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Best Alternative Places To Stay Cool This Summer

Maryland summers, especially in Baltimore, tend to be hot and humid, making everyone feel sticky. So where do you go to keep cool? Baltimore has many places to go like museums, shopping malls, theaters and others. Stay comfortable this summer with a visit to any of these Baltimore summertime spots.

Patterson Park
(credit: pattersonpark.com)

Patterson Park Pool
27 S. Patterson Park Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21231
(410) 276-3676
www.pattersonpark.com

During hot Maryland summers, swimming is a great way to keep cool and also stay fit. Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the popular Patterson Park Pool offers wading pools, family swims, lap swimming, Aquazumba, a special place for toddlers and Red Cross swimming lessons. Daily admission is $2 per person, and a seasonal pass is $30 per person. Check the Friends of Patterson Park website for a swimming schedule and other activity rates.

Oregon Ridge
Photo Credit: Oregonridge.org

Oregon Ridge Beach
13555 Beaver Dam Road
Cockeysville, Md. 21030
(410) 887-1818
www.baltimorecountymd.gov

A forest is a great place to enjoy nature and keep cool at the same time, especially if there is a lake or creek nearby. In addition to many recreational offerings, the spacious Oregon Ridge Park offers a beach and a lake. Once a quarry, the stream-fed lake provides a public swimming spot from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You can also play horseshoes, enjoy sand volleyball, get a snack at the concession stand, send the kids to the playground and more. Entrance to the park is free.

ice-cream
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

Dominion Ice Cream
3215 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21218
(410) 243-2644
www.dominionicecream.com

Almost everyone loves ice cream, especially on the hottest summer days. Dominion Ice Cream puts a twist on this popular treat—its ice cream is "fortified" with vegetables. But don't worry, you can't taste the vegetables. Dominion offers traditional flavors, non-vegetable gourmet flavors or if you dare, vegetable flavors like tomato and sweet corn. It also serve milkshakes, malts, sundaes, floats and more.

Related: Water Safety: How To Keep The Kids Safe Around The Beach Or Pool

bma

The Ryda and Robert H. Levy Sculpture Garden
Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive
Baltimore, Md. 21218
(443) 573-1700
www.artbma.org

If you enjoy sitting in a lush green garden to escape the summer heat, then check out the Baltimore Museum of Art. The museum is the location of the Ryda and Robert H. Levy Sculpture Garden, featuring early to late 20th century sculptures amongst the lush garden landscape. It is open 10 a.m. to dusk Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to dusk Saturday and Sunday. Self-guided Sculpture Garden tours are available via cell phone and iTunes. The museum itself is a great place to cool down as well.

snowball

One Sweet Moment
2914 Hamilton Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21214
www.onesweetmoment.com

Snowballs are a long-standing tradition that keeps Baltimoreans cool during the summer months. Some of the best snowballs in Baltimore  are at One Sweet Moment. It offers a mind-blowing number of flavors (actually 150) divided in different categories including regular, sour, diet, specialty, cream and Hershey's Syrup flavors. Daily hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the summer.

Related: Best Milkshakes, Smoothies And Frozen Drinks In Baltimore

Michael Townsend lives in Baltimore and has an Associate's degree from Harford Community College. Working for Examiner.com as the Baltimore Family Entertainment Examiner, Michael writes about family-oriented and budget-conscious activities. His interests include nature, history, mythology, crafts, photography and cooking.

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