Spring Finals Edition

Houston summer survival guide

The focus will soon turn from finals to beating the Houston heat. | Nichole Taylor

The focus will soon turn from finals to beating the Houston heat. | Nichole Taylor

Rising temperatures, increased drops of sweat and longer lines in local ice cream shops — yes, summer is upon us.

It’s no secret to Houstonians that it can be insanely hot during the summer. With these sweltering temperatures, there are plenty of cool activities ranging from jumping into blue waters to going to sporting events that can make this a fun and chill summer.

Business administration sophomore Marcia Dao is already looking forward to visiting local ice cream shops to satisfy her sweet tooth and keep it cool.

“I’m planning on trying all of the ice cream out there,” Dao said. “Chinatown’s got Gelato Cup, Rice Village has Walnut Café and there’s an Amy Ice Cream here. There are so many places to choose from.”

Some students need a bit more than ice cream to combat the sweltering heat. Road trips to places like Galveston, Corpus Christi, South Padre and the local apartment pool have become popular for many looking to use the water to survive summer. Within a close proximity to Houston, these locations boast deep waters to help anyone beat the struggle of the heat.

“My family used to go to Corpus Christi all of the time,” said journalism junior Nikki Ndukwe. “It’s a pretty fun and relaxing trip to take during the summer. This summer, I’m looking forward to cooling down in my apartment pool.”

Picnics and free shows are a huge part of many Houstonians’ quest to cool down. Miller Outdoor Theater is another local favorite that helps Houstonians beat the heat while having a good time. The theater provides free summer concerts, musicals and performances for all ages.

“I love going to Miller Outdoor on a summer night,” Ndukwe said. The evening breeze accompanies an almost guaranteed cool show. I’m looking forward to catching up on some good shows over the break.”

There are also fun ways to cool off for a collegiate sports fan. One of Houston’s most popular sporting venues, Minute Maid Park hosts the Astros’ season in a comfortable, air-conditioned space. The summer is right in the midst of the regular season, so grab a few friends and enjoy watching the Astros take on teams from around the country. The first home game after the last day of finals is against the Texas Rangers and takes place at 7:10 p.m. May 9.

“It’s incredibly hot here during the summer, but if you’re going to let the heat get in the way, you’re missing a lot of opportunities to really get to know Houston,” said marketing junior Tiffany Trevino. “Grab some friends and family and get going, summer won’t be here forever.”

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