontier and check out over eight thousand animals throughout the zoo!

A two night stay is included in the package at your choice of hotel. The preferred hotel, Drury Inn , includes complimentary breakfast and evening snacks and indoor/outdoor pools.

So, get on it and plan your family fun weekend in Columbus.

If you’re looking for inexpensive summer entertainment options, you’re in luck.

Columbus is home to the #1 zoo and the #1 science center in the United States. So this summer, Experience Columbus is helping families discover how affordable a weekend of fun and exploration can be. We have partnered with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, COSI , Drury Inn & Suites , Bob Evans , Greater’s Ice Cream and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants to put together the Roar and Explore Package .

Through Labor Day, for only $299, a family of four will receive the following:

• Four tickets to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

• Four tickets to Zoombezi Bay water park

• Four tickets to COSI

• Two nights at the Drury Inn & Suites , with your choice of three locations in Columbus. Other hotel choices are also offered, but prices may vary.

• One free kids meal at Bob Evans

• One free junior cone at Graeter’s Ice Cream

• $15 gift card to Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

Additional family members may be added when booking. Packages can be booked online or by calling (888) 236-8084.

If you’re looking to create your own affordable getaway or show off the city to friends and family who are in town, check out these lists of Free Things to Do and Things Under $10 for ideas.

Also, festival and special event season in now upon us and Columbus has some of the best cultural and artistic celebrations  in the country - many with free or inexpensive admission. For specific details about some of them, check out this page that features members of the Greater Columbus Events Council.

There is plenty of inexpensive fun to be had and ways to save on some of the best entertainment in town.