If you’re someone who sweats just from looking at the July weather forecast, join the club. There’s no doubt that summers are hot, and Dallas summers are sweltering. Cool down with these activities to avoid getting scorched.
Chill out poolside or dive in at a waterpark.
For those who want to bask in the true lazy days of summer, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and its community pool is about five minutes from White Rock Lake. Admission is $7, the pool has two outdoor bars and visitors are welcome to bring their own food to eat as well. Drinks are cheap and the people are friendly.
There are plenty of shaded areas at Klyde Warren Park, which really makes a difference. The deck park is ideal in the afternoon, especially around lunchtime. Besides the food trucks, there are plenty of free activities to enjoy. Kids and adults alike can read a book from the mini-library, play games, or just simply relax on the green. Of course, the park’s spray fountains give children the most direct way to cool off.
North Texas has plenty of places to get wet and wild, with water parks, splash pads, and spraygrounds equipped with waterfall arches and miniature gurgling fountains. From Bahama Beach to the Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex, there’s something for all ages.
Get locked in a room.
Instead of staying indoors and watching crime shows, put yourself in some quick-thinking shoes and escape from the Dallas Panic Room in Irving. Teams are given a scenario — for example, a museum heist gone wrong — and then locked inside a room for 60 minutes. It’s up to you to decipher the clues lying around the room to break free. Make sure you book a reservation ahead of time to ensure you get your puzzle-solving slot.
Simulate cooler days.
The joys of winter can be celebrated all throughout the year, and even though Dallas doesn’t exactly freeze over during the cold season, we can mimic it pretty well. Cool down at the Galleria Ice Skating Center while the temperature outside is boiling. Skate to your heart’s content at the mall in between shopping trips, or if you’re feeling winter withdrawals.
Shop for vintage items at Traders Village Flea Market
Open every Saturday and Sunday, this open-air flea market in Grand Prairie is perfect for those who love to find hidden gems. Parking is $4 and admission is free. If the markets aren’t your thing, you can enjoy amusement park rides with a $10 pass.
Go surfing…indoors.
Surfers at heart won’t have to travel far to experience the thrill of the ride. At Plano’s Shops at WillowBend, a FlowRider indoor surfing installation is tucked away in store at AquaShop Indoor Surfing. You can ride the waves for as long as you please, and if you happen to fall, the soft padding underneath will soften the blow. Rides are $20 for 30 minutes.
Visit a museum
The summer is the perfect time to catch up on art, culture, and science. When the sun is at its highest, head to any of the museums in the city to learn about simply anything and everything. The DMA has free admission, the Perot is great for science aficionados, and the Nasher is a treasure for sculpture enthusiasts. (Plus, all three have indoor air-conditioning.)
Make golf interesting.
Fuel your competitive spirit at TopGolf with family and friends. Each bay has fans running to keep you cool while your get your game on. Visitors can also lounge with drinks under the cabanas at the very top. Take your pick between the Dallas and Allen outposts.
Go to an arcade.
Channel your inner gamer this summer with classic and new arcade games. You have plenty of cool arcades to choose from. Our favorites include the arcade bar, $10 all-you-can-play Free Play Arcade in Richardson, Frisco’s National Videogame Museum, and Pinstack in Plano.
Listen to live music.
Sometimes all you want to do is relax and listen to some good music. Luckily for us, the Dallas Arboretum is hosting local musicians every Friday night until the end of July with Garden Gigs. Admission is $10. Pair that up with the greenery of the garden and some food trucks, and you’ve got a winning night.
See a movie.
Every Wednesday night, movie and whiskey lovers can rejoice at Sundown at Granada. Starting at 8:30 p.m., movies will play on the rooftop while whiskey is half-price.
Make a trip out to Ennis to see a movie to Galaxy Drive-In Theatre. Movie theaters are themselves a great, air-conditioned way to keep cool in the Dallas summer. In this scenario, you don’t even have to leave the climate controlled comfort of your car.
Find a chill patio where you can eat ice cream and drink frosty adult beverages
Go for the “keeping cool in Dallas trifecta.” Grab some ice cream from one of these shops — or perhaps some shaved ice from one of these shops — and find the perfect chilled cocktail to wash it out. Enjoy both on one of Dallas’ many great patios.
