The heat is finally here to stay and Summer is in full swing in Apex! I personally love a mix of enjoying the great outdoors with having some good indoor fun to stay cool throughout the hottest months, so read on for 13 things I recommend you do in Apex this Summer!
Head Out for the Fireworks Frenzy & Olde Fashioned 4th of July
Apex does it right when it comes to celebrating the 4th of July! First, head to Hunter Street Park on July 3rd from 5:00 to 10:00 PM to kick things off and enjoy an amazing fireworks show at Fireworks Frenzy.
Food trucks and kids' activities such as big inflatables and games will line up all along Hunter Street from 5:00-9:15 PM - but beware, as those lines can get LONG with the crowds! If you plan to grab some food from one of the food trucks, I recommend you get there sooner rather than later. This year you’ll see Doherty’s Paddy Wagon, Kona Ice, Stick Happens, El Ray Del Taco, and Trash Talk.
There are then tons of spots to grab a seat for the fireworks show beginning around 9:30 PM. Check out the Downtown Parking Map and read up on the temporary road closures before you go.
The fun then continues on into the 4th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Downtown Apex on Salem Street for an Olde Fashioned 4th of July - complete with games, inflatables, food vendors, face painting, ice cream, and more! Kids can participate in the Parade of Wheels with a bike, tricycle, wagon, or other non-motorized vehicle decked out in red, white, and blue. Then, all are welcome for a Splash Down from the Apex Fire Department. Just don’t forget your towel to dry off afterward!
Make note of the temporary road closures, including the fact that GoApex Route 1 will not be running on this date.
Enjoy Movies & Live Music at Peak City Circuit
The annual movie and music series, Peak City Circuit, is a great way to get out and enjoy some live music or an outdoor movie on a nice summer evening with family and friends.
Each Saturday beginning on June 24th, either a live concert will begin at 7:00 PM or a movie will begin at dusk at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre (located at 2600 Evans Road) with just a few of the concerts happening at a separate venue.
Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic and blanket, and plan to get there early for the best seats! Just be sure to leave the pets and alcohol behind for this one.
Celebrate Apex’s Sesquicentennial
Did you know that this year is Apex’s Sesquicentennial (say that 3 times fast…) - in other words, the 150th Anniversary of Incorporation! And the Peak of Good Living knows how to celebrate big so there’s a TON of ways to celebrate all year long.
For all the details on what’s going on, head first to Apex150.com. And to really get into it, I recommend getting your very own “Passport to the Peak”! This book is a guide to the year-long celebration and is full of every fun activity that’s happening. These include both the bigger town events and several “Anytime Activities” that you can do… well, anytime.
For each activity you complete, you earn a visa sticker. The more stickers you get, the more swag you get too! Prizes are earned every 10 activities and include a Peak of Good Living pint glass, an 8x10 print of Downtown Apex, and more.
Pick up your passport at any of the following locations:
Apex Town Hall (73 Hunter St)
John M. Brown Community Center (53 Hunter St)
Apex Senior Center (63 Hunter St)
Halle Cultural Arts Center (237 N Salem St)
The Apex Depot (220 N Salem St)
You can also download a copy of the Passport to the Peak if you prefer.
Scoop Up Some FRESH Local Ice Cream
Summer just isn’t summer without ice cream, and it doesn’t get better than a scoop (or two!) from FRESH Local Ice Cream in Downtown Apex.
I drool over just about every flavor and love popping in to see what’s new and seasonal each month! One of my go-to’s is the Carolina Crunch, which is caramel ice cream with butterfinger and heath bar pieces.
Order a scoop in a cup, or even better a delicious waffle cone with 2 of your favorite flavors combined! You can even get a Doggie Sundae for the pup or grab a pint to go!
The owners source their dairy locally from within North Carolina, so it feels to know that every scoop of ice cream supports both a small local business and the farms within our state.
Follow along on their Instagram to see their fun collaborations and new flavors every month!
Mine for Treasure at Treasure Quest Mining
A hidden gem in Apex for both the young and the young at heart, Treasure Quest Mining offers a unique and fun learning experience that also gets you out of the heat this summer!
When you arrive, purchase a bucket of “mining rough” and use their indoor “river” of running water to reveal an assortment of treasures. Kids of all ages will love the thrill of uncovering a sparkling gemstone or a fascinating fossil!
Interactive displays and exhibits allow visitors to further understand the science behind gemstone formation, the mining process, and the cultural significance of various stones.
