19 Things to do in Phoenix When It’s Too Hot!

While Phoenix is a wonderful winter oasis for many coming from cold dreary climates in the Midwest, the summer weather is more often than not quite hideous. So, what do you do when the thermometer keeps crawling up past 100 on a regular basis for months on end? In order to stay entertained during the harsh summer season, you will have to find ways to beat the heat while still having fun at the same time, which surprisingly, is not as difficult as it seems.

I like the traditional 4 season climate (I am from Chicago), so I had a hard time adjusting to the desert heat and limiting summer activities when I am used to doing so much more this time of year. We try to plan more trips up to the mountains in Flagstaff and Sedona (check out my weekend guide to hiking in the ponderosa pines) as well as national parks during the hot season, and fill up the other weekends with local mostly indoor based activities.

Luckily, there are enough indoor attractions & activities that you do not have to hide inside all day in the air conditioning. In my guide, I will cover the best things to do when the temps are over 100. We lived in southern Arizona for over 2 years and had no problem keeping busy all summer. When all else fails, you can always take a daytrip up to beautiful Flagstaff.

Update: Since relocating to the metro in spring of 2026, I have added a few new things to my guide. You will find a Chicago based ice cream shop in Surprise (which just opened in March of 2026) and an awesome discount theater which I missed the first time around!

1. Cool off at a waterpark

One of the best ways to feel like you are still enjoying the summer vibe without overheating is spending the day at one of the area’s massive waterparks. Just because it’s over 100 is no reason to hide inside all day! The waterpark is one of the few places where you can cool down and enjoy hours of youthful fun-in-the-sun without risking heat exhaustion. It’s the perfect activity when the temps begin to crawl pass that tolerable level. I love hiking but it is just too hot from June-September – even in the early morning hours.

At just 30 bucks or so, a day at the waterpark really is the best deal come summertime as you can enjoy safe water based fun for hours. I am not surprised that there are several large waterparks in this area. My favorite? Sunsplash in Mesa which offers several thrill rides and the most relaxing lazy river ever. Other great attractions include a water coaster, a massive wave pool, and several tube and body slides. As expected, it can get crazy crowded.

Address: 155 W Hampton Ave, Mesa

Pricing: Varies from ~$30-43 depending on date

Note: I do not recommend the Night Splash tickets (5-9pm on select dates). While it seems like it would be a smart idea to visit when the sun goes down, we were freezing the one and only time we mistakenly bought tickets. Seriously, we could not even enjoy any of the rides we were shivering so much. Keep in mind that your sweat evaporates fast in the desert so you will feel much cooler when the sun goes down.

2. Treat yourself to a Rainbow Cone

As a Chicago native, I am more than familiar with the Original Rainbow Cone. I jumped on the opportunity to visit the new Surprise store right after relocating here this spring. This iconic colorful cone consists of 5 slices (not scoops) of ice cream: chocolate, strawberry, palmer house (New York vanilla & cherries), pistachio almond, and orange sherbet. You can also order each flavor separately (the pistachio and palmer house are my favorites).

This shop is a 100 year old Chicago staple that has since expanded to several states. In addition to their iconic cone, you can also order ice cream cakes and sundaes. They also serve a Cosmic Birthday and Chocolate Obsession cone. We also love this decadent chocolate creation which includes: chocolate, peanut butter swirl, cookies & cream, and big muddy (dark chocolate ice cream with caramel and brownie pieces). My advice: definitely start with the original rainbow – you will not be dissapointed! Tip: Visit before 3pm on weekdays for the $5 Happy Hour special!

3. Relax in a local coffee house

I love a great cup of joe outside of the house on the weekend. I prefer keeping it local over supporting chains as the local coffee shops usually serve better drinks and offer a more eclectic seating area. Starbucks seating area is so boring, and honestly, the pastries and bagels aren’t that good.

Cartel Coffee Lab, with 6 locations, serves the best quality drinks although they are quite pricey. They also serve tasty pastries – recently we tried a fantastic almond croissant and a cream cheese blue corn muffin. The pastries are worth splurging on!

