Things to Do in Exeter

Though guests to Island Waterpark might meet humans on their way to the water, they might also encounter Pelican Pete—a giant blue pelican in a floral-print shirt and bermuda shorts. He and an athletic lifeguard staff oversee guests as they wander among fountains and roaring water in attractions designed for everyone from toddlers to adults. Bright-blue tube slides spiral down into splash pools, a giant bucket tips gallons of water onto passersby, and a three-story open slide sends riders on a straight shot into a landing zone that pads their descent with a foot of water and a coral reef packaged in bubble wrap. Aquatic revelers can also float down a 500-foot lazy river and children can frolic under arching fountains and waterfalls in a designated play area.

Central Valley Scuba Center educates adventurers in the science of scuba at an on-site classroom facility before heading off on trips to the tropical waters of the Atlantic. The Center's 12-foot-deep outdoor diving pool allows certified instructors to give hands-on direction to beginning students and divers seeking certification. Those who enjoy scuba and receive certification can join instructors on adventures to Cozumel and the Caribbean islands. There, they'll dive amid tropical fish and spy on movies filmed in Atlantis.

At the Break Room, players grab a cue and maneuver past a foosball table and boxing machine to face off at one of 16 9-foot pool tables. Tunes pump from jukeboxes and games appear on LCD televisions in a space permeated by free WiFi.

For more than a quarter-century, the Fresno Home & Garden Show's organizers have canvassed the Central Valley to collect and concentrate the knowledge of scores of building, décor, gardening, and landscaping professionals. As homeowners browse booths and, blueprints in hand, consult with vendors on planned projects, master gardeners talk about sustainability and vegetable gardening, and landscaping competitions determine which artists can construct the largest molehill-based mountain.

At Freeway Lanes, families and friends bond over their shard passion for slippery shoes as they send balls careening down 18 lanes in pursuit of the elusive 300. Friday night Rock and Glow bowling sets the alley alive in a whirlwind of live DJs spinning tunes, colorful lights, and glowing pins, each activated by the superpowers of a radioactive ball. After each 10-frame game, bowlers can retire to the Starlight Lounge for savory grill fare or a round of pool.

Behind courtyards filled with lit fountains, verdant trees, and grassy spaces stands the glossy façade of River Park shopping center. During each annual A Taste of River Park these courtyards fill with local chefs serving tastes of their restaurants' signature dishes, Central Valley wineries pouring samples of their wines, and vendors filling cups with frothy beer. While visitors stroll through the outdoor festival, the mall's retailers put on a fashion show of upcoming fall fashion trends and demonstrate the 21 ways to button a cardigan. Visitors can also catch the antics of the Fresno Dance Collective as they perform aerial feats and movement routines throughout the celebrations.