It’s definitely summer here in the Triangle! And if you know anything about North Carolina summers, you know it’s hot and humid most of the time—so it’s a good thing there are plenty of ways to stay cool! If you really want to relax, it might be time to take a swim in the Raleigh suburbs.
Keep Cool and Swim in the Raleigh Suburbs
Beat the heat at one of these Triangle swim spots! Whether you want to take the boat out on a lake or make a splash in a pool, you’ll find plenty of options throughout the Raleigh suburbs. Here are a few of our favorites.
Lake Johnson Park
Lake Johnson is a favorite in the Raleigh area, thanks to its wide variety of amenities and its easy-access location right off I-40. Not only does the 150-acre lake offer boating, fishing, and boat rentals, but it also features miles of hiking and biking trails.
If you want to get in the water, visit Lake Johnson Pool, which consists of a pool, spray ground, baby pool, and lap pool. Please note, these are currently open with limited capacity.
Pullen Park
One of Raleigh’s most popular and iconic parks, Pullen Park has a little bit of everything—an amusement park, a community center, playgrounds, tennis courts, athletic fields, an arts center, an outdoor theatre, a cafe, several picnic areas, and yes, an aquatic center.
The Aquatic Center features an Olympic pool, a warm water therapy pool, and several activities and programs, including water exercise and recreational swimming.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Built around a 14,000-acre reservoir, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area features 1,000+ campsites, seven swimming beaches, numerous boat ramps, and roughly 14 miles of hiking trails. It’s a hotspot for fishing, boating, camping, hiking, biking, and even wildlife viewing—bald eagles and osprey aren’t uncommon to the lake!
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
If you’re looking for a way to get out and have an adventure, either on land or in the water, then Falls Lake should definitely be on your radar. This 12,000 acre reservoir features swimming beaches, boat ramps, and non-motor areas. The surrounding parkland offers primitive campsites and RV hookups, miles of hiking trails, and more.
Spend the morning hiking through breathtaking wilderness along the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, mountain biking the Beaverdam trails, or fishing on a secluded shoreline, then cool off with a splash in the lake.
Fantasy Lake Scuba Park
Looking for a more unique adventure? Head over to Fantasy Lake Scuba Park in Wake Forest for an underwater experience unlike any other. Diving attractions include two airplanes, a bus, a car, three boats, and more. Lake depths range from 32 to 80+ feet. The park also features hiking trails up Fantasy Lake Mountain, the highest point in Wake County.
Just a note: At this time, the park is only open to certified divers, student divers with instructors, or guests of certified divers.
Raleigh’s public pools
At this time, the City of Raleigh has a limited number of city-run pools open at limited capacity. These include Millbrook Aquatic Center, Optimist Aquatic Center, Pullen Aquatic Center, Biltmore Pool, Lake Johnson Pool, Longview Pool, and Ridge Road Pool. Please contact the city to confirm schedules, pricing, and availability of each pool.
Buy a Home with a Pool or Neighborhood Pool!
One of the easiest (and most convenient) ways to stay cool is to find a home with a pool! Of course, owning a pool requires additional upkeep and expenses, so it’s not for everyone. Instead, many purchase homes in a neighborhood with a pool. These are actually quite popular in the Raleigh suburbs, particularly among the area’s newer communities.
If you’d like to know more about buying a home with a pool or neighborhood pool, we’d love to help! Contact Ann Milton Realty today to learn more about how we can help you find the perfect home for your lifestyle, whatever it looks like!