We've had very few hot days this summer, but when we're lucky enough to have one we head to the…read morepool. There are so many pools in the North Shore to choose from and this is where my fam most recently chose to cool off. When we first arrived the main pool was closed for swimming lessons so we made our way to the toddler play area, which is basically a park and sprayer in the middle of very shallow water. I was about to make myself comfortable on a lounge chair when an announcement was made that the main pool was open to the public (around 11am on a Saturday). My 4 yr old dragged my husband over, which meant I had to go too since my 2 year old insists on doing everything that his big sister does. Sigh. The water was absolutely freezing and no area was shallow enough for my kids to stand. More work for me, but (of course) the kids had a blast. I personally prefer Hidden Creek in Highland Park for swimming while my kids are young and not swimming perfectly on their own. The main pool has both shallow and deep ends so one of us can hang w/ my 4 yr old in the deeper water, while the other can hang w/ my 2 yr old in the shallow water...and he's perfectly content being in the same pool as his sister. The water slide in the shallow end is also a big draw for both my kids (and many others) at Hidden Creek. However, as my kids get older I could see myself loving Meadowhill as much as my kids did. There's also an additional side with a very impressive water slide and diving boards as the kids grow. Also worth noting that Glencoe residents pay Northbrook prices here making it one of the more affordable pools in the North Shore for my fam

This is my absolute favorite place to swim in the summertime! I just can't wait until they open for…read morethe season. The large main pool is divided into areas for family use, lap swimming, and adults. There is a separate, well equipped "kiddie" pool for children, a diving pool, and two water slides with a splash down pool. One slide is for use with a flotation device and the other is for use without. There is a refreshment stand that is open during certain hours, and vending machines for use at other times, You can't bring food into the pool area; you must eat in the designated eating area, which is very nice. There are nice areas around the pool for relaxing on the deck chairs. In recent years, Meadowhill pool has been expertly maintained and kept beautifully clean. They have certain hours for lap swimming. The hours change from time to time, so it is important to check with the front desk for up to date information. They generally keep one or two lanes open during the afternoon "rush hour" when the rest of the pool is in use for swimming lessons. Aesthetically, Meadowhill Aquatic Center is one of the nicest outdoor pools I have ever seen. It is landscaped beautifully with native plants along the south side of the pool next to the family picnic area, which can be rented for parties and other events. A couple of times each summer the Park District sponsors a special night at the pool. Usually they will have a DJ, refreshments, games, and prizes. Signs for these activities are posted in advance. The only issue I've run into is weather, which affects all outdoor facilities. They make everyone leave the pool area at the first indication of an approaching storm, so be prepared if you come on a cloudy day.

Here's what you need to know: Excellent indoor facility for a kids pool party, especially in cold…read moreweather. Great service by the park district all around and we never felt rushed (ours was the last event of the evening though). Party rooms are basic but can be decorated to be brightened and the full service kitchen is really helpful for prep. You only get a half hour before your party room time to set up is quite a task :) We hosted our daughter's birthday party for about 100 people (including parents) here at the indoor splash pool, and we couldn't be more pleased. The pool itself is tha main draw and is just super fun. Tons of spaces for 50-100 kids and the water is warm and inviting. The party room upstairs can hold up to 80 guests comfortably, and the multipurpose room can accommodate up to 200. We chose the large party room, and while it is not fancy (very basic tables and chairs), you can spruce it up with your own tablecoths and decorations (which is what we did). There are outlets to plug in any warmers/music/chocolate fountains you need (all part of our arrangement :) ) and lots of tables and chairs for everyone to sit and eat comfortably. Vick from the park district was responsible for the cleanup of the room after us and he was very helpful and gracious. It was great dealing and interacting with him.

There's a lot to like about Centennial. It's an okay pool. It has three different water spaces. One…read moreis a pool with a couple water slides, and there's another large pool that's much more calm. Then there's the wading pool, which is nice. I didn't realize at first which was the wading pool and I thought that the pool with the slides was it--I was wrong. The wading pool is between the other two, and is enclosed separately from the others. It's a significantly larger wading pool than at South Park, and with more features--there's a slide here too, but also a couple other water play structures. One of the parents of my child's classmate said that the pool sometimes reaches capacity, so it's good that they don't just let as many people in as will pay. It can be difficult to find a place to sit--the chairs can go quickly, so I wandered around a bit until a seat became available. There's a concession stand here, as well as some bathrooms and a family changing area. There appeared to be some showers as well, which the splash pad and wading pool in town doesn't have. I don't like that every hour they make people under age 18 get out of the pool for 10-15 minutes, regardless of that apparently being an industry standard practice. My daughter doesn't like it either--she was very very upset about having to leave the pool a couple times whilst we were here. And one of the lifeguards didn't even seem to know what they were doing; when we heard that announcement, most of the folks got out of the splash pad but there were still a few in it and so I asked the lifeguard thinking it may have been just for the large pool and she said "yeah, I think it's for this one too". We will be back, I'm sure. Our pool pass gives us a marginally earlier entrance time than the general public (fifteen minutes or so) so maybe we'll take advantage of that, or of their longer hours since they're open until 8 most days. Truth be told, I like the other splash pad and wading pool better. This one may grow on me, and assuming we're still here in the coming years as my daughter ages out of the splash pads I'll have to come here because this is the "fun pool". But I prefer the vibe at the (much less crowded) other pools.

