Your Guide to Coping: May through September in Greater Phoenix
By Judy Hedding, About.com Guide to Phoenix
There are those who just can't handle the desert in the summer, just like there are people who hate the snow and can't tolerate winter in other parts of the country. If you're here, the best way to get through the summer is to adapt. Here are some resources for living -- happily, I hope -- in triple digit temperatures.
- 4th of July
- Get Wet and Cool Off
- Air-Conditioned Entertainment
- Early Mornings or Evenings Outdoors
- Get Outta Town
- Do You Feel a Need For Beach?
- It's So Hot That...
- Summer Safety
- Summer Yards and Gardens
- Conserve Energy and Save Water
- Laugh It Off
- Summer Dates To Remember
- Back to School
4th of July
During our prolonged summer in Phoenix we'll celebrate Mother's Day, Memorial Day Father's Day, Flag Day and Labor Day. None of these compares to the excitement in the Valley of the Sun on the 4th of July. Nearly every community has an event, as well as special events and activities to acknowledge the red, white and blue.
- 4th of July Community Festivities
- 4th of July Concerts and Shows
- Greater Phoenix 4th of July Fireworks Photo Gallery
- Arizona Fireworks Laws
- Average Holiday Temperatures and Chance of Rain
Get Wet and Cool Off
When summer comes we all head to water. We don't have any real beaches in the Phoenix area, but here are some places where you can beat the heat with some wet fun.
Air-Conditioned Entertainment
Splashing around is fun, but the time comes when we just need to get out of the sun. Here are some indoor activities that you might want to consider this summer.
- Find a Movie Theater
- Summer Movie Programs For Kids
- Let's Go Bowling
- Indoor Miniature Golf
- Find a Mall (various locations)
- Baseball at Chase Field (Phoenix)
- Phoenix Mercury Basketball (Phoenix)
- Summer Indoor Concerts and Shows
- Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (Mesa)
- Hit the Casinos (primarily east side)
- Arizona Science Center (Phoenix)
- Heard Museum (Phoenix)
- Phoenix Art Museum (Phoenix)
- Amazing Jake's (Mesa)
- Imagination Avenue (Phoenix)
- Jeepers! Amusement Paradise
- CrossWoods Indoor Golf Center
- Stratum Laser Tag (Mesa)
- Skating Rinks (various locations)
- Xtreme Play (Mesa)
Early Mornings or Evenings Outdoors
There are a few summer activities worth considering even though they are outside. You might be best to do these either very early in the morning or in the evening. Typically, places that offer summertime activities provide shade or other respite from the sun. Ask first if you think the heat might get to you, and go prepared with sunscreen, a hat and water.
- Summer Camp Guide
- Lakes, Boating and Fishing
- Arizona Ducks (Lake Pleasant)
- Apache Trail (scenic drive)
- Chandler Art Walk (evening)
- Mesa Art Walk (evening)
- Scottsdale ArtWalk (evening)
- First Friday (Phoenix, evening)
- May Events and Free Concerts
- June Events and Free Concerts
- July Events and Free Concerts
- August Events and Free Concerts
- September Events and Free Concerts
- Dolly Steamboat (Apache Junction)
- Phoenix Zoo (evening Starry Safari)
- Desert Botanical Garden (evening programs)
- Summer Golf Specials (early a.m. is best)
Get Outta Town
No matter what we do, sometimes we just need to escape from the incessant heat. Here are some ideas for trips to places that are probably 10-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and within a couple of hours by car. If you don't want to drive to those, you could always just check into a local resort!
- Vacation in Your Own Backyard
- Summer Specials at Phoenix Resorts
- Summer Specials at Scottsdale Resorts
- Prescott, Arizona Day Trip
- Tonto Natural Bridge State Park (Payson)
- Grand Canyon Weekend
- Canyon de Chelly and Walnut Canyon
- Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot
- Driving Times and Distances
- Find Cheap Gas
Do You Feel a Need For Beach?
These spots are a bit farther than a couple of hours, but Phoenicians are well known for packing up and heading to the nearest coast during the summer.
It's So Hot That...
Yes, let's begin with the obvious. It's hot in the desert. Having lived here for about 30 years, I can honestly say that it isn't so much the heat that tends to wear me down, it's the duration of the summer season. Summertime in the Phoenix area lasts about five months, or longer, despite what the calendar indicates.
Summer Safety
Phoenix area residents need to find ways to adapt to everyday living when the temperatures soar. Shopping, activities, driving, pets -- it's important for everyone to be safe.
- Monsoon Safety
- Pool Safety
- Summer Car Safety - Children and Pets
- Buying a Car: Does Color Matter?
- 5 Tips About Hot Cars
- Your Dog and Desert Heat
- Tips For Living in Triple Digit Heat
- Beware of Rattlesnakes
- Beware of Scorpions
- Summer Means Mosquitos
- Arizona Wildfires
- Heat Exhaustion Happens
- About Heat Stroke
- Skin Cancer is a Problem in Arizona
- Summer Dust --> Valley Fever
Summer Yards and Gardens
Not everything green dies in the heat in Phoenix. Cacti (or cactuses, if you must) flower, vegetables grow, roses bloom, and desert flora flourish.
- Summer Lawns: How Much Water and For How Long?
- Easy Desert Plants That Bloom in Summer
- Summer Cactus Blooms
- May Desert Garden Checklist
- June Desert Garden Checklist
- July Desert Garden Checklist
- August Desert Garden Checklist
- September Desert Garden Checklist
- Fruits & Veggies - April and May
- Fruits & Veggies - June and July
- Fruits & Veggies - August and September
Conserve Energy and Save Water
We might not use a lot of heat or water in the winter, but in the summer our energy consumption soars. It is important to conserve, for both the earth and our wallets.
- Summer Electric Bills
- Time of Use / Time Advantage Plans
- Programmable Thermostats
- Reduce Summer Heat in Your Home
Laugh It Off
It gets so hot in Phoenix that all you can do is laugh about it. People might wonder why we live here. Well, during the winter months you can be sure that we are calling all our relatives up north and back east to tell them that we're wearing shorts and barbecuing outside. Enjoy these jokes that poke fun at our summer weather.
- Hot One Liners
- Beware of Rubber-Soled Shoes! (It's Just a Joke....)
- Can You Fry an Egg On the Sidewalk? I Tried It!
Summer Dates To Remember
During May, June, July, August and September you just can't cover yourself with ice packs and wait for the temperatures to drop. There are some special days that require your attention.
Back to School
School calendars aren't especially consistent around here, but most public schools finish the school year sometime in May and start up again in August.
