Summer: It’s hot but still plenty to do (2024)

Summer is incredibly hot here — we all know that. The kids are home from school and now the question is how will they stay happy and engaged.

There’s the annual Loft Kids’ Fest (it’s free!), Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo and Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

What follows is a list of possibilities for keeping the shorties happy. Don’t worry. Most of these are either in the cool part of the day or inside where the air con works.

The Loft Kids’ Fest

Keep children happy with The Loft’s yearly Loft Kids’ Fest. It all kicks off with a Looney Tunes Outdoor Movie Party at 6 p.m. Friday, May 31. The Loft says there will be plenty of fun with games and activities. Then at 8 p.m., settle in under the stars for Looney Tunes and Warner Bros. cartoons, many from the golden age of animation. It takes place on the north end of Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Boulevard.

Best of all, the entire evening is free.

The following movies will be shown as part of the Kids’ Fest. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. and movies begin at 10 a.m. Screenings take place at the Loft, 3233 E. Speedway Boulevard.

• “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Mutant Mayhem,” Saturday, June 1. While supplies last, a free Eegee’s will be handed out after the movie.

• “Wall-E,” Sunday, June 2

• “Mary and the Witch’s Flower,” Saturday, June 8

• “Wonka,” Sunday, June 9

• “The Land Before Time,” Saturday, June 15

• “The Neverending Story,” Sunday, June 16

• “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse,” Saturday, June 22

• “The Wizard of Oz,” Sunday, June 23

• “Pokemon Detective Pikachu,” Saturday, June 29

•"The Little Mermaid,” Sunday, June 30

Cost: Free, but it’s first-come,

first-served.

Info: 520-795-7777, loftcinema.org

Summer Safari Nights at

Reid Park Zoo

Find out if, indeed, zebras are reactionary and antelopes are missionaries at this year’s Summer Safari Nights at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 Zoo Court. The gates are open from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays. There’s a new theme each week with activities to match. Enjoy keeper chats, animal encounters, artifact stations, giraffe feedings, carousel rides, crafts and games. Face painting and glitter tattoos will be available for purchase. The Flamingo Grill will be open for dinner, and live entertainment will provide the soundtrack.

Here’s the lineup:

• May 25: Large and in charge

Highlighted Animals: Elephants and rhinos

Entertainment: Tucson Twist Its

• June 1: Super Heroes and Animal Super Powers

Highlighted Animals: Tamandua, giraffe, reptiles

Entertainment: Jamie’s Gang

Desert Peach Shopping Night at the Zoo

• June 8: Ocean Conservation & Sustainable Seafood

Highlighted Animals: Grizzly, otter, pacu

Entertainment: Amber Gaia

• June 15: Pollinator Power

Highlighted Animals: Lemurs, tapir, bats, monarch butterflies

Entertainment: The Just Intervals

Desert Peach Shopping Night at the Zoo

• June 22: Hoofin’ It

Highlighted Animals: Rhino, giraffe, zebra

Entertainment: Kids Unlimited

• June 29: Meet Your Zoo Night

Highlighted Animals: All

Entertainment: Speedway Brothers

Pathway to Asia Talk From Nancy Kluge, CEO

Learn About All the Zoo Departments and Committees

• July 6: Spots & Stripes

Highlighted Animals: Zebra, jaguar, giraffe, ring-tailed lemurs

Entertainment: Baja Caravan

• July 13: Slow & Steady: Reptiles Rule!

Highlighted Animals: Gator, turtle/tortoise, snakes, chuckwalla, bearded dragon

Entertainment: Mama Coal

Desert Peach Shopping Night at the Zoo

• July 20: Caring for Carnivores

Highlighted Animals: Lion, jaguar, African wild dog, meerkat, otter, vulture

Entertainment: Mr. Nature’s Music Garden

• July 27: Bear Necessities

Highlighted Animals: Andean bear, grizzly bear

Entertainment: Chris Arpad

Desert Peach Shopping Night at the Zoo

• Aug. 3: Bird is the Word

Highlighted Animals: All birds in the aviaries, flamingos, ostriches, crown cranes, peaco*cks

Entertainment: Jacob Acosta

• Aug. 10: From the Amazon to the Andes – Celebrating South American Animals

Highlighted Animals: Andean bear, capybara, anteater, tapir, jaguar, sloth, Galapagos tortoise, rhea, squirrel monkey

Entertainment: Tiny House of Funk

Desert Peach Shopping Night at the Zoo.

Cost is free for zoo members and children younger than 2; $6.50 for children ages 2 to 14; $8.50 for seniors ages 62 and older and $10.50 for adults ages 15 to 61.

