Favorite Summer Bargains

Ride the ski lift on Mt. Lemmon

Mt Lemmon is a perfect place to to escape the heat. And once you've made the trip, there's nothing more relaxing than the slow ride on the ski lift, from the bottom of Ski Valley right to the top of the mountain. The view is breathtaking. It's kind of like flying through a pine forest. (Afterwards, I sometimes have vivid dreams about flying around trees!) There's not much to do at the very top, unless you feel like hiking, so we just usually soak in the cool air, admire the sights, then ride back down the lift. And then go get pie.

Ski Valley, Summerhaven

Marty

Ice cream party with friends while watching storm

When we know a really big storm is coming, some of our friends come over and we break out the ice cream and watch. If it's safe, we'll stay on the patio, which makes a delicious, sticky mess out of the rapidly-melting ice cream. When the storm gets close, we retreat to the other side of the big glass doors. It's a fun party, unless the storm gets really, REALLY intense. Then we all tend to shut up and just stand in awe of the sheer power of what we're witnessing.

A few times, we've had the lights go out. And then it's like summer camp, telling stories by candlelight.

Storm nights are rare and unpredictable... and spectacular.

Foothills - but any place with a view of the valley will do

Michele & Pat

Walking dogs in the washes after storms

Our two dogs LOVE to run through the washes when there's a little water still running. Actually, I think they would jump right in even if the wash was roaring along bank to bank, but we won't let them get close until the water is down to a stream. Then we let them loose, and they go crazy, racing from one side to the other, and kicking up a spray of wet sand.

It's a little extra work for us, because we have to clean them up before they can get back in the car. But I've never seen two happier creatures than Bella and Elsie when they go our "desert beach."

LOVE YOUR SHOW! Hope we win a free vacation!

Rillito River Park

Becky

Brandi Fenton water park

My kids love to play in the water park at the Brandi Fenton park. It's free! Hit the button and the water jets run for maybe 15 minutes.

River & Dodge

Darla

No cooking!

We have a rule. The oven does not go on from June to the start of school. Dinner is either cold, or take-out. (Lucky Wishbone, yay!) Or cooked on the grill. But don't heat up my kitchen!!!

my house

jaycee

TUBING THE SALT RIVER

We love getting a group of friends together and heading up to the hotter weather in the Phoenix area. We rent tubes and enjoy a relaxing cool day  floating on the river.  The views, the wildlife, spending time with friends, the best!

Mesa, Arizona

Nancy

massage, facial and pedicure

My favorite summer treat is to get a massage, a facial and a manicure and pedicure. I have not been able to this summer due to gas prices and inflatino but I would like to get one soon.

Tucson

Cathy Tanori

MT. LEMMON

Love to hike and go fishing especially where the weather is cool

TUCSON, AZ

Grace Soto

MT. LEMMON

I would love to take my two Akita's. They have never seen snow. I'm from Maine and I haven't seen snow in about 25 years. Maybe do some skiing while visiting.

Tucson, AZ

Hannah

Madera Canyon

I love to go hiking and birdwatching in Madera Canyon. Beautiful views, wonderful trails and bed and breakfast resorts are also nice. Enjoy!!!!

Green Valley

Doreen Foss

U of A Centennial Hall

I love going to the productions helded at the Centennial Hall. Tickets run from I think about $18.00 for students..even if you go to Pima college you can get the tickets at a discount. I've paid $40.00 for tickets but they have great shows and the atmosphere is also nice. Even if you want to go for lunch there are lot of places to dine...If you want to take a stroll lots of place to walk and sites to see...including the Museums which is the best kept secret in Tucson...MOST OF THEM ARE FREE !

University Of Arizona Campus

Beverly Toliver

Dessert in the desert

We like to go to Starr Pass and just get dessert right before the sun goes down. It's a beautiful place to watch the sunset whether you sit inside or outside.

Starr Pass

Cindy

Relaxing by the pool

I like to grab a good book sit out by any pool with a tall glass of lemonade and just enjoy.Swim and order some take out food.

