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The Skillman Library Branch downtown
The Skillman Library Branch downtown
Michelle & Chris Gerard

Where to Cool Off For Free During a Detroit Heat Wave

By Robin Runyan
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The Skillman Library Branch downtown
| Michelle & Chris Gerard
By Robin Runyan

It's a cruel, cruel summer here in Detroit, and there seems to be no end in sight for the heat and humidity that we've experienced. Fortunately, there are some places to go (for free) for residents looking to escape the heat.

The city released a list of Cooling Centers a couple weeks ago. These are mainly library branches and rec centers around the city. We've also added all of these, plus a few of our own favorites to our map.

So short of wandering around Meijer for hours trying to escape the heat, here are a few spots where you can hang out and enjoy a little air conditioning.

Do you have some other suggestions? Let us know in the comments. And keep in mind, these are free places!

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Crowell Recreation Center

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313 628-2050 Another city cooling center, Crowell Rec Center is open Monday – Friday from noon - 8 p.m.
16630 Lahser Rd, Detroit, MI 48219

Coleman A Young Rec Center

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(313) 628-0995 Open Monday – Friday from noon - 8 p.m., this Rec Center is also a city cooling center.
2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit, MI 48207

Farwell Recreation Center

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In the northeast part of the city, you can stop at Farwell Rec Center. (313) 628-2028 Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
2711 E Outer Dr, Detroit, MI 48234

Patton Recreation Center

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One of the city's cooling centers is Patton. They also have a pool, but you need a membership card to swim. (313) 628-2001 Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
2301 Woodmere St, Detroit, MI 48209

Detroit Public Library

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The main branch of the library is right across from the DIA. You could spend a whole day visiting buildings representing the best of Detroit (with AC, of course) T, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | Th, F, Sa: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

A photo posted by @lia.greenwell on

5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-1020
(313) 833-1020

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Campbell Branch Public Library

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Located in Southwest, the Campbell Branch of the public library is another cooling center. (313) 481-1550 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
8733 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 481-1550
(313) 481-1550

Detroit Public Library - Chaney Branch

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Located on Grand River, the Chaney Branch is also a city Cooling Center. (313) 481-1570 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
16101 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48227
(313) 481-1570
(313) 481-1570
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Chase Branch

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Located on 7 Mile, this is one of the smaller branches that's also a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1580 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
17731 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Conely Branch

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Another Cooling Center in the city, the Conely Branch is located on Martin St. off Michigan Ave. (313) 481-1590 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
4600 Martin St, Detroit, MI 48210
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Edison Branch

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Located on Joy Road, the Edison Branch is also open as a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1720 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
18400 Joy Rd, Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 481-1720
(313) 481-1720
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Elmwood Park Branch

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Located at Lafayette and Chene, the Elmwood Park Branch is a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1730 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
550 Chene St, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 481-1732
(313) 481-1732
Detroit Public Library Elmwood Park Branch

Detroit Public Library - Franklin Branch

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The Franklin Branch of the library is located near Gratiot and East McNichols and is also a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1740 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
13651 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 852-4797
(313) 852-4797
Google Maps

detroit public library (hubbard branch)

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Located on McNichols right off the Lodge, the Hubbard Branch is also a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1750 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
12929 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Jefferson Branch

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Located near the Alger Theater is the Jefferson Branch. (313) 481-1760 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
12350 E Outer Dr, Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 481-1760
(313) 481-1760
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Knapp Branch

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Located at the north end of Hamtramck is the Knapp Branch. (313) 481-1770 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
13330 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212
(313) 481-1772
(313) 481-1772
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Parkman Branch

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This impressive branch is located on Oakman Boulevard. (313) 481-1810 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
1766 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 481-1810
(313) 481-1810
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Redford Branch

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The Redford Branch also has a community garden! (313) 481-1820 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
21200 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Sherwood Branch

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Located right near the corner of 7 Mile and Livernois, the Sherwood Forest Library branch is one of the city's Cooling Centers. (313) 481-1840 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
7117 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48221
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Skillman Branch

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Located right downtown, the Skillman Branch is listed as a Cooling Center in Detroit. (313) 481-1850 M, T, W, Th, F: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
121 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 628-2750
(313) 628-2750

David Whitney Building

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It's one of our favorite lobbies downtown and it has AC. This would be a good place to stop in, take some pictures, and enjoy the (cool) interior.
Detroit, MI

Detroit Institute of Arts

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Free to residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland Counties, now is as good of a time as ever to visit the DIA. Not only does it have impressive collections, but it also has AC. Open Tues-Thurs 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

Happy first day of summa!

