#6. Durham, NC
Not only is Durham, NC a fantastic place to call home, it’s also an excellent city to beat the heat in. Grab a Mexican popsicle at Locopops, where you can try funky flavors like Fluffernutter and Watermelon Ginger Limeade, or head to the Durham Hotel for a cool caffeine fix in the form of a crushed ice coffee soda.
The Eno River State Park features a more natural way to beat the heat via the local swimming hole, Turtle Hole. If the river is high enough, you can also try your hand at kayaking or canoeing.