Rio Rico Resort /south of the border

Sandra M. Tadeo

The In-Town Lake Escape

I will always remember hearing about this literal oasis and not believing it really existed. But there it is--right in the middle of our dry and dusty desert. It's a lush, green LAKE! Find it by going out Tanque Verde to N. Soldier Trail then turn on E. Roger Road (yes, there IS a Roger Road out East as well as the better known one on the NW side). I guarantee you will temporarily forget you are in Tucson. Thanks MIXfm for providing this wonderful service. ;/

Auga Caliente park

Dr. B

Does anyone still go skinnydipping out at Reddington Pass?

I'm too famous to get naked in public again. And my kids would demand therapy if I tried it.

But back in the old days, before my friends grew up to be judges and City Councilwomen ;-) and broadcasters and business owners, we used to go out to the creek way up in Reddington Pass and go skinnydipping. There is no better way to beat an Arizona heat wave than by splashing around in your birthday suit, then sprawling on a rock to dry off. Between the water and the warm air, it was possible to spend an entire afternoon buck nekkid and comfortable. My memory is that the cops were fine with it, so long as we didn't startle any hiking tourists. (One of my friends has a son who is now a young Tucson policeman. I wonder what he would say if he caught his folks and me floating bare in the stream?)

It's too late for me. This big belly has seen its last public exposure. I don't mind being surrounded by water, just so long as I'm also surrounded by waiters.

But I wondered -- does anybody still hike into Reddington and go skinnydipping?

Reddington Pass, far northeast Tucson

Anonymous

Mount Lemmon a home away from home

My favorite place to go in the summer is hands down mount Lemmon. I am so glad that we have that mountain to escape from the heat, it is so great. In less than an hour you are at the top eating your pie and relaxing in the 30 degree less weather. And now they have UA's Mount Lemmon SkyCenter,the observatory which is near summerhaven which offers a nighttime public astronomy viewing. But the problem is the price, I would LOVE LOVE to go and experience this great site with me and my hubby. Maybe one day.

Mount Lemmon

christi

A cabin at the top of Mt. Lemmon

My favorite summer treat would be a week-end stay in a cabin on the top of Mt. Lemmon. That way I can go hiking all day and not have to drive back down the beautiful cool green mountain. Maybe go out to eat one night,and cook in the cabin or barbeque the rest of the meals. I have hiked many many trails up there since I moved here in 1978. I have gone camping but never had the privilege of staying in a cabin up there. As a matter of fact I love that mountain so much, my first marraige took place at Rose Canyon Lake. I have many good memories up there and alway love to revisit them.

Mt. Lemmon

BEANIE

popsicles

My 2 grandboys ages 3 and 8 love to eat popsicles and get wet with the hose or in the kiddie pool. It is so fun! Now just for me, I love a cool getaway like going to my best friend's house and sitting in the pool with cosmopolitans.

my house

Tina

Laying in the Hammock Swinging

I love laying in my hammock and listening to the thunder while watching the moonsoon clouds building and then swinging in the wind...eventually I do need to go inside when the rain and wind get too much but it is such a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors and the wonder of God's power and creation. I love my hammock...my kids gave it to me and it reminds me of when I was a kid while living in Florida practically living on our boat...especially on weekends heading down to the Keys and shrimping at night...I love that swaying feeling! It rocks me to sleep when I am not reading or watching nature. Perfect afternoon spent with a cold iced tea and a bowl of ice cream!

My backyard

Catalina

BBQ & Pool Delights

A summer pool party & BBQ. Invite a few friends to swim and relax...then tansition into an early afternoon BBQ.

Menu would include appetizers including shrimp coctail & guacamole with chips. Appropriate beveages would be provided. Main course would be a selection of BBQ items including ribs, burgers, dogs & brats.

Dessert would be you scream, I scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM.

Music would be provided to the party by, who else, MIX FM... A wonderful time will be had by all !

Love your Station.

My Oro Valley Casa

Larry

Mt. Lemmon!

