7 Ways You Can Beat the Heat in The Villages, Florida
As the temperatures rise in The Villages, FL, residents have a variety of strategies to beat the heat. No matter what you do, staying hydrated is key, so carrying a water bottle at all times is essential. Seeking out air-conditioned spaces like the recreation centers can provide a cool retreat from the heat. Residents also enjoy taking early morning or late evening walks to avoid the hottest part of the day. Wearing light-colored and breathable clothing, as well as using sunscreen, are crucial for staying comfortable and safe in the Florida heat. Whether it is taking a refreshing dip in one of the many community pools or seeking shade under the sprawling oak trees in the town squares, offer relief you can continue enjoying all the activities and amenities this vibrant community has to offer even in the midst of summer heatwaves.
Ways You Can Beat the Heat:
Visit one of over 100+ pools in The Villages!
There are at least 120 pools in The Villages and the number keeps growing as expansion continues. In just the past month, 2 new pools have opened at Saluki Rec Center and Shady Brook neighborhood pool. There are 4 different types of pools in The Villages. First, there are family pools where all ages are invited to swim. Family pools are usually found at the larger recreation centers conveniently located to multiple villages. You must have a resident or guest ID to use the pool. The second type of pool is the sports pool. These pools are for residents only that are 30+ and usually have quite a few scheduled activities such as water volleyball and water aerobics. There are open swim times, but check the weekly recreation schedule to see a full list. You cannot use a sports pool if you have a Guest ID, no matter what age you are. The third type of pool is the adult pools. These are smaller pools located in neighborhoods. The adult pools are for ages 30+ and you need a resident or guest ID. These pools are meant for relaxing and the only equipment allowed is pool noodles. The fourth type of pool is the Country Club pools. These pools are located near championship golf courses and require a separate membership fee.
Join the Fit Club!
Taking an early morning or evening walk is nice, but sometimes the Florida weather does not cooperate, and we find ourselves with days of thunderstorms. The Villages has Fit Clubs at certain recreation centers that you can join for a small fee and exercise in the air conditioning. There is cardio equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals and recumbent bikes, as well as free weights and weight machines. Keep an eye out for specials, such as the summer special of 3 months for $100. You can join any time before August 31st and your 3 months starts from the day you join. The best deal is a yearly membership if you are positive you will use it consistently.
Play games at one of the recreation centers.
Many of the recreation centers have indoor activities to pass the time such as indoor shuffleboard, billiards tables, ping pong, darts and even video games! You can still be active and have some friendly competition out of the heat. Our Top 3 Favorites:
Franklin Recreation Center near The Villages of Newell and Lake Denham has 80’s video games such as Pac Man and Donkey Kong as well as PlayStation games and a big screen TV.
First Responders is in the northernmost part of The Villages near the Village of Chatham. It also has a lot of activities and games inside out of the heat such as table tennis and a Pop-A-Shot basketball game.
The newly opened Saluki Recreation Center near Eastport is the first rec center with a pinball machine!
Take a class!
There is always an opportunity to learn something new in The Villages. You can participate in any of the included activities at the rec centers, such as line dancing or painting. Or, you could try something new like a cooking demonstration at the Show Kitchen, a paint and sip class at Nancy Lopez, or take a class through the Enrichment Academy. I found a cookie decorating class that met at a coffee shop that was a fun inside activity and I also learned a new skill while meeting new friends!
Cool off at the movies.
The Villages only has one movie theatre operational right now. It is the Old Mill Playhouse located in Lake Sumter Landing. Epic Theaters recently bought it out, so check out their website and sign up for their loyalty program.
Take in a show or concert at the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center or the Savannah Center.
The Villages is well-known for selling out shows and gets some of the top shows and tribute bands come through all year round. There is also a black box theatre at Tierra del Sol called Studio Theatre that features local talent.
