It’s no secret that temperatures can rise to sizzling in the South, and Charlotte is no exception. Instead of hiding inside with the air-conditioning blasting, get creative to beat the heat.

•     Race down the waterslides or challenge the kids to a water fight at Ray’s Splash Planet, where there is no shortage of H2O to keep things cool.

•     For a fast-paced adventure, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is the place to be. Strap on a helmet and a lifejacket and race down the rapids in the man-made river. The bravest souls can learn to roll their kayaks during a whitewater kayaking lesson, while those who prefer a slower pace can opt to rent a canoe and paddle down the Catawba River (swimming optional).

•     NASCAR SpeedPark and Carowinds also have water parks that provide a respite from the summertime heat.

•     Just because it’s 100 degrees doesn’t mean you can’t go ice skating. Extreme Ice Center has two rinks for hours of public skating.

•     If it’s truly too hot to be moving around, grab a box of popcorn and spend the afternoon watching movies at the brand-new EpiCentre Theaters, where the only thing colder than the draft beer is the air-conditioning.