Beat The Heat With Summer Fun At Lawton’s Aquatic Center

The summer heat has arrived in Lawton! I'm already planning many days in my pool for anticipated much needed cool downs. And if you don't have access to a pool at home, there are several great places in Lawton to cool down, and most of them are free!

Whether you're seeking to cool off by the pool or inside, there are various places in Lawton to get a break from the heat. And there are fun cooling off options for the whole family. Plus, if you're wanting to get the kids out of the house, whether that's by spending time outside or taking part in educational activities, you can find those options in Lawton while keeping cool.

Here are the best ways to cool off in Lawton this summer.

Summer can get really hot in Oklahoma, and luckily in Lawton, there are several indoor and outdoor ways to cool off in Lawton.

Make a splash at Lawton's aquatic facilities.

A fun way to cool off from the summer heat is by swimming! The City of Lawton officially opened its aquatic facilities on Memorial Day. The city has several splash pads and wading pools citizens can access for free. The new Aquatic Center is also available to citizens for hot summer days, and daily admission is charged for adults and children.

Click here for more details about Lawton's aquatic facilities, including schedule and admission costs for the Aquatic Center.

Enjoy free family activities at the Lawton Public Library.

The Lawton Public Library not only provides air conditioning to cool off from the summer heat, but also offers several free activities for adults and children. The Lawton Public Library not only hosts its Summer Reading Challenge during the summer, but also multiple free activities for the whole family.

Walk, shop, and eat at Central Plaza.

If you need to get your steps in but it's too hot outside, you can walk, shop, and eat around Central Plaza for free! The mall may not be like what it used to be, but it's still open and available to Lawton citizens. It's easily accessible and it's a big enough space to get your steps in free air conditioning. Plus you can get some shopping done and grab a bite to eat all in one place.

READ MORE: How Kids In Lawton Can Enjoy A Free Meal This Summer

Take the kids to play at Curiosity Avenue.

Spending all summer at home can be boring for kids, especially the littles! Curiosity Avenue is the perfect place to take the little kids to for endless fun indoors. Kids can explore different professions by playing as a hair stylist or firefighter. There's also areas for babies to safely play. You can bring snacks or take a lunch to eat before a full afternoon of play. Costs to play at Curiosity Avenue starts at $5. More details are available on Curiosity Avenue's official website.

Visit Lawton's local museums.

Lawton has two great local museums offering indoor educational activities, including the Comanche Nation Museum and Cultural Center and the Museum of the Great Plains. Both museums are open all summer long and often have special events and activities for kids and families. Admission for the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center is free. The Museum of the Great Plains charges daily admission, starting at $8, more information is available on the museum's official website.

READ MORE: Get Ready For Lawton's Summer Filled With Exciting Events

See a movie at the Vaska Theatre or AMC Patriot 13.

One of the chillest ways to cool off from the summer heat is by seeing a movie! The Vaska Theatre is Lawton's only locally-owned movie theater, and it offers affordable pricing for the whole family. Lawton residents also have the option of seeing movies at the AMC Patriot 13, which usually offers summer movie deals for kids.

Only Stores Left In The Lawton Central Plaza

What used to be a busy, bustling mall with a movie theatre, tons of stores and set ups for families has become quite the ghost town. But there are still a few stores open as of August 2025.

Gallery Credit: Dani

Oklahoma's Top-Rated Water Parks

Take a weekend and enjoy the summer weather at one of Oklahoma's top-rated water parks. Spread far and wide all across the Sooner State, there's one pretty much near wherever you are.

Gallery Credit: Kelso