Photo via the Aquarium of the Pacific Facebook page

Audrey and Ice cream 2 by George Thomas via Flickr/CC

Assorted Icebergs by Drew Avery via Flickr/CC

Yes we’re Angelenos, and yes that means that as a group we generally tend to shrink from the cold. Yet this week’s hotter-than-hot weather has been a sweaty gentle reminder that even for us lovers of warmth, there can be too much of a good thing. Until we learn how to communicate this to our over-enthusiastic sun, or invent the universe’s largest dimmer switch,* our only recourse is to seek shelter in air-conditioned places. That’s why this weekend’s post is dedicated, as always, to having fun while leaving the car at home–but also, to staying cool.

*Designs or theories of how this would work highly encouraged in the comments.

1. Go to a museum. Forget soaking up the sun; how about soaking up a little culture?
   • The Armory Center for the Arts is having its annual Monster Drawing Rally this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. For $10, watch 100 artists create works for a live, captive audience. There will be a raffle of the works to benefit the museum, and drinks on tap all day for extra chill factor. (Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park Station.)
   • In addition to a permanent collection that never gets old, The Page Museum also offers an Ice Age Encounters stage show for weekend visitors, as well as daily screenings of Titans of the Ice Age 3D. 11,500 years of ice? I’m getting colder just thinking about it… (Metro Rapid 720 to Wilshire/Fairfax or Bus 20 to Wilshire/Curson.)
   • Three weekends remain to catch LACMA’s lauded exhibit on the “junk dada” sculpture of Noah Purifoy. Purifoy spent the last 15 years of his life filling 20 acres with large-scale constructions in the Mojave desert, examples of which you can now enjoy in sweet air conditioning. (Metro Rapid 720 to Wilshire/Fairfax or Bus 20 to Wilshire/Curson.)
2. Visit the marine life at the Long Beach Aquarium. Save $2 off adult admission, $1 off children’s admission, when you show your valid TAP card at the ticket window. (Metro Blue Line to Downtown Long Beach Station, then walk 10 minutes or take the free Passport Shuttle to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Please note that bus shuttles will replace trains between Del Amo and Artesia stations this Friday night through Sunday.)
3. Take a dip in one of L.A.’s Best Public Pools. The folks at Time Out L.A. have compiled a handy list of the nicest public pools in the city. The LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium was built for and used during the 1932 Summer Olympics, and is steps from the Metro Expo Line Expo/Vermont Station. There’s also the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, reachable via Santa Monica Big Blue Bus 4 or 9 (Marguerita Ave/4th Street) or the Glassell Park Pool, just a block from the Metro Bus 28 stop at Eagle Rock Boulevard/Avenue 36.
4. Enjoy sushi or a salad. The greatness of sushi–tasty, filling, healthy and served cool–is even more apparent on hot days like these. Visit Kabuki in Old Pasadena and receive %15 off your bill just for going Metro. Off the Gold Line in Little Tokyo, save %10 on food at Far Bar, or chose from a host of other sushi restaurants in Little Tokyo. Not a seafood person? If you’re in downtown L.A. this weekend, stop at Tossed near Metro Red/Purple Line 7th Street/Metro Center Station and show your TAP card for a free drink with purchase of a salad or other entree.
5. Go to the movies. Many of L.A.’s theatres are easily reached via Metro Bus or Rail. And you don’t have to worry about forgetting to ask for parking validation!
6. Take refuge in the mall. We’ve got your guide to transit-accessible shopping here.
7. Finally, don’t forget ice cream. Lots of it. The following vendors are Metro-adjacent and want to reward you for your dedication to mass transit–and ice cream.
   • Peddler’s Creamery – buy one scoop, get the second free. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Pershing Square Station.)
   • Sweet Town – save 10%. (Metro Gold Line to Chinatown Station.)
   • Yogurtland – subtract 3 ounces from your bill. (Multiple locations.)
   • Boba 7 – upgrade to a large beverage for free. (Metro Red/Purple Line to 7th Street/Metro Center Station.)

Ok, for you tough guys and gals who refuse to let a little heat stroke stop you, there are some cool outdoor events happening this weekend as well. (Good luck, and don’t forget the sunscreen.)

1. Metrolink Petting Zoo. Pet goaties, piggies, sheepies and more and get excited about Metrolink service to the LA County Fair. This Saturday from 8-10 a.m. in Union Station.
2. Take a tour of Union Station with Metro Art Moves, also this Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
3. The Psychedelic Furs and B-52s play the Hollywood Bowl each night this weekend. (Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland Station, then walk north on Highland Avenue or catch the free shuttle to the bowl.)
4. Attend Long Beach ComiCon or the Long Beach Lobster Fest — or both — this Saturday or Sunday. (Metro Blue Line to Downtown Long Beach Station.)
5. Celebrate Mexican Independence Day this Saturday or Sunday at Olvera Street’s Fiestas Patrias. (Metro Gold, Red/Purple or Silver Line to Union Station.)
6. The East L.A. Art Walk returns this Sunday. (Metro Gold Line to Indiana Station.)

Whatever the temperature of your final destination, some helpful links for getting there:

• Metro trip planner
• Google Maps transit directions
• All Metro bus and rail maps and timetables
• Metro system map
• Metro Rail and transitway interactive map
• Fares and TAP card info
• How to Ride
• Nextrip real-time bus and train arrival information