Summer in New York is still technically a few weeks away, but Memorial Day this weekend means the unofficial start to summer, and we’re here for it!
Many of NY’s top summer attractions are opening this weekend to celebrate including NYC’s beaches, the state’s largest water park…and also a Hudson Valley favorite.
Just a quick trip up the road north, Splashdown Beach is officially unlocking its gates for the 2026 season this Memorial Day weekend, starting on Saturday, May 23 at 10 am.
Proudly wearing the crown as “America’s Biggest Little Water Park,” this beloved Fishkill destination packs massive thrills into a manageable footprint, making it the absolute perfect warm weather escape for New Yorkers craving a splash.
Here’s more about the park and why you need to visit this weekend (or summer!):
High-speed water rides & zero-gravity drops
Do not let the word “little” fool you.
Splashdown Beach boasts some of the most intense water rides in the entire Northeast.
Adrenaline junkies will want to make a beeline straight for the Humunga Half-Pipe, New York’s only zero-gravity half-pipe that literally put the park on the map with its four-story rush.
If you are craving some friendly competition, you can grab a mat and launch into a head-to-head drag race to the bottom on the Arctic Plunge Racer. You can also team up to tackle the Arctic Mammoth. Standing nearly six stories tall and stretching over 600 feet long, it holds the title as one of the largest family raft rides in the region.
And for a totally weightless experience, The Megalodon sends thrill seekers surging up a near-vertical wall before a sudden, stomach-dropping swing.
There is even a quirky slice of pop culture history waiting for you between the slides.
The park’s Rock Beach expansion features a huge sandy area and an event stage where Justin Bieber actually performed during the early days of his career. You can literally soak up the sun and grab a burger in the exact same spot where the Biebs sang to his earliest fans.
Lazy rivers & tropical chill zones
Not everyone wants to drop four stories into a high speed bowl like the famous Bullet Bowl tube ride, and that is perfectly fine!
The park balances its high octane attractions with plenty of spots to simply float and catch some rays. You can drift down the Croc Creek Wavy Lazy River, where interactive fountains and geysers cool you off along the route.
Alternatively, you can hop into the Monster Wave Pool to ride the breaking surf without ever having to worry about ocean sharks.
Families bringing along younger kids will find an absolute paradise here, specifically at Pelican Bay.
This is actually New York’s largest water playground, featuring four brand new waterslides and a colossal 500-gallon dumping bucket.
There is also Splash Works offering over 50 interactive features for the little ones, and Shipwreck Lagoon, an exclusive children’s area with a themed pirate ship and manageable water slides.
Getting there and scoring tickets
The gates officially open for the 2026 summer season this Memorial Day weekend, kicking off months of aquatic fun!
It’s located at 16 Old Route 9 W in Fishkill, New York, and the park is a straight shot up the state — making for an incredibly easy day trip or weekend getaway from the city.
Daily passes and 2026 season passes are already up for grabs too!
Weekend full day tickets for adults start at $64, while weekday visits will save you a few bucks.
You can score tickets, map out your drive, and check out the full daily operating hours by visiting the Splashdown Beach admission page here!