If you’d rather stay in, you can also grab a bucket to-go and bring the fun home whenever you like!
Chow Down on Brunch on the Patio at a Local Restaurant
One of my guilty pleasures is sitting on a patio on a beautiful day enjoying a really decadent brunch. Add a mimosa or Bloody Mary to this picture while also supporting a local business, and I am in heaven!
Here’s a list of a few favorites that offer an amazing weekend brunch (all with patio seating of course!):
The Peak on Salem at 126 N. Salem Street - Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Scratch Kitchen & Taproom at 225 N. Salem Street - Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Rudy’s Pub & Grill at 780 W. Williams Street - Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
The Dirty V Plant-Based Noshery at 1001 Davis Drive - Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Doherty’s Irish Pub at 5490 Apex Peakway - Sundays at 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Hitch a Ride on GoApex
How cool that our little town now has its own free public bus route! This is such a great option to avoid having to find parking for all of the wonderful festivals/events Downtown this season!
Launching just last year, GoApex provides hourly trips from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday on a set schedule and route.
To track the bus in real-time, you can also download the “TransLoc” app or text “GOLIVE” and the bus stop ID listed on the bus stop sign to 41411.
Beat the Heat at Sky Zone
Sky Zone Trampoline Park {formerly DEFY} is a fantastic place to take the kiddos (and honestly enjoy some fun yourself!) on those summer days that are just way too hot to spend outside.
If you check it out and love it, I highly recommend checking out their Summer Pass if you plan to visit multiple times for some major savings as opposed to paying per visit.
They also offer monthly memberships year-round. We definitely had a membership in our house for a few years when my son loved meeting friends at Sky Zone after school or on the weekends. The cost of the monthly membership is less than a single day pass so it's definitely great bang for your buck!
Sip Rosé at Peak of the Vine
Summer is made for catching up with friends while drinking rosé and listening to live music, and that’s exactly what happens at Peak of the Vine right in Downtown Apex! Enjoy their indoor wine lounge or head outside on the patio for seating, outdoor games, and often a food truck parked and ready as well.
And for the true wine enthusiasts, definitely look into their Wine Club to enjoy tastings, flights, and exclusive pricing and discounts just for members!
Check Out the Brand New Pleasant Park
Apex is introducing another incredible town park to the line-up this Summer - Pleasant Park! And this 92-acre facility is going to be a WOW!
Just a few of the amenities are set to include:
Enchanted Forest Play Area
Water Play Area with Splash Pad
Food Truck Alley
6 Multi-Purpose Fields
6 Pickleball Courts
2 Basketball Courts
2 Shelters with Restrooms
... plus lots more coming soon and in a future phase! Stay tuned this summer for the official opening date.
Catch a $2 Movie at Beaver Creek Cinemas
Yet another great way to beat the heat is to catch a $2 movie at Beaver Creek Cinemas! Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM, enjoy a new set of movies geared specifically toward families.
Some movie titles this Summer include Sonic the Hedgehog, Paw Patrol: The Movie, Sing 2, Minions, Kung Fu Panda 3, and much more!
Enjoy Trivia Night at Southern Peak Brewery
Grab a few friends to make a team and check out one of Southern Peak Brewery's Trivia Nights!
Trivia begins at 6:30 PM every other Wednesday, but definitely get there early if you can to snag an indoor or outdoor table. I especially love when there’s a fun theme, like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Friends, or 90s Trivia! Plus you can enjoy a cold drink on the patio and a great meal from the nightly food truck parked right ot front (plus a selection of snacks from inside as well).
On the Wednesdays without trivia, I’d also recommend checking out their Music Bingo!
Follow along on their Instagram for a weekly update on what’s happening at the brewery and check out their Events Calendar.
Rent a SUP on Jordan Lake
Last but definitely not least, I can’t help but include all the water-loving pups out there in this list of things to do in Apex this summer! So I highly recommend you grab your pup or go solo and rent a SUP (aka a stand-up paddleboard) on Jordan Lake!
Not only is it a wonderful workout, but spending a summer morning out on the lake is so nice and relaxing. There are a few local companies that offer rentals for paddleboards a well as kayaks (both single and tandem) and a combo version I’m very intrigued by called a “supyak.”
I recommend checking out Lett’s Go Watersports or Crosswinds Boating Center for some great rental options.
I hope you have the most FANTASTIC Summer in Apex!