A photo posted by Detroit Institute of Arts (@diadetroit) on

5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-7900
(313) 833-7900

Detroit Historical Museum

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Learn about Detroit history! The Detroit Historical Museum is also free! Find some Pokemon while you're there. Open Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm.
5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-1805
(313) 833-1805
© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Crowell Recreation Center

16630 Lahser Rd, Detroit, MI 48219
313 628-2050 Another city cooling center, Crowell Rec Center is open Monday – Friday from noon - 8 p.m.
16630 Lahser Rd, Detroit, MI 48219

Coleman A Young Rec Center

2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 628-0995 Open Monday – Friday from noon - 8 p.m., this Rec Center is also a city cooling center.
2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit, MI 48207

Farwell Recreation Center

2711 E Outer Dr, Detroit, MI 48234
In the northeast part of the city, you can stop at Farwell Rec Center. (313) 628-2028 Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
2711 E Outer Dr, Detroit, MI 48234

Patton Recreation Center

2301 Woodmere St, Detroit, MI 48209
One of the city's cooling centers is Patton. They also have a pool, but you need a membership card to swim. (313) 628-2001 Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
2301 Woodmere St, Detroit, MI 48209

Detroit Public Library

5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
The main branch of the library is right across from the DIA. You could spend a whole day visiting buildings representing the best of Detroit (with AC, of course) T, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | Th, F, Sa: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

A photo posted by @lia.greenwell on

5201 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-1020
(313) 833-1020

Campbell Branch Public Library

8733 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
Located in Southwest, the Campbell Branch of the public library is another cooling center. (313) 481-1550 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
8733 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
(313) 481-1550
(313) 481-1550

Detroit Public Library - Chaney Branch

16101 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48227
Located on Grand River, the Chaney Branch is also a city Cooling Center. (313) 481-1570 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
16101 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48227
(313) 481-1570
(313) 481-1570
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Chase Branch

17731 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Located on 7 Mile, this is one of the smaller branches that's also a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1580 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
17731 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Conely Branch

4600 Martin St, Detroit, MI 48210
Another Cooling Center in the city, the Conely Branch is located on Martin St. off Michigan Ave. (313) 481-1590 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
4600 Martin St, Detroit, MI 48210
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Edison Branch

18400 Joy Rd, Detroit, MI 48228
Located on Joy Road, the Edison Branch is also open as a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1720 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
18400 Joy Rd, Detroit, MI 48228
(313) 481-1720
(313) 481-1720
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Elmwood Park Branch

550 Chene St, Detroit, MI 48207
Located at Lafayette and Chene, the Elmwood Park Branch is a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1730 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
550 Chene St, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 481-1732
(313) 481-1732
Detroit Public Library Elmwood Park Branch

Detroit Public Library - Franklin Branch

13651 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48205
The Franklin Branch of the library is located near Gratiot and East McNichols and is also a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1740 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
13651 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 852-4797
(313) 852-4797
Google Maps

detroit public library (hubbard branch)

12929 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Located on McNichols right off the Lodge, the Hubbard Branch is also a Cooling Center. (313) 481-1750 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
12929 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48235
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Jefferson Branch

12350 E Outer Dr, Detroit, MI 48224
Located near the Alger Theater is the Jefferson Branch. (313) 481-1760 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
12350 E Outer Dr, Detroit, MI 48224
(313) 481-1760
(313) 481-1760
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Knapp Branch

13330 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212
Located at the north end of Hamtramck is the Knapp Branch. (313) 481-1770 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
13330 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212
(313) 481-1772
(313) 481-1772
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Parkman Branch

1766 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48238
This impressive branch is located on Oakman Boulevard. (313) 481-1810 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
1766 Oakman Blvd, Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 481-1810
(313) 481-1810
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Redford Branch

21200 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219
The Redford Branch also has a community garden! (313) 481-1820 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
21200 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48219
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Sherwood Branch

7117 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48221
Located right near the corner of 7 Mile and Livernois, the Sherwood Forest Library branch is one of the city's Cooling Centers. (313) 481-1840 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
7117 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48221
Google Maps

Detroit Public Library - Skillman Branch

121 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Located right downtown, the Skillman Branch is listed as a Cooling Center in Detroit. (313) 481-1850 M, T, W, Th, F: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
121 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 628-2750
(313) 628-2750

David Whitney Building

Detroit, MI
It's one of our favorite lobbies downtown and it has AC. This would be a good place to stop in, take some pictures, and enjoy the (cool) interior.
Detroit, MI

Detroit Institute of Arts

5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Free to residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland Counties, now is as good of a time as ever to visit the DIA. Not only does it have impressive collections, but it also has AC. Open Tues-Thurs 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm.

Happy first day of summa!

A photo posted by Detroit Institute of Arts (@diadetroit) on

5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-7900
(313) 833-7900

Detroit Historical Museum

5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Learn about Detroit history! The Detroit Historical Museum is also free! Find some Pokemon while you're there. Open Tuesday-Friday 9:30am-4pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm.
5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-1805
(313) 833-1805