Splash pads in Clearwater, Florida

Bill Jackson Park gives Clearwater families a tidy neighborhood splash pad without the Pier 60 crowds. Ground sprays are sized for toddlers, the playground next door holds older kids, and pavilions ring the lawn for picnics. Parking and restrooms are free. Year-round operation thanks to Pinellas County's mild winters — you'll see locals here in February. Best on weekday mornings; afternoon thunderstorms shut things down June through September. Parent gotcha: shade is limited at midday, so swim shirts and a beach umbrella are smart packs. Clearwater's reliable backyard alternative when the beach is too packed.

Coachman Park is Clearwater's reimagined downtown waterfront and The Sound's interactive fountain is the family-friendly anchor. Programmable jets dance across a stone plaza overlooking Clearwater Harbor, with the new Bluff garden and amphitheater all around for stroller loops. Free parking is rough on event nights — use the Park Street garage. Restrooms are clean. Open year-round, with sunset summer concerts that pair perfectly with a post-spray ice cream walk. Hurricane season can shutter things on short notice; check City of Clearwater alerts. Best photos at golden hour with the harbor behind you. Pinellas County's new front porch.