10 Places to Cool Off This Week

Weather like this always makes me think of Samuel L. Jackson's DJ character in the movie Do the Right Thing: "I have today's forecast for you...HOT!!!!"

The National Weather Service forecast shows temperatures in the mid-90s all week, with a heat index over the next few days that will make it feel like 100.

With that in mind, here are a few ways to keep cool over the next few days:

1. The city has two cooling stations, set up, one at the Salvation Army at 1110 Northampton St. from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (610-258-9531) and at the Boys and Girls Club at 210 Jones-Houston Way from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (484-239-2075 ). Calling ahead is recommended.

2. Go for a swim.
Heil and Eddyside pools are open. If you decide to swim in one of the rivers or the Bushkill Creek, please be careful.

3. Visit Crayola. You can cool off while your kids see the revamped center.

4. Check out the Sigal Museum. It might be a nice change of pace after Crayola.

5. Get some ice cream. There's the Bank Street Creamery and Frozenlandia in downtown Easton, Faouzi's Talk of the Town at 1019 Northampton St., and Canalside Cup on Route 611 south of the city.

If you feel like leaving the Easton area, here are a few other options, compiled by our regional editor Susan Koomar:

1. Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom are open for the 2013 season. The water park features dozens of slides, pools, rivers and water play areas. Wildwater Kingdom is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this weekend. Daily tickets start at $39.99 and can be purchased online.

2. Watching penguins splash around at the Lehigh Valley Zoo is a cool way to spend some time. You might also catch a glimpse of the zoo's new baby bison.

3. Do you know there's a nudist camp nearby? Sunny Rest Resort near Palmerton offers a relaxed, clothes-free atmosphere if you dare to go bare.

4. A day trip to Jim Thorpe offers whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River or a refreshing swim, fishing and boating at Mauch Chunk Lake Park.

5. Summer blockbuster movie season is here and you can chill in a local theater.

You can find local movie times here:

• Carmike Cinemas 16 at Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley
• Carmike-Allentown
• Regal Northampton Crossings
• AMC Tilghman Square
• Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre