From museums to waterparks, Cincinnatians have some options to avoid the summer heat wave

Temperatures are climbing, and we are all looking for ways to have fun this summer without melting like ice cream. Here are some easy options to beat the heat and have fun.

For art fanatics:
The Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Walnut Hills, is a go-to spot for those seeking a refuge from the heat. Tickets are free, but pre-registration is required. Two current exhibitions, American Painting: The Eighties Revisited and Future Retrieval: Close Parallel, will run until Sept. 5 and August 29, respectively.

For a cold treat:
Pendleton Parlor, 1218 Broadway St., Pendleton, serves up ice cream, edible cookie dough and a full espresso menu. Each of its locations in Pendleton, Old Milford and Mount Washington is unique and open late on weekends for those with a sweet tooth.

For families:
The opening of Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township, was delayed by a water-main break Saturday, but it expects to open in about a week, just in time for a full and fun summer. Families can buy a season pass for unlimited admission or daily passes. Between paddleboats, mini golf and a host of water slides, there is something for everyone.

For film buffs:
The Omnimax at Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, is a classic escape from the heat. The five-story domed theater is currently playing Backyard Wilderness, about the “wonders of nature that are right under our noses,” and Great Bear Rainforest, “the land of grizzlies, coastal wolves, sea otters, humpback whales and the fabled white Spirit Bear,” according to its website.

For animal lovers:
Streetside Brewery, 4003 Eastern Ave., East End, has a dog-friendly biergarten, and its rotating list of food trucks makes it perfect for an afternoon with the family. The beer selection makes Streetside a great place for a drink with friends, as well.

For water bugs:
Green Acres Kayak, 10465 Suspension Bridge Road, Whitewater Township, offers rentals for 5- or 8-mile trips at $26.75 a person (it’s an extra $8 a person on weekends and holidays). You can drift for hours or spend the day on the river. Kayaks are single-person, and kayakers must be at least 12 years old.