Hot Weather: How to Stay Cool in the Heat
We love west Michigan summers. It makes the cold-enough-to-freeze-your-eyelashes winter weather worth it.
But sometimes the heat and humidity is just too much and it’s not even safe to be outside for a long time.
When the summer heat wave hits, we all need ways to beat the heat.
Here’s a few options for your consideration:
1 – Go Ice Skating
Most indoor ice rinks are open year-round.
What better than renting a pair of ice skates and flying across a sheet of frozen H-2-O to cool you and your family down?
Here are a few local places where you can skate right now:
Walker Ice & Fitness
4243 Remembrance Rd NW, Walker MI 49534
Admission & Skate Rental: $10 per person
Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids
2550 Patterson Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
$10 per skater (includes skate rental) (2024 pricing)
2 – Explore Library Play Spaces
Camping out at your local library or trying a new one is a great way to stay cool and check off boxes on your summer reading chart.
Many of the local libraries have great kid spaces, with EGR & Wyoming being some of the favorites.
3 – Go Bowling For Free!
Registered Kids Receive 2 FREE GAMES of bowling each day of the Kids Bowl Free program all summer long!
Bowling is a great activity if you’re wondering how to stay cool in the heat.
4 – Splash the Day away at Michigan’s Adventure Waterpark
For the most part, Wild Water Adventure water park at Michigan’s Adventure is open daily from noon – 6 PM this summer.
Take your adventures farther and visit a different outdoor water park. Nearby options include Lake Arvesta in South Haven and Flash Flood in Battle Creek.
Or stay even cooler and opt for an indoor water park like Holland Aquatic Center.
5 – Head to an Inland Beach
When the water on the big lake hasn’t warmed up enough for swimming but it’s hot outside, it’s time to head to a local inland lake! Here are some favorites:
6 – Jump in a Pool or Splash Pad
The City of Grand Rapids operates several swimming pools. To help you know if they’re at capacity, they now offer live online updates. Check the status before heading out.
City of GR pools are open from June 6 – August 15, 2026. Admission is $5 for youth and $10 for ages 17+ for city residents. Non-residents pay $10 for youth and $20 for adults. Day passes are no longer available, only season passes.
Or, consider a splash pad visit to help you cool off. We’ve listed them by size and broken down the amenities offered to help you choose a destination.
7 – Find Indoor Fun
Check out our Indoor Play Guide for a huge list of local places you can take kids to have fun indoors.
Trampoline parks, museums, movie theaters, pottery painting places, and indoor playgrounds – there are so many to choose from.
Take your pick, these destinations offer fun, learning, and a cool venue for the price of admission.
A few museums we love include:
– Grand Rapids Public Museum
– Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Grand Rapids Area Cooling Stations
Additionally, area cooling stations are open during this June 2026 heatwave.
Availability may vary due to weather conditions, outages or holidays. Call ahead to confirm or dial 2-1-1 for the most up to date information.
Here’s where you can find cooling centers around Kent County:
| Exodus Place 322 Front Ave Daily 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Grand Rapids Pride Center 343 Atlas Ave SE Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 4 PM |
| Grand Rapids Public Library Locations Regular business hours |
| Kent District Library Locations Regular business hours |
| Lotus Brew Coffee / Dry Bar 211 Diamond Ave SE Regular business hours No purchase required |
| Mel Trotter 225 Commerce Avenue SW Daily 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Matthew’s House Ministry 766 7th St NW Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 3 PM Coffee, water, lunch, showers, AA/NA classes |
| Salvation Army 1235 Fulton St Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| West Grand Neighborhood Organization 754 Leonard St NW #2 Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 5 PM |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church 47 Jefferson Ave SE Mon – Wed: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM |
Stay Cool and Stay Safe!
No matter where you’re spending time during this heat wave, stay hydryated and stay safe!
Great list to follow! Running errands is one that I usually do because I get a chore done and stay cool at the same time.
Oh–and at the GR libraries, based on availability, you can get free museum passes.
Yup! Libraries and museums are the best! And if you take the bus, it’s air conditioned, you don’t have to get into a hot car when you’re done, and if your kids have a Grand Rapids library card, they can get free bus tickets from the library children’s desk through the “Ride to Read” program.
perfect, exactly what I was looking for!