Let the heat be a reason to get away from the congested city and go on a day trip to some wide open spaces in Cockeysville. At the Beaver Dam Swim Club, you can go for a swim in the fresh water quarry — and enter via rope swing. There are also two pools. The swim club, at 10820 Beaver Dam Road, is open 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. $14-$18; children under 2 are free.

Let the heat be a reason to get away from the congested city and go on a day trip to some wide open spaces in Cockeysville. At the Beaver Dam Swim Club, you can go for a swim in the fresh water quarry — and enter via rope swing. There are also two pools. The swim club, at 10820 Beaver Dam Road, is open 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. $14-$18; children under 2 are free. (Jen Rynda / The Capital / BSMG)

The best places to stay cool in the Baltimore area during this sweltering summer heat wave

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High temperatures are expected to be in the mid 90s through Wednesday in Central Maryland, but it’ll likely feel more like 100 degrees at times. That means staying cool will be more important than ever. Here are places in the Baltimore area where you can beat the heat.

Beaver Dam Swim Club

Let the heat be a reason to get away from the congested city and go on a day trip to some wide open spaces in Cockeysville. At the Beaver Dam Swim Club, you can go for a swim in the fresh water quarry — and enter via rope swing. There are also two pools. The swim club, at 10820 Beaver Dam Road, is open 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. $14-$18; children under 2 are free.

Let the heat be a reason to get away from the congested city and go on a day trip to some wide open spaces in Cockeysville. At the Beaver Dam Swim Club, you can go for a swim in the fresh water quarry — and enter via rope swing. There are also two pools. The swim club, at 10820 Beaver Dam Road, is open 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekends. $14-$18; children under 2 are free. (Jen Rynda / The Capital / BSMG)

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Water taxi

Walking under the extreme heat can ruin your weekend, so instead, sail to your next destination under the cool shade and harbor breeze. The city’s water taxi service will pick you up and drop you off at some of most popular waterfront locations, including Fells Point, Canton and Locust Point. The best part? No traffic. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Prices vary.

Walking under the extreme heat can ruin your weekend, so instead, sail to your next destination under the cool shade and harbor breeze. The city’s water taxi service will pick you up and drop you off at some of most popular waterfront locations, including Fells Point, Canton and Locust Point. The best part? No traffic. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Prices vary. (Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun)

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Tubing in the Gunpowder River

Either bring your own tube or rent one from Monkton Bike Rental, 1900 Monkton Road. Either way, the river is sure to be nice and cold.

Either bring your own tube or rent one from Monkton Bike Rental, 1900 Monkton Road. Either way, the river is sure to be nice and cold. (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun)

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Schooner Woodwind sailboat in Annapolis

The Schooner Woodwind hosts two-hour public sailing cruises every day, taking patrons past the United States Naval Academy and into the Chesapeake Bay. The last public cruise docks around sunset to catch the golden glow over the Annapolis skyline. Boards from 80 Compromise St. in Annapolis. Hours of operation and prices vary.

The Schooner Woodwind hosts two-hour public sailing cruises every day, taking patrons past the United States Naval Academy and into the Chesapeake Bay. The last public cruise docks around sunset to catch the golden glow over the Annapolis skyline. Boards from 80 Compromise St. in Annapolis. Hours of operation and prices vary. (Joshua McKerrow, Capital Gazette)

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Walters Art Museum or Baltimore Museum of Art

Soak up some culture — and air conditioning — at one of the city’s free art museums. The Walters Art Museum, at 600 N. Charles St., exhibits 36,000 objects from around the world and will reopen July 7. The Baltimore Museum of Art, at 10 Art Museum Drive, now requires guests to book reservations on the first Tuesday of every month.

Soak up some culture — and air conditioning — at one of the city’s free art museums. The Walters Art Museum, at 600 N. Charles St., exhibits 36,000 objects from around the world and will reopen July 7. The Baltimore Museum of Art, at 10 Art Museum Drive, now requires guests to book reservations on the first Tuesday of every month. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

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Gunpowder Hammerman Area

Hammerman beach is a great place to soak up the sun. Located in at Gunpowder Falls State Park, 2813 Jerusalem Road in Kingsville, the beach offers kayak and windsurfing board rentals at Ultimate Watersports. If it gets too hot, enjoy the shade under the picnic pavilions near the beach. Open daily, 8 a.m. to sunset. Free.

Hammerman beach is a great place to soak up the sun. Located in at Gunpowder Falls State Park, 2813 Jerusalem Road in Kingsville, the beach offers kayak and windsurfing board rentals at Ultimate Watersports. If it gets too hot, enjoy the shade under the picnic pavilions near the beach. Open daily, 8 a.m. to sunset. Free. (Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun)

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Baltimore City pools

There are over a dozen public pools across the city, most of which are open on Mondays to Saturdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guests must register in advance online to attend. All pools are free this year.

There are over a dozen public pools across the city, most of which are open on Mondays to Saturdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guests must register in advance online to attend. All pools are free this year. (Kenneth K. Lam / Baltimore Sun)

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Sandy Point State Park

You can enjoy a range of activities, such as swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating and hiking, at Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Parkway in Annapolis. If anything, come for the view of the Chesapeake Bay. The beach is open until sunset every day until Oct. 31. Free.

You can enjoy a range of activities, such as swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating and hiking, at Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Parkway in Annapolis. If anything, come for the view of the Chesapeake Bay. The beach is open until sunset every day until Oct. 31. Free. (Brian Krista / Capital Gazette)

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Splash pad at West Shore Park

If you’re at the Inner Harbor and heating up, take a detour and get a little wet under the Walter Sondheim Fountain. Or bring your bathing suit and get a lot wet. Next to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Maryland Science Center, in the 400 to 500 block of Light Street, the splash pad is great for families . The park is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m all week. Free.

If you’re at the Inner Harbor and heating up, take a detour and get a little wet under the Walter Sondheim Fountain. Or bring your bathing suit and get a lot wet. Next to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Maryland Science Center, in the 400 to 500 block of Light Street, the splash pad is great for families . The park is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m all week. Free. (Michael Ares, Baltimore Sun)

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Cooling centers

It may not be the most fun place to visit, but Baltimore has set up several cooling centers throughout the city for those who need to escape the heat. Participants must wear masks and social distance inside. For a full list of cooling center locations, go to the city’s website. In Carroll County, four senior centers in Mount Airy, North Carroll, South Carroll and Taneytown will serve as cooling centers. In Anne Arundel, certain police station and certain senior centers will be open for cooling.

It may not be the most fun place to visit, but Baltimore has set up several cooling centers throughout the city for those who need to escape the heat. Participants must wear masks and social distance inside. For a full list of cooling center locations, go to the city’s website. In Carroll County, four senior centers in Mount Airy, North Carroll, South Carroll and Taneytown will serve as cooling centers. In Anne Arundel, certain police station and certain senior centers will be open for cooling.

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Public libraries

In Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Baltimore counties, officials directed residents to public libraries to stay cool. And while none of the libraries in the Baltimore City are officially designated as cooling centers, they’re still certainly a good option for catching some air conditioning and curling up with a good book. All Enoch Pratt locations are open at 50% capacity, and masks are required.

In Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Baltimore counties, officials directed residents to public libraries to stay cool. And while none of the libraries in the Baltimore City are officially designated as cooling centers, they’re still certainly a good option for catching some air conditioning and curling up with a good book. All Enoch Pratt locations are open at 50% capacity, and masks are required. (Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun)

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