{"id":357599,"date":"2026-07-30T14:18:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T14:18:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/357599\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T14:18:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T14:18:15","slug":"beat-the-heat-10-ways-to-stay-cool-in-the-florida-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/357599\/","title":{"rendered":"Beat the heat: 10 ways to stay cool in the Florida summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are amid the dog days of Florida\u2019s sweltering summer season, and hunkering down inside a building with air conditioning seems like a brilliant idea. And that is certainly one option, but trips to springs, water parks, beaches, museums and ice cream shops also provide affordable ways to avoid the oppressive heat in Central Florida.<\/p>\n

Here are some suggestions for ways to stay cool, most without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

\"AA snorkeler passes over the boil at Blue Spring State Park. (Joe Burbank\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nDip in the springs<\/p>\n

Florida is known for its abundant freshwater springs<\/a>, which number more than 1,000 around the state. These natural gems present visitors with an opportunity to cool down in refreshing 72-degree waters that are often crystal clear.<\/p>\n

Within about an hour\u2019s drive from Orlando, visit Juniper Springs<\/a>, Alexander Springs<\/a>, Silver Glen Springs,<\/a> Wekiwa Springs<\/a>, De Leon Springs<\/a>, Blue Spring<\/a>, Rainbow Springs<\/a> and Rock Springs<\/a>. Silver Springs<\/a> doesn\u2019t allow swimming but offers its famous glass-bottomed boat tours and scenic paddles.<\/p>\n

Most state parks only charge a $6 per car admission fee, making a trip to the springs affordable for the whole family.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that within the Florida State Parks system, Blue Spring, Wekiwa Springs and Rainbow Springs now require visitors to book day-use reservations online and pay in advance. In Ocala, Alexander Springs and Silver Glen Springs also require reservations ahead of time.<\/p>\n

\"LeftLeft to right, Reggie Beverly and Greg Fonseca admire the Tiffany Chapel at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nVisit a museum<\/p>\n

Away from the theme parks, Orlando has a thriving arts and culture scene filled with live performances and world-class museums.<\/p>\n

The Mennello Museum of American Art <\/a>showcases portraiture and art from across the nation. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art<\/a> specializes in glass art, jewelry, pottery and paintings by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Nearby in Winter Park, the Rollins Museum of Art<\/a>\u00a0and the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens<\/a> each have unique arts offerings.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Orlando Science Center<\/a> offers a range of activities and exhibits for visitors of all ages. Visit Orange County Regional History Center<\/a> to delve into thousands of years of Central Florida history.<\/p>\n

\"SiestaSiesta Beach on Siesta Key southwest of Sarasota, Florida, was named America’s top beach in 2011 and 2017 on Dr. Beach’s annual Top 10 Beach List. It has also been named top beach in the United States several times on TripAdvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards. (Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau\/TNS)
\nSpend time at the beach<\/p>\n

Visitors flock from all over the country and the world to visit the Sunshine State\u2019s sandy beaches and bask in the sun.<\/p>\n

Within driving distance of Orlando, visit Cocoa, Daytona or New Smyrna beaches \u2014 or head further south to Paradise, Melbourne and Vero beaches. On the Gulf Coast, make the trip to Clearwater Beach, Anna Maria Island or Siesta Key.<\/p>\n

Other than perhaps a nominal fee for parking, a visit to the beach can be an affordable way to cool off and have fun in the sun.<\/p>\n

\"Twistee<\/p>\n

Judy Padilla \/ Orlando Sentinel<\/p>\n

Twistee Treat is an iconic Central Florida destination for ice cream. (Orlando Sentinel file)
\nIndulge in ice cream<\/p>\n

Sometimes the best way to cool down is with a sweet treat, and the Orlando area has no shortage of ice cream options to help.<\/p>\n

Find delectable desserts at Kelly\u2019s Homemade Ice Cream<\/a>, The Greenery Creamery<\/a>, Twistee Treat<\/a> and The Soda Fountain<\/a>, just to name a few. Charlie\u2019s Bakery & Creamery<\/a> is now accepting votes through Aug. 10 for one of five flavors that will be chosen to celebrate the Orlando Sentinel\u2019s 150th birthday<\/a>. Ice cream aficionados can sample and vote in-store at 3213 Curry Ford Road in Orlando.<\/p>\n

\"IslandIsland H2O Water Park
\nis a great place to cool off amid summer heat. (Stephen M. Dowell\/Orlando Sentinel file)
\nMake a water park trip or enjoy a hotel pool<\/p>\n

Central Florida\u2019s water parks provide another chance to cool down with fun for the entire family. Find waterslides, lazy rivers and tubing opportunities at a number of venues.<\/p>\n

