Sandcastle Waterpark in Pittsburgh is a Fun Family Summer Attraction

Sandcastle Waterpark is a water-themed amusement park located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, situated between the Homestead High Level and Glenwood Bridges, just a short distance from the downtown area. The attraction sits on a site that was once home to the railroad yard of the U.S. Steel Homestead Works. The park was opened in 1989 and in order to complete construction, builders had to remove more than seven miles of railroad track and plenty of dense vegetation to make room for the waterslides and other attractions. Since 2007, Sandcastle Waterpark has been owned by Kennywood Entertainment Corporation.

The park features a variety of tube slides, body slides, pools, kids' areas, and other water-based attractions. Tube slides include the Blue Tubaluba, a dual rider enclosed slide complete with waterfalls, misters, and dark tunnels; Cliffhangers, a unique slide that offers the chance to relax in two sky ponds on the way down; Thunder Run, a traditional set of three slides that allow friends to ride side by side through twists, turns, and banks; and Tubers Tower, where four 400-foot-long slides accommodate riders of all sizes.

There are two sets of body slides at the Sandcastle Waterpark. Boardwalk Blasters is an extreme action slide meant for strong swimmers that features a 7-foot free fall and a dip in a 12 foot pool at the end of the ride. Lightning Express, dubbed an extreme body slide, is a series of 250-foot-long slides that drop as much as 85 feet, propelling sliders to a speed of up to 25 miles per hour.

There are four pool-type attractions at Pittsburgh's Sandcastle Waterpark. Mon-Tsunami is a large wave pool that holds 300,000 gallons of water and ranges in depth from 0 to 6 feet. Waves are gentle. A kid's pool, the Tad Pool, is designed especially for the park's youngest visitors. Two feet deep, it features two small slides and lots of room for wading. The Sandbar Swimming Pool is a good place for those who need a break to take a few moments to relax. Surrounded by lounge chairs, guests enjoy poolside waitress service at this atttraction. The Lazy River is also a great place to relax, offering gentle drifts and the occasional surprise. Guests can ride in single or double tubes or family-sized rafts. Small children can also frolic in Wet Willie's Water Works, a play area filled with geysers, sprays, and fountains, surrounded by lots of chairs for tired parents.

In the evenings during the summer, the Sandcastle Waterpark offers some nighttime options for adult visitors. The Sandbar opens at 6 pm on Friday and Saturday nights and serves a variety of drinks and a number of menu options. Similarly, mature guests can enjoy Jukebox Sunday Nights. These special events include a buffet dinner and a chance to dance the night away to a variety of music. Guests also have access to the Sandbar Pool and Hot Tub. Waterpark patrons of all ages can view the park's special "Dive-In Movies'', watched from the comfort of the Mon-Tsunami Pool (the waves are turned off when the movie begins).

Sandcastle Waterpark opens in early June and stays open until approximately the second weekend of September. Guests can buy combination tickets that include admission to this park as well as the nearby Kennywood Amusement Park, just 4 miles away.