On a recent Saturday afternoon in Madison, it was hot — very hot. Inside the bar where I watched England play Norway in the World Cup quarter finals, I was sweating more than my drinks, which had already left the table a sopping wet mess before the clock even hit halftime.
I started feeling nauseous and looked down at my phone’s weather app, which glared back an ominous “Feels like 99 degrees.” The room started spinning and I shuffled to the bathroom. I shakily bent over the toilet and, to my relief, didn’t throw up.
I made a few big mistakes that day though; one of which was choosing to go to a bar with broken air conditioning. But another was that I had forgotten about the elixir of life: water. I forgot to drink it, but I also forgot that Madison has plenty of it in the form of five lakes.
I’ve been taking full advantage of them ever since. The last few weeks have been filled with mid-day dips and late night swims. But there are more ways to cool off than just the docks on Lake Mendota. And as a University of Wisconsin-Madison senior spending my fifth summer in Madison, I feel obligated to share with you the city's best options for beating the heat this summer, and even early fall semester — for the sake of journalism, of course.
The Rink
Yes, the ice rink. As UW-Madison students, we are blessed with walking-distance access to the Sub-Zero Ice Center in The Bakke. On a hot day, when you would do anything to escape the heat, gliding around in the cool air of a climate controlled facility can’t be beat. I didn’t discover the beauties of the Bakke’s Sub-Zero rink until recently, but, since then, I’ve regretted not going every summer.
Beaches
As much as I love a good ice rink, summers aren't meant to be spent inside. Most students looking to dive in the isthmus’ lakes will choose one of two spots: the docks at Memorial Union and … actually, that’s pretty much where you’ll find 90% of students on any given summer afternoon. But if you’re brave enough to venture off campus, just east past the Capitol or west past Vilas Zoo, you’ll find beaches — sandy beaches with access to Lake Monona and Lake Wingra. Spots like B.B. Clarke Park near Williamson Street and Vilas Park Beach are some of Madison’s most picturesque spots to cool off, and, best of all, they’re also largely unknown to most students.
Consume Something Cold!
I’ll do you a favor and skip the obvious answers. Yes, The Chocolate Shoppe’s ice cream or an iced coffee near campus will always offer great relief from a heat wave. But let me put you on to The Globe, Madison’s premiere institution for mango lassi. This smoothie-esque drink is a cold Indian specialty that blends sweet mango with yogurt and ice. If lassi’s not your thing, walk a couple blocks down to Los Gemelos for a glass of horchata, a cool Mexican rice-based drink blended with cinnamon, vanilla and sugar.
Just Invest in the AC
This might come as a shock, but about 30% of dorms at UW-Madison are without central air conditioning. And recently, with an underground chilled water line on campus bursting, some buildings are relying on temporary generators to solve the broken AC issue in university spaces. But we’re not in Europe guys, get with the times! At dorms without central AC, you can apply to have your own window units installed by the university or bring a portable unit that can be plugged into the wall. If you’re on a budget, keep your eyes peeled on Facebook Marketplace. Otherwise, head to the Target at Hilldale mall.
BEWARE!
Summer’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though they both occur pretty frequently during the season. So, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid. If you see a stinky green blob floating in the water, that might be a poisonous algae bloom that can kill your dog. Pro tip: you can head to the Public Health Madison & Dane County website to check the water quality of your chosen swimming spot before taking the plunge.
If you’re spending time indoors this summer, you also shouldn’t rely on a fan to cool you down. In some cases, it can actually make things worse. The CDC recommends against using fans because they create a wind-chill effect that gives your body the sensation of being colder without actually reducing your body temperature. This can lull you into a false sense of comfort when you should be seeking a cooler indoor area.
Most importantly, stay hydrated! Beer doesn't count. I learned that the hard way.
