Community Corner

10 Places to Stay Cool Around Rochester

If you don't have air conditioning or a pool, here are a few other options.

If you don't have air conditioning – or if you maybe just want to get out of the house without getting sweaty – here are a few places you can go around Rochester to cool off.

: It's free, it's air conditioned and it's open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays during the summer. "It has been busier, but here in youth services, we also have a scavenger hunt going on this week, and I believe some of the increase is because of that," Youth Librarian Jan Purdy said. "I'm sure that some of it would be the heat, also." In addition to the scavenger hunt, the library is also having its this Thursday through Saturday.

Bowling alley: If the kids have a little energy to burn off after being stuck inside all day, has open bowling during its regular business hours Wednesday and Thursday, and has open bowling Wednesday until 10 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

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Department stores: What better way to beat the heat than by shopping right through it? There's , , , , and , just to name a few. 

: Senior citizens can stay cool at the OPC, which offers programs and services for senior citizens in the area. Membership is free for residents, though there is a $6 cost for a membership card. The center features a track, gymnasium, pool, library, cafeteria, woodshop and auditorium.

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The gym: You don't have to work out if you don't want to. If your gym has a pool, like  does, the whole family can cool off in the water.

 Centrally located on University Drive near downtown, this indoor play area is a great option for parents whose children need to burn off a little energy. There's a cafe, table and chairs for parents and lots of equipment for children to play on. Rochester Play! is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

Restaurants: In this heat, why not have someone else prepare your meal for you while you sit in the air-conditioned booth, sipping an Arnold Palmer?

The beach: We recently included Rochester Hills' in our , and for good reason: For just $5 per vehicle, residents can enter the park and spend the day at the beach without ever leaving Rochester Hills. The vehicle entrance fee is $10 for nonresidents; bikers and walkers enter the park for free. Park hours are 10 a.m.-dusk daily.

Coffee shops: We Patch editors do some of our best work in coffee shops, and we've discovered that most coffee shops don't care how long you stay as long as you buy at least one drink or snack that day. So grab a book, order an iced tea and enjoy the artificially cool environment.

: Still haven't seen Harry Potter? How about taking the family to see Winnie the Pooh? You can stay cool for at least a few hours by catching a movie at Emagine Rochester Hills. For a listing of showtimes, click here.


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