7 ways to “beat the heat” in Birmingham this summer—free fun, new hobbies + more

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The official start of summer last week is nice when you think about it: no school, blooming plants across Birmingham and time by the pool. But it also means battling the blazing sun and rising temps.

The good news is that we can still have fun and stay safe this summer, and avoiding the outdoors doesn’t have to mean you’re limited to time parked in front of a screen. So, we’re here to help, with some fun things to do indoors this summer across Birmingham.

Plus, get a few heat safety tips from the experts at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama to protect yourself while still having fun in the Birmingham sun!

First things first: Heat safety tips

Yes, it’s highly important to drink lots of water and protect your skin from the sun—especially because in Birmingham, it’s only getting hotter.

Aside from those two crucial tips, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama advises a few more things to stay safe from the summer heat:

• Plan your day to avoid the heat. The sun’s rays are the hottest between 10AM and 2PM. Map out your schedule so you’re in a cool place during those hours.
• Find indoor activities good for your body + mind. Don’t think of the summer heat as a deterrent to being active, but as an opportunity to find something new. Make a list of places you’ve been meaning to go: Maybe Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the cute shops along Homewood’s main drag or your local Birmingham Library branch.

Lucky for you, we have a list of indoor activities in Birmingham to “beat the heat.”

Indoor activities to beat the heat in Birmingham

1. Pick up a new hobby like ice or roller skating

Talk about beat the heat: Pelham Civic Center and Ice Skating Rink is open year-round! Cool down for a couple of hours and try new skills out on the ice.

• Location: 500 Amphitheater Rd
• Hours: Public skating schedule
• Website

If roller skates are more your style, Skates 280 is a fun spot to get moving. Warm up, enjoy some music and make the most of a hot day.

• Location: 7043 Meadowlark Dr
• Hours: Monday, 12-6PM | Friday 12-10:30PM | Saturday 12:30-10:30PM | Sunday 2-10PM
• Website

2. Get in some friendly competition at the bowling alley

A bowling alley is a forgotten hero in my book. There are a few across Birmingham that give all the fun, family-friendly and retro vibes you need for some competition.

• Vestavia Bowl
  • Location: 1429 Montgomery Hwy
  • Hours: Sun-Wed, 12-10PM | Thurs, 10AM-10PM | Fri-Sat, 12-11PM
• Lucky Strike
  • Location: 2908 Riverview Rd
  • Hours: Sun-Mon, 11AM-10PM | Tues-Wed, 4-11PM | Thurs-Fri, 11AM-12AM | Sat, 11AM-1PM
• Oak Mountain Lanes
  • Location: 300 Bowling Lane
  • Check website for summer hours

3. Catch a movie

Sidewalk Film Center

One of the coolest assets in downtown Birmingham is Sidewalk Film Center. They play popular and locally-made movies, as well as host trivia, filmmaker networking nights and other fun events.

Check out their current movie schedule and support a local theater!

• Location: 1821 2nd Ave N

McWane Science Center IMAX

And some movies just make sense to see in IMAX. At McWane Science Center’s IMAX Dome Theater, you and the whole family can tag along to animated movies, documentaries and popular movies as they’re released.

• Location: 200 19th St N
• Find showtimes

Summer movie series + outdoor films

Or, when the sun goes down and it’s a little cooler outside, you can catch a movie under the stars!

Tons of neighborhoods and organizations are hosting movie series this summer. Check out our list.

4. Explore McWane Science Center

Aside from the IMAX theater, McWane Science Center has so many fascinating, hands-on activities for fun learning—for kids, and adults! Make a day out of it this summer, and let us know what you find!

• Location: 200 19th St N
• Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 9AM-5PM | Saturday, 10AM-5PM | Sunday, 12-5PM
• Website | Facebook

5. Build strength at High Point Climbing & Fitness

Rock climbing is a super fun way to test your skills and build strength. High Point Climbing is perfect for any level of experience, and if you love it, you can enroll in a climbing camp or invest in year-round membership perks.

• Location: 4766 US-280
• Hours: Mon, Wed + Fri., 6AM-10PM | Tues, Thurs + Sat, 10AM-10PM | Sunday 10AM-8PM
• Website | Facebook

6. Stroll local Birmingham museums

Birmingham Museum of Art

Birmingham Museum of Art boasts thousands of pieces of artwork with something for everyone! Admission is free, making BMA an accessible, beautiful resource in the heart of our city.

• Location: 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr Blvd
• Hours: Tues, 1-5PM | Wed, Fri + Sat, 10AM-5PM | Thursday, 10AM-8PM | Sun, 12-5PM
• Cost: Free
• Website

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute offers a unique look into our city and state’s past, while looking ahead to a better future. Hundreds of art and informational pieces take you through our rich Civil Rights history.

Tip: There’s a lot of history within the BCRI walls. Block off a whole afternoon for this!

See it for yourself:

• Location: 520 16th St N
• Hours: Tues-Sat, 10AM-5PM
• Cost:
  • Adults: $15
  • Senior adults, military + college: $13
  • Children under 10: Free
  • Groups of 10+: $10 each
  • Members: Free
• Website

Vulcan Park & Museum

While Vulcan Park offers some of the best views of the city, there’s also an interactive museum with an inside look at Birmingham’s history. You can picnic on the lawn, take a trip to the Observation Tower and browse the museum inside.

• Location: 1701 Valley View Dr
• Hours: Sun-Thurs, 10AM-8PM | Fri-Sat, 10AM-9PM
• Cost:
  • Adults: $8
  • Senior adults + military: $6
  • Children ages 5–12: $4
  • Children under 5: Free
  • Members: Free
• Website

Your turn, Birmingham! How are you beating the heat? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know what indoor activities we missed. Keep up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for more ways to stay healthy all year long.

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