Temperatures are rising this summer and, as a result, the risk of heat illnesses, sunburn and dehydration also increases. For many of us, it’s too hot to stay outside for long periods of time. The best thing to do is to stay home – but that could also mean increasing your electricity bill by running the air conditioning (assuming you have it) all day.
If you don’t want to spend the summer on the couch, however, there are several places that offer a respite from the heat and a level of entertainment you can’t get at home. Bonus: Many of them are low-cost or even free.
Ready to beat the heat? Here are the best places to go.
Cooling Centers
These free, indoor, air-conditioned locations allow people to cool off when there are extreme hot weather conditions. Cooling centers are available in every state and are particularly important for the homeless population. You can access maps of cooling centers in the United States at National Center for Healthy Housing website.
Public libraries
Libraries are open to everyone, whether or not you have a library card, and often serve as cooling centers during extreme heat. Libraries are particularly good for families, as they often offer free programs for children. Sit back with a book, enjoy the air conditioning, and let your kids enjoy story time or a craft workshop.
Movie theaters
Cinemas are famous for being cold. If you are a movie buff, you can also save money joining shows like AMC A-List, where you pay a flat fee for three films per week. A secondary theater in your area may also offer cheaper tickets if you’re looking for a bargain. (Pro tip: Choose a film with a long runtime to get the most bang for your buck.)
Malls
When the weather warms up, start strolling through a mall – even if you don’t want to buy something new. If you don’t like crowds, try to arrive when the doors open (some malls allow people to enter before the stores open) and avoid peak shopping holidays like the 4th of July. children’s area or in-store events.
Museums
Culture It is Air conditioning? We call this a win-win. If you want to save money, search your area for free or pay-what-you-want museums, as well as those that may offer discounts for students, seniors, or families if requested. (For example, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is free for children under 12 and children aged 16 and under enter the city’s Museum of Modern Art for free.) It might also be worth paying for an annual membership if you plan to visit regularly (even if it’s just to beat the heat).
Superstores
Just like shopping malls, stores like Target, Walmart, H Mart or Costco (the latter costs $60 per year to participate) stay calm while you browse. Navigating the aisles will get you in, but the real challenge is getting out of there without loading your shopping cart to the edge.
Public swimming pools
You don’t need to stay indoors to cool off. Public pools – some of which are free or require a small entrance fee – provide a refreshing summer escape. And if you have young children, check to see if your local parks offer free splash pads.
Ice skating rink
It may not seem like the most obvious summer activity, but indoor ice skating is a way to stay cool in the summer while getting a good workout — and you may even need to put on extra layers to stay warm. You can probably skip the hot chocolate afterward.
Bowling alley
If you find yourself throwing more gutter bowls than strikes, consider reserving a lane for about an hour. Many alleys have snack bars and galleries where you can extend your visit.
video games
Whether it’s an adult version (complete with alcoholic beverages or fancy appetizers) or the standard kids’ fare, an arcade is a good way to cool off in the summer while testing your Skee-Ball skills.
Pet stores
There are few places as relaxing as a pet store’s fish department, especially when it’s hot outside. Go shopping for dog food, stay to watch guinea pigs, parakeets, geckos and more. Depending on local store policies, you may also be able to bring your dog to cool off.
Bookstore
Just like a library, you can browse the shelves of an air-conditioned bookstore while picking up the latest #BookTok read. Some stores, like Barnes & Noble, have cafes, so you can grab a lemon loaf while you read.
Hotels
Be our guest – or not. A hotel lobby is an easy place to work on your laptop while enjoying the vacation vibe without actually being a paying guest. If you want to cool off outside, you can look for services like ResortPass, which allow you to buy a pass to the hotel pool during the day. Prices range from $20 to over $100 per day.
Gyms
When it’s hot, the last thing you might want to do is sweat a lot—but hear us out. Many gyms like Crunch and Equinox tend to be super air conditioning (after all, no one wants to work out in a place that is already sweaty) and no one will stop you from walking on the treadmill at a slow speed just to spend some time in the fresh air.
