Bloglander

The weather forecast is predicting highs of 100 degrees this week. Not only will this summer be the best ever, but it also could very well be one of the hottest ever. So what do you do when you want to get out of the house, but you don’t want to die of heat exhaustion? Here are our picks from Summer Guide of things to do when it is just too hot outside to do anything else.  

1. Head to a museum like the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) where you can explore the ongoing art exhibits while enjoying the cool AC. 

2. See a summer blockbuster at the movie theater, check out the IMAX, or watch an indie hit at the Magic Lantern while snacking on popcorn and sipping on an ice-cold Coke.

3. Go to Lake Coeur d’Alene for the day and rent a stand up paddleboard. Coeur d’Alene Paddle Board Co. rents out surfboard-like boards and paddles by the hour or for a full day.

4. When it gets toasty outside, the last thing you want to do is stand in front of a hot stove and cook. Check out a local restaurant and grab a bite to eat or go out for drinks with friends. At Boots, downtown on Main Avenue, they’re serving up a cocktail of gin and Method’s cucumber juice.

5. Here in Eastern Washington, it can get pretty hot. So get out of town and road trip over to the cooler (temperature-wise) west side. Take I-90 to Seattle, or go through the Tri-Cities and head to Oregon for scenic roads, national parks, and maybe a stop in Portland.

6. Cool off in the pool at any of Spokane’s six public aquatic centers. Get there early to save lounge chairs in the shade.

7. For the kids, Mobius Science Center is a great place to go for some fun—and some air-conditioning. The different activities provide hours of entertainment while actually learning something.

8. Get a slice of culture while watching a performance in a cool, dark theater. Check out our summer guide calendar for theater performances throughout this summer.

9. For some peace, quiet, and AC, the public library can be a great place to relax and catch up on reading or flip through picture books with the kids.