Friday Finds - Beat the Heat!

So Tampa girls and fellow Floridians, are you sick of the sweltering summer heat yet?

We know we are! So in  honor of (or maybe it's in spite of) the heat, we have put together some ideas on how to stay cool this summer! Enjoy!

Museums:

There's nothing like wandering around an air conditioned museum and letting your mind soak up some incredible art and history.

The beautiful new Tampa Museum of Art has some great things happening this summer in addition to their fantastic exhibits. We think these little events look like a blast...

Inspire Yoga, on Saturday mornings with vinyasa style certified instructor Laura Tillinghast from Yoga Etc. If yoga classes taught in the museum exhibition space isn't chi-chi zen, then we don't know what is.Classes run through the end of August and are $8 for museum members and $12 for non-members.

The museum also offers art classes for every age group from pre-school to adult and everything in between. Summer sessions for adults have already begun, but classes for children, tweens, and teens are ongoing throughout the summer. Check out their class options here.

While your child is learning how to become the next Monet or Degas, you and the hubby can dine at TMA's newly opened, Sono Cafe. It overlooks the Hillsborough River and is operated by the culinary geniuses from Mise en Place. Mise en Place is one of Monica's favorite restaurants in Tampa!

Want to know a little bit more about the great city we call home? Check out The Tampa Bay History Center. 

This newish museum is conveniently located in Tampa's Channelside district and they have a ton of special events, lectures and classes going on all summer long. They also have a great little cafe, Columbia Cafe which is an off shoot of the historic Columbia restaurant, and serves great sandwiches and salads and overlooks the water.

Fitness:

The heat and humidity has made it virtually unbearable to exercise outside! Not only that, but the summer has left both of us with a terrible case of the  BLAHS!!  We think we have the solution though...indoor rock climbing! 

 
We've never had the pleasure of experiencing this indoor gym but we're super excited to check it out! Vertical Ventures has a slew of classes and opportunities for just about everyone on just about every day of the week. Don't know the first thing about indoor rock climbing? Don't worry, they'll teach you everything you need to know on your first visit! We think this is a great way to get your workout in, have some fun, AND stay relatively cool. Grab a group of girlfriends and head out to their Ladies Night on Wednesday night where women enjoy 50% off. 

If your still aching for some sun and sand....Hit the beach! Monica's favorite is Siesta Beach in Sarasota Florida. Just rated by Dr Beach as #2 on his top 10 Beaches of 2010. Sandy white beaches that stretch for as far as the eye can see and the beautiful water is perfect for boating, snorkeling and scuba diving...what more could a water loving Floridian ask for?? 

No matter what you decide to do, don't forget to stay hydrated....and most importantly...to have fun!