Summer is my favorite time to explore the local coffee scene. On a hot day, I like to escape the sun in exchange for a specialty drink in a cool, air conditioned setting. It’s a fun way to get out of the house without risking heat exhaustion.

Other high quality shops in the metro I recommend include: Peixoto in Chandler, Sip in Old Town Scottsdale, Lux Central in Phoenix, and Well Coffee in Peoria.

4. Take advantage of summer resort deals

Most 4 and 5 star luxury resorts in the region offer their best deals during the summer months. Because they cannot fill all the rooms at this time, they begin to roll out enticing promotions to attract the locals. We gladly took advantage of an amazing staycation deal.

The Arizona Biltmore offers the most incredible summer deal of all. For just over 200 bucks, Mike and I enjoyed a full breakfast buffet, lunch, and a dinner credit every day of our stay. This deal also included parking, the resort fee, and discounts off the spa.

This beautifully landscaped architectural wonder (Frank Lloyd Wright was a consulting architect) offers lots of shady seating areas to enjoy the serene desert scenery. And most impressive of all, the resort is home to 7 pools!

More summer fun includes a water slide, a swim up bar, live pool entertainment, and even Saturday night dive-in movies. On a side note, the water felt more like bath water, but I understand that it must be hard to keep a pool cold when the temps are above 110 for months on end.

Check the Biltmore website for this year’s deals.

5. Stroll around a mall (at night)

Not surprisingly, this metro is home to its’ share of malls – indoor, outdoor, outlet mall…you name it. If you are looking to kill a few hours in a cool setting, head to one of the massive indoor malls like Paradise Valley Mall or Chandler Fashion Center. Both of these feature 100+ stores, plenty of diverse dining choices, and a movie theater. With all the amenities, you’ll easily be busy in the cool air for several hours.

Once the sun goes down, you will want to check out one of the metro’s beautiful open air malls. Both Desert Ridge and Tempe Marketplace offer many amenities including a Dave & Busters, an IMAX theater, lots of great restaurants and shops, and even free weekend entertainment.

Both are beautifully landscaped with fountains and palms. Keep in mind that it’s still quite hot at night (oftentimes still hovering into the low 90’s) although there are plenty of misters to cool you down.

My favorite is San Tan Village in Gilbert – I love the landscaping and variety of stores and restaurants. I also give them bonus points for being home to one of several Frost cafes (it’s the best gelato anywhere!). This Tucson born chain is seriously the best.

6. Eat pizza while enjoying music from the world’s largest Wurtlizer pipe organ

While this metro area is overflowing with common restaurant chains (way too many for my liking), there are a number of local hidden gems here and there. One such place is Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, which is home to the largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the world.

This is a really unique place for dinner as it doubles as an entertainment destination. Listening to the music while enjoying pizza here has been one of my favorite dining experiences in the metro thus far.

The pizza is just okay, but you really come here to listen to the live music, which is tremendous. The musicians here are truly talented, playing anything & everything, from old Beatles classic, to Disney favorites, to random audience requests.

Dining here is definitely an unusual alternative to the common restaurant chain. It’s a great way to escape the heat for a few hours, enjoy some pizza, and listen to some great live music. Just expect big crowds!

7.  Take a scenic (air conditioned) cruise on Saguaro Lake

Desert Belle is a fantastic cruise line which offers narrated cruises along Saguaro Lake, the most picturesque of numerous lakes in the Sonoran. As you relax and take in the gorgeous desert scenery from the air conditioned deck (I recommend arriving early to ensure an indoor seat as it is first come, first served), your captain will point out sights of interest and treat you to a little background history of the lake. 

This cruise is the perfect alternative for those who cannot hike to still enjoy the scenery, not to mention a way to keep enjoying the beautiful views when it’s too hot to hit the trails.

It really is a gorgeous ride with unending views of the amazing Saguaro cactus, as well as opportunities for wildlife sightings. Mike and I saw bald eagles on our cruise and our tour guide said that mountain lions are sighted on rare occasions. Live music cruises with beer & wine tastings are available.

