Things to Do in Tucson This Summer
While Tucson is a beautiful place for most of the year, the truth about our summer season is that it can be brutally hot. Despite daytime temps that often spike above 100° F from June through August, temperate summer evenings can be quite beautiful and a chance to get back outside and explore. Our beloved monsoon season — which varies, but often extends from July through September — is a chance to enjoy sudden bursts of rain, spectacular lightening storms, and the rejuvenation of the desert following afternoon showers.
Although countless Tucsonans choose to escape for the summer or take a brief reprieve, many of us are here through the heat and have to figure out how to make the most of it. The following are few ideas of how to get through the season while having some fun:
Embrace summer nights
In the evenings you’ll start to notice the city buzzing with activity again when folks venture outside after likely being indoors all day long. Enjoy a meal on one of the many great outdoor patios in town, from Locale and Union Public House, to the Cup Cafe, Blue Willow, and more. The Mercado San Agustin and MSA Annex are two other outdoor spots with wonderful bars, restaurants, and shops to explore. And on the last Friday of every month until September is the SUMMER NIGHT MARKET at the MSA Annex, with extended shop hours, music, guest vendors, and rotating art installations from 6 - 10 PM.
For more events involving food and drink, check out Tucson Foodie’s events calendar, which highlights restaurant openings, tastings, and more.
If food and shopping isn’t quite your scene, here are a few other ideas for evening outdoor activities:
Get a group together for mini-golf and other activities at Golf n’ Stuff
If you prefer hitting long-range, check out Topgolf instead
Take a walk through Trail Dust Town and catch a stunt show
Get some teams of two together for pickleball. There are free courts across town including at Kino Sports Complex, Himmel Park, and Udall Park. And check out this bar and restaurant with pickleball courts that’s coming soon to 6th Avenue
Ride through Sabino Canyon on the new moonlight tram tour running this summer
Enjoy the indoors
Although it may be 105° F outside, at least you can find air conditioning in nearly all businesses across town! If you want to do something fun during the day, one of the best options is to find something indoors. Go to a movie at The Loft Cinema, play arcade games or bowl at Round1 or Main Event, roller skate at Skate Country, see a show at the Gaslight Theater or check out American Eat Co., Tucson’s first and only local food hall.
If you’re looking for a cool date option, sign up for a whiskey tour and tasting at Whiskey Del Bac, a wine tasting at the Simon and Hazel Cellars, or check out one of the city’s many museums including the Tucson Museum of Art, Ignite Sign Art Museum, or the Center for Creative Photography.
Book a staycation
Tucson is home to a number of stunning resorts that boast lavish pools, renowned spas, and gourmet restaurants. From upscale retreats including Miraval and Canyon Ranch, to more family friendly resorts such as The Westin La Paloma, Ventana Canyon, and the JW Marriott at Starr Pass, there are tons of quality hotel options in town, as well as short term rentals.
Take a day trip
If a quick escape from the heat is what you’re looking for, consider a trip up Mt. Lemmon, where the average daytime high is around 75° F in July. And although these other destinations can get hot too, Bisbee, Sonoita, and Tombstone are all slightly cooler than Tucson and offer lots of fun things to do, which you can read more about here.
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Julia Van Valkenburg, Realtor
OMNI Homes International
julia@buyselltucsonhomes.com
520-275-3514
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