If you live here you know it can be brutal outside all year round. So, if you’re too burnt to spend another day under this evil star, or just generally sick of the heat, here are our top picks for things to do in Tampa Bay when its just TOO HOT.

Take a watery theme park adventure Adventure Island, 10001 McKinley Dr, Tampa, 1-813-884-4386 adventureisland.com Whether you’re with friends or taking the kids out for that classic theme park experience, Adventure Island’s slides, splash areas, pools and lazy river are a fool-proof way to beat the heat. Let the thrill seeker in you take the plunge down The Vanishing Point, Adventure Island’s 70 ft. drop slide, or kick back and float down the Rambling Bayou’s half-mile tube trip. Photo via Adventure Island/Facebook
Stop in at Armature Works during your SoHo stroll Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, 813-250-3725 armatureworks.com Armature Works is modern-rustic fusion hangout built up out of SoHo’s old TECO streetcar warehouse. With a public market, central courtyard with cool misters, and a number of restaurants and bars, this revitalized hangout spot attracts crowds of all ages. Photo via Armature Works/Instagram
Swim in a giant fake lagoon at Epperson Lagoon Epperson Lagoon, 31885 Overpass Rd, Wesley Chapel, 813-527-0775 lagooninformation.com Epperson Lagoon’s purified, bright blue waters opened to the public late last year. The 7.5-acre, man made lake and beach has a little something for all ages and activity levels, featuring a waterslide, swim-up bar, floating obstacle course, concert area and kayak rentals. Photo via Epperson/Facebook
Dinner and a movie? How about dinner IN the movies? CinéBistro, 1609 W Swann Ave, Tampa, 813-514-8300 cinebistro.com Airing both new releases and independent films, CineBistro makes date night a one stop shop by serving up bistro style dishes, cocktails and wine straight to your seat. Of course, the more traditional viewer can always pick up popcorn and a soda from concessions. Get out of the sun, sit back in their spacious, high-back leather rocking chairs and let the lights dim. You just might forget your sweltering car outside. Photo via CinéBistro Hyde Park/Facebook
Slip into a plush robe and slippers with a day pass to The Don CeSar Spa The Don CeSar, 3400 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, 727-360-1881 doncesar.com The Don CeSar, the unmistakable pink palace of St. Pete Beach, features a number of indulgent treatments and amenities in their Spa Oceana. Treat yourself to a day pass for access to spa locker areas, whirlpools, steam rooms, whisper lounge, and rooftop terrace overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, or parooze the spa’s full list of services for additional fees. Photo via doncesar.com
Brewery hop in Dunedin Multiple locations Dunedin has the breweries packed in tight, with more than 10 within a mile of each other. Brewery hopping in Dunedin is a great way to check out all the local brews, and after a few pints, you won’t even mind the heat anymore. Photo via Woodwright Brewing Company/Facebook
Explore the aquatics without leaving dry land The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, 813) 273-4000flaquarium.org The Florida Aquarium lays out its elaborate exhibits like a journey, with animals and ecosystems reflecting the Florida landscape and beyond. Many of the exhibits at the aquarium are interactive, so try dipping a hand in the cool water to touch the stingrays at Stingray Beach or feel a starfish’s bumpy back in the No Bones Zone. Photo via The Florida Aquarium/Facebook
Hit the tracks at Tampa Bay Grand Prix Tampa Bay Grand Prix, multiple locations tampabaygp.com Tampa Bay Grand Prix uses indoor go kart tracks at both of its locations, in other words, no black leather seats searing the back of your legs after sitting out in the sun. The karts at Tampa Bay Grand Prix don’t mess around, reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour. Photo via tampabaygp.com
Test your luck at Seminole Hard Rock and Casino Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, 813-627-7625seminolehardrocktampa.com Whether you’re a blackjack badass or prefer to stick to the slots, Seminole Hard Rock & Casino is there for your gambling pleasure 24 hours per day. Hitting the casino is one way to beat the heat, but can you beat the house? Photo via Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa/Facebook
Return the stuff you bought online and enjoy free AC at International Mall 2223 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa. 813-342-3790 With over 204 stores and services, International Plaza mall offers a full day of shopping and food court indulging. From Louis Vuitton to Foot Locker to Lululemon, there’s a store for every generation at this mall.Photo via International Plaza and Bay Street/Facebook
Feed your brain at your local library The Library, multiple locations hcplc.org The Hillsborough County Public Library CoOperative has 33 locations across the county making it easy to duck in and find a little peace of mind. Find a new book, get some work done and enjoy your break from the noise. Photo via pixabay
Pop a quarter in and play at Lowry Parcade Lowry Parcade, 1213 W Waters Ave, Tampa, 813-915-9180 lowryparcade.com Lowry Parcade is a blast from the past with a grown-up twist after 11 p.m. From walls of classic games like Galaga, Ms. Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, to skee ball, pool and pinball, Lowry has been collecting vintage machines for years to provide that old-school arcade experience. This gamers’ paradise is open to all ages until 11 p.m. After that, the beer and wine serving spot is open only to those 21 and up. Photo via lowryparcade.com/
Roll for a strike to spare yourself from the heat Splitsville, 615 Channelside Dr Suite 120, Tampa, 813-514-2695 splitsvillelanes.com While the temperature is heating up outside, let the competition heat up inside. Splitsville bowling alley is a great indoor activity when you and your friends just can’t spend another minute by the pool. In addition to traditional bowling, Splitsville has lawn and feather bowling, ping pong, billiards, foosball, darts, and shuffleboard. Photo via splitsvillelanes.com
