Summer may not officially start until June 20, 204, but in metro Phoenix the first 100-degree day marks the beginning of the end of long, leisurely midday strolls.
But there's no reason to moan and groan and hide away in the air conditioning for the next few months. There are plenty of amazing things to do to beat the heat and make the most of our hottest season.
Soak in the pool at a luxurious resort in Phoenix and Scottsdale, many of which drop their nightly rates or offer day passes to theirpools and water parks during the summer. Take your First Friday festivities indoors at one of the free-for-the-night museums or galleries. Or score a hard-to-come-by reservation at a fine dining restaurant and while away the hours over multiple courses.
If you just can't take the heat, then get out of town. Take a lazyfloat down the Salt River. Spend the weekend at the beach inPuerto Peñasco, Mexico. Or head to higher elevations for a hike or overnight stay in Flagstaff, Greer or the Mogollon Rim.
And when all else fails, there's always the movies.
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Here's a guide to making the most out of the summer 2024 in Arizona.
Day trips from Phoenix
Go Salt River Tubing: Spend a chill day floating down the Salt River with Salt River Tubing. Rent a tube, hop on the shuttle bus, then ease back and enjoy the cool water and dramatic desert and canyon scenery. You might even spot some of the wild horses that live along the river.
Mmmm pie: Nothing brings people together like pie. There are fancier desserts and trendier desserts, but pie is in a league of its own. It's the perfect combination of sweetness and warmth, the most comforting of comfort foods. Here are the best pies in Flagstaff, Tucson, Prescott and more.
Explore Arizona's newest state park: The Verde River runs right through Rockin' River Ranch State Park in Camp Verde, perfect for swimming, fishing or streamside lounging. Six miles of flat trails crisscross the park, and picnic benches are placed throughout, so bring your lunch.
Overnight getaways from Phoenix
Best Memorial Day weekend getaways: Pack up the car and head somewhere cool for the long holiday weekend. Our guide to the top Memorial Day road trips in Arizona will help you plan a trip to ancient cultural sites, a lake and the curviest scenic mountain drive around.
Hit the beach without leaving Arizona: Of course Arizona doesn't have an ocean. But just because we lack that ultimate body of water doesn’t mean we’re short of beaches. Arizona contains numerous scenic and surprising beachfront properties. Here's a roundup of Arizona's best beaches.
North Rim: The quieter side of Grand Canyon: It takes about six hours to drive from Phoenix to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, but people who make the trek will be rewarded with cool temps at 8,000 feet and an entirely more peaceful and relaxing experience. Don't miss sunrise at Imperial Point and sunset at Cape Royal.
Rent a cabin in the woods: Whether you want to get away for a night or a week, you can’t go wrong with these 10 beautifulcabins that span the state from Sedona and Flagstaff to the Mogollon Rim and across the White Mountains.
Check out the Las Vegas Sphere: See for yourself why people are buzzing about The Sphere, the new concert and entertainment venue in Vegas. Dead & Company is doing a Dead Forever residency at the Sphere through July 13.
Events and activities to make you forget the heat
Geek out at Fan Fusion 2024: Fan Fusion is Phoenix's comic con, where you can dress as your favorite superhero, admire others' impressive cosplay, meet your favorite celebs and treat yourself to some next-level merch. It's Memorial Day weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Treat yourself to a resort staycation: Locals can live like tourists when hotels throughout metro Phoenix drop their rates in summer. Lounge by the pool, treat yourself to a massage or facial and enjoy stunning mountain and desert views. Here are the best 2024 staycation deals in Phoenix, Scottsdale and other parts of the Valley.
Fun (out of) the sun in Phoenix
Get your game on at Round 1: With video and other games galore, billiards and an indoor sports complex with trampolines and more, Round 1 Japanese arcade is opening a second location in metro Phoenix. The Valley's first Round 1 opened at Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale; a second Round 1 location is coming to Chandler Fashion Center.
Make like Speed Racer: There are numerous indoor and outdoor go-karting venues in metro Phoenix, each offering unique track layouts and experiences. From Phoenix Kart Racing Association's challenging outdoor asphalt track to Andretti Indoor Karting, there's an experience to suit every driver.
Visit a museum for free: You just need a library card. The Act One Culture Pass partners with over 175 libraries statewide and covers 26 art and cultural venues and 16 performing arts organizations, including ASU Gammage in Tempe and the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. Check your library's website for which Culture Passes it offers and the rules for borrowing one.
Restaurants that just make you feel cool
Phoenix might not be known for waterfront dining, but these restaurants go against the grain with tables overlooking lakes, which will at least give you the illusion of a cool breeze.
Step back in time for a bite of history at some of the oldest family-owned restaurants. Though one of them opened without air conditioning back in 1947, they all have AC cranking now.
With fewer crowds, summer is also a great time to work your way through our list of 100 essential Phoenix restaurants. If you make it to them all, you earn major bragging rights.
Iced coffee for life
There's nothing like an iced coffee on a hot summer day. San Diego-based Better Buzz coffee made its Phoenix debut on Seventh Street so you can cool down with their signature iced "Best Drink Ever" ($5.49), a classic Americano with creamy vanilla powder.On the west side, House of Honey in Peoria infuses their espresso with honey from the family's own hives for subtly sweet iced drinks like thecinnamon honey latte.
There's always boba at places like Mango Rabbit Boba, which serves over-the-top anime-themed drinks in Mesa, or freshly made tapioca pearls at Mochi Fresh in Tempe. Even Starbucks is getting in the bubble tea game this summer with a line of its own boba drinks.
Food crawls are a great way to spend the day
Summer is unofficial hot dog season and we have your guide to 20 of the best hot dogs in town. We didn't say fanciest, we said best. This list of 20 dogs ranges from Chicago-style to Sonoran and it basically begs to be treated as a summer dining bucket list.
If eating hot dogs makes you crave a burger, might we suggest eating your way through the reader's choice burger bracket? Or you could just skip ahead to the number one pick.
For a one-stop food crawl, Mekong Plaza is the ultimate destination, withthe largest selection of Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino and Taiwanese restaurantsunder one roof.
Reach the entertainment and travel editor atjill.cassidy@arizonarepublic.com.
Reach the food, dining and nightlife editor atfelicia.campbell@azcentral.com.
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