By: Kaye Robinson
What’s not to love about Phoenix in the summer? The heat you say? There are ways to beat the heat. It just boils down to knowing your options – Are you in or out?
If the outdoors is where you like to be you will want to take advantage of lower temperatures in the early morning or evening hours.
The Phoenix Zoo adjusts summer hours to accommodate both humans and animals. Zoo hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, June 1-August 31. If summer camp is on the agenda, the zoo offers camp opportunities for students in kindergarten – 8th-grade. In addition to day camp offerings, you can find programs for all ages; Community Access, Kids and Family, Teens, Adults and Night Camp are some of the options.
Located a few miles from the Phoenix Zoo you’ll find Desert Botanical Garden and an opportunity to enjoy the summer beauty of the Phoenix desert. May-September hours are 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Special evening events planned for the summer include; Music in the Garden and Ballet Arizona -Topia. The Flashlight Tour, available Thursday and Saturday evening beginning May 27-September 2, shows the desert in a different light. It is a perfect date night or family fun time to see night-blooming plants and take in the sounds of desert darkness. The second Tuesday of the month DBG admission is free.
Water is a must for enjoying hot summer days outdoors. Water parks offer a way to keep cool and provide a lot of fun. Big Surf in Tempe, Mesa Golfland-SunSplash, and Wet’n’Wild Phoenix, all offer money saving season passes. The water parks have a variety of attractions, events and food options. If sun is not your thing, check out evening hours to catch all the fun without the sun.
Valley resorts offer wonderful water features as well as great dining, relaxing spas, luxury accommodations and excellent service. Summer brings savings and special package deals for families, couples or singles wanting a getaway without the travel. Planning a staycation at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Westin Kierland Resort or Squaw Peak Hilton are some of the best ways to enjoy great deals and all the amenities the resorts have to offer. Who says summer can’t be cool in Phoenix?
We Recommend: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort
If water is not your thing you can beat the heat indoors. Exploring a public library can pass the time on a summer day and furnish good reads for all ages. The public libraries in Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale, Gilbert and Chandler have summer hours and events. You can also get your book fix browsing bookstores like; Barnes and Noble, Bookmans or Changing Hands Bookstore.
Sitting inside an AMC or Harkins movie theatre and letting someone else pay the electric bill is always an option worth exploring. Don’t forget to see if they have summer specials and remember those “heat of the day” movie times typically have the best ticket prices.
If a faster more active pace is needed you can get a jump on it, take to the ice or climb the walls while staying out of the heat.
We Also Recommend: iFLY
Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Parks located in Chandler and Glendale is a place kids, teens and adults can take part in active play. There are a variety of activities and trampoline uses to make running and jumping exciting and fun. It is a place where participants can literally bounce off the walls. Prices vary by age, day and time.
Taking to the ice is a good way to be active, stay cool and have fun. AZ Ice has three locations; Arcadia, Gilbert and Peoria. The locations offer programs for figure skating and hockey, public skating, special events and more.
AZ on the Rocks located in Scottsdale is Arizona’s largest indoor climbing gym. AZR provides a family friendly environment and has exciting programs and activities for everyone. You’ll find self-belay walls, boulder walls and yoga studio. AZR has youth climbing teams and full and half-day kid camps. A recently added Ninja Warrior training course makes AZR a great place to train your inner ninja or just have fun. Several climbing and pricing options are available.
Experiencing Arizona’s professional sports teams is another entertaining way to spend time during the summer. Watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play inside at Chase Field delivers more than a baseball game. The Sandlot is a fun place for families and has activities for fans of all ages. The shopping, food and people watching make the experience one worth doing again and again this summer.
If you want something with a faster pace than baseball the Arizona Rattlers are playing some exciting indoor football. The games are played at Talking Stick Arena in downtown Phoenix with the regular season running now through June.
Speaking of football – Phoenix Rising FC is the new face of soccer in Phoenix. The professional soccer team plays in their newly and quickly constructed 6,000-seat soccer-specific stadium on the border of Scottsdale and Tempe where the 101 and 202 come together. PRFC kicked off their season in March and will play through October. The majority of their home games are played at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. When the sun goes down at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex the action heats up on the field. Summer seems like a good time to become a fan of a team on the rise to MLS.
Planning a day trip with a drive up Interstate 17 to Slide Rock State Park can help you beat the heat and take in some of the most beautiful scenery to be found in America. Slide Rock is a natural 80 foot slide formed out of Sedona’s famous red rock sandstone. It is part of Oak Creek Canyon and a perfect place to enjoy a swim in the cool pools below following a trip down the slide. Visiting the website will help you best prepare for the experience.
Yes, it is hot in Phoenix in the summer, but you will have to admit there is something energizing about the bright blue sky and plenty of sunshine. Have fun!
