I'll be honest: I'm not a water park person, and I had real doubts about the quality of this place. I live in a condo with rooftop pools, so this was far from the top of my list… And what a surprise it turned out to be! Garden City Water Park is a fantastic day out for adults and kids alike — so much so that after my first visit, I went back within the month.

The first thing you'll notice is how spotlessly clean the whole park is, and how high-quality the slides and water attractions are — they easily match what you'd find in major international parks. The grounds are huge, and the lush, pleasant setting makes you want to stay all day.

Between rides, you can relax in one of the many seating options: private cabana villas, sun loungers, sofas, and covered tables. Handy extras include towel rental and an on-site shop selling swimwear and accessories at reasonable prices — a lifesaver if you've forgotten something. The restaurant serves good food at cheap prices, which is rare enough for a water park to be worth mentioning.

My tip: before you go, check their official website and Facebook page — they regularly run great promotional offers.

The park sits in the north of the city, right next to the Phnom Penh Safari zoo — the perfect combo for a full family day out of the city center. Tested tip: a combo ticket for the zoo + water park at a special rate is available — start with the safari at opening time, then cool off at the water park in the afternoon. To get there easily, check my Phnom Penh transport guide.

Tested and approved: a must on your list of the best things to do in Phnom Penh. And if your kids are still full of energy, the air-conditioned roller dome on Koh Pich is another favorite.