Arizona summer is fast approaching, and that means LOTS of heat. But Arizona summers are not all bad, there’s still so much to do in Tucson while staying cool. Even if the summer days keep many people inside, there are still plenty of fun ways to beat the heat in Tucson.
Try All Different Flavors of Ice Cream at The Screamery
Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind flight of ice cream — similar to a beer-tasting flight, but more fitting for Tucson’s heat. With three locations around Tucson, The Screamery offers many opportunities to enjoy their cold treats.
The Screamery rewrote ice cream consumption in Arizona as its first ice cream pasteurizers, making everything from scratch with local, whole natural ingredients and premium milk that contains no hormones or added fillers.
Hoping to try out a deliciously cold and creamy treat this summer? Browse their flavorful options here.
Splash Around at Funtasticks Family Fun Park
Families enjoy exciting entertainment options at this park during the summer, from Tucson’s largest indoor laser tag arena to Cactus Springs water park. Slip and slide down the colorful water slides or stand underneath a gigantic tipping bucket for the ultimate splash. And the fun doesn’t stop there — go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, arcade games, laser tag, and kiddie land rides make this the perfect spot for kids and families to enjoy together while staying cool.
Planning a visit? Find out more on their website here.
Stroll Around at Tucson Mall
Nothing says summer quite like roaming around a well-air-conditioned mall. As summer break rolls around, more students are in search of a place to hang out with friends while avoiding the sweltering sun outside, and the mall provides the ideal space to beat the heat. With more than 170 stores, the Tucson Mall offers visitors a fun way to stay cool and stay busy.
And, you’ll never leave hungry because the mall offers an abundance of restaurants and quick stops for food. Use the mall as your outlet to escape the heat. Check out their website here.
Relax at Nearby Resorts
Spending a summer weekend at one of Tucson’s world-class resorts and spas sounds like a dream come true — and you can do it at an affordable price! Due to the oftentimes triple-digit temperatures, surrounding hotels and resorts slash their prices in half with summer being Tucson’s off-season. These staycation deals make it the best time to enjoy exceptional dining, golf, health and wellness offerings, and access to cool pools.
Ready for relaxation and rejuvenation? Discover the best resort for you in Tucson here.
Hike and Swim at Seven Falls
There’s something magical about hiking to a waterfall in the desert. Although hiking sounds like the ideal way to get to the falls, this trail reaches 8.2 miles round trip. During the summer months, this may be particularly difficult. Instead, you could take the tram which cuts the hike in half — 1.8 miles each way for a full 4.6-mile hike round trip.
Always bring water to stay hydrated, and shoes you don’t mind getting wet as you will cross through creeks. At the end of your adventure, uncover the treasure that is Seven Falls’ surreal set of waterfalls cascading into large pools. And, if you want, hop in the water for a refreshing end to your hiking quest! Find out more about the hike here.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or Tucson Museum of Art
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is not your regular zoo, instead, it’s described as a “fusion experience” with 98-acres full of a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, natural history museum, and art gallery. Traverse through different exhibits learning about animal and plant species, native and non-native to Arizona, that you get the opportunity to see in person.
And if you grow hungry, Ocotillo Café and Ironwood Terraces are open for dining or grab a sweet treat, caffeine, and other snacks at Phoebe’s Coffee Bar and The Cottonwood. There’s so much to learn and experience here.
Fish at Rose Canyon Lake
Atop the Santa Catalina Mountains lies six-acre Rose Canyon Lake, with tall trees for optimal shade and glistening waters that you want to dip your feet into. You can fish at Rose Canyon with a fishing license; the popular species caught being Rainbow trout and Brown trout. No swimming, boating, or camping is allowed at the lake. However, you can roam trails around the water’s edge and stay at the nearby campground.
Discover more about Rose Canyon Lake and its campground here.
Listen to Live Music at Catalina State Park
Every summer, Catalina State Park hosts its “Music in the Mountains” concert series. Head on up the mountain to hear various compositions from jazz swing music, blues, Latin, bebop, ballads, rock, gypsy, and oldies. Hosted underneath the trees and during the late evening, the event will feel cooler than you’d expect. Make sure to bring a chair and pack a picnic for dinner to bring the experience together. The concert is included in the all-day admission price of $7.
Find the concert dates and times here.
Stargaze at Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter
At an elevation of 9,157 feet, you will find Mt. Lemmon’s SkyCenter. Here, the two largest dedicated public telescopes in the Southwest guide visitors through a unique and awe-inspiring galactic adventure with a bonus dinner. This five-hour program, starting two hours before sunset, allows visitors to navigate the night sky with binoculars, view spectacular planets, galaxies, and nebulae. Even though it’s summer, you may want to bring a jacket due to the high elevation. Ready to explore the night sky? Find more information here.
Descend into Colossal Cave
Descend into a cool experience (literally) underneath the surface of your feet at Colossal Cave. Like an underground rock climbing adventure, this cave system features unique rock formations with a fascinating science behind its creation. Learn more about Colossal Cave and its history this summer through their different cave tours, such as the Classic Cave Tour, Ladder Tour, or Wild Cave Tour depending on your experience level or daringness to go beyond. Explore the depths of our planet here.
Tucson is a great place to live! Contact me, Rick Sack, at rick@buytucsonlots.com or 520-918-5477 today to discover what available land lots are nearby so you can continue to enjoy this wonderful city.
