There’s a moment every summer in Central Florida when your brain goes full Looney Tunes-mode. You’re standing outside, sweat threatening to short-circuit your phone, and you start hallucinating fountains, frosty drinks and that one scene from The Sandlot with the pool and the lifeguard. We get it.
Whether you’re dunking into springs, nursing a frozen cocktail, or hiding inside with a scoop of something cold, the goal is the same: survive summer without melting. The City Beautiful has numerous options to beat the heat, all designed to remind you that it’s OK to slow down, cool off and let the season do its thing.
So instead of pretending the heat is bearable, let’s just lean into the cool-down. Here’s your guide to the best places in and around Orlando to dip your toes, dunk your body or, at the very least, sip something icy until your soul returns to your body.
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka
floridastateparks.org
A longtime favorite for Central Floridians looking to cool off without chlorine. The spring water holds steady at 72 degrees year-round, which is to say, cold enough to make your limbs forget how heat works. The natural swimming area is surrounded by shaded trails and picnic spots and the crowds can get thick by noon. We recommend you treat this one like you would a theme park: Arrive early and claim your spot. Admission is $6 per vehicle and a great way to beat the intensifying summer heat.
Kelly Park at Rock Springs
400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka
ocfl.net
Unlike Wekiwa, this spring system comes with a built-in current so it’s less of a splash-and-swim and more of a float-and-drift. Rock Springs winds through a shaded stretch of parkland and is ideal for tubing. Bring your own or rent one nearby, and expect a slow-paced, crystal-clear ride through the natural spring-fed run. Entry is $3-$5 per vehicle and park hours are strictly enforced.
Espresso Martini at Icebar Orlando
8967 International Drive
icebarorlando.com
This International Drive nightspot is cool as ice. The seats are ice. Your drink comes in an ice glass. It’s exactly what it sounds like. There’s something deeply satisfying about walking into a 22-degree room when it’s pushing triple digits outside. Entry starts at $19.95 and includes thermal gear and a drink. Great for escaping the heat and even better for people-watching. An Espresso Martini in the Fire Lounge is a boozy jolt of caffeine that might be the only thing keeping you upright after 20 minutes in subzero temperatures.
Champorado ice cream at Sampaguita Ice Cream & Desserts
1233 E. Colonial Drive
sampaguitausa.com
This Filipino-inspired dessert shop serves up flavors like ube cheesecake, calamansi pie and lychee coconut that are a refreshing change from the usual. One of our favorites is the Champorado, with dark chocolate ice cream, chocolate-covered puffed rice crunch and a sweet condensed milk swirl. It’s a tasty nod to the Filipino breakfast classic. Rotating menu, small space, big flavor.
Mango Snow at Saigon Snow
1110 E. Colonial Drive
mills-market.com
Tucked into a small plaza in Mills 50, this Vietnamese dessert spot specializes in chè, shaved snow and pandan everything. Their boba drinks are solid, but it’s the sticky rice sundaes, jackfruit jellies and coconut milk slushes that really hit on swampy days. We recommend the Mango Pandan shaved snow topped with pandan mochi, cassava cake and Rice Krispies. It’s a tropical overload of chewy, icy and sweet in the best possible way.
Aquatica Orlando
5800 Water Play Way aquatica.com
If you’re not theme park-averse and want full sensory overload with your summer cool-down, SeaWorld’s Aquatica might be a good option for you. Between the wave pools, the not-so-lazy river, and the high-speed raft rides, it’s basically chaos in a bathing suit. Crowds are to be expected, and the volume rarely dips below “theme park frenzy.” But if your ideal summer day involves being blasted by water cannons in a sea of sunscreen, this is the place. Tickets start around $60.
Slush Money at Home State Brewing Co.
16016 New Independence Parkway, Winter Garden
homestatebrew.com
If you’re beer-curious but still want something cold and fruit-forward, the rotating frozen beer slushies at Home State are worth the drive. Their “Slush Money” frozen beer slushies are what happens when summer bar menus get creative. Flavors rotate regularly — past versions include blackberry lemonade and watermelon lime. Easy to drink, even easier to justify in triple-digit heat. Slushies start around $8.
Oviedo Splash Zone at Center Lake Park
299 Center Lake Lane, Oviedo cityofoviedo.net
A no-frills splash pad that understands the assignment: keep kids occupied and cool ’em down. It’s a decent option if you’re local, desperate for relief and not trying to spend money. There’s some shade, some coffee and just enough water pressure to qualify as fun. Also free!
Take a swimming staycation with a hotel or resort pool day pass
resortpass.com or contact individual resorts
There are plenty of local resorts and hotels offering pool day passes where locals can get some luxurious splashing in. Some of the city’s best swimming holes, lazy rivers, mini water parks and waterfront lounging options are closer than you think (and much cheaper, too). For instance, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes covers 500 acres and is home to a lazy river, waterslides and endless fun in Splash Cove; prices start at $59.
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This article appears in Summer Guide 2025 and Summer Guide (2025).