Nice outside pool- kid friendly and adult friendly - they have day passes and season pass…read more Kids from ages 1 month to 75 years old - three different pools and a water slide and kids wading area

We had my daughter's birthday party here. It's the second time we have done this. What a great…read moreand easy party. All the kids love being at this pool. The remodel that was done about 5 years ago was a great upgrade. The pool is split into 3-4 sections, but they are not separated, so you still feel like you are at one pool. Something for everyone here.

Loved this pool. Took my son and nephews (10 yr - 13yr olds). I loved the lay-out, I could watch…read morethem from where I sat. They also had many food options compared to other pools. And a great price to get in. It wasn't overly crowded either. Hopefully it will be just as pleasant the next time I go.

Overall, I think it's between 3-4 stars. Usually, the kids…read morehave a good time. They did open the water slide but this doesn't happen every time we visit. It would be nice if they did that more often. Today there were a lot of branches and just clutter from the weather on the patio and sidewalk. It looked dirty. The pool was fine though. Then the kids went to get popsicles with a friend and they were out of mostly everything. I'm finding this is the case most of the time.

This is the calmer and quieter of the two Skokie Park District pools. It's easier to find parking…read morebecause it's just overall less packed. Also,k it isn't as large as the Skokie Water Playground. A lot more little kids come in packs with their mother's, babysitters, etc. There's a snack area off the poolside and a kids play area on the opposite side. The main pool starts off VERY shallow and gradually gets deeper. The only slide that they have is in the back and the water in that pool is just about 12 feet deep. They also have a diving bored located on site of the slide pool. Again, LOTS of lifeguards on duty. It's a lot easier to swim laps here than at Skokie Water Playground because of the smaller crowd. If you want to plan a birthday party for smaller kids, this might be the better pool for it because it's not as chaotic. If you have bigger kids the Skokie Water Playground is usually more popular because there's more to do there. Same deal as Skokie Water Playground with safety breaks (15 minutes every hour), and admission is slightly less at Devonshire Aquatic Center.

Vernon Hills, I see you! I don't know that I've ever been to Vernon Hills, to be honest, and it…read morefelt Ike a trek! But it was a fun evening so it was definitely worth it. The aquatic center is clean and has a large pool, and two water slides!! One is actually a water tube. I want to come back to use the slides myself, hopefully Vernon Hills will have me! The village of Vernon Hills was hosting a comedy showcase at the Family Aquatic Center, which is why I came to town. They apparently do the comedy show annually and it was really enjoyable. It was a 21 and over, and a little blue for your kids so pay attention to any sort of age advisory there may be.

This pool offers so many things, its not that big but it does have a splash pad with slides! And a…read morelazy river!

Great place for kids birthday parties! We celebrated my…read moredaughter's 10th birthday there and kiddos could not have more fun! Slides, sprinklers, jumping boards - we could barely make them come to the cabana for cake! Their event manager Rochelle was responsive and accommodating and made everything a breeze. Would recommend!

Great staff! Great facilities! Good food! Fair prices. Definitely recommend it for younger kids. My…read morepreteen and teen still have fun on the slide and diving board.

Great pool. I am a member each summer and its a wonderful place to swim. Lifeguards are well…read moretrained and take their jobs seriously. My biggest complaint is there have been numerous times I have gone for the adult swim only to be told its closed. They really should have some sort of notification system for this (email or text options). Makes it very inconvenient for those of us who are coming from work only to be told we can't swim. No adult swim hours on Sunday this year so I am lowering my review to 3 stars. The adult swim hours are already inconvenient enough as is for working adults. They really need to rethink and accommodate the lap swim availability to accommodate working adults.

What a great pool! The lifeguards are professional and very attentive. I was very impressed with…read morehow seriously they took their job. The pool and facility was very clean. Today was our first visit, we will definitely be back.