Beat the Heat: Creative Ways to Stay Cool This Summer

Plan a Sweet Treat Crawl  

Cool off by hopping from one local ice cream or gelato spot to the next!

• Savannah: Try Leopold’s Ice Cream—a true classic.

• Bluffton: Visit The Frozen MOO or Cinnamon Bear Country Store.

• Hilton Head: Don’t miss Hilton Head Ice Cream—their Key Lime Pie flavor is a summertime dream.

Create your own “cold treat tour” and let the family vote on the best scoop!

Explore Shady Parks & Gardens  

Avoid direct sun and embrace nature's own cooling system: shade!

• Stroll through Forsyth Park in Savannah under the oaks.

• Wander Palmetto Bluff’s River Road Preserve or Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge early in the morning.

• Beaufort’s Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park offers riverfront breezes and plenty of shaded benches.

Make a Splash  

Water makes everything better!

• Visit a local splash pad like The Savannah Children’s Museum’s Splash Zone or Shelter Cove Community Park on Hilton Head.

• Paddle or kayak through shaded creeks with Outside Hilton Head or Savannah Canoe and Kayak.

• Spend the day at the beach—Tybee Island, Coligny Beach, or Hunting Island State Park.

Pro tip: Go early morning or late afternoon for cooler temps and smaller crowds.

Take a “Coolcation” at Home  

Turn your backyard or patio into a personal oasis.

• Add a kiddie pool (even for adults!), set up a shade sail or umbrella, and sip on iced sweet tea or Lowcountry lemonade.

• Host a chilled charcuterie picnic indoors with the A/C on high.

• Pick up a summer beach read from E. Shaver Booksellers in Savannah or The Book Lady Bookstore and lounge the day away.

Chill Indoors, Local Style  

Sometimes the best escape is indoors—especially when it’s got history, culture, and A/C.

• Tour the Savannah History Museum, Telfair Museums, or Coastal Discovery Museum.

• Catch a movie at Royal Cinemas in Pooler or take the kids to The Sandbox Children’s Museum in Hilton Head.

• Discover indoor art markets or vintage shops and cool off while treasure hunting.

Sip Local & Stay Hydrated  

Hydration doesn't have to be boring! Try:

• Craft iced teas from Savannah Tea Room

• Fruit smoothies from Corner Perk in Bluffton

• Cold-pressed juices at Herban Market and Café

• Or a frozen frosé at a rooftop bar like Peregrin in Savannah or Poseidon on Hilton Head

Embrace Golden Hour Adventures  

Avoid the midday heat and enjoy the cooler magic of mornings and evenings:

• Go crabbing or fishing at dawn

• Take a sunset dolphin cruise

• Book a golden hour photo walk through historic Savannah or the Bluffton Promenade

• Or just enjoy your porch swing with a fan and some iced peach tea