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Las Vegas pool guide: These spots will keep you cool as temps heat up

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Suit by Liquid Lace Swimwear. Model: Debbie St Pierre/TNG Models.
Photo: Wade Vandervort

Can you smell the sunscreen and chlorine? After an oddly chilly spring, pool season is finally here. As the sun warms our skin and turns every metal surface molten hot, it’s time to find a desert oasis. But how and where? We know that every casino resort has a rad pool, but which ones accept locals? Which water parks are worth visiting? Where are the hippest pool clubs? What are the best outdoor community pools and kid-friendly splash pads? What do you order while you’re lazing at the pool club cabana? And, if you prefer to swim at home, what’s the future of backyard pool construction? In the Weekly’s official pool guide, we answer all these questions and more so you can get your swim on.

Hotel Pools

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The Tank at Golden Nugget (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

The Tank at Golden Nugget

The 200,000-gallon shark tank aquarium is the rightful star of this showstopping pool. To get the most of the experience, ride the 30-foot waterslide through the shark tank, take a feeding-time tour with staff marine biologists (1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday, $50) or climb the tank to the third-floor's 21-plus pool, Hideout. Also, did we mention there are waterfalls? Daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; slide & Hideout, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, $25; Friday-Sunday, $35; 702-385-7111.

Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace

Not for nothing is the property called a “palace.” This vast, seven-pool complex offers a variety of aquatic experiences: peaceful relaxation (Temple pool); swim-up blackjack (Fortuna pool); kid-friendly (Jupiter pool); live DJs (Neptune pool); VIP luxury (Bacchus pool); backyard barbecue fun and games (Apollo pool); and adults only (Venus Pool + Lounge). Daily, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., $20; Venus pool daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Monday-Wednesday, $20; Thursday-Sunday, $20 women, $30 men; 702-731-7266.

M Pool at M Resort

Locals are the VIPs at this luxury hotel pool south of the Strip. Depending on the day, locals receive free or discounted admission (Tuesday is free all day). For those who like to party, pool admission also gets you into the Daydream Pool Club. Daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, $10; Friday-Sunday, $20; season passes available; 702-797-1215.

The Backyard at Green Valley Ranch

Get away from it all in the middle of Henderson with this 8-acre backyard oasis that includes a sand-bottom pool. For an adults-only experience, escape to the Pond, which comes complete with a waterfall. Daily, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., $20, 702-617-7744.

Mandalay Bay Beach at Mandalay Bay

This is the closest you’re going to get to a water park without leaving the Strip. Sandy beaches, a wave pool, lagoon and lazy river sprawl across 11 acres of pool paradise. Daily, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., $20, 702-632-4760.

The Scene Pool Deck at Planet Hollywood

Come because it’s a free rooftop pool with live DJs and two pool decks. Stay to surf or boogie board on the stand-alone wave machine, the FlowRider. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., $25 per 30 minute FlowRider session, 702-785-9106.

Sandbar Pool at Red Rock

This 3-acre pool boasts an island fountain and poolside blackjack. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., locals can access pool Monday-Friday, $25, 702-797-7873.

Pool Parties

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Playboy Fridays (Courtesy)

Playboy Fridays

Tao Beach at the Venetian is already one of the more intimate and sexy dayclubs on the Strip. The Playboy magazine-branded Friday party, typically soundtracked by a female DJ like local faves Kay the Riot and DJ Kittie, is hotness amplified. 702-388-8588

Nightswim

Wynn Nightlife’s seminal nighttime pool parties include weekly bashes at XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club at Encore resort. Nightswim started as a Sunday night industry-oriented event but became too popular to contain to one night, partially because the DJ and artist lineup pushed the party into overdrive. After this week’s ninth-anniversary party for EBC, Nightswim continues this month with visits from Salvatore Ganacci, Diplo, Galantis, Steve Angello and Shaquille O’Neal. 702-770-7300

Soak Sundays

The Palms’ megaclub is still the new kid on the party block, and it’s taking extra measures to make a monstrous impact, like this new Sunday night swim party. KAOS is truly impressive when its sprawling dayspace is activated at night. June headliners include Slushii and Skrillex. 702-953-7665

Jemaa

The luxurious, new NoMad pool party at Park MGM is setting a new standard with a summery event that focuses as much on food and beverage as the music and atmosphere. 702-730-6784

