As we enter into the summer months, Ankara sits pretty in its flat-roofed splendor. This does not mean that you should too. There is a slight nip in the air as the grass turns a shade greener, you now prefer cold beverages to hot ones, served with little umbrellas in stark contrast to the snow ploughs you saw all winter. With this pleasantly changing weather pattern and the following list, you have no excuse to just sit at home. Come on and get up, it's time to get out of that winter hibernation mode.Where to visit?If you are in the mood for sightseeing in Ankara but are concerned that there is not much to do, despair no more. Ankara has a number of attractions, one of them being the ruins of the Roman baths. Placed on display in the form of an open-air museum, the courtyard of the complex also consists of a number of inscriptions and tombstones. The Roman Bath museum is a mere 400-meter walk away from the center of Ulus.CermodernIf you wish to dig into Ankara's historical roots a bit more, take a look around Anıtkabir, Atatürk's mausoleum. Featuring The Museum of Atatürk showcasing Atatürk's personal characteristics and the effects he had on the Republic of Turkey alongside the War of Independence Museum, Anıtkabir is an essential stop for those of you who consider yourselves Atatürk history buffs.Looking for art to appreciate before sitting down to a good cup of coffee? Want to explore the textures, colors and fluidity of modern masterpieces? The CerModern Art Center displays both international and local modern art while also serving as the host of a number of informative and enlightening exhibitions. Referring to themselves as a "living and breathing art space," the CerModern features interesting pieces ranging from contemporary to offbeat themes. Another modern art museum to take a look at in Ulus is SALT, which hosts innovative exhibitions free of charge.The largest mosque in Ankara, the Kocatepe mosque, is perfect for those wishing to explore Ankara's religious history. Featuring architecture inspired by designs of Istanbul's Blue Mosque, the Kocatepe mosque is conveniently located near Kızılay, offering a beautiful view of Ankara with panoramic views of the mosque's dome and minarets easy to locate from anywhere in the city.GölbaşıAlong the morbid lines of dark tourism is the Ulucanlar Prison Museum. Home to a variety of infamous inmates over the course of 81 years, the prison was shut down in 2006 in order to be transformed into a preserved historical artifact to serve the public's interest.Temper the effects of the hustle and bustle of the city by exploring a picturesque town, and take the two-hour drive up to Beypazarı. Ideal for day tripping or if you just want to get out of the city for a quick getaway, Beypazarı has its own unique cuisine set with a beautiful backdrop. Take a look at the Hıdırlık Tepesi (Hıdırlık Mountain) for a beautiful view of the quaint town and explore the İnözü Valley to enjoy a tour of the town's caves and churches.Another option for a day out is the town of Gölbaşı, which is a 20 minute ride from Ankara, with a number of picnic and lakeside areas to relax in. Take a look around the Tulumtaş caves, made of limestone and feature stalagmites and stalactites, during your time there. When all else fails and all that you look for is a good walk, explore the historical building of Ankara Palace as well as the old, narrow streets around it that are lined with souvenir and coffee shops.How to relax?Living in a city like Ankara can get a little bit monotonous, especially with the persistent clouds and threat of rain. Ankara residents tend to take advantage of the slightest glimpse of sunshine by heading over to Kuğulu Park, which is located in Tunalı, and flopping down in the grass. The park can get crowded during the summer months but is also immensely peaceful and serene during the winter. The area around the park is also ideal for either walking or window shopping, depending on how full your wallet is at that moment.If you would prefer to roam rather than rest, Kızılay is a 15 minute walk away from Tunalı and has a variety of coffee and book shops for the inquisitive, a mix of places to dine in for the hungry, and arcades for the competitive (check out Fantasyland). For when your mood fancies people watching, Kızılay plays host to numerous cafes with sheltered awnings where you can sit and observe the world passing by. A book is optional, of course.If your interests are adventurous rather than commercial, take a stroll around the picturesque Lake Eymir, or if you wish to explore the mountainous region on wheels, opt to rent a bike. Stopping for a picnic is always an option with numerous resting areas dotted around the area, all of them affording a great view of the lake.What to eat?George Bernard Shaw once said there is no love greater than the love of food. Do not test it, just accept it and go for it. Ankara has a variety of places available that offer authentic Turkish cuisine. The area around the Atatürk Orman Çiftliği is known for its "kokoreç" (a sandwich made from lamb intestines), Can Balık in Kızılay has the best fish dishes in the city and Tavacı Recep Usta is for those who are not picky about what sort of Turkish food they are consuming. If it is good international food that you are looking forward to, specifically Italian, head to La Gioia or Mezzaluna.What to watch?Sometimes all we need is to sit down and enjoy a show rather than moving around. Ankara has a variety of theater performances on offer in both the state and private categories with state theater tickets being cheaper. Kızılay has a number of theater houses littered around the area, check out Akun Sahnesi and Ziraat Sahnesi. As a fair warning though, the theater performances are all in Turkish. Fancy something on the big screen and in English? Ankara has a variety of excellent movie theaters on offer beginning and not ending with IMAX at Anka Mall and the Ankara Cinemaximum at Panora. There are also cheaper options available at Kızılay.Where to shop?With extra cash in hand to spend, explore the streets of Ankara by taking a stroll down Tunalı's Hilmi Avenue for a large variety of high street brands, peppered with cheap downscale shops with a bunch of cafes to stop and refuel at. Alternatively, you could take a stroll around the tree-lined streets of the Bahçelievler neighborhood for comfortable and cozy restaurants and cafes. If a large space with upscale shops is more your scene, there are a variety of luxury shopping malls scattered around the city.