Find out why we love this sunny season
Arizona’s toasty temperatures certainly stir up conversation throughout the summer months. The truth is, Tempe is a year-round destination. As such, we have all the hacks for your next summer itinerary in this Sonoran Desert city. From sparkling pools and buzzing nightlife to indoor adventures and cool treats, here’s everything you need to know about making the most of value season in Tempe.
Is it warm? Sure. But keep in mind, 100 degrees in the Sonoran Desert feels much more comfortable (it’s a dry heat) than in climates with high humidity.
Here are a few of the things we love about summer in Tempe:
1. Cool Hotel Rates
Tempe hotels offer terrific summer rates, which means you’ll save on accommodations right off the bat. Bonus: Your rate includes free, unlimited access to the hotel pool, where you can spend a lot of time just chillin’. Learn more about Tempe’s cool, comfortable and inviting hotels.
2. Magical Misters
Misters are magical inventions that provide a cool, refreshing vibe to outdoor spaces that people tend to congregate. It’s like air conditioning for the great outdoors. They work wonders in dry heat by cooling down your walk between stores at Tempe Marketplace or pairing perfectly with dining on restaurant patios, especially in the evening.
So, yes, you can still enjoy great company, food, cocktails and, in many instances, corn hole and ping pong on one of our wonderful patios — thanks to this wonderful invention. Check out our blog to learn more about Tempe’s restaurants with great patios.
3. Outdoor Adventures
Even when temperatures are in the triple digits, you can still enjoy some of the outdoor activities Tempe is known for. Whatever you do, just make sure to apply sunscreen, wear a hat and stay hydrated.
Take to the lake: Try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or taking a donut boat (shade canopy included) with friends out on Tempe Town Lake. Rentals are available well beyond sunset.
Hit the trails: Savvy hikers know that the sunrise is just as stunning as the sunset in the desert — and the trails are a lot cooler in the earliest hours of the day. Alternatively, bike rentals for trail riding are a breezier way to explore the Sonoran Desert. The choice is yours.
Tee up for night golf: Grass Clippings at Rolling Hills is Arizona’s only fully lit, 18-hole golf course and practice facility that’s available day and night. Located less than 2 miles from Downtown Tempe, this trendy, player friendly oasis consists of 10 par 3s and eight par 4s — juxtaposed against the sandstone buttes of Papago Park.
4. Frozen Treats to Beat the Heat
There are lots of sweet, cold and refreshing treats to be enjoyed in Tempe. Cool down with such seasonal froyo flavors as tropical key lime at ZoYo Neighborhood Frozen Yogurt. Habitual ice crunchers will, no doubt, love shaved ice goodness at Joe’s Italian Ice or Bahama Buck’s. Boba fans will find a growing selection of shops with endless flavor combinations of bubbles, milk teas, fruit and more.
In the adult beverage department, blended margaritas and beeritas are crowdpleasers. No matter you’re craving, Tempe’s got lots of frosty options to cool your craving for something sweet and cold. Love that brain freeze.
5. Chill Out Indoors
Gone are the days when the main refuges from the heat were movie theaters and department stores. Now there are loads of other cool, air-conditioned activities to pursue. In Tempe, you’ll find the roster of indoor adventures is seemingly endless.
From immersive attractions and sporty endeavors to craft studios and arcades, here are the hottest cool things to do indoors this summer.
6. Ice-Cold Local Beer
Triple-digit temperatures pair perfectly with ice cold beer, so tap into more information on Tempe’s craft breweries this summer. You won’t have to go far to find your new favorite thirst-quenching brew:
Cool down with a Kilt Lifter at Four Peaks Brewing Company, the city’s original destination for great craft beer. Check out such summer favorites as Papago Orange Blossom and Arizona Light Lager at Huss Brewing Co. Pair Hundred Mile Brewing Co.’s Crowd Surfer Mexican Lager (with lime and salt) with the delicious shrimp tacos. Or, hang out with a hand-crafted Light Lager or Belgian-Style Tripel at the bike-friendly Pedal Haus Brewery.
7. Water Fun
Pack up your beach towels, your sunscreen and your water-loving friends and family, and head to Tempe for a splashing good time all summer long. This season, there’s nothing’s cooler than water recreation. From community and hotel rooftop pools to splash pads and lakes throughout the city, your next Tempe itinerary need not be spent indoors.
Whether you’re looking for thrilling water activities or a place to lounge the day away, here’s the scoop on where to find water fun all summer.
8. Celebrate the Arts
It’s no secret that Tempe celebrates the arts, and that’s true throughout the summer months, too. Here are the stages and museums with hot summer programming.
With touring Broadway shows taking place throughout the summer months, ASU Gammage is home to the hottest ticket in town. Tempe Center of the Arts, also home to Stray Cat Theatre and Arizona Theatre Company, packs a wide variety of art, shows, music and other events under one roof.
Tempe’s collection of museum’s highlight rotating exhibits, unique events, live music, cultural celebrations and more throughout the summer months.
9. Tempe’s Nightlife Scene
Tempe’s coolest scenes heat up when sun starts to set. Long known as a hotspot for nightlife, Tempe offers a wonderfully eclectic lineup of venues featuring live music, DJs, entertainment and special events. Whether it’s touring concerts or dance floors in your evening plans, be sure to check out our guide to nightlife in Tempe for all the details you need for deciding where to step out to once the sun goes down.
These are just a few of the reasons why we’re stoked about summer in Tempe. There’s a lot more to check out, starting with our summer fun roundup.
