How to cheat the heat: Cool activities let you stay out of the sun

As the summer starts to wind down, high temperatures in Bakersfield still have people running for the beach or the mountains. However, if you’re looking for some things to do in the city to cheat the heat and chill out, try these cool idea.

Ice cream shop crawl

It is long debated which ice cream shop in Bakersfield truly has the best ice cream and everyone has a different metric for their perfect sundae. Whether you favor particular ice cream textures, flavors, cones or toppings, the best ice cream is the one that makes your heart melt. Maybe that spot is where you have fond memories and nostalgia or you’re looking to try something new.

Make it your mission to find your favorite ice cream in town by trying all the ice cream shops. Whether those are spots unique to Bakersfield, such as Dewar’s, Rosemary’s Family Creamery or Sweet Fix, or they are chains like Golden Spoons or Cold Stone, find your shop for all your ice cream needs.

Escape rooms

If you’re looking for an adventure with your friends while also staying indoors, try an escape room. Solve a puzzle with your friends and family — or even strangers — using teamwork and clues to find your way out of the room. With escape rooms trending, there are several popping up in town including Puzzle Effect Escape Rooms, Brainy Actz Escape Rooms, Ingenious Escape Rooms, CleVR Escape and Bakersfield Escape.

Before you and your friends go to an escape room, make sure to check the hours and see if they require reservations.

Valley Children's Ice Center

Cool off at the Valley Children’s Ice Center with an ice skating session. The family-fun ice skating rink offers different events or free skating hours — hours that skating is open to the public — to get out of the dreaded heat.

Children under the age of 12 skate for $16 and those over 12 years old skate for $17 with skates included. If you need a skating aid seal, it is an additional $10 on a first come, first served basis.

Check the Valley Children’s Ice Center’s website for the weekly schedule.

Movie nights

Unwind in a cool room with snacks by catching a movie at one of the many theaters.

With several movies slated for release in the fall, especially with Halloween around the corner, a movie theater is the perfect place to chill out. Some theaters such as the Fox Theater show classic movies while most others like Maya, Regal Theaters and IMAX theaters are showing new releases.

Regardless of what genre of movie you’re into, gather your friends and family to get out of the house and out of the heat at the same time.

Bookstores and libraries

If movies aren’t your thing, look for stories in a different way by browsing a bookstore.

Some can spend hours peering through stacks of books, looking for the next adventure in pages. Whether you’re into romance novels, comic books or recipe books, the bookstore can be a great place to find inspiration.

For a locally owned bookstore, check out Russo’s Bookstore on New Stine Road. Barnes & Noble on California Avenue sells books, records, CDs and gifts.

If you want the fun of reading a book without buying it, check out one of the many Kern County library locations. It's free and a way to escape the heat.

Check hours before you head out; some branches are undergoing renovations.