Where to beat the heat in Austin

Regardless of what the calendar says, Austin can experience high temperatures any time of year. But the midsummer and early fall are when we usually enter those sustained periods of highs hovering around the triple-digit mark—and we appear to be entering one of those streaks this weekend.

While the sustained highs aren’t technically part of the heat wave hitting the much of the Midwest and eastern United States right now, they’re still brutal (especially combined with our routinely high humidity).

That’s no reason to stay hunkered down in your (hopefully) air-conditioned home, though. Luckily, the Austin area has a wealth of places to swim (and/or splash)—including a number of chilly, spring-fed watering holes—as well as air-conditioned places for daytime entertainment.

For the hottest days ahead, we’ve compiled a handful of places across the city where you might be able to find some relief from the heat and have a little fun. In addition to places to take a dip, we have city guides that feature air-conditioned fun spots galore.

Don’t forget about our city parks, pools, and splash pads. Indoor types will want to check out the one-of-a-kind programming at our many prized movie theaters—including special summer series, screenings, and events at the Paramount, Austin Film Society, and Alamo Drafthouse theaters (not to mention nighttime outdoor screenings at spots including the latter’s Jaws on the Water at Volente Beach and the roving free movies in the park series, to name a couple).

Finally, always: Drink plenty of water, use sun protection, and find a way to keep cool. Have fun and stay safe out there, people!