Info: 520-791-3204, reidparkzoo.org

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The summer months — when we get Tucson to ourselves—is the perfect time to visit Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2027 N. Kinney Road. Many animals start their days at night, when it’s cooler. It happens every Saturday night throughout June, July and August with a different theme and activities each night. Learn from docents, who will be around to interpret the desert, and speakers in the air-conditioned auditorium.

Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Saturdays

Here’s the lineup:

• June 8: World Oceans Night

• June 15: All About Art

• June 22: Dino Night

• June 29: Astronomy Night, the museum will be open until 10 p.m.

• July 6: Creatures of the Night

• July 13: Caturday Night Live

• July 20: Radical Reptiles

• July 27: The Magic of Monsoons

• Aug. 3: Singing with Saguaros

• Aug. 10: Insectopia

• Aug. 17: Bat Night

• Aug. 24: Teachers Appreciation Night

Some exhibits close early for safety reasons. The gardens close at 6:45 p.m. and the aviaries and Desert Loop Trail closes at 7 p.m.

The Mountain House Gift Shop, the Ocotillo Cafe and Phoebe’s Coffee Bar all close at 9 p.m. The bar at the Ocotillo Cafe and the Ironwood Terraces Restaurant close at 8 p.m. The Ironwood Gift Shop closes at 8:30 p.m.

Admission is $29.95 for visitors aged 13 to 64; $19.95 for youth ages 3 to 12; free for Desert Museum members, Native Americans with Tribal or CIB and children aged 2 and younger. Seniors 65 and older, and retired and active duty military receive a $2 discount.

There is a $20 discount on general admission and a $12 discount for youth tickets for those who hold a valid, nonexpired Arizona-state issued EBT card with valid photo I.D.

For an extra $3, touch a stingray.

Info: 520-883-2702, desertmuseum.org

Tohono Chul: Gardens, Galleries, Bistro

Head over to Tohono Chul, 7366 Paseo del Norte and take a peek at what thrives under the desert sun. Learn why Tucson isn’t the home to tall, broad-leafed trees like maples or why cactus flowers are so showy. Plus, there are classes, exhibits and live music.

Daily, mostly in the morning, there are guided walks. Starting at 8:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, learn about the Birds of Tohono Chul. Check the website for more tours.

The Garden Bistro, the onsite restaurant, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, including Sunday. Last seating is at 4 p.m.

Chill at the Chul with live music from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in June, July and August. Admission is free and beverages will be available for purchase.

Other events include:

Capturing the Queen, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 31, in Classroom 1 in the Education Center. Bloom Night is coming. Learn how to catch elusive images like the night-blooming cereus cactus with photographer and author Karen Wright. She will discuss exposure, lens choices, lighting and composition and lead a short walk to locate the cereus cactus. The cost is $20 for members; $25 for nonmembers. Registration is required.

Curiosity Talks: LGBT+ A History in Arizona, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, in the Wilson Room. Emmy-nominated Marshall Shore will deep dive into this very human aspect of history. Here in Arizona, the LGBT+ history began long before we were a state with a Native American belief of Two Spirits. Admission is free. Reservations are requested.

Vine & Dine: A five-course wine dinner at the Garden Bistro, 5:30 to 8:30 Thursday, June 20. Chef will pair five courses using locally sourced ingredients with offerings from Dos Cabezas Wineworks. Cost is $125 a seat. Reservations are required.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and admission is $15 for adults; $6 children ages 5 to 12; and students with ID, seniors and active military, $13.

Info: 520-742-6455, tohonochul.org.

Here are a few other places to visit this summer:

Eats

Rollies Mexican Patio

Eating at this casual dining space is like an invitation to your best friend’s uncle’s cookout. The menu is limited but the food is mighty. Owner and chef Mateo Otero is a seventh-generation Tucsonan and these dishes are from his mother and grandmother’s kitchen. The tacos are a real Sonoran treat and the dessert, well, who knew ice cream and conchas could be so tasty?

Rollies Mexican Patio, 4373 S. 12th Avenue

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; closed Sunday

520-300-6289

facebook.com/rolliestucson

KingFisher Bar and Grill

KingFisher is where Tucson goes for an elegant plate of seafood, including fresh oysters and shrimp. Once again, staff will take us on a summer road trip to experience the Southwest and Baja — without leaving the city. Begin with grilled octopus or beef tripe chicharron, followed by a plate of pan-seared plantain chip-crusted tuna and end with prickly pear dulce de leche cookies. You don’t have to have seafood. Get the braised beef short ribs or a grilled, half-pound Angus beef burger. A full-service bar will supply the drinks.

