Splash pads in Durham, North Carolina

American Tobacco Campus is downtown Durham's family-friendly anchor — the historic tobacco warehouse complex turned mixed-use district has interactive water features that double as a splash zone for kids running between Cocoa Cinnamon, Mellow Mushroom, and the DPAC. Free, with paid garage parking nearby. Restrooms in the surrounding restaurants and the visitor center. Best on weekday late afternoons or before DPAC shows. Operates seasonally May through September. Triangle humidity is brutal in July — the campus shade trees and restaurant misters help. Pair with dinner at one of the campus restaurants and a stop at Locopops. A great urban Durham afternoon if you mix the splash with a tour of the historic buildings.

Durham Central Park is the heart of the downtown Durham food scene — five acres of lawn, the Saturday farmers market, and seasonal splash features that turn into the unofficial summer cool-off for the Old Five Points crowd. Free, with on-street and garage parking. Restrooms at the pavilion and in the surrounding restaurants. Best on Saturday mornings during the farmers market or weekday late afternoons. Operates Memorial Day through Labor Day. NC humidity is heavy from June through September. Pair with brunch at Geer Street Garden or coffee at Cocoa Cinnamon. The vibe is the most authentically Durham of any downtown spot.