Float Down the Salt River

Floating down the Salt River is a true rite of passage for any Arizonan, and there’s no better time to take a cruise through the desert beauty than when there are marshmallow throwing wars (yes, really and no, there’s no particular reason). Imagine the stunning Arizona landscape, crowds of people, blaring music and lots of beer — what could go wrong? Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Enjoy an Ice Cream at Sugar Bowl

When temperatures are creeping up to nearly 120 degrees there’s nothing more satisfying than ice cream and there’s no more of an iconic ice cream destination than Sugar Bowl with its pastel pink dream-like interior and decadent sundaes.

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Party at a Talking Stick Release Pool Party

One of the best things about the Valley is the abundance of pool parties, especially in the warm summer months when minimal clothing and jumping into cool bodies of water to escape the heat are necessary. And while there’s no scarcity of options, Talking Stick is by far the best, especially for music lovers — with a national lineup that includes Steve Aoki, Dillon Francis, and Yellow Claw.

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Tour the Desert Botanical Garden by flashlight

While you might be inclined to skip the outdoor activities for the summer, this is one you won’t want to miss, and when the sun goes down, the desert actually doesn’t feel like hell on Earth — minimizing your chance of heatstroke. The self-guided tour provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see animals and plants after dark and makes for a great date activity.

Explore the Musical Instrument Museum

There are lots of great museums in the Valley to provide culture (and access to air conditioning) for your summer, like the Phoenix Art Museum or Arizona Science Center. Though, no others are as unique as the Musical Instrument Museum — which Trip Advisor dubbed the top attraction in the state and one of the top 15 museums in the nation. Not only does it show instruments from different time periods and cultures, but it also showcases actual instruments and even costumes used by the likes of Johnny Cash and Maroon 5.

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Take a staycation

In the Valley, we’re blessed to be minutes away from some of the most luxurious and relaxing resorts in the world, like the Omni Montelucia, the Phoenician and Mountain Shadows. Even better? During the summer they’re super affordable — making it the perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway complete with a spa day and plenty of pool time.

Watch fireworks at Tempe Town Lake on the Fourth of July

The July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival has turned into one of the largest events of the summer in the Valley — complete with food, drinks, games and musical performances by nationally recognized artists, but the highlight continues to be the fireworks. Not only is it one of the largest and most impressive displays in the Valley — but, it offers one of the most stunning backdrops with the lake, bridge and Tempe skyline.

Show us how your staying cool using #FrayLife and #PhxFray!

Check out some other ways to stay cool with our guide to water in Phx!