KingFisher Bar and Grill

2564 E. Grant Road

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday

11 a.m. to midnight Friday

4 p.m. to midnight Saturday

Closed Sunday

520-323-7739

kingfishertucson.com

facebook.com/kingfishertucson

Tumerico

Tumerico’s vegan tacos made chef Guy Fieri call his mom upon trying them. Featuring vegetarian/vegan Latin American cuisine, Tumerico is one of the first places Tucsonans go when they want food made from local heritage ingredients. Chef Wendy Garcia serves the community through healing food.

Tumerico

2526 E. Sixth Street

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday

9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Closed Monday

520-240-6947

facebook.com/tumerico.tumerico

tumerico.com

Buffet Bar

Talk about a Tucson institution. Established in 1934, the buffet bar is the oldest bar in Tucson. Everyone from students to construction workers, to judges and attorneys eat here. It’s a tradition for new UA graduates to have breakfast here. The place is great, but you must be 21 or older.

Buffet Bar

538 E. Ninth Street

6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Noon to 2 p.m. Monday

520-623-6811

buffetbartucson.com

Tandem American Eatery

Sometimes you just get hungry for a lobster roll, nothing else will do, but a trip to Maine is out of the question. When that happens, head to Tandem American Eatery and treat yourself to more than a lobster roll. There’s smoked shrimp and avocado toast. Then there are the burgers, the salads and the loaded fries, the latter of which comes with slow-braised short ribs and bleu cheese. There’s a kids’ menu, too.

Tandem American Eatery

8864 E. Tanque Verde Road

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday

Closed Sunday

520-526-2501

tandemaz.com

Plaza Liquors and Fine Wines

Plaza Liquors and Fine Wine specializes in locally and Arizona-made beverages. Who wouldn’t enjoy prickly pear vodka with a couple of bleu cheese-stuffed olives? Find that and more at this landmark store. They have delivery, too.

Plaza Liquors and Fine Wines

2642 N. Campbell Avenue

Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday

10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday

10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

520-327-0452

plazatucson.com/

Mercado San Agustin

Fresh Mexican Sweets? Check. Lifestyle boutique? Check. Coffee, burritos, men’s shop, and casual and upscale dining? Check, check, check and check. Best of all is the plaza with shade and places to sit.

Mercado San Agustin

100 S. Avenida del Convento

7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

mercadodistrict.com

Fourth Avenue Delicatessen

Gather your strength for your Fourth Avenue shopping adventure at the Fourth Avenue Deli, where you can sit down to a quarter-pound T-Town turkey sandwich or an Italian roast beef Dillinger sandwich. Both will keep your engine humming.

Fourth Avenue Delicatessen

425 N. Fourth Avenue

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

520-624-3354

Caruso’s

End your Fourth Avenue adventure at Caruso’s, another Tucson institution. Sample a plate of lasagna or chicken parmesan and end it with tiramisu.

Caruso’s

434 N. Fourth Avenue

4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday

11:30 to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday

Closed Monday

520-624-5765

carusositalian.com

Sonoita

Los Milics Vineyards

Take a ride east and enjoy the beautiful backroads to Los Milics Vineyards, where you can sample the wine and small bites. The tasting room overlooks the vineyards and the mountains. Find dry whites, rosés and pinot noirs here. There are dark reds, too. Reservations are recommended, though.

Los Milics Vineyards

423 Upper Elgin Road, Elgin

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday

Closed Monday to Wednesday

520-221-0180

losmilicsvineyards.com

Tucson

Main Gate Square

So many shops and restaurants! How do you choose? So what do you like? Mexican? There’s Agave House. Italian? Bacio Italiano. None of these sound right? There’s f*cku Sushi, Chipotle, Jimmy’s Pita and Poke, Frog & Firkin, Kababeque Indian Grill, The Scented Leaf Tea House and Lounge, among so many delicious others.

It also houses stores to peruse, concerts to enjoy and a drug store for whatever else you may need.

Main Gate Square

814 E. University Boulevard

maingatesquare.com

Rialto Theatre

Any theater that advertises the next show with a beautifully painted mural on its side is worth investigating. The place features plenty of interesting acts, like a tribute to Patsy Cline, Silversun Pickups, Melissa Carper and Chameleons. Check its website for more.

