It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Summer is all about going to the beach, splash pad or swimming pool. Sometimes it’s exploring a cool creek or finding a hidden swimming hole on a hot day. By midsummer, fingers are wrinkled, swimsuits are constantly hanging out to dry and we’ve logged plenty of hours in the water. But eventually, there comes a point when everyone is a little tired of being wet. The novelty starts to wear off, the kids begin complaining that they’re bored and even the biggest water lovers are ready for something different.
Fortunately, Arkansas offers plenty of ways to beat the heat without ever putting on a swimsuit. From cool caves and fascinating museums to train rides, scenic drives, libraries and sweet treats, these activities provide a welcome break from both the summer sun and the familiar routine. If your family is looking for a new adventure, these ideas will help you stay cool while keeping boredom at bay.
Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
Escape Underground
We try to do a cave tour at least once a summer. Arkansas caves stay naturally cool, with most of our caves staying around 52 degrees year-round. When we’ve reached the point in summer where we’re just done with the heat, exploring a cave is the perfect plan.
Museum days were never at the top of my summer wish list as a kid, but I’ve come to appreciate them as a parent. Not only does Arkansas offer a break from the heat, but it is also full of museums that are genuinely fun to explore. From hands-on science exhibits to classic cars and aviation history, there is something to capture almost every interest. Better yet, many Arkansas museums are free.
Nothing makes you forget the summer heat like sitting in a dark room, munching on popcorn while you watch a favorite movie. Across Arkansas, many theaters run older movies during the day at reduced prices, and many towns host movie nights in local parks. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood favorite or introducing your kids to a classic for the first time, movie nights are one of the easiest ways to escape the heat for a few hours.
As a child of the 80s, I spent many hours of my youth skating, bowling and playing in the arcade. Thankfully, these pastimes are making a comeback. Many Arkansas bowling centers participate in Kids Bowl Free, which makes it super affordable. Our local skating rink also offers discounted prices on certain days and times.
Libraries aren’t just for little kids attending story time. Most Arkansas libraries offer a variety of kid and teen-centered activities all summer long. Sometimes heading out of town and visiting a neighboring library is a fun way to mix things up. Some libraries, like the White County Regional Library System, even provide passports and offer prizes to encourage you to visit other libraries in the system.
Photo courtesy of Brittney Lee.
Ride a Train
George isn’t as into trains as he was when he was little, but he still enjoys riding a train. We do it so infrequently that it hasn’t lost its magic. We’ve ridden the train in Branson several times, but have the A&M Excursion Train on our summer bucket list.
We are often so busy planning trips elsewhere that we forget to take advantage of our own town. Right in our own communities, there is revival and plenty to rediscover, whether it’s someplace new or one of the places you’ve been driving past for years. Grab a milkshake from a local diner, browse a bookstore, wander through an antique shop or finally stop by that small business you’ve always meant to visit. You might be surprised by what you will discover without traveling very far from home.
Pack some snacks, crank the AC, turn up the volume on your Arkansas Road Trip Playlist and hit the road. Arkansas is packed with scenic drives that meander through the varied geographic regions of the state.
Summer is a great time to explore a new hobby or interest. Without the pressure of school schedules and packed calendars, kids and adults alike have a little more freedom to try something different. Whether it’s learning to paint, taking music lessons, improving your cooking skills or finally figuring out how to use that sewing machine sitting in the closet, summer classes can turn a hot afternoon into something productive and memorable.
There comes a point every summer when it is simply too hot to be outside. Those are the days when we start looking for indoor adventures. Whether you’re trying to keep kids entertained, planning a family outing or just looking for an excuse to enjoy some air conditioning, Arkansas has plenty of indoor attractions that make escaping the heat easy.
Not every summer outing needs to be a major adventure. Sometimes, all it takes to turn around a hot afternoon is a cold treat. Whether it’s homemade ice cream, a towering milkshake, a snow cone dripping with flavor, or a frozen coffee on a road trip, Arkansas has plenty of places serving up sweet relief from the summer heat. Consider it the reward for surviving another day of Arkansas summer.
Tall Arkansas Ice Cream Cones Worth Chasing This Summer
The next time summer boredom starts to settle in, consider skipping the pool for a day. You might be surprised how many ways there are to stay cool, have fun, and make the most of an Arkansas summer without ever getting wet.
Julie Kohl works from home as a writer and teaches art part-time at a local private school. A former Yankee who was "converted" to the south by her husband, Julie has grasped on to rural life in a sleepy, blink-your-eyes-and-you'll-miss-it town in central Arkansas where they raise chickens, farm hay and bake bread. Julie loves adventure and sharing it with her husband and son. They frequent the trails, campgrounds and parks of Arkansas, always on the hunt for new adventures and new stories to share. Learn more on her blog Seek Adventures Media.
Like this story? Read more from Julie Kohl
Summer has a way of filling every available space on the calendar. One...
In light of America's 250th birthday, it's been fun to look back at how...
Camping is good for the soul. It connects you with nature and with your...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment