10 reasons we love Arizona in the summer
When people say they love the weather in Phoenix, they rarely mean the swelter of summer. But believe it or not, there are reasons to love living in metro Phoenix during the summer. (And no, the heat hasn’t fried our brains.)
It’s OK to play in the rain
Phoenix is one of those odd places where people go outside when it rains. The temperature drops, luring people to their patios or Arizona rooms. If they can’t get outside, people gather near windows, praising the precipitation.
The Arizona monsoon season starts June 15, according to the National Weather Service. But because the monsoon is technically a shift in the wind, not a storm itself, you’re not likely to see rain for at least a week later. When you do, go out and enjoy — unless there’s lightning.
Different kind of nightlife
People, animals and plants come to life at night in the desert. Summer nights offer opportunities to kayak by moonlight at Tempe Town Lake, play glow-ball golf at Palo Verde Golf Course in Phoenix, feed a giraffe at sunset during the Phoenix Zoo’s Prowl & Play events, and watch a saguaro’s bloom unfold at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix during a flashlight tour.
Details: Kayaking, 480-350-8069, tempe.gov/boating. Golf, 602-249-9930, phoenix.gov/recreation. Zoo, 602-273-1341, phoenixzoo.org; garden, 480-481-8188, dbg.org.
Heading to the lake
Whether it’s fishing at Lake Pleasant near Morristown or skiing on Canyon Lake near Apache Junction, there are plenty of recreational water activities at the state’s many lakes and reservoirs. And they’re a lot closer than driving to the beach.
Details: Lake Pleasant, 928-501-1710, maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant. Canyon Lake, 480-288-9233, canyonlakemarina.com.
Museums
Summer is the perfect time to educate and enlighten yourself by visiting one of the dozens of museums around metro Phoenix.
See thousands of instruments, including those played by John Lennon, Eric Clapton and Taylor Swift, at the Musical Instrument Museum in northeastern Phoenix. Take your little one to the Noodle Forest at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Through July 6 at the Phoenix Art Museum, check out the exhibit “Hollywood Costume,” which showcases more than 100 costumes worn in notable films and gives patrons a look at what goes into a great costume.
Before you go, check each museum’s calendar for free admission days. You can also save money on admission by going to a participating library branch for a Culture Pass, a free promotion that’s good for two admissions to 15 local attractions, including the Phoenix Art Museum (“Hollywood Costume” not included), Arizona Science Center and Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
Details: mim.org, act1az.org.
Down a lazy river
Tubing down the lower Salt River not only is a summer tradition, it’s one of the easiest ways to get a tan. Or a sunburn, depending on the SPF of your sunblock. Salt River Tubing and Recreation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, is 7½ miles northeast of Loop 202 on Bush Highway. It’s open daily through the end of September. Look out for themed days, such as Halloween Spooktacular and Mardi Gras Magic.
Details: Tube rentals end at 3 p.m. daily. The final bus pickup is at 6:30 p.m. $17 for shuttle ride and tube rental, $14 for shuttle only. Cash only. saltrivertubing.com.
Reading for fun
Summer reading isn’t a Phoenix-specific activity; it’s part and parcel of summer days everywhere. But we have the excuse of having to stay indoors to survive — which means many guilt-free hours of reading. (Of course, the same standard applies to time spent watching TV.) Check in with azcentral.com during the summer for reading ideas as new titles are released.
Professional sports
Baseball isn’t the only sport in town during the summer — not that there’s anything wrong with watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play in the cooled confines of Chase Field. The Diamondbacks’ free fireworks shows are held after games on Friday nights through Aug. 22.
The Arizona Rattlers play fast-paced arena football at US Airways Center through the end of July. The Phoenix Mercury, one of the original WNBA franchises, play at the same arena through August. Downtown Phoenix will host the WNBA All-Star 2014 festivities and game, on Saturday, July 19.
Details: arizonadiamondbacks.com, azrattlers.com, phoenixmercury.com.
Discount luxury
Phoenix’s world-class hotels and spas stay afloat during the summer by offering deals and special packages. Visit travel.azcentral.com for consumer travel reporter Dawn Gilbertson’s Phoenix summer resort bargains.
Details: travel.azcentral.com
Summer dress code
Bright colors, straw hats, no ties and never having to remember a jacket. Summer style is easy.
The sunsets
We’re not being romantic. It’s a simple truth that Arizona sunsets, which tie-dye the sky in purple, orange, yellow and pink, are stunning. And because the sun doesn’t set in the summer until after 7:30 p.m., people are more likely to be outside to enjoy the daily disappearing act.
GCC Environmental Club 