Keep Cool During the Dog Days Of Summer in the Miami Valley

July 31, 2019

This summer, it really is hard to get away from the oppressive heat. Just last week, Miami County was sweltering from some of the hottest weather in more than a decade. Air temps of 102 degrees, and “Feels Like” temps of 108 degrees.

Temporary “cool shelters” were being announced, and even some events were negatively affected by the weather. So, where can people in Miami County beat the heat?

Troy Aquatic Park
460 W STAUNTON RD, TROY, OH 45373

Daily Pass
Age 60 + $4.00
Age 6-59 $6.00
Age 3-5 $3.00

This is the perfect place for families of all ages to enjoy the hot summer months. Kids can enjoy two water slides, a drop slide, and interactive water equipment. The younger ones can enjoy a dip in the heated baby pool. In the meantime, there are also grassy areas for sunbathers as well as shady areas equipped with lounge chairs perfect for parents to relax. After all the fun, you can grab a variety of snacks at the Boogie Board Cafe such as pretzels, pizza slices, ice cream, and more.

Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center
225 PARKWOOD DR, TIPP CITY, OH 45371

Daily Pass
Seniors (65+) $5
Adult (18+) $7
Child $5

Another great place to beat the heat is the Tippecanoe Family Aquatic Center. It is equipped with two heated pools, a traditional lap pool and a zero-depth entry pool equipped with water slides and a 300-gallon dump bucket. It is the perfect place for kids to play and keep cool. Also, there are water park spray grounds, perfect for younger children. The facility boasts greenery and shade provided by mature trees protected in the building process. While all the summer fun is happening, be sure to grab a bite at the concession stand.

Piqua Community Swimming Pool
1421 SOUTH STREET, PIQUA, OH 45356
Daily Pass
Adults (18+) $4.00 $2.50 after 5 pm
Student (1st – 12th grade) $3.50 $2.50 after 5 pm
Preschoolers (3-5 years old) $1.50
Daycares/Organizations of 15 or more $2.50

Looking for a place to bring the entire family to cool off? We highly recommend the Piqua Community Swimming Pool located in the Pitsenbarger Sports Complex. Your kids can enjoy the 150′ waterslide, while your little ones kick around in the baby pool. For tribes that get hungry after all that swimming, no fear the fun can go on with the in-house concessions provided.

Barefoot Canoe
235 E TIPP PIKE, WEST MILTON, OH 45383
210 PARKWOOD DRIVE, TIPP CITY, OH 45371
$30 for 2 people in a canoe
$35 tandem kayak
$20 single kayak

A fun, active opportunity for the family is a canoe or kayak ride down the Great Miami. Barefoot offers both canoe and kayak rentals as well as offering a shuttle service to bring you back to your vehicle. It typically takes an hour and a half to two hours, but you can stay out for as long as you like until 7 pm. Pro Tip: Remember they accept cash only.

Adventures of the Great Miami River
1995 ROSS RD, TIPP CITY, OH 45371
Canoe: $25 per person
Kayak: $25 per person
Double Kayak: $25 per person
Rafts: $25 per person (minimum of 3 people) 3-mile trip only
SUP board: $25 per person
Tubes: $15 per person, the 3-mile trip only *MUST WEAR SHOES*
Personal boat shuttle: $15 per kayak, $20 per tandem (canoe or double kayak)
Paddle in the Park- $10 per person/hour. Paddle in the park is where you are not transported upstream but rather just float around and explore our scenic livery areas.
*Children 10 and under are eligible for 50% off AFTER the minimum is met.*
Minimum for canoe-$50, kayak-$25, raft-$75, SUP board-$25, double kayak- $50

Want even more activity on the Great Miami River? Then you are in luck! Adventures of the Great Miami River has a 32-acre riverfront property in Tipp City. They offer a variety of trip lengths from 3-5 miles long as well as canoe, kayak, rafts, tubes, and SUP Boards rentals.

Miami Valley Centre Mall
987 E ASH ST. PIQUA, OH 45356
For those non-swimmers or people just trying to beat that heat, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Miami Valley Centre Mall in Piqua. This must be one of the most popular venues around with anchor store shopping at the likes of J.C. Penney and Dunham’s Sports as well as small boutiques to meet anyone’s fancy.
Hungry and Hot? The mall is where it’s at with its many full menus and small bite eateries.
Miami County’s newest movie theater (Cinemark) is also located at Miami Valley Centre Mall. Expect comfortable air-conditioned goodness should you choose to head to there between the hours of 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.