Summer officially began yesterday, but it's felt like it's been here for weeks already. The summer heat has been unbearable and there looks to be no end in sight. Lubbock, and the entire state of Texas, could use rain to help cure this drought and extinguish these scorching temperatures. There are plenty of ways to beat the heat this summer. You could go swimming or you could do some fun things inside and stay out of the blistering sun altogether. Here are our top five places to cool off in Lubbock without having to be outside. Until we get some rain, these will be some great options.

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    South Plains Mall

    Many people choose to beat the heat by staying indoors and doing a little shopping. There's no bigger place in the city to stay inside and do a little shopping than at the South Plains Mall. In fact, The South Plains Mall is the largest single storied mall in the Lonestar state. You can cool off in the AC of the mall while shopping at such stores as Dillard's, JC Penney, American Eagle, Victoria's Secret, Gap or the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop. Cool off this summer in Lubbock at the South Plains Mall and enjoy the finest selection of shopping the Hub City has to offer.

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    Marble Slab Creamery

    The Marble Slab Creamery, located at 82nd & Quaker in the King's Gate North Center, is some of the tastiest ice cream you'll find anywhere. There are hundreds upon hundreds of combinations you can make to help you cool down and make summer not feel so miserably hot. Try sweet cream, chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, blueberry, cheesecake or any other flavor and top them off with anything from gummy bears to oreo bits. Just make sure you get it in a waffle cone so you can enjoy your ice cream on the go. Don't let summer get you down, just get in the car and head to Marble Slab or anywhere they serve your favorite ice cream.

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    Chimy's

    This is the one place on our list of places to cool down that you have to be over 21 to enjoy. Chimy's serves award winning margaritas and houses the most delicious Mexican food in Lubbock. Cool down at Chimy's with just their house margarita or order your margarita by your favorite luxury car. Just a warning though, the fancier the car the stronger the drink. Chimy's is also a great place to meet up with friends, kick back and catch up without having to break a sweat while doing so. Located on Broadway just off University, Chimy's could become you favorite place to cool off in Lubbock.

  • Bahama Buck's

    It's not ice cream, it's a sno cone! Bahama Buck's serves up the coldest treats in town and they do it in grand fashion. You can choose from thousands of different flavor combinations, or you can just go with our classic stand by of Birthday Cake. It's what they used when they created the Guiness Book of Records world's largest sno cone. It was the ultimate way to cool down on a hot summer's day. It weighed over 25,000 lbs and was over 15ft tall. It's not just about giant sno cones though, they also have great smoothies and fruit drinks to bring your core temperature down. Cool off this summer with any sno cone the Hub City has to offer.

  • Cinemark Movies

    Movie theaters seem to always be the coldest place to be on a hot summer day. It can't be confirmed, but the rumor is that movie theaters keep it at a frigid 49°. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but movie goers tend to carry a sweater in with them no matter what time of the year it is. Our movie theaters are always cold in temperature but red hot when it comes to summer blockbusters. This summer is not different. Transformers 3, Captain America, Cowboys & Aliens, Cars 2 and other big movies are set to hit the big screen over the next month's time. There's no bigger movie set to hit a movie theater near you though than part 2 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Get your tickets for the show, grab your sweater and head to the movie theaters this summer for the ultimate way to cool down in Lubbock this summer. Check out the new Harry Potter trailer below.

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