Sticking your head in the freezer isn’t the only way to stay cool during these hot summer days.
Why not try some more creative activities to help you chill out?
Swimming
Jumping in a pool is a sure way to freshen up.
The West Mesa Swimming Pool offers indoor and outdoor recreational pools and an Olympic-size pool for a mere $3 admission fee for adults. The outdoor recreational pool has two water slides, fountains and a children’s play area. The entry fee for teens is $2.50 and it’s $2 for children ages 6 to 12.
The Olympic pool has a high and low diving board, as well as four swimming lanes, which are available for lap swimming from 6 to 8 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
For those who want swimming lanes available all day, the Rio Grande Swimming Pool has four designated lanes. The outdoor recreational pool is next to a smaller pool for parents with children 5 years old and under. The entry fees are $2.25 for adults, $2 for teenagers and $1.50 for children 6 to 12 years old.
The Rio Grande Swimming Pool also has a volleyball court and an open grass area where families can have a picnic, and even bring along the grill.
Private swimming lessons are available at both pools. Just don’t forget the sunscreen.
West Mesa Swimming Pool
6705 Fortuna Rd. NW
Rio Grande Swimming Pool
1410 Iron Ave. SW
Ice Skating
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Ice skates are no longer required to play a good game of hockey. At Outpost Ice Arena, students only need a pair of tennis shoes to play broomball, which is similar to hockey and soccer. Two teams use a broom-like stick to throw the ball through the opposing team’s net.
The Outpost Ice Arena has two indoor ice skating rinks to provide plenty of room for skaters.
The Outpost also offers basic skating lessons for people who want to learn figure skating or hockey.
Admission is $7, plus a $3 rental fee for skates.
Adult league hockey teams play at the arena every week, including the Central New Mexico Community College “Banditos” and UNM “Lobos” club hockey team.
Game machines are located throughout the Outpost Ice Arena’s lobby area, along with a pro shop and snack bar.
Outpost Ice Arena
9530 Tramway Blvd. NE
Ice Cream
If you don’t care to swim or skate to cool down, why not relax over a frozen treat?
Café Giuseppe Espresso makes fresh organic gelato every day in chocolate, lemon, vanilla, peach, watermelon and blood orange flavors. You can get a small cup of this rich ice cream for $2.25.
Large smoothies come in peach, strawberry, mango, pineapple and coconut flavors. A smoothie costs $3.70.
Café Giuseppe Espresso
3222 Silver Ave. SE
Pop Pop’s Italian Ice is another place to go cool down The thinly shaved flavored ice, or water ice, at Pop Pop’s is not only fat free, it comes in more than 10 different flavors, plus there’s a flavor of the week. A small water ice is $1.75.
Pop Pop’s also offers gelati: vanilla ice cream layered with water ice. Ice quakes, or milkshakes, are also available.
All of Pop Pop’s ice cream and water ice is made in the store.
Pop Pop’s
9880C Montgomery Blvd. NE
If you want more fresh fruit in your ice cream, La Michoacana de Pequime can cure your craving. The store offers ice cream and ice pops with fresh fruit inside of them. They also sell fresh-cut fruit, which customers can flavor with lime juice, salt or chili powder.
La Michoacana de Paquime
6335 Central Ave. NW
