Beat the dreaded Southern summer heat with these cool Capital Region activities

Splish & splash

BREC has user-operated splash pads at five park locations: City-Brooks, Forest, Greenwood, Highland, Jackson and Zachary Community Parks. The splash pads are activated by the push of a button from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily April until October. brec.org

Take a dive

City-Brooks, Howell and Anna T. Gordon community parks offer public pools for daytime swimming. If you’re looking for lap swimming, check out the outdoor pool at the C.B. Pennington Jr. YMCA. brec.org; ymcabr.org

Slip ’n’ slide

With two water parks in Baton Rouge and another just 30 minutes away in Denham Springs, slipping and sliding doesn’t get easier. Visit Blue Bayou, BREC’s Liberty Lagoon or Cajun Lagoon in Denham for a full day of waterworks. bluebayou.com; brec.org; cajunlagoon.com

Tiki tubing

Looking for a leisurely yet adventurous way to beat the heat? Kick back in an inner tube and float down the Amite River at Tiki Tubing in Denham Springs. tikitubing.com

Go paddlin’

Canoe or kayak your way through Louisiana’s waterways, and make it as simple or adventurous as you want: Spend a couple hours on the LSU Lakes or paddle through the winding Tickfaw River at Tickfaw State Park. Take a look at this map for more locations.

Want to skip the boat and try paddle boarding? Here are five tips from Walker Higgins, owner of Muddy Water Paddle Company:

1. Stand shoulder-width apart with feet on each side of the center-grip carry-handle.

2. Grip one hand over the handle of the paddle, with the other hand about halfway between the handle and blade.

3. Reach the paddle toward the front of the board, placing the blade head all the way in the water. Keeping elbows semi locked, pull the blade toward the heels of your feet.

4. Switch sides to track a straight line in the water. Remember when switching sides you must switch hand positions on the paddle.

5. This is a water sport—eventually everyone falls in. Have fun with it and challenge yourself.

Throw back a cold one

Take a tour at Tin Roof Brewery or the newer Southern Craft Brewery for a fun indoor experience and some samples of freshly brewed beer. tinroofbeer.com; socraftbeer.com

Eat a snoball

This one’s as simple as it sounds. Treat yourself at one of Baton Rouge’s many snoball stands, such as SnoMan Snoballs, Zydeco Sneaux, Country Corner Snoballs or Cool Tiger Ice Sno-cone.

Raise the roof

Or swim on it. Head to the rooftop pool at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel to laze away a hot day in high fashion. lbatonrouge.com

A pop of flavor

Taste-test a gourmet popsicle from Rock ’n’ Pops, the newest dessertery in Perkins Rowe—and don’t skip the Ambrosia Bakery-inspired flavors. facebook.com/rock-n-pops

Indulge again

Take a dessert break at the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store. Made with milk from cows that live less than two hours away at the AgCenter’s Southeast Research Station in Franklinton, the Dairy Store’s housemade treats don’t disappoint. facebook.com/LSU-dairy-store

Stay shady

If waterworks aren’t for you, but you’re still in need of some outdoor fun, try exploring the trails at BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. The park features more than a mile of tree-shaded gravel trails and boardwalks for a cool hike. brec.org/swamp