![\"Swimming](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Swimming-3.png\")
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The most tried-and-true way to avoid overheating during the summer is lounging (or splashing) in the pool! Grab your swimsuit, a towel and some flip flops and dive into this guide to Omaha\u2019s best pools, water parks and lakes.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not only does the Zorinsky Lake area offer incredible paddle boarding and kayaking opportunities, but there are also great hiking and biking trails in the area<\/a>! Once you\u2019re done adventuring on land, splash into the lake to cool off. Check out this guide to the Zorinsky Lake area<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How many random factoids do you know? Get a team together and put your knowledge to the test at one of Omaha\u2019s 19 trivia nights<\/a>! There is a trivia event at a local bar on almost every night of the week, so whether you\u2019re a Geek Who Drinks or a pro pub quiz-taker, there are plenty of options.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a free, summertime activity that the kids will love, take them to a local spray ground<\/a>! They can frolic in the water while you lounge in the shade nearby \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s a great way to get outside and stay cool. Local parks with fun water features include Benson Park<\/a>, Fontenelle Park<\/a>, Kountze Park<\/a>, Seymour Smith Park<\/a>, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Plaza<\/a> and more, but you can also find splash pads and spraygrounds at the Omaha Children\u2019s Museum<\/a>, the Joslyn Art Museum<\/a>, the Shadow Lake Towne Center<\/a> and the First National Bank Tower.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Capitol District is Omaha\u2019s newest entertainment hub, offering shops, speakeasies, restaurants and fun exhibitions, as well as overnight accommodations at the Marriott. If you book a room at the hotel, you\u2019ll have access to the posh rooftop pool (and all of the fabulous views that come with it), but there are plenty of other ways to beat the heat in this area! Stop into one of the newest bars or restaurants<\/a> to see what the buzz is about.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of <\/i>Farnam House Brewing Company<\/i><\/a> and Brian Collins <\/i><\/p>\n There\u2019s just something so satisfying about a cold, craft beer poured straight from the tap on a hot summer day. Fortunately, Omaha is home to an abundance of top-notch breweries ripe for exploring this season. Make it your goal this summer to visit a few local breweries that you haven\u2019t yet tried. You can use this handy guide<\/a> to plan!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of\u00a0The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Experience a wildlife safari from the comfort of your car!\u00a0The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari<\/a> is located just 30 minutes outside of Omaha and features more than 350 animals and 53 species from all over the world, including a large number of species native to north America. Drive through the park to witness demonstrations and see the animals in their natural habitat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ice skating year-round is possible at the Ralston Arena\u2019s indoor rink! Admission for public skating is just $5 and includes skate rentals. It might seem silly to have gloves and thick socks with you when it\u2019s so hot outside, but this activity lets you imagine that you\u2019ve stepped into a winter wonderland!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lace up those skates and try to stay on your feet! Roller skating is a challenging, fun and family-friendly activity \u2014 and it\u2019s perfect for hot days. You can skate all season long at SkateDaze<\/a> or Skate City<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Omaha Public Libraries<\/a> have plenty of events<\/a> throughout the summer, including readings, book clubs, teas, speed dating, poetry bashes, craft days and more. And if you\u2019re not up for participating, you can always roam the shelves for a good book and curl up in a cozy chair somewhere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In our opinion, ice cream tastes good year-round. But for some reason, the flavors just really stand out when it\u2019s hot outside! Next time you\u2019re screaming for ice cream, reward yourself with a sweet, summertime treat at one of these incredible local shops around Omaha<\/a> \u2014 and try to find the butter brickle flavor if you can. It\u2019s a local favorite, and\u00a0it was invented here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paddle boarding, kayaking and swimming await at Standing Bear Lake. The day-use facility is located just outside of Omaha and is, in short, a summertime paradise. You\u2019ll find 3.3 miles of hiking and cycling trails, a picnic area, shaded shelters, a playground and the lake, which is perfect for a quick splash! Bring the whole family for a fun day under the sun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There\u2019s something for everyone at this iconic bowling alley, which has served the Omaha area for more than 40 years. You\u2019ll find casual game-by-game bowling, league play, great food and a full bar. It\u2019s affordable and perfect for a day out with the whole family!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Omaha\u2019s breathtaking botanical center is a popular attraction at all times of the year, but the blooms are absolutely spectacular in the summer! During the summer months (until September 5), the venue stays open later on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow for romantic, twilight walks through the park\u2019s many gardens. It\u2019s an ideal way to beat the heat, but also a wonderful way to end the day. In fact, it\u2019s one of our favorite summertime date ideas<\/a>!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo courtesy of the\u00a0Joslyn Art Museum<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Between the Joslyn Art Museum<\/a>, the Omaha Children\u2019s Museum<\/a>, El Museo Latino<\/a> and the Durham Museum<\/a>, there are plenty of ways to absorb Omaha\u2019s culture during the summer months \u2014\u00a0and many (like the Joslyn) even offer free admission! Check out our guide to Omaha\u2019s 15 most popular landmarks<\/a> to help you plan your next museum outing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Summer is one of the best seasons of the year for movie-going because there are so many good films out!\u00a0Alamo Drafthouse\u00a0goes above and beyond to offer\u00a0you a unique, cinematic experience.\u00a0Expect themed events, sing-alongs, fun swag for purchase, and delicious food and drinks that are delivered to your table during the film.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The zoo is home to thousands of animals from around the globe, as well as 130 acres of exhibits and gardens (including seven acres of indoor exhibits). In fact, the museum is home to the world\u2019s largest indoor desert (the <\/span>Desert Dome<\/span><\/a>) which spans more than 84,000 square feet! Even if you stay completely indoors, it\u2019s easy to spend an entire day exploring. Browse through the exhibits <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\nGo Paddling at Zorinsky Lake <\/a><\/h3>\n
Test Your Knowledge at a Local Trivia Night<\/a><\/h3>\n
Head to a Local Spray Ground<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Spraygrounds](\"http:\/\/54.218.64.113\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Sprayground-1.png\")
<\/p>\nExplore the Capitol District<\/a><\/h3>\n
Go on a Self-Guided Brewery Crawl <\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Farnam](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Farnam-House-Brewing-1-1.png\")
<\/p>\nExperience Nebraska\u2019s Wild Side at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Lee](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/LeeGSimmons21.png\")
<\/p>\nGo Ice Skating at the Ralston Arena <\/a><\/h3>\n
Go Roller Skating with the Kids<\/h3>\n
Visit Your Local Library<\/h3>\n
Indulge in Some Ice Cream <\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Ice-Cream-\"](\"https:\/\/npdodge.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Ice-Cream-1-4.png\")
<\/p>\nTake a Day Trip to Standing Bear Lake <\/a><\/h3>\n
Go Bowling at Maplewood Lanes <\/a><\/h3>\n
Enjoy the Lauritzen Gardens at Twilight <\/a><\/h3>\n
Experience Omaha\u2019s Art Galleries and Museums<\/h3>\n
![\"Joslyn](\"http:\/\/54.218.64.113\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/JoslynArtMuseum1-1.png\")
<\/p>\nSee A Movie at Alamo Drafthouse<\/a><\/h3>\n
Explore the Indoor Exhibits at the Zoo\u00a0<\/a><\/h3>\n
Escape Within an Hour from a Local Puzzle Room<\/a><\/h3>\n