GRAFTON. If you're looking for relief from the summer heat, this waterpark along Grafton's Great River has cool fun for the entire family. Thrilling flumes, a kid-friendly water "obstacle course," a slow-paced tubing experience, and the dizzying Swirlpool ­ they're all under the Raging Rivers rubric. Daredevils especially love Runaway Rafts, which features a careening, 600-foot tube ride through simulated rapids. Two cafes provide sustenance in the form of hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza.

Six Flags St. Louis features eight themed areas of spectacular adventure designed around the fascinating history of the city itself. Enjoy a wide variety of live entertainment along with the thrills and delights of breathtaking rides, including The Boss, a wooden roller coaster ranked among the country's Top 10 wooden coasters for it's heart-stopping drops and turns.