Indoor Summer Activities in Phoenix

In Phoenix we spend much of the summer scurrying from air-conditioned shelter to shelter, like vampires hiding from the sun. After you've seen the summer blockbusters and walked all the malls, what's left to do that doesn't risk heat stroke?

Cultural and Literary Indoor Activities in the Phoenix Area

Your local library: Your tax dollars are paying for it. Take advantage of it! Search for your city's library on-line and check their event calendar to see what's on the schedule. Story time for children, book discussion groups for various ages, writer's groups, and educational presentations are the most common activities. You'll never know what's there if you don't look.

Bookstore events: Bookstore chains, such as Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores such as the Poisoned Pen and Changing Hands have story times for children, books signings, and other book-related events. They have convenient on-line calendars linked from their websites.

Scottsdale's Art Walk: Every Thursday from 7-9PM, many of the art galleries in Old Town Scottsdale are open. Stroll in and out and watch the artsy types. After you have enjoyed all the art you can stand, have a snack at one of the many near-by fine dining establishments. Drinks are occasionally available in some galleries, so designate a driver if you plan to sip as you stroll.

Address: Most of the galleries are near Main Street and Marshall Way in Scottsdale. Public parking is available.

Desert Botanical Garden: Flashlight Tours: No, the Desert Botanical Garden is not air conditioned, but you can't cower in air conditioned spaces all the time. Deserts come alive after sundown, so take a flashlight tour and see what's out there. You won't burst into flames. The flashlight tours are self-guided with educational stations set up to make sure you see the nocturnal wildlife. Please bring your own flashlights.

TIPS: Wear enclosed shoes, because not all the night-wandering critters are in the exhibits.

Times: Thursdays & Saturdays, June through August, beginning at 7PM.
Address: 1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ

Indoor Professional Sports: As a last resort, if you like professional sports, there is baseball downtown in Chase Field and an occasional pro soccer game in the west valley's University of Phoenix Stadium. Both stadiums are air conditioned. Check the venue event calendar to see what is coming

How to find other activities in Phoenix: The Phoenix New Times newspaper has the best on-line event calendar in the Phoenix area, with filters so you can find exactly what you are looking for.