Visit Island H2O Live<\/a>, Universal\u2019s Volcano Bay<\/a>, Aquatica Orlando<\/a>, CoCo Key<\/a> or Disney\u2019s Blizzard Beach<\/a> for water park recreation.<\/p>\n

ResortPass<\/a> can help Central Floridians access 400 hotel pools, spas and amenities<\/a> in Florida with day passes available at a range of price points.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, public pools provide an affordable alternative and may offer free admission for residents of the city or county where the pool is located. Otherwise, the entry fee is fairly small.<\/p>\n

\"Lindy<\/p>\n

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda \/ Orlando Sentinel<\/p>\n

Indoor fitness classes are one way to stay in shape and stay cool during Florida’s summer months. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda \/Orlando Sentinel)
\nExplore a fitness class<\/p>\n

Looking for ways to stay in shape but can\u2019t stand the heat? Indoor fitness classes can save the day, giving exercise enthusiasts a chance to keep working out without passing out.<\/p>\n

Central Florida offers no shortage of fitness classes at a variety of venues. The YMCA of Central Florida<\/a> has a variety of classes and equipment at multiple locations, as does F45 Training and Orangetheory Fitness, just to name a few. Some specialize in dancing exercises, such as Impactful Dance<\/a>, Motiv Dance<\/a> and Salsa Heat Dance Studio<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Blue Swan Boulders<\/a>, Aiguille Rock Climbing Center<\/a>, High Point Climbing and Fitness<\/a>, Central Rock Orlando<\/a> and DynoClimb<\/a> offer indoor rock climbing and bouldering in the absence of outdoor slabs to climb in Florida.<\/p>\n

\"AA paddle down Juniper Springs yielded beautiful sights on wild Florida in July 2020. Spending time on the water is one way to keep cool during the Sunshine State\u2019s summer months. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Head out on the water<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s on a motorized vessel or some form of paddlecraft, explore one of Central Florida\u2019s many lakes, rivers and spring runs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Urban options include Lake Ivanhoe and the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. Take a cruise down a spring run at Rock Springs, Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs and Blue Spring. Other scenic paddles include the Econlockhatchee River and Wekiva River.<\/p>\n

\"Suffering<\/p>\n

Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel<\/p>\n

Suffering Bastard is a small tiki bar tucked within Tuffy’s Bottle Shop in Sanford with about 90 varieties of rum to try and more than 40 cocktails. (Patrick Connolly\/OrlandoSentinel)
\nGrab a cold one inside<\/p>\n

If heading out but opting for the indoors, consider visiting one of Central Florida\u2019s Tiki bar hangouts<\/a>. These unique venues take inspiration from Caribbean and Polynesian cultures and offer cold, stiff drinks served in eclectic mugs.<\/p>\n

Find a warm atmosphere and cool air conditioning at Aloha Beautiful, Aku Aku, Suffering Bastard and Trader Sam\u2019s Grog Grotto.<\/p>\n

If looking for even more chill, take a trip to Icebar Orlando<\/a>, an International Drive venue featuring 70 tons of carved ice and temperatures below freezing, at least in part of the bar. Coats and gloves are provided.<\/p>\n

\"CentralCentral Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly flies through the air while skydiving with the help of tandem instructor Carlos Cribas at Skydive DeLand. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)
\nFind a unique adventure<\/p>\n

Sometimes it helps to make the most of sluggish summer months by finding a unique Florida adventure. Consider jumping out of a plane at Skydive DeLand<\/a> or head out on an airboat ride with a number of outfitters. Embark on a high-flying adventure with The Canyons Zip Line<\/a> in Ocala or visit one of Orlando\u2019s two PopStroke locations<\/a> for outdoor professional mini golf with fans around the course and drinks delivered to each hole.<\/p>\n

These may range in affordability, but state parks generally offer the least expensive adventures. Alternatively, many local public lands are free to the public for hiking and outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n

In the Panhandle, take a trip to Florida Caverns State Park<\/a> to go underground in a cave system millions of years in the making. On the tour, cool off in the caves, which stay below 70 degrees year-round.<\/p>\n

\"Watching<\/p>\n

Robert Daly \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Watching TV in the air conditioning is one way to beat Florida’s summer heat. (Robert Daly\/Getty Images)
\nHunker down in the AC<\/p>\n

While many northerners are stuck inside during cold, snowy winters, Florida is the opposite. When mild winter temperatures give way to muggy, humid days that top 90 degrees, being outside in the Sunshine State becomes less appealing.<\/p>\n

One way to beat the heat is by hunkering down in the air conditioning. Build a puzzle, watch TV, play games with loved ones or work on household projects while turning down the thermostat. It\u2019s a surefire way to stay cool.<\/p>\n

Find me\u00a0@PConnPie on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or send me an email:\u00a0pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at\u00a0orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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