"Maybe it’s my rising Aquarius energy, but I’m the kind of person who can sit outside on a 90-degree day with a good book and plenty of water without batting an eye. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll break a sweat while doing so—I just won’t be bothered by it. What can I say? Nothing makes me happier than clear blue skies and scorching temperatures. I know I’m the minority in this sentiment, so for those of you who don’t love the heat as much as I do, I’ve got some ideas for things to do during the hottest months of the year that won’t make you miserable. Whether you’re looking for affordable choices, at-home options, or unique experiences to fill your free time with, these 18 activities for hot summer days will help you beat the heat this July and August.
1. Binge a summer read
If you haven’t had the chance to catch up on your summer TBR list, take advantage of the heat by getting comfortable in the air conditioning and bingeing a 5-star book. A great beach read will transport you to the coast, making you feel like you’re cooling off seaside instead of in your living room. Once you allow yourself time to dive into a new world, you’ll remember why you fell in love with reading in the first place.
2. Go bowling
You may not have hit the bowling alley since it was the go-to spot for elementary school birthday parties, but bowling is the perfect activity for a hot summer day. Grab some friends and enjoy the air conditioning while you engage in some friendly competition. Plus, many bowling alleys also offer restaurant-quality refreshments you can snack or sip on while you aim for that strike.
3. Whip up an icy treat
Cooling down with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s is one of the best ways to cool off on a hot summer day, but if you’re looking for an afternoon activity, channel your inner Gordon Ramsay and make a frozen dessert of your own. You can try something super simple, like a refreshing batch of lemonade or some popsicles, or attempt a homemade ice cream that rivals Half Baked. It’s a fun way to pass the time and you’ll get a sweet treat from it.
4. Enjoy patio season after sundown
As much as I hate to say it, patio season is fleeting. Before we know it, we’ll yearn for the days when we can sip on a spritz outdoors. Head to your fave outdoor bar in the evening so you’re not sweltering during the sun’s peak, and order an ice-cold drink to keep cool. Trust me, when fall weather rolls around, you’ll be glad you made the most of patio season.
5. Make a vision board
We usually think of January as the time to set intentions for the year, but summer is an amazing opportunity to check in with your goals. Since we’re about halfway through the year, now is the perfect time to create a new vision board or expand upon the one you made at the beginning of 2024 to manifest what the rest of your year will look like. Open Pinterest to create a digital board, or cut up some magazines to get inspired the old-fashioned way.
6. Clean out your home
If you’re forced inside by the heat, you might as well check some things off your to-do list. If spring cleaning came and went with little action on your part, it’s never too late to tackle a home purge. Sort through your items and donate what you no longer use to declutter your house and make room for the new.
7. Host a game night
Grab a deck of cards or a stack of board games, and invite some of your favorite people over for game night. This is the perfect way to spend a hot summer evening without breaking a sweat (unless you’re playing Monopoly, in which case, bring a handheld fan to stay cool). Go all out with a fancy charcuterie board and delicious appetizers complete with summery drinks, or keep it simple and order pizza and have everyone BYOB.
8. Meditate
In case you haven’t heard, meditation is very, very good for you. It cultivates happiness, protects your inner peace, increases productivity, and improves your relationships. The best part is that you can meditate literally anywhere, and with plenty of online tools and resources out there, learning how to meditate is easier than ever. Use a free guided meditation on YouTube, or level up your wellness routine and download a wellness app like Open or Saged to get started.
9. Browse the aisles of your local library
The library is a seriously underrated summer hideaway—it has free WiFi, AC, computers, DVDs, and tons and tons of reading material. Get away from the heat and spend some time wandering the aisles of your local library. Then pull up a chair and start reading then and there, or check out some promising books you can read during your free time.
10. Check out a new ice cream parlor
Ice cream and summer are practically synonymous, and what better way to beat the heat than by visiting a new-to-you ice cream parlor? This will give you a chance to get out and about and reward yourself with a delectable frozen treat. If you’re up for it, swap your usual flavor choice for one of the parlor’s most popular flavors to try something new.
11. Get wet
An activity that involves water is always a good idea during the hottest months of the year. Spend the day at a water park with your besties or head to a local swimming pool and take a refreshing dip. Likewise, if you’re hosting a summer party, have a water balloon fight or DIY your own adult slip ‘n’ slide. If the beach is close by, grab a chair and pack a bag complete with plenty of SPF, snacks, water, and entertainment. Whether you plan to meet up with friends or relax all by yourself, head out early in the morning to beat the heat.
12. Have an at-home spa night
Nothing’s more relaxing than indulging in some self-care after a long, hot summer day. Take an everything shower in cool water and follow it up with some deep moisturization. From there, throw on a pair of lightweight PJs, tie your hair back, and treat yourself to a splurge beauty treatment, like an LED light mask or your fanciest skincare products. Make it extra special with a cold glass of rosé, candles, and a relaxing playlist.
13. See a movie at the theater
Movie theaters are notoriously freezing, which makes them the perfect place to shield yourself from burning temps. Find out what’s playing at your local movie theater and grab a couple of your friends or take yourself on a solo date. Be sure to go all out and purchase candy, popcorn, and soda at the concession stand for some childhood nostalgia.
14. Host a paint and sip party
Tap into your creative side with a paint-and-sip party. You can host your own at home by yourself or with a few gal pals or find a local workshop near you. Either way, this will give you an excuse to stay inside in the AC as you unwind and paint something gallery-worthy you can hang in your home.
15. Go ice skating
Although most of us wouldn’t normally associate ice skating with summer, an indoor ice rink is actually an ideal place to be during July and August. Think about it: It has to be cold in there or else the ice will melt. Plus, ice skating is a fun way to get in some movement without breaking a sweat, which means it’s also perfect for a first date—you won’t have to worry about your hair frizzing or makeup melting off in the summer heat.
16. Visit a museum, aquarium, or art gallery
Staying cool is the name of the game during this time of year, and there are tons of great places to do that while taking in some culture. Visiting a museum, aquarium, or art gallery will get you out of the house and give you the chance to learn something new. If you want to save money on tickets, find out if discounted passes are available on certain days or through services like Groupon.
17. Plant an indoor herb garden
Nothing feels better than planting, tending to, and growing something from scratch. And with an indoor herb garden, you’ll get all of the glory without the grunt work. Find a windowsill with ample sunlight and start with a starter set complete with pots, seeds, and soil disks. You still have time to grow some herbs to cook with before summer ends!
18. Head to a comedy or karaoke bar
Everyone loves a good outdoor bar during the warm weather. However, patio sitting is less fun when it’s 90 degrees with 90% humidity to boot. When it’s too hot outside, head to a comedy or karaoke bar with your favorite people instead. You’re all but guaranteed some entertainment and good drinks, minus the sweating.