#DAYBEATS

The Flamingo’s friendly Go Pool, conveniently situated with its own entrance near the classic resort’s valet, goes big every Saturday with drink specials, DJ Eric Forbes and special guest artists like Ashanti, Vanilla Ice and Bow Wow. 702-697-2888

Poolside Bites

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KAOS’ Sushiyacht (Courtesy)

There’s nothing more decadent than lying by a pool, soaking in the summer rays. Whether you’re at a dayclub or a resort pool, one thing you can expect is a well-thought-out menu that you won’t find anywhere else on property. Because in this town, food takes precedence over everything, even your tan. Here’s a small sampling:

KAOS

The newest addition to the city’s nightlife and dayclub scene, KAOS is betting you’ll bring a posse of partiers with you, thus the 20-bottle Champagne spray on offer. There’s no shortage of spirits here, including a private Champagne vault, featuring white glove service with a butler. But one does not live on liquor alone, and KAOS’ party platters, designed to serve 10 people, heed the call of hunger. Selections include sliders, a fruit platter with cold-pressed juices, and a meze platter intimidatingly called the Coliseum. But the showstopper is the $1,000 Sushiyacht, an edible configuration of maki and summer rolls, nigiri, sashimi, ceviche and poke, courtesy of Bobby Flay’s Shark. Palms, 702-953-7665, palms.com/kaos.

NoMad Pool

With chef Daniel Humm at the helm of the boutique hotel’s culinary program, NoMad’s pool menu is reason enough to visit the Strip oasis inspired by the Majorelle Gardens of Morocco. Standout items include the fava bean hummus, a Moroccan quinoa bowl and a lobster roll with crème fraîche and apple on a toasted brioche. Come back Friday through Sunday for the JEMAA pool party and enjoy a different food menu and an impressive beverage program that includes Cocktail Explosions (billed as a party on tap meant for 15 people) and a whole bottle of cocktail served in a booze purse. Park MGM, 702-730-6784, nomadlasvegas.com

Aria

The eats mid-Strip are no less exciting, and while Aria doesn’t boast a multipage menu of speciality cocktails, the bites at its three ellipse-shaped pools offer something for all palates. Check out the matcha noodle salad—soba served with julienned vegetables and a white miso dressing—or the Aria grass-fed burger and wagyu beef hot dog. Smoothies are available for those seeking healthy options, and there’s ice cream for those who are not. 877-347-2742, aria.mgmresorts.com.

The Linq

Influence, the adults-only pool with a bird’s-eye view of the High Roller, recently rolled out Sunday brunch at its restaurant, the Taco Spot. In addition to house-pressed juices and a Latin-influenced menu, there are specialty doughnuts, avocado toast and croissant sandwiches. Bottomless Bloody Marys, micheladas and mimosas are also available, and for those looking for something lighter, a new skinny cocktail menu just debuted. 702-835-5713, caesars.com/linq.

The Wynn

Not as raucous as a dayclub, Wynn’s pool is for those looking to relax while tanning. The menu leans toward fare that feels good going down, including an Asian chicken salad, veggies and dips, and Baja snapper fish tacos. The pool’s drink specialties are on the refreshing side and served in receptacles the way nature intended: The Watermelon Fresca, with basil-infused tequila, is served in a Bambino watermelon, while the Paradise Punch, with Mount Gay Eclipse rum, is served in a pineapple. 702-770-7000, wynnlasvegas.com.

Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Casino

If Summerlin or Henderson is more your jam, Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Casino both have excellent pool menus. Breakfast selections, sandwiches, tacos, salads and wraps are covered, along with lighter fare such as poke and a fresh fruit plate. Both locations also serve the meatless Impossible Burger, served with the fixings and a vegan burger sauce. The beverage list is extensive, featuring bubbles, wine and cocktail coolers, perfect for sipping in the sun.Green Valley Ranch, 702-617-7744, greenvalleyranch.sclv.com; Red Rock Casino, 702-797-7777, redrock.sclv.com.

Water Parks

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The Tornado waterslide at Wet ’n’ Wild (Steve Marcus/Staff)

Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road

Wet ’n’ Wild is located in Spring Valley and has 41 acres of pools, waterslides and attractions. The park features a lazy river wave pool capable of producing 3-foot waves, a slide that simulates a “natural storm experience” and more. Wet ’n’ Wild offers self-parking, changing and shower room facilities and a free sunscreen station. 702-979-1600, wetnwildlasvegas.com.

Cost: Single-day passes $10-$35; season passes available.

