From the Conservation Nature Center to a wide range of museums to sports tournaments, there’s plenty going on inside to keep you engaged without having to brave the Missouri heat and humidity.

It’s been known to get pretty hot around here. The National Weather Service places Cape’s highest temperature at 107 degrees Fahrenheit on June 29, 2012. Summers don’t usually get quite that hot, but chances are there’ll be a few days in triple digits.

But you don’t have to lock yourself away during those days. There are plenty of places to avoid the heat and still have fun. This blog focuses on attractions that have extended summer hours or extra activities going on this time of year.

Our museums come alive in the summer, offering everything from history to art. The Crisp Museum at Southeast’s River Campus contains both a fine art gallery and a history gallery, allowing you to get in touch with your creative side and with the past. And since Cape is overflowing with history, there’s too much for one museum. Heritage Hall, the Red House Interpretive Center and the River Heritage Museum also showcase regional and national history ranging from Lewis and Clark to Missouri courthouses.

It would be remiss to not invite you to tour the Glenn House on your trip through Cape’s past. This living museum, open only May through October, stands as a time capsule of the Victorian era – furnishings and all. It’s a can’t-miss tour for anyone interested in history.

If you prefer communing with nature over exploring the past, the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center provides an air-conditioned adventure. Get close to local animals at an aquarium or the wildlife viewing area, and explore their habitats with an interactive exhibit. Or browse a collection of Native American artifacts. When the heat is bearable, the Conservation Center has some fabulous rugged trails to explore, and plenty of fish are waiting in the nearby pond.

If you’re craving more fast-paced action, Cape’s the place to watch sports. In the month of July, a long list of tournaments are coming to town, including the Rib City Volleyball Shootout, Cal Ripken Machine Pitch Tournaments and Mid America Youth Basketball Tournament. It’s your chance to watch young players in action before they become all-stars. Plus, several of these tournaments take place in the air-conditioned SportsPlex, where you’re sheltered from the sweltering heat. View a complete schedule of local tournaments.

This is just scratching the surface of indoor fun in Cape Girardeau. Find more places to beat the heat.