Top Reasons to Love Summer in Tempe: Beat the Heat with Fun Activities and Deals
While Arizona summers bring high temperatures, Tempe offers plenty of ways to stay cool and enjoy the season. Visitors and locals alike can take advantage of sunny outdoor fun, refreshing indoor escapes, and exclusive deals. Our dry desert climate makes 100°F feel more tolerable than humid areas like Atlanta, and air conditioning is always nearby.
Discover What Makes Summer in Tempe Unforgettable:
Affordable Hotel Rates
Tempe hotels feature competitive summer rates, saving you money on stays while providing unlimited access to refreshing pools. Explore Tempe's comfortable and inviting hotels.
Refreshing Misters
Misters deliver a cooling mist in outdoor gathering spots, mimicking air conditioning al fresco. They enhance shopping at Tempe Marketplace, patio dining, and evening gatherings with games like cornhole and ping pong. Discover Tempe's top restaurants with patios.
Outdoor Adventures
Triple-digit heat doesn't stop the action at Tempe Town Lake, where you can paddleboard or rent a donut boat. Golfers enjoy reduced green fees. Maintain social distancing with these outdoor options, even during COVID-19.
Frozen Treats to Beat the Heat
Indulge in frosty delights like seasonal froyo at ZoYo Neighborhood Frozen Yogurt, shaved ice at Joe's Italian Ice or Bahama Buck's, or spicy Indian ice cream at Curry and Scoop. Tempe has endless cold, sweet options to satisfy your cravings.
Indoor Activities to Stay Cool
Tempe boasts diverse air-conditioned attractions to combat summer boredom:
- Arcade fun at Tilt Studio, Dave & Busters, or Main Event, with games and dining.
- SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Arizona Mills Mall.
- Indoor rock climbing at Phoenix Rock Gym.
- Axe throwing at LumberJaxes, Hotshots, or Class Axe Throwing.
- Rage room experiences at Simply Smashing Rage Release Room.
- Escape rooms like Escape Zone, Alcatraz Escape Games, or Inferno Escape Room.
- Creative painting at As You Wish or Painting with a Twist.
- Gravity Extreme Zone with zip lines, climbing, VR, and more for all ages.
Refreshing Craft Beers
Pair the heat with ice-cold brews from local favorites: Kilt Lifter at Four Peaks Brewing Company, summer specials at Huss Brewing Co., or light lagers at Pedal Haus Brewery. Explore Tempe's craft breweries.
Water-Based Fun
Kiwanis Pool offers indoor family fun with slides and waves—check hours online.
The Splash Pad at Tempe Marketplace features shaded seating and nearby treats from Barnes & Noble, Panera, Churoholic, or Zero Degrees; open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, with live music Fridays and Saturdays.
Neighborhood splash pads at Kiwanis, Esquer, Hudson, and Jaycee Parks are open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. April-October:
The Cloud at Kiwanis Park – 5233 S. Ash Ave. Tempe, AZ 85283
Jaycee Park – 817 W 5th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
Esquer Park – 2407 E. McArthur Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281
Hudson Park – 1430 S. Cedar St., Tempe AZ 85281
Lighter Traffic
With schools out and snowbirds gone, roads are less crowded for relaxed drives in air-conditioned comfort.
Arizona Day Trips
From Tempe's central location, enjoy easy day trips: Apache Trail Loop, Flagstaff, Bearizona, St. Anthony’s Greek Monastery, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Sedona, Jerome, Antelope Canyon, and more. Learn about day trips from Tempe.
These highlights showcase summer's appeal in Tempe. Visit the Tempe Tourism website for more seasonal fun.
