We may have made it through last month’s awful heat wave (thank goodness that’s over), but there’s still more hot weather to come this summer. Here are some ways you can beat the heat in Philly.
Look for Air Conditioning
If you don’t have A/C in your home, it helps to have a mental map of the cool, indoor places you can go for relief. Here are some of our favorites:
📚 Public Spaces
When the city declares heat emergencies, it activates a formal network of cooling centers with extended hours, like libraries and rec centers. But even when there’s no official emergency, you can hang out in your neighborhood library during its regular hours.
🛋️ South Philly Ikea
This is one of City Cast Philly producer Abby Fritz’s go-to air-conditioned refuges. It’s got lots of seating (for obvious reasons), and there’s a restaurant that can come in handy if you get hungry.
🎥 The Movie Theater
Did you know that the summer blockbuster came to be because of air conditioning? And almost a century later, you can still expect the A/C to be cranked up at the movies during the summer. City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri recommends catching a $1 family-friendly movie at a Regal movie theater near you.
🏛️ Museums
Philly’s got plenty, so this can be a fun way to explore what the city has to offer while also cooling yourself off. There are several free options, along with many, many more that you can pay to access. Just make sure to check ahead of time that your preferred museum has air conditioning.
Make a Splash
Since heat escapes through skin, cooling your skin can help keep your body at a healthy temperature. A cool (but not freezing) shower can help, as can spending some time at one of Philly’s dozens of public pools or almost 100 sprinklers and spraygrounds.
Grab a Frozen Treat
Whether you’re an ice cream person, a water ice lover, or a gelato fan — here are some top spots.
Make Sure You’re Following Heat Safety Practices
Heed this hot weather advice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the City of Philadelphia:
- Stay hydrated! Drink water, but try to avoid alcoholic or super sugary drinks, since those could cause your body to lose fluids.
- Wear lightweight clothes.
- Avoid direct sunlight when you can, and remember to use sunscreen.
- Keep your house cool. If you don’t have A/C and you’re going to run a fan, make sure to also open your windows. During the day, use curtains to block out outside light, and limit the use of appliances that generate heat.
- On super hot days, check on your family, friends, and neighbors to make sure they’re okay.
- Learn how to recognize the signs of heat-related illness.