You can see more pics from our cruise.

8. See a show (really cheap) at Pollack Cinemas

One of the newest additions to my list is the super affordable Pollack Cinemas in Tempe. Most discounts theaters are closing today which is a shame as ticket prices can be upwards of $15 today at regular theaters.

Pollack screens movies for just $3.50 (Thursdays-Sundays) with Thursdays being just $2.95. You won’t find a better deal! It’s super cold in here which makes it a great indoor activity on those super hot days (basically from May-September). I’ve noticed many businesses getting really cheap on the AC – but not this place – I need to bring a sweater.

They screen both newer movies (that have been out for a few months) as well as old classics. I am a fan of 80’s and 90’s movies, so I love their selection of oldies. So far I’ve seen: Grease, The Outsiders, The Goonies, and The Greatest Showman. I’ll be back at least 10 times before the summer is over! In the next few weeks, I’m already planning on seeing Stand by Me, The Sandlot, and E.T.

On a side note, they offer some great concessions specials and I love the retro decor! You will see all sorts of fun action figures, movie props, and wax figures of famous celebs and movie characters. It’s a fun place that I 100% recommend to any movie lover!

9. Enjoy lakeside fun at Canyon Lake

I prefer Saguaro Lake, but Canyon is another option for lakeside fun. This lake is located about 40 minutes outside of the city and the drive to get here along the Apache Trail is just as scenic as the lake itself. As expected, it gets super busy during the hot season and boat capacity usually reaches its’ peak early in the day, so I recommend getting here early.

You can fish and swim here and also rent pontoons, kayaks and canoes, and water skiing equipment. They also offer a scenic cruise which is air conditioned. You’ll enjoy some nice views of the lake and towering cliffs and even see some wildlife if you are lucky (bighorn sheep are commonly seen). I prefer the Desert Belle cruise at Saguaro Lake but this is another great option for anyone looking to beat the heat and still soak in the desert vistas.

10. Take advantage of early zoo admission

From June 1st-August 31st, the beautiful Phoenix Zoo offers extra early admission starting at 7am as opposed to the usual 9am opening time. Members get in at 6am! This allows you to beat the heat and also the crowds. This is a really great idea and I wish more zoos around the country followed suit during the hot months.

If you arrive right at opening, you pretty much will have the entire zoo to yourself. Even on 100+ degree days, it will likely be in the low 80’s this early in the morning – yes, walking around at 80 degrees vs. 110 does make a drastic difference! The cool misters everywhere also help cool you down a bit, as does the shade, of which the zoo surprisingly has a lot of considering its’ location in a dry desert.

The landscaping is beautiful here, the exhibits are all spacious and clean, and the layout is very easy to follow with plenty of signage. It’s a great little zoo and luckily even a summer visit isn’t off limits due to the early hours. In fact, it’s a much more tranquil time to visit versus the insanely crowded winter months. Remember timing makes all the difference between a comfortable vs. miserable visit in the summer. So get there right at opening and you are sure to have a fantastic time. I recommend making time for the awesome squirrel monkey exhibit!

• Location: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix
• Summer Hours: 7am-1pm (6 for members)
• Pricing: $40 Adults, $30 kids (ages 3-13)

11. Explore a local museum/art gallery

The hot summer season is the perfect time to check out the city’s diverse museum scene. A few interesting options include: The Musical Instrument Museum, The Phoenix Art Museum, Scottsdale’s Spirit of the West, and The Heard Museum. I really like Spirit of the West which is a pretty big space showcasing historical exhibits and beautiful artwork of the Southwest.

Spending a few hours strolling an air conditioned museum is the perfect opportunity to escape the heat, while simultaneously enjoying a fun & educational activity! Fortunately, we are Bank of America cardholders so we can get into the Heard, Spirit of the West, and The Art Museum for free on the first full weekend of each month (courtesy of the Museums on Us program). I recommend checking each individual website for more free days and special events.

