Summers in the United States are getting hotter.

Sightseeing on family vacations, where to stay cool when it’s too hot to be outdoors, temperatures 100 degrees and up?

Go to the public library.

Public library will have a children’s room with books, play areas, but also air conditioning, restrooms, power outlets, and much more.

Public libraries are free, for everyone of all ages, is a place to take a break and relax.

At public libraries you’ll find:

Family story time
Coloring and painting activities
Toddler play areas
Play kitchens and boats
Book sections in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese,
Jigsaw puzzles
Aquariums with colorful fish
Teen centers
Cafes for snacks or lunch
Magic and wildlife shows
Craft and cooking activities
Comfy chairs for grandparents to sit down and read with little ones.

Libraries have story time for younger kids – sharing books, singing songs and moving around. Check the library calendar to see what’s available.

Tip: Libraries below are open daily, but check library website for hours library is open.

Here’s just a few of our favorite public libraries:
 

Central Library | Boston Public Library – Boston

The Boston Public Library was established as a free library in 1848, and was first public library to have a children’s room.

On the facade of Central Library are the words “Free to All.”

Make a beeline for Children’s Library (photos above).

Along with a super collection of books for kids, there’s also an area for little ones with coloring, puzzles, short tables and chairs. Every Friday is Story Time.

On bad weather days (winter cold or too hot days) in Boston, this room is an island of color and imagination.

Cafe on first floor has bagels, sandwiches, soups, sweet treats such as Boston cream cupcake, hot and cold drinks.

Central Library | Boston Public Library
Open daily
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

Driftwood Public Library – Lincoln City Oregon

This community library has a large children’s area, with books in English and Spanish, toddler puzzles, boxes of blocks, wooden trains, tables and chairs.

Story Time is Tuesday and Thursdays, Family nights are fun activities such as make a wind chime or cook berry smoothies.

Near the elevator is an aquarium where we saw two pink axolotls, which are like salamanders, native to Mexico and live entirely underwater. Fun to watch them swimming around, and feedings on weekends.

Driftwood Public Library – Lincoln City
Open daily
Library is on the second floor
801 SW Hwy 101 #201
Lincoln City, OR 97367

Children’s Center (SNFL) | New York Public Library – New York City

Step into Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), first thing you’ll see are two cheery stuffed animal lions – Patience and Fortitude. They’re “relatives” of two famous marble lion statues in front the New York Public Library across the street.

Head down to the Children’s Center on the lower level.

Here you’ll find a large selection of books, kid-size tables and chairs, bins with picture books and puzzles for little ones. Also large Lego versions of Patience and Fortitude lions, a tall giraffe, and big red Clifford stuffed animal.

Monday is Baby and Me Storytime, Family Storytime on Saturday. Check the calendar for craft activities, such as make felt animals, paper sculptures, pop-up books, or learn juggling.

Tip: Children’s Center SNFL is one block from Bryant Park, with lots of fun outdoor lunch options.

Children’s Center (SNFL) | New York Public Library
Open daily
455 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016

Central Library | Seattle Public Library

Exploring a glass, floor-to-ceiling ten story building is part of the experience for visiting the Central Library.

Inside, the Living Room has plants growing and carpet like a living pond (photo above). Ride on a chartreuse green escalator, step up red stairs, where the walls, ceiling and floor are also bright red.

Plan your visit map.

Children’s Center is on the first floor. There’s a play zone for little ones, Story Times with songs, rhymes, stories for kids of all ages, available in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Central Library | Seattle Public Library
Open daily
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104

Central Library | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – Washington DC

MLK Central Library is conveniently located in downtown, across the street from the National Portrait Gallery, easily accessible with the Metro.

Children’s Library on the second floor has bins of picture books, tables and chairs, Toddler story time and Baby lap time during the week, Family story time on weekends.

Also on weekends there might be special performances, check the schedule.

Insider secrets, hallway next to the Children’s Library, kids can slide down a wooden slide to the first floor.

A cafe is located on the first floor. Menu has bagels, muffins, fruit, sandwiches, salads, soft serve ice cream, coffee, tea and cold drinks. After purchasing food and drinks, take the elevator up to the outdoor rooftop with tables and chairs.

Central Library | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Open daily
901 G St. NW
Washington, DC

Chicago Public Library | Obama Presidential Center Branch – Chicago

President Obama loves books, and in the new Obama Presidential Center is a branch of the Chicago Public Library.

Juneteeth, day after the dedication of Obama Presidential Center, Michelle and Barack Obama showed up at the branch library. They came to read a story, Where the Wild Things Are, to a group of local Chicago elementary school kids.

Watch this video of the Obamas reading another children’s book – The Word Collector – about the amazing power of words: Storytime with the Obamas

The Children’s Area has lots of picture books and room to spread out on a big long couch and read. Look up to see the spectacular mural Reading Circles/Weaving Dreams/Seeding Futures, celebrating community with people of all ages reading, learning, exchanging across generations.

For older kids, check out the President’s Reading Room with favorite books chosen by Barack and Michelle Obama. Two big blue chairs invite you take a book off the shelf and read.

Chicago Public Library | Obama Presidential Center Branch
Open daily
6021 S. Stony Island Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

Main Library Traverse City – Traverse City, Michigan

Main Library – Traverse City has a light airy children’s room on the first floor with tables and chairs, comfy reading chairs. In the large play area take the helm of a wooden boat, or cook in a toy kitchen. Outside the library are picnic tables.

During week, morning it’s Story Time, little ones can jump, dance, wiggle and giggle, in the afternoon are crafts projects (e.g. dinosaurs, bird puppets). Weekends in the afternoon, it’s Story Time with Miss Kate and Marshmallow, a toy baby sloth) – songs, stories, and movement.

Also in summer, family friendly games and activities outdoors and in the Children’s Garden nearby.

Check the Events calendar.

Main Library | Traverse City
Open daily
610 Woodmere Ave.
Traverse City, MI 49686

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