Cowabunga Bay, 900 Galleria Drive

This 28-acre park has something for everyone, with a wave pool, a surf simulator and a cove for kids. VIP cabanas offer table service, and a lazy river and splash pool can also be found within the park. 702-850-9000, cowabungabayvegas.com

Cost: Single-day passes $12-$40; season passes $60-$140.

Outdoor Community Pools

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Garside Pool (Courtesy)

Henderson Multigenerational Activity Pool, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway

The facility offers a variety of fitness classes, special events and swim classes during summer months, along with interactive water play, a lap pool and a water slide. Three shaded cabanas are available for rent, with a demonstration kitchen and jogging track nearby. 702-267-5827, tinyurl.com/yyvm56go.

Cost: $2-$5.75, depending on age and whether you live within Henderson city limits.

Willows Pool, 2775 Desert Marigold Lane

The Willows Pool in Summerlin is open seasonally and features a waterslide and an outdoor play area. summerlink.com/pools

Daily cost: Residents ages 2-17 $3; adult residents $4; nonresident kids (ages 2-17) $5; nonresident adults $7.

Parkdale Water Park, 3200 Ferndale St.

Parkdale Water Park offers a large and small waterslide as well as a shallow area for walking and small children. Lifeguards are on site. Youth programming such as swim lessons and junior lifeguard training is also available. 702-455-8505, tinyurl.com/y2zf7uhg.

Cost: Kids 3-17 $2; adults $3; adults 55+ $1.

Garside Pool, 250 S. Torrey Pines Drive

This outdoor activity pool features a zero-depth entrance, large waterslides and a 1-meter diving board. It has shaded picnic areas and is available to rent for birthday parties. 702-229-6393, tinyurl.com/y4eoqsva.

Cost: Kids 4-17 $2; adults 18-49 $3; adults 50+ $2.

Doolittle Pool, 1950 N. J St.

This outdoor activity pool is on the smaller side but still packs a punch, featuring water fixtures, a waterslide, a 1-meter diving board and a lap pool. 702-229-6398, tinyurl.com/y3ha362x.

Cost: Kids 3 and under free; kids 4-17 $2; adults 18-49 $3; adults 50+ $2.

Silver Springs Outdoor Swimming Pool, 1951 Silver Springs Parkway

The facility offers a unique mix of water activities including a diving tank with 1- and 3-meter diving stands, lap lanes for competitive swimming and a wading pool. 702-267-5719, tinyurl.com/y4x48tbh.

Cost: $2-$5.75 depending on age and whether you live within Henderson city limits.

Indoor Community Pools

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Pavilion Center Pool (Courtesy)

Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive

This site is open year-round and can be rented out for birthday parties and other special events. The pool also offers swim lessons, babysitting classes and synchronized swimming shows. 702-229-1488, tinyurl.com/y64lnyzx.

Cost: Kids 3 and under free; kids 4-17 $2; adults $3; adults 50+ $2.

Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road

A Downtown pool with outdoor party areas, this site offers several upcoming events, including Yankee Doodle at the Pools on July 3, Spirit Splash Night on July 31 and Back-to-School Beach Party Splash on August 11. Classroom spaces, exercise classes and a concession area are also available. 702-229-6309, tinyurl.com/y2kbwrhs.

Cost: Kids 3 and under free; kids 4-17 $2; adults 18-49 $3; adults 50+ $2.

Hollywood Aquatic Center, 1550 S. Hollywood Blvd.

The facility offers both an indoor pool and outdoor water park. Outdoor party areas and pools are available to rent. Water temperatures are kept between 83 and 85 degrees. 702-455-8508, tinyurl.com/y2r7pqlt.

Cost: Kids 3-17 $2; adults $3; adults 55+ $1.

Whitney Ranch Indoor Pool, 1575 W. Galleria Drive

Open year-round for recreational and competitive use, this site features 10 competitive lanes, plus a shallow-water instructional area. Wheelchair lifts are also available. 702-267-5870, tinyurl.com/y2vgdykm.

Cost: $2-$5.75, depending on age and whether you live within Henderson city limits.

Desert Breeze Aquatic Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road

This facility offers both an indoor pool and outdoor water park. The indoor pool has a 10-lane competition area. The facility also offers all-ages private swim lessons. The outdoor picnic area is available for rent. 702-455-7798, tinyurl.com/yyxaboha

Cost: Kids 2 and under free; kids 3-17 $2; adults $3; adults 55+ $1

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