Phoenix gets incredibly hot over the summer. So hot, you feel like you are walking into a humongous hair dryer just walking from your car to the house (or office or store or what have you). Summer is the time for playing the park, baseball and picnics you say… Well, in Phoenix in the summer is very akin to winter in Minnesota (or Chicago or….)…, you survive by hibernating.
Many people get out of town for as long as they can. Snow birds aside, not everyone can get out of town for the summer. Some of us have to work. (insert sad face)
Drink Lots of Water
This goes without saying. Drink water and more water. Make sure you are constantly sipping through out the day. Also, not a bad idea to keep a cooler with some water bottles in the trunk. You don’t want to get a flat tire or an accident and have to sit by the side of the road without water. Without enough water, you feel like you are going to pass out.really.
Let’s go swimming
There’s a reason why all houses have a swim pool…you really cannot survive the summer in Phoenix without one. We actually know people that do not have a pool here (shudders). However, you may even have to get strategic of when you get the pool. Our house gets full sun, so we tend to go in the late afternoon and cannot wait until the sun drops below the tree line. However, it is quite surprising how you can shiver when you get out of the pool when its 115 outside.
Museums
Take a break from all the swimming and try out your land legs. For younger kiddos, the children’s museum is tons of fun. The huge climbing structure in the center is awesome and will keep kiddos entertained. For the sightly older crowd (tween and up), head to the science museum. Lots of cool exhibits, planetarium shows, special exhibits. For the music enthusiast, nothing beats the Musical Instrument Museum. Our favorite part are the Performers Exhibits…from Elvis to Taylor Swift and everything in between. Something for everyone. For more…see our post on Phoenix Museums.
Projects
Need to paint the bathroom or reorganize your kitchen cabinets. Summer is the time to tackle this. If you are going to stay inside in the A/C might as well get some stuff done. ‘Cus once the temps dip below 100, its time to get outside!
Plan your escape route
You really have to get out of Dodge for a little bit of the summer at least. Join the annual Zoni migration to San Diego or just head a bit north to Flagstaff (or Payson or Prescott) and explore the mountains and forests. Or plan a further trip to NorCal (San Francisco, Wine Tasting and Lake Tahoe!), or Colorado (hiking! rafting!)
There you go, five tips for surviving the heat in Phoenix in the summer.
Good luck, stay cool and remember to hydrate!