Take new electric scooters for a spin around Sparkman Wharf Sparkman Wharf, www.spin.app While you’re out shopping or grabbing dinner in Sparkman Wharf, skip the walking, and try out one of the new electric scooters available for rent in the area. Spin, an electric scooter rental service, just opened up in Sparkman Wharf. All you have to do is download their app and enter your credit card info, find an available scooter and go for a spin. Photo via Sparkman Wharf/Facebook
Roll for a strike to spare yourself from the heat Splitsville, 615 Channelside Dr Suite 120, Tampa, 813-514-2695 splitsvillelanes.com While the temperature is heating up outside, let the competition heat up inside. Splitsville bowling alley is a great indoor activity when you and your friends just can’t spend another minute by the pool. In addition to traditional bowling, Splitsville has lawn and feather bowling, ping pong, billiards, foosball, darts, and shuffleboard. Photo via splitsvillelanes.com
Explore one of Florida’s many naturally chilly springs multiple locations, floridasprings.org Florida is home to over 30 springs fed by the Florida aquifer deep underground, keeping temperatures lower than standing water. These ground fed water bodies are great spots for snorkeling, scuba diving or just splashing around. Photo via pixabay
Hang 10 far away from the UV rays at Flowrider Indoor Surfing Flowrider Indoor Surfing, multiple locationsflowrider.surfstyle.com If you want to catch a wave without coming home looking like a lobster, Flowrider Indoor Surfing will meet you in the middle. Their indoor wave simulator re-creates the surfing experience in a controlled environment where instructors are standing by to make sure all experience levels are safe. Photo via
Learn some local history at the Tampa Bay History Center Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St, Tampa, 813-228-0097 tampabayhistorycenter.org The Tampa Bay History Center’s exhibits explore the history of the Tampa Bay area, from the original Native American populations, into European colonization and up to modern day. Then, if reading about colonization gets you down, go drown yourself in Spanish-Cuban cuisine from Columbia Cafe, an on-site branch of the Columbia Restaurant. Photo via Tampa Bay History Center/Facebook
Park your car or dock your boat and, well, Getaway The Getaway, multiple locations thegetawaytampabay.com The Getaway’s waterfront views and tiki roofs radiate Florida summer energy when all you need is a bit of shade and some fresh seafood to get your through the heat of the day. Photo via The Getaway Tampa Bay/Instagram
Grab a paddleboard and say “SUP” to the horizon Urban Kai, multiple locations, 1-813-598-1634 urbankai.com Urban Kai offers equipment and tours to paddleboard enthusiasts, along with training and lessons to those still finding their sealegs. With locations in downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg, Urban Kai’s stand-up paddleboarding services offer the Tampa Bay area the chance to get some exercise out on the water. And if it gets too hot, you can always jump in. Photo via urbankai.com
Get your climb on at Vertical Ventures Vertical Ventures, multiple locations verticalventures.com Vertical Ventures will have you climbing the walls, literally. This indoor rock-climbing gym offers four different types of climbing: top rope and autobelay for less experienced climbers as well as bouldering and lead climbing for those with the experience to ditch the harness. Photo via verticalventures.com/
Stick your toes in the sand at Whiskey Joe’s Barefoot Bar Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill, 7720 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, 813-281-0770 whiskeyjoestampa.com Surrounded by tiki torches and ocean views, Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill’s is serving up dishes representing the southern, latin and coastal flavors of the area. With 14 types of mojitos, 30 types of margaritas and tons of beers on tap, Whiskey Joe’s cold drinks will help you fight off the heat of the day. Photo via whiskeyjoestampa.com
Chill poolside, cocktail in hand, at WTR WTR Pool and Grill, 7700 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, pool: 813-265-1234 grill: 813-281-0566 wtrtampa.com/pool WTR Pool and Grill is family friendly by day, party by night, hosting regular events and sunset pool parties. Serving up handcrafted cocktails and fresh seafood to its daily patrons, this swanky poolside spot also offers private cabanas with TVs and refrigerators to its more exclusive clientele. Photo via wtrtampa.com
It’s fun to swim the YMCA South Tampa Family YMCA, 4411 S Himes Ave, Tampa, 813-839-0210 tampaymca.org/locations/south-tampa Check out the South Tampa YMCA water park for free. Even if you aren’t a member, the YMCA offers one free guest pass annually to anyone who wants to check out the facility. The South Tampa YMCA has an open spiral slide that dumps you out right into the pool. Photo via South Tampa Family YMCA/Facebook
Step into the surreal at The Dali Museum The Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, 727-823-3767 thedali.org No, it’s not the heat melting those clocks, though it seems plausible. That’s the work of late surreal artist Salvador Dali. The Dali Museum in St. Pete presents the largest collection of works from the famously mustached man outside of Europe. Recently, the museum unveiled its newest feature, “Dali Lives,” an AI-generated interactive screen displaying Dali himself, welcoming visitors and guiding them through each floor of the whimsically designed building. Photo via The Dali Museum/Facebook
Catch a MLB game without sweating in the stands Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg, 1-888-326-7297 mlb.com/rays Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, is keeping America’s pastime cool with its air-conditioned dome. Though it looks like a giant toilet bowl, you won’t be sweating at this field, unless your team’s down at in the ninth that is. Photo via Julio Aguilar/Getty Images