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Museums, patio dining, water balloons and more: You don't need a pool to stay cool this summer

Summer lasts around 92 days, so you'll need to find more than one way to deal with the heat.

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Summer lasts around 92 days, so you'll need to find more than one way to deal with the heat. And when you're living in a southern climate, the humidity can pack a punch, too. If you're tired of heading to the pool, you'll be relieved to know that there are other ways to beat the heat.

Stay with us to learn how to stay cool in summer weather without going to the pool!

Enjoy AC in a museum

If you're tired of relying on the pool to stay cool in the summer, consider expanding your educational horizons. With the North Carolina Museum of History and North Carolina Museum of Art in town, you can combine staying cool with learning more.

Plot a trip to a different cultural hot spot each week when the temperature crests 90 degrees. If you have kids home on summer break, you'll be able to sneak in some cultural lessons while enjoying the air conditioning. Just be sure to sweeten the deal with a trip to the soft-serve stand on the way home.

Along the same lines, your nearest branch of the public library offers a cool spot to browse the latest titles or curl up with a new book. You can even enroll your kids in a summer reading program.

Host a water balloon fight at the park

Wondering how to stay cool in the summer? If you don't mind getting a little damp, a water balloon fight is a great way to cool off while having a blast.

Gather some of your friends and find an open park — preferably with some shady trees in it. Fill some water balloons in advance and stash them in a bucket. Bring some spare balloons and icy water to keep the fun going.

And if you don't have any balloons on hand, you can use sponges for a quick solution. Cut them into smaller pieces and soak them in a bucket of cold weather. Then start slinging them around for a dose of refreshing relief.

Try cooler workouts

Most people think of workouts as hot, calorie-burning events. While that's often true, they don't have to be that way. And on a hot July day, the last thing anyone wants to do is pound the pavement when the temperature is in the 90s.

Fortunately, you don't have to. You can stay cool by embracing a new trend: workouts in cold spaces. When the thermostat is set to 50 degrees, your muscles and mind won't tire as quickly — and you won't be drowning in sweat.

Enjoy cooler foods during summer weather

How can you combat the heat? Eating can be surprisingly effective if you choose the right foods. Sit on a covered outdoor patio at your favorite dining destination — or take matters into your own hands and cook.

While pot roasts and casseroles might sound appealing in crisp fall weather, summer temperatures demand some new recipes. And when you're trying to figure out what should be on the menu, give colder meals a try.

Cold pasta salads are easy to prep in advance. Combine pasta with cherry tomatoes, cheeses, and cured meats. Add a simple creamy dressing and some fresh mint from your garden to hold everything together.

Or make cold cucumber soup or gazpacho. A side of fruit salad followed by a scoop of sherbet will result in a delicious summer meal that won't have you sweating.

Upgrade your outdoor space with an umbrella

You don't need to go beyond your back patio to stay cool in summer weather if you have the right amenities. Staying cool in summer weather might be as easy as investing in an umbrella and some privacy shades for your backyard space.

Get an umbrella that offers protection from UV rays so you can feel safe sitting outdoors. An umbrella with a darker or brighter hue will have a natural tendency to block those dangerous rays more effectively, too.

And if you really want to make an upgrade, get an umbrella with a built-in mister. Nozzles discretely affixed to the edges of the umbrella will spray a light mist out while you're sitting underneath it. You'll feel cooler while you're outside eating dinner or enjoying a cocktail!

Plant more plants indoors

Did you get into gardening during the pandemic? If plants kept you company while in isolation, then you'll love what they can do for you during hot summer weather. Consider bringing your gardening skills indoors and creating a jungle atmosphere in your home.

You may remember learning in grade school that plants are involved in a process called photosynthesis. The gist of the process is that plants take advantage of energy from the sun to absorb carbon dioxide from the air. This rids the air of this greenhouse gas and helps the plants create root systems and flourish.

How does this help you stay cool? The moisture plants produce can result in cooler air in the surrounding area. You might even notice that your utility bills are a little lower when you increase your indoor plant population.

Learn how to stay cool in summer weather

When you figure out how to stay cool in summer weather, you'll get more out of each day. Invest in fans, plants, and an umbrella to make your home into a summer sanctuary that won't make you sweat. And look for new places to enjoy cold foods or workouts!

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