Beat the heat at these award-winning places
With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting above normal temperatures for much of the United States and, particularly, the Northeast this summer, people are adjusting their vacation and travel plans to include more indoor activities and attractions.
Madison Pietrowski of GetYourGuide, an online marketplace for travel activities, can attest to this trend.
“During NYC’s heat dome in June, 100% of the top 10 most-booked experiences for these days were at indoor attractions or on the water, with the majority being indoors," she says. "It’s clear that both New Yorkers and visitors were desperate to escape the heat, either through air-conditioned tours or breezy cruises.”
Thankfully, there are numerous things to do inside that will keep you cool and entertained. To help kickstart your planning, here are a few indoor activities and attractions worth checking out this summer, to include several 10BEST Readers' Choice award winners.
Make a splash at an indoor water park
One of the most popular things to do on a hot day is splash around at an indoor water park. Playing in the wave pools, water slides, lazy rivers, and splash pads of these indoor water wonderlands is a fun way to beat the heat. For instance, the water parks at Kalahari Resorts feature uphill water coasters, surfing simulators, a virtual reality water slide, and an exclusive water play area for young visitors. At time of publication, park locations include Round Rock, Texas; Sandusky, Ohio; Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; and Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania.
Stroll the galleries at a museum
Museums provide an interesting way to escape the high temps. Maybe it’s teaching the kids about dinosaurs, or perhaps it’s taking a deep dive into presidential history. In New York, a top-trending indoor activity on GetYourGuide is the MoMA Before-Hours Tour with Art Expert.
“Our MoMA Before-Hours Tour is an amazing way to escape New York City’s summer heat while soaking in iconic culture,” Pietrowski says. “Visitors get a rare experience to explore the museum galleries before the crowds rush in for the day with an expert art historian guide. It’s an ideal blend of comfort and culture, especially on hot days when travelers are looking to stay cool without missing out.”
Explore underwater wonders at an aquarium
When it comes to indoor attractions, aquariums rank high on the list. You can spend time sitting in the dark, watching schools of fish, sharks, turtles, and other marine life swim away the hours. One of the best spots for doing just that is the award-winning Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. Here you can see more than 35,000 animals representing more than 800 species. Galleries range from a three-story saltwater aquarium that highlights the Great Barrier Reef to a sunken shipwreck teeming with marine life to a murky swamp filled with nocturnal animals.
Indulge in retail therapy at an indoor mall
Indoor malls are ideal for escaping hot weather. They offer something for every age and interest. For example, Florida's award-winning Aventura Mall — the state’s largest mall — is home to more than 300 retailers, over 50 restaurants, and an extensive art collection.
Try your luck at a casino
When you’re looking for some adults-only indoor activities, check out the action at a local casino. Maybe you like to try the slots, or perhaps you prefer one of the table games like blackjack or craps. Or it could be the action of a high-stakes game in a private room. Whatever your game, a great casino to check out is the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel in Highland, California. This casino has over 7,000 slot machines and more than 150 table games, plus five high-limit games where you can test your skills. Do you have what it takes to beat Lady Luck?
Take a spin around an indoor skating rink
What could be better for cooling off on a hot summer’s day than spending some time on the ice? At an indoor ice skating rink, you can get a taste of winter as you take a spin around the rink, working on your figure eights or just trying to stay upright. One of the best indoor rinks is the Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center. You can skate during the public skating hours, or sign up for skate school or private lessons to improve your skills.
Copyright 2025 10BEST, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. All rights reserved. From https://10best.usatoday.com. By Karon Warren.