What do most people think about when you mention Phoenix, Arizona? HOT HOT HOT!!!

Most people will ask: “How do you even survive a summer in the Arizona heat?”

There are a lot of things you can do to get through a summer in Arizona. Whether it’s heading to the lake, enjoying a drive up north, hanging out by the pool all day, or just enjoying indoor activities with the family. 

Seek Water!

Pools or large bodies of water are going to be your best friend during the summer months. Many Arizonans take advantage of all the beautiful lakes, tubing spots, and swimming pools during the hotter months in the Valley. There are many lakes that surround Arizona from saguaro lake, tortilla flats to lake pleasant. If you do decide to spend some time outside we HIGHLY advise packing a lot of sunscreens and reapplying more than you think you should. Pools will be your best friend during the summer if you aren’t big on the whole lake thing. If you don’t have the luxury of owning a pool or having one in your community or your backyard there are many public pools around the valley to enjoy and also a few water parks 

Treat an AZ summer like a Midwest winter

Stay inside on those brutally hot days! Some days are a little too hot to even enjoy a day at that lake or hanging out by the pool. There are heat warnings here in the valley more often than not with highs reaching around 120 degrees Fahrenheit… These are the best days to gather around the TV and binge-watch your favorite shows, play board games with the family, paint, or enjoy any other indoor activities that spark your interest. It is kind of like a snow day in the Midwest except VERY hot and walking out your front door feels like opening an oven. 

Take a trip up north!

Show low, Sedona, Flagstaff, and over northern cities are a perfect place to visit during the summer to get out of the heat. Tour the towns, take a day trip up to the grand canyon, or just enjoy a hike in the cooler weather. A Lot of locals will take a trip up to those northern cities to get out of the heat for a day, enjoy nature, and other attractions around these towns. 

Take advantage of the early mornings and long nights

Do your errands as early as possible or after the sun goes down for the day. Luckily, the sun sets earlier in the summer so you aren’t running around at 10 o’clock at night getting your grocery shopping done. Trust me, you don’t want to be running around town during the hottest part of the day in the summer! Not only are the later parts of the day good for running errands they are a great time to go out and enjoy the company with friends at your favorite bars and restaurants. Going out on the town in the summer during the day just sounds unbearable but not so bad once the sun starts to set. Enjoy those long summer nights while you can!

With just a few months out of the year of unbearably hot days, the Valley of the Sun actually has some of the best winter and spring weather. It doesn’t get too cold here… unless you’re a desert rat and we’ve never experienced a snowstorm/blizzard. So if you are looking to get away from the blistering cold and think you can handle a summer here, Arizona might just be the perfect fit for you!