Old Town Scottsdale is a fun place for tourists. Not only will you find dozens of galleries, but also a wonderful free art walk on Thursday evenings. I recommend checking out the Amery Bohling gallery; she specializes in natural southwestern landscapes. Also, be sure to cool down at Sugarbowl, a retro ice cream shop from the 50’s. This place is so cute and colorful and their ice cream is so cold and delicious.

Check out the Old Town Gallery guide for more information.

12. Cool down at the largest aquarium in the Southwest

Surprisingly, Scottsdale is home to a pretty impressive aquarium, which you really would not expect in a desert environment. The newly built OdySea Aquarium is a massive 200,000 square foot facility which makes it the largest aquarium in the Southwest.

There are more than 50 exhibits here, with the best including an enclosed elevator fish tank, a restroom shark fish tank which ranks amongst “the best bathrooms in the US”, and the Living Sea Carousel, a rotating exhibit which takes you past 4 exhibits including a massive shark and sea lion tank.

• Location: 9500 East Vía de Ventura Suite A-100. Scottsdale
• Hours: 9am-7pm
• Pricing: Timed tickets required. Tickets start at $50. You can save 30% by visiting after 4:30pm.

13. Hit the trails early in the morning (really early)

Just because the temps may reach 115 by mid afternoon does not necessarily mean that you have to skip the wonderful trails all summer long. Although intense adventures like Camelback Mountain and Pinnacle Peak are definitely out this time of year, you can still enjoy a variety of short trails throughout the metro. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t bring with dogs if temps top 90 degrees (really, you shouldn’t be hiking either!).

My top picks for the summer would be: South Mountain Park, Mesa’s Usery Mountain Park, and Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve. All of these quiet desert oasis destinations offer an interesting mix of both easy and advanced trails.

These parks all offer a number of short hikes under 2 miles. If you get up early enough, the temps/sunshine won’t be as brutal. However, you still need to keep it very short. Do not hike more than a few miles and do not set out any later than 6am or so. I recommend wearing a camelbak and pouring water over your head frequently to stay cool.

I recommend beginners plan on a sunrise hike along the Kiwanis trail at South Mountain, an attractive, short option. You’ll see a lot of cacti and there are great mountain views. The Horseshoe and Lost Dog Wash are 2 great short hikes at the Scottsdale McDowell preserve.

Bring with plenty of water (more than you think you need) and snacks, take it easy, and enjoy a peaceful early morning hike with no crowds. At this time, it will be just you and the unending cacti! If it’s too hot, you can enjoy the scenic drive at South Mountain (a 5 mile drive which ends at a scenic overlook).

14. Trade in old books & movies at Bookmans

Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange is a popular trade in entertainment company with several locations throughout the state. Here you can trade in old entertainment goods you no longer need for any DVDs, CDs, & books you want.

What better way to spend a hot afternoon then browsing endless shelves of books, movies, games, and even a small section of antiques? There are lots of cozy little nooks and crannies to kick back read and relax in the cool air conditioning.

Take a look around- who knows what you may find! Browsing around here takes me back to the old days of Blockbuster and book stores. I still love reading paperback books and watching DVDs as opposed to streaming, so I really love this place. My DVD, blu ray, and book collection continues to grow! Most DVDs start around 6 bucks so not a bad deal.

Locations: 8034 N 19th Ave (Phoenix), 1056 S Country Club Dr (Mesa)

15. Try out a new restaurant

Yes, you can find your share of popular chain eateries in Phoenix. In fact, they seem to be everywhere you turn around. That being said, there are actually quite a few regional chains that I really like. Oregano’s serves fantastic Chicago style pizza and amazing pasta dishes including an all-you-cat-eat marinara bowl. Picazzo’s is an incredible gluten-free healthy Italian chain which serves amazing apps. Wildflower serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads. Scramble is a delicious healthier breakfast joint.

