My kids and I took advantage of a rare day when their school was out while most others were still in session and hit Miami's new Grapeland waterpark on Friday. The place was truly impressive: two pools with slides (one for little ones, one for bigger kids), a lazy river and an infinity pool for real swimming. It's clean, fairly inexpensive. No drinks or snacks are allowed in, much to my dismay, but the snack bar had plenty of bottled water and affordable snacks like pizza, burgers and chicken fingers.

Miami police were there and escorted out a family whose pre-teen boy was yelling back at lifeguards and spitting on them. (I guess they don't want to mess around with this park's image getting off on the wrong foot.) The lifeguards and park staff seemed with-it and professional. I love that this is close to home and I don't have to hike to Hialeah or Broward to spend the day at a water park. Finally, Miami does right by its kids!

My only concern is that this place is going to be crawling with kids this summer. I'm not a fan of Disney-sized crowds. Friday had just the right amount of people, but I heard that people last weekend waited in line for 45 minutes just to get in. If this park is going to make it onto my list of things to do this summer, it looks like the best strategy is to go at 9 a.m., when the park first opens (and when most people in Miami are still snoozing away), stay for a few hours and then GET OUT before the noon crowd comes smashing in. Wednesdays, for now, offer the best bargain: Kids get in free with a paying adult.