Rialto Theatre

318 E. Congress Street

520-740-1000

facebook.com/TheRialtoTucson

rialtotheatre.com

Club Congress

Who doesn’t love music? Hustle down to Club Congress, where, with three venues, there’s bound to be something you like. Check out Club Congress if you like rock, alternative and anything new. Not your cup of tea? Check out Century Room, where the cool cats hang. Here you will find jazz, lots of jazz. Like the old stuff? You're in luck. We're looking forward to Mood Indigo, a Tribute to Duke Ellington. Keep an ear open for the new stuff, too.

Finally, check out the club stage, where the music is al fresco. There's always something going on but you never know what.

Hotel Congress

311 E. Congress Street

hotelcongress.com

520-622-8848

1-800-722-8848

Tucson Jewish Community Center

Age, ability, faith or identity: it doesn’t matter at Tucson JCC. There’s a gallery, book clubs, art workshops, places for kids to chill and a well-equipped gym. Look for aquatics, personal trainers, racquet sports, group classes and fitness training. In other words, everything you need to get and stay fit.

Tucson Jewish Community Center

3800 E. River Road

5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday

5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

520-299-3000

tucsonjcc.org

Tucson Museum of Art

The Tucson Museum of Art seeks to connect art to life by providing meaningful experiences that inspire discovery, spark creativity and promote cultural understanding. And it does. With works of the American West and Indigenous arts to name just a couple of genres in its collection, and with revolving exhibitions, there will always be something to generate interest no matter who is visiting.

Get breakfast, lunch or a snack at Cafe a La C’Art.

The cafe’s hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and closed on Monday.

Tucson Museum of Art

140 N. Main Avenue

Museum hours:

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday

Closed Monday and Tuesday

520-624-2333

tucsonmuseumofart.org

Bisbee

Bisbee has a history as a mining town, but over the years, it has been shaped by its arts community, shops, bars and haunted spaces.

Bisbee caters to people with different interests with fine and casual dining options, niche shops, art galleries, ghost and mining tours, museums, historic buildings and attractions. This makes for the perfect Bisbee experience for those wanting adventure, good food, a fun nightlife experience, a chance to engage with the arts or further insight into Bisbee’s history.

Guests can wet their whistle as they start their Bisbee adventure at the Old Bisbee Brewing Company, with a selection of eight beers, counting the root beer. They claim that libation will take guests back to the drive-in, even if they’ve never had the pleasure. Otherwise, choose from a pilsner, stout, ale, even a gluten-free “beer” known as Salut. Pair those with a few snacks, such as brats, chili or brats with chili. Visitors may even bring in their own food.

For those with co*cktails on their minds, Old Bisbee Brewing Company’s Bisbee Blue Gin, made the usual way but with plenty of loving care. The gin really is blue. Find it at the company’s website: oldbisbeedistilling.com

After the eats, have a good laugh at Chuckleheads, Bisbee’s comedy club. Or enjoy a drink and live music. It’s all there. For anyone interested in trying out their comedy on the crowd, send them an email.

Some people don’t ever get scared. At least that’s what they say. Send them on a real ghost hunt because Bisbee’s got them. Lots of them. Find out where they are with the Bisbee Ghost App, or bisbeeghost.app. Find places that are said to have ghostly visitors, read about or listen to scary Bisbee ghost stories and measure the atmosphere to see if there is anyone (or anything) present with the in-app sensor reader. Happy hunting.

After the hunt, head to one of the local hotels to snag a room and get some shut-eye.

Since 1927, travelers have been stopping at the Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Court in one way or another. Today guests stay in remodeled, vintage Airstream trailers. Lucky guests who have scored a reservation never have to leave the property during their vacation if they don’t want to. On weekends grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at Dot’s Diner. The menu is small, but mighty. If adult beverages are in the plans, hit Dots & Dashes, where there are drink specials. On weekends, there’s even live entertainment.

If a vintage trailer is not in the plans (i.e., booked), then look to the Copper City Inn, where three rooms with all the amenities are just waiting for someone to stay there. Someone adult, that is. No one younger than 16 years old may stay, nor do they accommodate pets. Only two people per room please. Also, the rooms are accessible by stairs. However, each room has its own set of French doors out to a balcony and the parking is free.

For those who like to stay right Downtown, get a room at the Bisbee Grand. The place has been receiving guests since 1906 so hospitality is its thing. The weary may choose from a hot tub suite or a budget room but everyone gets to lounge on the quiet patio and enjoy free parking. Downstairs from the rooms is a casual restaurant, which opens at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner, but in the morning if guests show their room key, they receive a complimentary breakfast. The restaurant features a fully stocked bar where the tenders know how to mix a drink. There is also live entertainment just about every night

Info: discoverbisbee.com