The Dog Days in RVA: How to Stay Cool

by Fayeruz Regan 07.2021

It’s that time of year when summer starts to hurt. We wonder whether we were only conditioned to love summer because of grade school anticipation. 

Sometimes it’s not the heat but the humidity. When I was younger, I had a neighbor who always sat on her front porch on summer nights. “Isn’t it great?” she would ask. “It’s so steamy and sensual.” She embraced the sauna-like qualities. I decided to master humidity in my mind.

Two decades later and it still hasn’t happened. But we should resist the idea of riding it out in air conditioned chambers. We relished the season throughout childhood, and come mid-winter, we’ll question whether or not we made the most of summer. My own intolerance for scorching weather has bred a thorough knowledge of things you can do to keep cool throughout the dog days of summer, Richmond style.

Texas Beach

The water is crystal clear, shallow, and the smooth rocks beneath are a perfect place to sit and enjoy a cold drink.  Let the cool water run over you as curious mosquito fish swim past. An added bonus is the brief but memorable walk along the trail that leads to the beach. It includes a foot bridge over railroad tracks and an outdoor stairwell, featuring murals from different Richmond artists on each level.

Sweet 95

I’ve been to beaches around the world, and there’s something distinctive about beach towns on the East Coast. They cannot be complete without a main strip lined with mini golf courses and old-fashioned ice cream stands. Sweet 95 on Arthur Ashe Boulevard makes you feel like you’re on vacation. Like beach town ice cream stands, it’s a wood structure painted in cheerful colors, independently-owned, and staffed by teenagers. To add authenticity, it’s only open during the summer. The structure taunts us all year long, but when it’s open, happy families tuck into banana splits on the outdoor patio, and it feels like you’re on vacation. 

Porch Life

Ever notice that a cool breeze at night sweeps away that sticky feeling? Earth is trying to tell you something. You need to put a fan on your porch. If installing a ceiling fan isn’t an option, plug in a portable fan and feel the transformation. The humidity spins out, and you and your friends can enjoy the fireflies and crickets in comfort. You might even need a sweater. 

Al Fresco

If you’re going to dine al fresco, look for patios that provide both shade and fans. The best spots add a little greenery, too. Dot's Back Inn in Bellevue has stretched its legs, and now features an expansive sidewalk patio. Adorned with strung lights and potted palm trees, you can enjoy a meal in a neighborhood so close-knit, that passersby on the sidewalk will often stop to chat with the diners. Blue Atlas in Fulton Hill has a porch that offers sweeping views of the city. Dinner is exciting, with small plate dishes from around the world. There’s a curated market on-site as well. Brambly Park is a sprawling and much buzzed-about green space in industrial-style Scott’s Addition. Their line of wines features an impressive list of chilled options to cool off with. Sit under the trees at a picnic table, and listen to local bands. That’s right – live music is back. 

Splash Pads

If you’re a parent, splash pads are a perfect place to cool off. Builders have been getting creative with the designs, delighting us with magic mushrooms and swinging buckets overhead. Twin Hickory, Stony Point Fashion Park and the Battery Park Pool have free splash pads that are open to the public. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has an impressive set-up, and admission allows you to enjoy the rest of the garden. 

The Dome

The Science Museum of Virginia isn’t just for kids. Relieve your sunburned skin in the hurricane simulator, a glass box that blasts air onto you at varying hurricane speeds. On extra hot days, settle into a seat in The Dome. The air-conditioned theater envelops you as you enjoy breathtaking views of the galaxies, erupting volcanoes and more. Don’t forget the popcorn!

You Tubed

The James River is a mixed bag. There are rapids, waterfalls and some sections where the water is as still as glass. There’s are great stretches of flatwater, and a number of businesses that are happy to guide you on a tubing adventure. Pack a cooler with drinks and sandwiches, and watch the world glide by. 

Stay cool, RVA!