WE take a nice drive up Mt. Lemmon early in the day, have lunch at the Iron Door. We try to sit on the patio and enjoy the hummingbirds, we take photos, and then after a nice breakfast or lunch, we go over to the ski lift and have a nice ride up the mountain. WE get off at the top and walk around a bit at the top. WE then enjoy the ride back down and we drive to Summerhaven. WE always used to stop at the Alpine Lodge and have a drink or two, then we would walk down and buy a cookie at Cookies and Cabins and continue our walk to Marshall's Gulch. During the walk we would reminisce about all the walks or times spent on the mountain during snow days, throwing snowballs for dogs or sledding or whatever. We would spend some time at the gulch and then walk back, stopping at Garcia's store to get some fudge to take home and a soda for the ride back. We would leave Summerhaven and drive thru upper and lower Loma Linda roads and then start down. We might stop at Rose Canyon lake for a walk and then back to town.

Mt. Lemmon

Melody Foster

Tea Party

My favorite treat in the summer is to be inside when it is too hot outside and have a tea party with my two little granddaughers. We have a dress up tea party and I just enjoy the afternoon with my two little sweethearts.

Mammoth, Arizona

Christina Throop

Tubing

Cool water, cool brews. What else do you need!!!!!

The Salt River

anita rowe

Homemade Ice Cream

My family loves ice cream. This year we were at my cosins home and made homemade ice cream with paint cans and trampoine. The kids really enjoyed jumping to make ice cream. It was really easy and we are looking forward to do it our selves.

Northwest

Casandra

Making quesadillas on the sidewalk

Fresh tortillas from Alejandro's, some grated jack and a sizzlin summer sidewalk are all you need. If you don't really like being outside, try the same technique on the dashboard of your car!

*note
It is dangerous to cook while driving

any sunny sidewalk

Albert

Relaxing on the cheap. Because its free!!!!

Italian Ice any flavor. I need a break from cooking and cleaning for my three kids(Husband included).

Tucson

Diana Hannifan

Needlepoint or Cross Stitch

Summer is our "extreme weather" time. I love to curl up on the couch with my favorite needlepoint or cross stitch project and watch the SCI FI, USA OR AMC channels on TV. It's great therapy and I can enjoy it in my air conditioned home!

Or on Friday afternoons there's a free "sit and stitch" at the Busy Needle at Ina and Shannon Road. Use their air conditioning and enjoy talking with the ladies there!

The Busy Needle

Vik

Flandreau Planetarium

It is always extra cool inside. The seats lay back for a relaxing midday viewing of the night sky. I have taken many a fine nap there.

U of A campus

Bill

Movies

go to the movies with my 3 year old grandson every wednesday morning at crossroads.

bonnie

Mona Lisa Corleone Sicilian Restaurant

Howdy... I enjoy going to Mona Lisa Corleone Restaurant (6632 Tanque Verde-Tucson). Not only is the food extremely mouth-watering, I give the service a Gold Metal. They also provide entertainment through out the week and every other Sunday they have a Sinatra Night with Paul Shea and its as if Old Blue Eyes is there in the flesh. Also on Wednesday they have a Jazz Group plus a DJ on Friday and Saturday. This restaurant also has a small dance floor for those who like to move their twinkle toes. The prices are affordable. This is my favorite thing to do here in Tucson...great entertainment along with supurb meals.

tucson

Linda

Massage, Pedicure and Airconditioned Walks

Udall airconditioned gym is the perfect spot to escape the heat and what nice views either at sunset, sunrise (or really anytime) while you walk or jog on their elevated track. And yes men can enjoy a pedicure and massage. I'm not sure which one I enjoy the most but men you don't know what you are missing if you have not tried them both. I get a massage twice a month and a pedicure at leasr once a month. That way I have a relaxing experience three times each month.

I am just glad I finally listened to my wife and started doing all three:-)

It took me thirty years. . .my advice is don't wait.

Sabino Canyon

Milt & Nicolle

trail dust town

We enjoy going to the Trail Dust Town in Tucson. Having a meal at Pinnacle Peak and then enjoying the western show (which is free) and enjoying all the shops.

tucson

CATHY