If you're looking for some new things to do over the summer in Arizona, you've come to the right place! While the outdoor temperatures may be soaring, there's still so many exciting indoor activities waiting to be explored. The summer time is the perfect opportunity to take on a new hobby or explore the state with your friends.
In this blog, we're diving into our favorite things to do throughout all of Arizona for when we need a little break from the heat. Some of our favorite activities we've included are learning to weld and taking a mine tour!
For inspiration on the best water activities to stay cool during the summer in Arizona, check out this blog post!
Our guide at a glance:
1. Swim with Indo-Pacific Fish in Scottsdale
2. Puzzle Ride in Prescott
3. Take a Mine Tour in Bisbee
4. Learn How to Weld
5. Museum of Illusions Scottsdale
6. Bam Kazam Escape Rooms
7. Drive Through the Wild in Bearizona
8. Cool Off With Some Shaved Ice
9. See a Broadway Show in Tempe
10. Go Ice Skating in Gilbert and Scottsdale
11. New Mini Golf Course with a Twist
12. Day Trip to the Penske Museum
Our Top 12 Things to do Indoors During the Summer in Arizona
1. Swim with Indo-Pacific Fish in Scottsdale
The Odysea Aquarium is something everyone needs to visit at least once in Arizona! This aquarium is so impressive, it is home to over 6,000 animals including sharks, turtles, sting rays, and penguins. It is even one of the biggest aquariums in the United States!
Our tip: You need to do the SeaTrek Underwater Diving tour! It costs $70 when you book online and it is so worth it. You can swim with the fish in the aquarium!
Nearest city: Scottsdale, Arizona
Cost: $45 for admission, or $31.45 if you go after 4:30pm, + $70 fee for SeaTrek experience
2. Do a Puzzle Ride
Puzzle Rides takes escape rooms to the next level by having you solve clues in the middle of the city and taking you to different locations! This is a great way to explore and learn about Arizona while having a blast with your friends or family.
Nearest city: Scottsdale and Prescott, Arizona
Cost: $49 per person
3. Take a Mine Tour in Bisbee
Have you ever toured the inside of a mine? At the Queen Mine in Bisbee, just three hours south of Phoenix, you can ride into the past and 1,500 feet underground to explore the time when Bisbee was a successful mining town in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This activity is great over the summer because the mines are cold year round!
Nearest city: Bisbee, Arizona
Cost: $14 per person
4. Learn How to Weld
At Weld Like a Girl in Yuma, you can learn how to be a bad-ass by creating your own piece of art! Bring your friends and make it a memorable weekend or day trip to Yuma. For inspiration on more things to do when you visit Yuma, check out this guide!
Nearest city: Yuma, Arizona
Cost: Ranges from $40-$100
5. Museum of Illusions Scottsdale
Test your mind at the Museum of Illusions in Scottsdale! This place is a super fun way to spend a few hours in the air conditioning. They have so many unique exhibits that will have you questioning what's real, and they also have tons of fun photo opportunities! The Museum of Illusions is the perfect place for an adventurous date night or if you want to try something new with your friends.
Nearest city: Scottsdale, Arizona
Cost: $24 per person
6. Bam Kazam Escape Rooms
For an adventurous indoor activity near Phoenix, bring your friends to Bam Kazam and test your skills at their numerous escape rooms. We love coming here for a fun date night or even for a birthday party!
Nearest city: Phoenix, Arizona
Cost: $34 per person
7. Drive through the wild in Bearizona
Bearizona is a unique experience in Northern Arizona that you'll remember for your whole life. You can choose to either walk or drive through the forest and get a glimpse of the wild animals up close. You'll see animals such as bob cats, bison, elk, black bears, and jaguars!
Nearest city: Williams, Arizona
Cost: $30 during the week, $35 on the weekend
8. Keep it cool with Shaved Ice
Sometimes you just need a chill activity to get out of the house. We love hitting the reset button with some shaved ice, specifically from Bahama Buck's in Phoenix. They have lots of locations around the valley, so find the one closest to you!
Nearest city: Phoenix, Arizona
Cost: around $5
9. See a Broadway Show in Tempe
Did you know we have Broadway shows that come right here to the Valley in Arizona? At the ASU Gammage Auditorium, they host the most amazing musicals that are on Broadway. This summer, Beetlejuice will be coming to town from August 22nd - 27th! The tickets are a bit pricey but remember that it is a Broadway show.
Nearest city: Tempe, Arizona
Cost: $250+
10. Ice Skating at the Ice Den
At the Ice Den hockey rink in Chandler and Scottsdale, they host open public skating throughout the year. This is a great activity to cool off and also get some exercise during the summer! They also offer adult open hockey games. Register online in advance for both the open skate and open hockey games.
Nearest city: Chandler and Scottsdale, Arizona
Cost: $10 on weekdays, $12 on weekends
11. New Mini Golf Course with a Twist
Puttshack is a new and modernized mini golf course that incorporates fun obstacles like Pac-Man and beer pong made into the course! They also have a live DJ on the weekends and a full restaurant + bar.
Nearest city: Scottsdale, Arizona
Cost: $14 per person
12. Day Trip to the Penske Museum
This activity is completely FREE and perfect for car lovers. Throughout its two floors, you will learn about the history of Penske Racing and also see many winners of the Indianapolis 500 Race!
Nearest city: Scottsdale, Arizona
Cost: Free!
We hope this list of our favorite indoor activities gives you inspiration for finding your wildjoy during our summer heat!
Check out our Instagram and Tiktok, @wildjoyexperiences, for even more inspiration on the coolest things to do in Arizona!
Xoxo
- The Wildjoy Team