However, there are still a number of unique local establishments if you want to bypass the chains. If you feel like spicing it up in favor of a unique experience, then you should ditch the chains and check out the diverse local food scene. I love dining at Cibo (downtown Phoenix) at night. They have a wonderful outdoor patio and they serve great pizza. If you are heading to Old Town Scottsdale, I recommend Cien Agave. Some may say it’s too touristy, but I love the food and eclectic setting. The fajitas and endless chips and salsa are amazing!

16. Laze around the pool

Sometimes the best choice on a hot afternoon is simply to lounge away the afternoon at a pool. A pool day is the perfect opportunity to still be outside in the fresh air without risking overheating: a nice alternative to hiding inside all day in the air conditioning.

Don’t worry if you do not have your own pool – the resorts all offer their lowest rates this time of year. Or go the more budget friendly route, and check one of the city’s many public pools.

17. Plan a day trip to Oak Creek Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon is a magnificent natural area, located halfway between Flagstaff and Sedona. The 14 mile gorge is home to a diverse mix of trees and wildlife. It’s one of the best leaf peeping destination in the state come fall. While Sedona itself doesn’t offer much of a refuge from the extreme heat, Oak Creek is situated at a bit of a higher altitude and is home to many leafy deciduous trees, therefore, making it a great daytrip.

I recommend stopping for an amazing espresso and breakfast at Indian Gardens which is home to the area’s most lush garden patio. I’ve never had a bad meal or cup of coffee here and the patio is 100% the best in the state. Yes, it’s worth the wait – I try to get here right at opening to score a great shady seat.

Other fun things to do along this scenic drive include: shopping at unique Native American craft markets, fishing, relaxing by the creeks, taking photos at various scenic overlooks, and much more. The day trip to Oak Creek is definitely worth the time (just 2 hours away) for the gorgeous views, cooler temps, and abundance of fun & shady summer activities. There are lots of places to cool off (tourists love the natural waterslides make out of the slick red rock at Slide Rock) and also lots of shady hikes like the popular West Fork Trail featuring 13 creek crossings.

18. Head north to Prescott

At just 1.5 hours, Prescott is a popular day destination for Phoenix locals seeking a change of scenery and temperatures. While not as cool as Flagstaff, summer temps here still average in the low-mid 80’s. I’ve seen this city rated as having one of the top 4 season climates in the US. 80 degrees feels much cooler than 110, so you will feel the difference.

And there’s lots to do here shopping and dining in the historic downtown that is loaded with individual shops, galleries, historic saloons, and restaurants. Check out Rosa’s Pizzeria for dinner and hunt down vintage treasures at Prescott Antiques.

Other fun day activities I recommend include: the Heritage Park zoo, hiking the trails (check out Thumb Butte), and a leisurely bike ride along the Peavine trail (my favorite bike trail in the state – it’s so scenic).

19. Head north to Flagstaff for the ultimate cool down

At about 2 hours (dep on where you are in the metro), Flagstaff is the furthest day trip option but also the best in my opinion. However, the small mountain city offers the biggest refuge from the summer heat, and thus, the traffic is pretty much backed up especially on holiday weekends (I can’t blame everyone wanting to escape!).

Average daily temperatures rarely top the mid 80’s here, with temps in the mid-upper 70’s being much more common. Lows can get down into the 50’s, requiring you to have a sweater handy both morning and night. Talk about the ultimate cool escape from the desert heat!

It’s one of my favorite cities I’ve ever lived in. The hiking is so amazing and I love the quaint downtown. There are so many local restaurants and coffeebars to check out.

Most of all, I love all the gorgeous natural wonders you can daytrip to. Quick day trips to many wonderful places include the Grand Canyon (1.5 hours), Walnut Canyon (15 minutes), and the Petrified National Forest (1.5 hours), makes Flagstaff a great starting point for exploring all these natural wonders. A diverse selection of activities, plenty of new restaurants to check out, seasonal activities, pretty mountain and pine scenery, and most of all, cooler temperature, make Flagstaff my preferred escape.

Check out my Northern Arizona tourist guide for full details on all the amazing places you can get to. It would be impossible to list them all here!

More ways to beat the 100+ degree heat!