Richmond in the summer = sticky & sweaty.

And as much as we love the idea of going out on the river or hanging out on a restaurant or bar patio, some days it’s just too freakin’ hot for that — even at the end of the summer.

So, we’ve gathered up some of the coolest activities (get it?) to help you beat the heat on the hottest RVA days.

— by the RVAx team

Beat the heat at a barcade or game club

Bingo Beer Co.

12 vintage cabinet video games, to pinball, ping pong, and classic “boardwalk games” — plus house-brewed beers, a full-service bar, and plenty of snacks

Location: 2900 W Broad St (Scott’s Addition)

Hours: Found here

Slingshot Social Game Club

Skee-ball, duckpin bowling, and bocce ball, plus arcade games, a full-service bar, and a beer wall

Location: 3301 W Clay St (Scott’s Addition)

Hours: Found here

Escape into the air conditioning (& educate yourself!) at a local museum

The Poe Museum

A museum in Shockoe Bottom dedicated to American writer Edgar Allen Poe, in commemoration of his time living in Richmond

Location: 1914 E Main St (Shockoe Bottom)

Hours: Found here

The Valentine

Founded by Mann S. Valentine II 1898, The Valentine was actually the first museum in Richmond — and has since been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond's 400-year history

Location: 1015 E Clay St (The Fan)

Hours: Found here

Virginia Holocaust Museum

A public history museum that aims to educate about the Holocaust, to memorialize and document the atrocities with exhibits, programming, and outreach

Location: 2000 E Cary St (Shockoe Bottom)

Hours: Found here

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

This art museum opened in 1936 with the purpose of collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting art, as well as encouraging the study of the arts, in an effort to enrich the lives of all

Location: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)

Hours: Found here

Virginia Museum of History & Culture

More than 16,000 years of history all in one place, from fossils to 21st century documents and artifacts and beyond

Location: 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)

Hours: Found here

Get crafty with an indoor DIY project

… But maybe let the professionals guide you, so you end up with something you’re actually excited to have in your home.

AR Workshop Richmond

You can join a workshop, book a private event for your group on-site, or get a DIY-to-go kit to complete projects ranging from cornhole boards to wooden bead bracelets to bathtub trays and beyond.

Location: 9200 Stony Point Pkwy, Ste 192A (Bon Air)

Event dates/times: Found here

PlantHouse

If you’re looking to add more greenery to your scenery, PlantHouse (has a new location in Scott’s Addition and!) offers all kinds of workshops and reservations, too.

Location: 3356 W Moore St (Scott’s Addition)

Event dates/times: Found here

Get your golf on, but keep it climate-controlled

Hotel Greene

A “high-falutin’” miniature golf course, set inside a 1930s-inspired hotel, complete with an upscale lobby bar serving cocktails (which you can bring on the course with you) and small plates

Location: 508 E Franklin St (City Center)

Hours: Found here

Indoor Golf

A 24/7 golf club featuring industry-leading simulators and room to spread out all your BYOB-and-F(ood)

Location: 3920 W Broad St Suite 101 (Scott’s Addition)

Hours: Open 24/7 for members

Topgolf

Reserve one of the 70+ climate-controlled bays, with HD TVs in every bay and a full-service restaurant and bar on-site (pro tip: all game play is half-price on Tuesdays)

Location: 2308 Westwood Ave (near West End)

Hours: Found here