Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2024.
Hello, triple-digit temperatures! We're not-so-happy to see you.
But we won't let those high temperatures deter us from doing fun stuff this summer. Here’s a list of 10 things to do indoors to beat the Arizona heat.
Museums, museums and museums 🖼️
Daniel Smith, middle, peers into a fish tank as Elizabeth Gonzales, far left, and Bill Plant, exhibits director, look on at "The Undersea Discovery,” exhibit at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium on June 6, 2023.
Tucson is filled with lots of unique and fun museums to keep you entertained year-round, especially in the summertime when we need to rush into the A/C.
Some of our favorite museums to check out include the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, Children’s Museum Tucson, Ignite Sign Art Museum, The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Tucson Museum of Art, and the Arizona State Museum. See our full list of museums here!
Try your favorite outdoor activities ... inside 🧗
Stevie Imperatrice, of Flashed — Innovative Climbing Equipment + Apparel, installs crash pad flooring at Rock Solid Climbing + Fitness, 3949 W. Costco Drive.
Are you looking to be a little more active this summer? Here are a few indoor places in Tucson where you can do outdoorsy activities.
Try Rock Solid Climbing + Fitness, Rocks and Ropes, The BLOC, Elevate Trampoline Park, Get Air Trampoline Park and Defy Tucson. If you’re looking to go to one of these places more than a few times this summer, many spots offer summer passes that cover multiple visits.
Take the kiddos to an indoor playground 🤸
If you have active little ones at home who need to burn off some energy but you don’t want them running around under the hot Arizona sun, check out an indoor playground. These indoor playgrounds include jungle gyms, play mats and other child-safe equipment and toys.
Visit Wild Katz Children’s Adventure Playground or Playformance for summer fun with the kids.
Head to the movies 🍿
Patrons of The Loft Cinema begin to fill a theater for an afternoon movie on June 8.
Going to the movies is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. You can relax in the cool A/C, eat a bucket of buttery popcorn and watch your favorite flick on the big screen. Sure, there are plenty of theaters from big chains in Tucson, but summer is the perfect opportunity to support our local theaters.
Check out The Loft Cinema for their wide selection of films. The Fox Theatre is also screening movies this summer!
Go to a live theater or comedy performance 🎭
Jacob Brown runs through his lines during a rehearsal for “Henry Porter and the Sorcerer’s Secret,” at the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E Broadway Blvd. on August 17, 2023.
Maybe movies aren’t your thing.
If you prefer to see performances live on stage, check out one of the performances at The Gaslight Theatre or catch a comedy show at Laffs Comedy Cafe, Unscrewed Theater or the Tucson Improv Movement.
Try your hand at axe throwing, breaking stuff at a rage room or finding your way out of an escape room 🪓
Robyn Woodard, left, her brother Chance Woodward and Sarah Saraga try to decipher a clue and learn the combination on a lock in the That 70’s room at Ace of Escape, 406 N. Church Ave., on May 14.
Don’t let the summer heat put you in a cranky mood. Instead, take out your pent-up emotions in an axe-throwing session or break stuff in a rage room at The Breaking Point. Axe-throwing can also be found at St. Hubert’s Hatchet House.
If you’re looking for another indoor activity to take your mind off things, try finding your way out of an escape room. Tucson has quite a few to choose from, including Fox in a Box, Ace of Escape, Mystery Escape Room and Will You Escape?.
Find a new favorite book at your local library 📖
Jon Lubliner peruses through the stacks for a book at the Sahuarita Branch of the Pima County Public Library at 670 W. Sahuarita Road.
With 27 libraries across Pima County, there are plenty of locations to visit while hiding from the sun with a good book. If you’re feeling stumped about what to read, ask a librarian!
The Pima County Public Library also has tons of events on their calendar this summer, from book clubs and tech help to crafts and story times.
Relax at indoor yoga 🧘
Frank Jude Bocio, left, Robert Mitchell, center, and Vicki Mills meditate in a class called Mind Lab at Yoga Oasis, 2631 N. Campbell Ave.
Another peaceful option this summer is taking an indoor yoga class.
Tucson has many outdoor yoga options, but the best way to beat the heat is indoors. Some options include classes at Yoga Oasis, 4th Avenue Yoga and Om Yoga, which also offers aerial yoga classes.
Get your drink on at local breweries or coffee shops or play board games at a restaurant 🍺☕
Bartender Crystal Fiero talks with customers at Barrio Brewing Company, 800 E. 16th St.
Tucson is home to amazing breweries (and coffee shops, if beer isn’t your thing). Whether you’re drinking a cold beer or an extravagant iced coffee, local breweries and coffee shops are the perfect place to hang with friends, eat a delicious snack and get to work on your summer reading list.
Some of our favorite breweries include Barrio Brewing Co., Borderlands Brewing Company and Crooked Tooth Brewing Co. A few coffee shops you can check out are Presta Coffee Roasters, Exo Roast Co., Stacks Book Club and Café con Leche at American Eat Co.
If you're looking for a spot that has board games, Snakes & Lattes is filled with them. Casa Video & Film Bar also has board games, and American Eat Co. has a small arcade.
For the animal lover 🐈
Kittens Armani, left, and Prada lounge around at El Jefe Cat Cafe, 3025 N. Campbell Ave. The business hosts cat bingo and yoga sessions with furry felines who are ready for adoption.
If you’re looking for something a little more soft and cuddly this summer, we have you covered. Check out the El Jefe Cat Lounge to cuddle and play with 35 adoptable kitties.
If you want a longer commitment with a furry friend, take a stroll through the Pima Animal Care Center and foster or adopt a pet!
What are your favorite summer indoor activities? Let me know at everdugo@tucson.com.
