The heat is on, with no end in sight. Temperatures may be soaring, but if you resist the temptation to hunker down in your air conditioned cocoon, you’ll find a multitude of refreshing opportunities to survive the summer sizzle. From immersive exhibitions to rafting on the LA River, and even an indoor ice skating rink, we’ve rounded up 10 cool ways to beat the heat in LA!
1 – Take a Dip
Happiness begins at home! Luxuriate in the resort-like ambiance of Circa’s two-acre rooftop park and amenity collection. Our 75-foot lap pool provides a revitalizing respite from sultry summer weather. Enjoy a dip in the elliptical pool and take a relaxing break in our private cabanas.
2 – Experience an Immersive Show
L.A. Underwater: The Prehistoric Sea Beneath Us NHM 900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007
Before it was the vibrant city we know, Los Angeles was underwater for over 90 million years. Dive into NHM’s multimedia-rich, immersive exhibition L.A. Underwater and discover L.A.’s prehistoric past through the stories of nearly 40 fossils that are uncovering the secrets of our submerged prehistory. Many of these fossils were found by everyday Angelenos, from construction workers unearthing over 2,000 fish fossils while working on the Metro line to Museum neighbors discovering a whale skull while digging an irrigation ditch in Lincoln Heights. These locally-discovered fossils are helping scientists understand the topography of the city’s past and present.
3 – Skate like a King at an Indoor Rink
LA Kings Valley Ice Center 8750 Van Nuys Blvd. Panorama City, CA 91402
The Los Angeles Kings Valley Ice Center, home of the 2012 Stanley Cup Champions, is a two ice surface facility located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. The rink offers everything in relation to ice including hockey, ice skating, curling, broomball, public sessions, sticktime, learn to skate classes, group lessons, private lessons, filming, and special events.
4 – Go Bowling
Lucky Strike at LA Live 800 W Olympic Blvd. Ste. 250, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Just steps away from the Crypto.com Arena, Lucky Strike at LA Live is the perfect place to roll a few frames, shoot some pool, and enjoy delicious cocktails and tasty bites. Featuring 18 premium lanes, tons of screens to catch all the big games, and plenty of tasty cuisine to fuel your fun, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. Check out the luxury suite that offers a private setting with four lanes, two billiards tables, and a private bar.
5 – Visit a Museum You’ve Never Heard Of
The Velaslavasay Panorama 1122 W 24th St. Los Angeles, CA 90007
Drawing on the illustrious history of the grand panoramas of the 18th and 19th centuries, The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall, theatre, and garden dedicated to the production and presentation of unusual visual experiences and performances, including those of the 360-degree variety, linear moving panoramas, immersive media art, and experimental performance. The Velaslavasay Panorama panoramic exhibition encircles the spectator within a fully enveloping atmosphere; a vast painting of a continuous surrounding landscape, accompanied by sound stimulation and three-dimensional elements, affording the viewer an opportunity to experience a complete sensory phenomenon.
6 – Chill Out with an Ice Cream Treat
McConnell’s Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
For over 70 years, McConnell’s has been making dense and pure-flavored ice creams, with smooth, consistent texture and a rich, velvety mouth feel – all made from scratch with a few, simple ingredients. McConnell’s mission is to produce the finest ice creams in the world, in the most responsible and sustainable way possible. In the process, they aim to enrich and enliven the communities in which they operate, and leave the world just a little bit “sweeter” than they found it.
7 – Shop for Fresh Produce
Social District Farmers’ Market 1099 S Grand, Los Angeles, CA 90015
South Park is now the Social District! The Social District Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 9AM – 2PM. Farmers bring local fruits, vegetables, and cheese, while foodies bring artisanal breads, small-batch jams, Southern gumbo, hummus, and so much more! Shop handmade gifts like ceramics and body products while listening to live music. The market is open every Saturday, rain or shine! Sign up for their newsletter for recipes, vendor profiles, and special events.
8 – Kayak the LA River
Start your urban adventure! LA River Expeditions is the original boating organization on the Los Angeles River. Their 2008 expedition down the river’s 51 miles (from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean) launched LA River Expeditions’ involvement with the LA River revitalization as a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life in our community. LA River enthusiasts can book kayak tours in both Los Angeles River recreational zones: Sepulveda Basin Recreation Zone and Elysian Valley Recreation Zone.
9 – Escape the Heat in an Escape Room
Escape Room LA 120 E 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
Escape Room LA is Los Angeles’ first and original escape room. Their acclaimed games will transport you into new worlds as you’re immersed in a thrilling experience that you’ll never forget. Escape Room LA has been in operation since 2014 and has hosted tens of thousands of participants, including many Hollywood celebrities including Emma Stone, Halle Berry, Conan O’Brien, Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser and more. Working with many of Hollywood’s finest scenic artists and fabricators, the immersive design and production quality of the games is at the highest level to give you the best possible escape room experience.
10 – Step Inside a Mystical Cocktail Adventure
The Obscure 1356 Palmetto St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
The Obscure distillery utilizes immersive storytelling and its magical atmosphere to transport patrons to a completely different realm. As you sip on potent concoctions, your host will tell you captivating tales that plunge you further into the mystique of the experience. Once you’re nicely wrapped up in The Obscure’s eerie embrace, you can explore your surroundings, mingle with your friends, and interact with artists conjuring up intricate illustrations of otherworldly scenes and creatures.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Circa LA
Photo #2: Circa LA
Photo #3: Natural History Museum
Photo #4: LA Kings Valley Ice Center
Photo #5: Lucky Strike at LA Live
Photo #6: The Velaslavasay Panorama
Photo #7: McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
Photo #8: Social District Farmers’ Market
Photo #9: LA River Expeditions
Photo #10: Escape Room LA
Photo #11: The Obscure
