Stumped on what to do in the summer in Arizona? This list should help you out a little!
1. Hurricane Harbor
- Details: Hours vary; check the online schedule. 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale. From $28. 623-201-2000, sixflags.com/phoenix.
2. Tubing on the Salt River
- Details: Salt River Tubing & Recreation, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily. Latest tube rental at 2 p.m. 9200 N. Bush Highway, Mesa. $21 per person plus tax; $19 if you bring your own tube. 480-984-3305, saltrivertubing.com.
3. Head Below Ground (camping cabins, cave tours, etc.)
- Details: About 9 miles south of Benson off State Route 90. 520-586-4100, azstateparks.com/kartchner.
4. Golfland Sunsplash
- Details: Open daily from May 14 through the rest of the summer; dates vary August-October. 155 W. Hampton Ave., Mesa. From $36.99 (discounts for age 60 and older and some children; free for infants). 480-834-8319, golfland.com/mesa.
5. Take a night hike or bike ride
- Details: See a schedule at maricopacountyparks.net.
6. Classes on Tempe Town Lake
- Details: Class schedules are at tempe.gov.
- Donut boats in Tempe: Here’s how to rent them at Tempe Town Lake
7. Oasis Water Park at Arizona Grand
- Details: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through May 26; Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. 8000 Arizona Grand Parkway, Phoenix. From $55. 877-800-4888, arizonagrandresort.com.
8. Base and Meridian Wildlife Area
- Details: Sunrise-sunset daily. At Avondale Boulevard and Indian Springs Road, just north of ISM Raceway, in Avondale. Free. azgfd.com/wildlife/viewing/wheretogo/base.
9. Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park
- Details: 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park. $44.50 for adults, $25.50 for ages 3-12. 623-935-9453, wildlifeworld.com.
10. Catch a ballgame (Arizona Diamondbacks/Phoenix Mercury)
- Details: mercury.wnba.com, mlb.com/dbacks.
11. Go rock climbing indoors
- Details: Try ClimbMax Climbing Gym or Phoenix Rock Gym in Tempe, Ape Index in Peoria or AZ on the Rocks in Scottsdale.
12. Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
- Details: Fort Tuthill County Park, 3 miles south of Flagstaff off Interstate 17. $29-$58. 888-259-0125, flagstaffextreme.com.
13. Pump It Up (indoor bounce house)
- Details: Three locations: 14131 N. Rio Vista Blvd., Peoria, 623-572-0090; 9378 E. Bahia Drive, Scottsdale, 480-425-7867; 1325 W. Auto Drive, Tempe., 420-940-7867. From $8.50 per child. pumpitupparty.com.
14. Go ice skating
- Details: 3853 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix. 2305 E. Knox Road, Gilbert. 15829 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria. Check the website for admission and skate-rental fees. azice.com.
15. Arizona Science Center
- Details: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Daily. $19.95, $14.95 for ages 3-17. Additional charges for special exhibits, the planetarium and IMAX showings. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-716-2000, azscience.org.
16. Castles N Coasters
- Details: 9445 N. Metro Parkway East, Phoenix. From $45 for unlimited thrill rides. 602-997-7575, castlesncoasters.com.
17. Octane Raceway
- Details: 9119 E. Talking Stick Way, on the Salt River Reservation near Scottsdale. From $24 for one race, plus a $7 annual racing membership. 602-302-7223, octaneraceway.com.
18. Take a cooking class
- Details: Hours depend on class times Mondays-Saturdays. 10749 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-596-5628, sweetbasilgourmet.com.
19. Drive through Bearizona
- Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 1500 E. Route 66, Williams. $20-$35, free for 3 and younger. 928-635-2289, bearizona.com.
20. Scenic Gondola Rides at Snowbowl
- Details: Stay tuned for summer hours on the website, www.snowbowl.ski.
Ideas from AZcentral.com
