{"id":14447,"date":"2018-05-12T10:45:30","date_gmt":"2018-05-12T14:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/?p=14447"},"modified":"2023-11-16T10:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T15:30:17","slug":"ways-to-beat-summer-heat-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cubesmart.com\/blog\/city-guides\/houston\/houston-moving-guide\/ways-to-beat-summer-heat-houston\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Things to Do in Houston to Beat the Summer Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"child<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Folks who live in and visit Houston know the summers can be brutal. We don\u2019t get too many days over 100\u25e6 like our Dallas neighbors, but the humidity kicks the temps into high gear. We can all use ideas for things to do in the summer that will beat the Houston heat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Houston has been dubbed the \u201cmost air-conditioned city in the nation,\u201d (though it\u2019s hard to prove) \u2013 with 95 percent of the homes having some form of A\/C in 1980. Locals know to carry a sweater all summer for the freezing restaurants, malls, and theaters running air conditioning at full force!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have some summer fun in Houston and stay cool while doing it with a few of these ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay Cool in a Pool, Beach, or Sprayground<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Houston Parks & Recreation Department offers free access to 37 community pools<\/a> and 29 spraygrounds<\/a>. Pools are open from 1 pm \u2013 8 pm Tuesday through Sunday from Memorial Day through mid-August. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Get fit and cool at the same time, thanks to free water fitness classes<\/a> offered by City of Houston. These are limited to 20 folks per class. Aqua shoes, towel and water bottle are recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Noah\u2019s Ark Pool<\/a>, operated by First United Methodist Church\u2019s Quillian Center, is a big hit for young families with toddlers, pre-K and early elementary-aged kids. This West Houston facility has an ark and animals in the shallow pool with slides, mushroom water drop, and sprays from the animals. The area also includes a large swimming pool, outdoor basketball pavilion, indoor climbing wall, and gymnasium. Admission is $7 and includes swimming in both pools. Pack a picnic lunch and eat outside the gates at picnic tables to save some money! Or cheap concessions are available including hot dogs and pizza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Children<\/a>
Image via <\/em>Quillian Recreation Center<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Discovery Green\u2019s Gateway Fountain<\/a> offers free water fun right in downtown Houston at this 12-acre urban park. Kids love to keep cool with the 14-ft high arcing jets. Fountain hours are noon \u2013 7 pm Monday and 9 am \u2013 7 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Note: swim diapers are required for toddlers. These are available for purchase in the park office, if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"children<\/a>
Image <\/em>via Discovery Green<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Take a day trip to Galveston Beach<\/a> on the Gulf of Mexico, about an hour from downtown. The coastal winds can offer a nice breeze even though the water temperature isn\u2019t always very cool! There are many things to do for free including playing on the beach, viewing the Victorian architecture, walking the Historic Strand of shops and restaurants, watching the sunset, fishing, or catching a free family movie or concert at Saengerfest Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"bike<\/a>
Image via <\/em>Vadim Troshkin\/Galveston Chamber of Commerce<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. One of the most popular things for Galveston tourists is the free 20-minute ride on the Bolivar Ferry<\/a> where you can often spot dolphins! Galveston Island State Park is just $5 per person with many options for free and cheap fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Cool with Ice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

7. Memorial City Mall offers a chilly escape on the ice rink called Ice Skate USA<\/a>. Public skating is available seven days a week. Admission is $14. Memorial City Mall is located at 303 Memorial City Way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Houston Galleria’s Ice at the Galleria<\/a> offers public skating every day for $19 admission and skate rental. The Galleria is located at 5015 Westheimer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"people<\/a>
Image via Ice Galleria<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. The Aerodrome<\/a>, where the former Houston Aeros often practiced, is another indoor skating complex perfect to stay cool. Public skating is available for $10 for admission and skate rental. Public skate hours are limited from around 11:15 am \u2013 3:30 pm weekdays around skating lessons and practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Speaking of ice, chill out with a snow cone! Houston is home to a great variety of snow cone trucks, shops and more to keep cool. Some places to check out for snow cone delight is Friohana Shave Ice (103 Sabine St) which was dubbed the best snow cones in Houston. Another is Tropical Chill (7446 Elbridge Lane) which offers over 70+ flavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beat the Heat Indoors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

11. Bowling is a great summer activity to stay cool and not spend a lot of money. And free bowling is even better! Here are two programs where kids can bowl free this summer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n