Tips to beat the heat

It's only morning and it's hot already. And getting hotter by the minute.

But that doesn't mean you have to stay home or stay still to keep from melting. There are plenty of places on the Eastside where you can enjoy what's predicted to be the hottest day of summer so far and still keep your cool.

Some you've probably thought of already: Air-conditioned malls and theaters are always a cool bet and beaches can offer some respite, at least while you're in the water.

But we went looking for other, less obvious options that provide a bit of fun along with comfortable temps.

So from us to you, here are some hot tips for keeping cool on the Eastside.

On Ice

Renton's Castle Ice Arena offers a chance to chill seven days a week at 12620 164th Ave. S.E. Weekday public sessions, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., are $4 to $7, with "Cheap Skates" on Tuesday evenings. Skate rental is $ 2.75. (www.castleice.com) The Kingsgate Ice Arena, home of the Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association Junior Thunderbirds, also has public skate sessions at 14326 124th Ave. N.E., Kirkland. Call 425-823-1242.

Under the falls

Take in the mist at Snoqualmie Falls. Pack a lunch, picnic there and hang out under the shelter to savor the view. Then head next door to the Attic Bistro at Salish Lodge for a cold, blended drink. Or cool down with a green-tea facial. From I-90, take exit 25, then a left onto Snoqualmie Parkway and another left to Railroad Avenue Southeast. The falls are about a mile down the road.

Shady places

Natural air conditioning from a canopy of tall, old trees keeps Bridle Trails State Park cool(er) all day. The 482-acre park straddles the border between Kirkland and Bellevue, at Northeast 53rd Street and 116th Avenue Northeast. Or try what might be the Eastside's coolest micro-beach, Meydenbauer Beach Park. Tucked in a ravine and shaded by a bridge, it's close to downtown but feels like a secret hideaway. There's a lifeguarded swimming area, restrooms, a play structure and a small grassy area for sunbathing. The park is at 419 98th Ave. N.E. in Bellevue.

BAM and Sorbet

The Bellevue Arts Museum (510 Bellevue Way) has a hot new exhibit featuring Raymond Loewy, often called the father of modern industrial design. While basking in the air conditioning, you can get a close-up look at such vintage treasures as a 1947 deluxe Coca-Cola fountain dispenser and 1935 Sears Coldspot refrigerator. Or imagine driving in a Loewy-designed 1954 red Studebaker. (Admission $5-$7; first floor free) Then head across the street to Bellevue Square for a sorbet or one of 50 flavors of ice cream at Mora's Iced Creamery on the second floor.

Community oasis

The South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 S.E. Newport Way, served as a cozy shelter after the December windstorm and now provides an air-conditioned oasis for the public during the summer. Work out in the two full-size gyms or 2,500-square-foot fitness center, or just hang out in the spacious lobby. If you're feeling adventurous, tackle "The Crag," a 33-foot indoor climbing wall. Other community centers are also welcoming cool-seekers this week, including Issaquah's Community Hall at Fire Station 71, 190 East Sunset Way.

City Hall treasures

An art tour at Redmond City Hall? Surprisingly, the cool new building has artistic treasure scattered over several floors, including photographs by city senior engineer Dennis Apland, paintings and sculpture from the city's permanent collection and a fourth-floor exhibit of paintings and photographs by three young artists from the Old Fire House Teen Center. Then step right outside to the Sammamish River Trail and take in nature's art on the river. (City Hall is located at 15670 N.E. 85th St.)

No convertible?

If you want to feel the wind on your face but don't want to buy a convertible, rent a scooter in downtown Kirkland and find your own secluded spot to picnic in the shade. Scoot About, at the Marina Park in Kirkland, will set you up for $30 for the first hour, $20 for subsequent hours, or $75 for the day. Once you have your wheels, head to shady O.O. Denny Park and take a dip in Lake Washington or have a picnic on the lawn and enjoy the breeze. The park is at 12032 Holmes Point Drive N.E.

For teens only

If you're 13 to19 and looking for a place to while away a hot summer afternoon, try the Old Fire House Teen Center in Redmond (16510 N.E. 79th St.). The cement structure stays fairly cool while you play pool, check out the media lab or join the occasional water-balloon fight. Open from 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

For adults only

Take a tour or a tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville. The well-stocked gift shop offers plenty of cheese, chocolate and other snacks for picnicking under the trees around the sprawling winery. A garden and historical tour of the estate are also available daily at 10:45 a.m. for $25. The winery is at 14111 N.E. 145th St. Want more? Walk across the street to check out neighboring Columbia Winery.

More than books

The Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E., offers 80,000 air-conditioned square feet in the heart of downtown Bellevue, with more than 325,000 volumes, as well as Internet terminals, magazines and plenty of places to sit and cool off. At 1 p.m. today you can check out a genealogy class from the Eastside Genealogical Society. Or check out activities at your own local library at www.kcls.org

Sip and gab

The Clyde Hill Tully's, 8805 Points Drive N.E., has served for years as the de facto gathering spot for the Points cities. Grab a drink off the summer menu — maybe a banana shake? — and chill out.

Historic spot

Thick walls make the historic Winters House, 2102 Bellevue Way S.E., cool and comfortable while you check out a bit of local history and neat old photographs of another era. Then step outside and enjoy the mostly shaded Mercer Slough boardwalk trails that wind through the slough.

Bowling balls

Want to work up a sweat and still stay cool? Local bowling alleys may be just the ticket, with several to choose from, including Sun Villa Lanes at Eastgate (3080 148th Ave. S.E., Bellevue), Tech City Bowl (13033 N.E. 70th Place, Kirkland) and Kenmore Lanes (7638 N.E. Bothell Way, Kenmore).

Pooling it

Renton's Henry Moses Aquatic Center, 1719 Maple Valley Highway, is a sprawling outdoor water park with 26-foot-tall water slides and two swimming pools. The lap pool has six lanes. The 9,000-square-foot leisure pool includes a wave machine, water-spray play area, island lagoon and a toddler area. There are sun and shade areas, a bathhouse, lockers and a snack bar. Sessions run from noon to 3:30 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m. daily, with an 8 to 10 p.m. twilight session Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (425-430-6780 or www.rentonwa.gov/living)

You also can jump in the water at Si View Community Center and Pool in North Bend, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive. Check the aquatics schedule at www.siviewpark.org

For kids (mostly)

Toddlers to 10-year-olds will love KidsQuest Children's Museum, 4091 Factoria Blvd. S.E., inside Bellevue's Factoria Mall. Lots of interactive exhibits to keep the most active youngsters busy for hours. $7 admission, free on Fridays from 5-8 p.m. 425-637-8100

Ashley Bach, Taya Flores, Sherry Grindeland, Sonia Krishnan, Amy Roe and Rachel Tuinstra contributed to this report.

Information in this story, originally published on July 11, 2007, was corrected on July 17, 2007. The name of Kirkland's Marina Park was misstated in a story about tips to beat the heat.