Six Things to Do on a Boiling Hot Day in Kelowna

Wishing you had air conditioning on this sizzling last weekend of June?

It’s supposed to be a scorcher this weekend, and all that heat and UV rays make the gorgeous Okanagan outdoors a little less appealing than usual. To keep you away from possible sunburns, here at KelownaNow we’ve compiled a few activities to help you beat the heat while still celebrating the beginning of a gorgeous summer.

Waterpark at H20. (Photo Credit: H20 Adventure + Fitness Centre/Facebook)

1. Make a Splash at the Pool

Here’s a way to cool off in the water without having to brave the hot sand. Take a dip at either the Kelowna Family Y or the H20 Adventure + Fitness Centre for a chance to cool off. Open swim at the Y is open from 7 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. or 12 noon to 9 p.m. You can also head to the H20 Centre for waterslides, a wave pool, river run, and surf simulator.

2. Take in a Flick

If there’s one place you can trust to be cool on a hot summer’s day, it’s a movie theatre. Grab some popcorn and cool drinks and sit down in air conditioned comfort to watch one of the newest films. Whether it’s Pitch Perfect 2, Jurassic World, Inside Out, or something else, you can certainly get a break from the heat in the cool darkness of a theatre. Check out KelownaNow's movie page under "More Stuff" for what's playing.

3. Leave the Pots and Pans

Sometimes the last thing you want to do on a hot day is start up the stove. When it’s this warm out, it’s often a good day to treat yourself. Take advantage of the air conditioning at a local restaurant and eat some food you didn’t have to make yourself. KelownaNow’s Foodie feature always has some great options, and maybe you can get a bite of ice cream when you’re done.

Photo Credit: Scandia Golf and Games

4. Stack Up on Your Tokens

When’s the last time you headed to Scandia Golf and Games for a bit of arcade fun? This classic gem is great for families or adults wanting a bit of release, so grab some tokens and hit up the arcade games, air hockey, and even the lovely and cool Indoor Jungle Mini Golf to practise that putt for less extreme weather.

5. Work on Your Fred Flintstone Strike

Air conditioning and cold drinks make bowling a great activity for a hot day. Stay away from the UV rays and tie up those bowling shoes for a few games. Invite some friends along for some friendly competition and order some food so that, again, you don’t have to cook yourself! Drop some pins and see who can get the best score, with the loser perhaps buying the next round of cool drinks.

Laurel Packinghouse. (Photo Credit: Kelowna Museums)

6. Soak in Some Culture

A lot of us are always meaning to learn more about art and history, whether for pure interest or to stock up on great cocktail party conversation. With such a hot day, now’s your chance. Check out one of Kelowna’s museums or art galleries (or all of them!) to learn that little bit more about the world. You check out how the Okanagan turned from a wide open cattle range to valley of orchards at the BC Orchard Industry Museum in the Laurel Packinghouse. If the Okanagan Military Museum is more your thing, experience what it was like for Okanagan residents who were with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The Kelowna Art Gallery has an exhibit on the story of Canadian art, and you can consider the boundaries between graffiti and art at the Alternator Gallery in the Rotary Centre for the Arts. There’s lots to be learned, and a lot of hot hours of the day to be filled.

Do you have some more great activities to cool down this weekend? Let us know in the comments below.