Splash pads in Fairbanks, Alaska

Pioneer Park is Fairbanks' 44-acre summer headquarters — an old territorial-fair turned theme park with a gold-rush riverboat, the Pioneer Air Museum, mini-golf, and a small splash play area that rescues kids during the surprisingly hot Interior summer. Fairbanks regularly hits 80-plus in July, and dry heat plus 22 hours of daylight makes splash play a non-negotiable. Free parking and admission, restrooms throughout the park, food vendors open lunch through dinner. Best for ages 3-9 — the splash zone is modest, the rest of the park is the real draw. Parent gotcha: the splash season is roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day but truly reliable only late June through early August. Pack mosquito repellent — the Interior bugs are no joke. Combine with the Salmon Bake dinner show.