Is Summer in Tucson really that unbearable? (Phoenix: square footage, place to live)

[pstern]

We are visiting Tucson June 29-July 8; we are looking for a place to retire. I have a few questions about of visit: This will be our second trip to Tucson; we visited during spring break.
1. We plan to do lots of hiking and biking in the early mornings. What time would you suggest we head inside before we turn into BBQ? We are from Texas, so we are not strangers to the heat, but we realize that the climate is quite different than the gulf dominated weather we have in Austin.
2. We are looking for a few afternoon activities out of the heat, any special 'Tucson" places you would suggest to go and cool off?
3. I see that there are numerous 4th of July celebrations. Is there one that stands out? I saw that there was one in Oro Valley..is this a good one?
Thanks for your help. We are very excited about continuing our research!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by pstern

We are visiting Tucson June 29-July 8; we are looking for a place to retire. I have a few questions about of visit: This will be our second trip to Tucson; we visited during spring break.
1. We plan to do lots of hiking and biking in the early mornings. What time would you suggest we head inside before we turn into BBQ? We are from Texas, so we are not strangers to the heat, but we realize that the climate is quite different than the gulf dominated weather we have in Austin.
2. We are looking for a few afternoon activities out of the heat, any special 'Tucson" places you would suggest to go and cool off?
3. I see that there are numerous 4th of July celebrations. Is there one that stands out? I saw that there was one in Oro Valley..is this a good one?
Thanks for your help. We are very excited about continuing our research!

1) Sunrise that week will be around 4:55-5:15 am. If I was hiking, I would be leaving at dawn and perhaps trying to end no later than 10 am. You have to be careful about biking before dawn as people don't see as well out there.

Also, I have been to Austin and as unpleasant as that can be, that is the minor league of heat. This is the MAJOR LEAGUES! You need to make sure that you drink water well before embarking on the hike or bike. And I mean a lot of water. Twice in the last week, I have had problems with the heat as I wasn't expecting it to be so hot at 6:30 am.

2) There are a lot of indoor attractions:

Postal History Foundation - near the University.
State Historical Society
Several museums at the University of Arizona
Titan Missile Museum
International Wildlife Museum
Kirchner Caves
Asarco Mining Museum

Pay $20 for a Southern Arizona Attractions Guide for 50 BOGO admissions.

3) I cannot help you with that one. I live SOUTH of Tucson. I know that the Casino del Sol in sponsoring Fireworks on July 3rd.

Hope that helps.

[Marcy1210]

Originally Posted by pstern

We are visiting Tucson June 29-July 8; we are looking for a place to retire. I have a few questions about of visit: This will be our second trip to Tucson; we visited during spring break.
1. We plan to do lots of hiking and biking in the early mornings. What time would you suggest we head inside before we turn into BBQ? We are from Texas, so we are not strangers to the heat, but we realize that the climate is quite different than the gulf dominated weather we have in Austin.
2. We are looking for a few afternoon activities out of the heat, any special 'Tucson" places you would suggest to go and cool off?
3. I see that there are numerous 4th of July celebrations. Is there one that stands out? I saw that there was one in Oro Valley..is this a good one?
Thanks for your help. We are very excited about continuing our research!

The fireworks in Oro Valley are set off at the Hilton Conquistador and viewing is about 1/2 mile away at the Aquatic Center at James D. Kreigh park. There are some picnic tables, but they fill up fast, before sunset, so most people bring blankets and a picnic dinner. Parking is difficult and far from the park if you arrive after sunset. Bring bug spray because the mosquitoes are out in force. There are a couple of food trucks for pizza or burgers and there are drink stands, bouncy house and bouncy animals for the kids, crafts for the family, music on the stage and other activities. My son and I went for a couple of years, but it was difficult to see the fireworks, so the next two years, we bought a 4th of July room package from the Hilton and sat around the pool for the fireworks. That was a lot of fun.

Here's the information on all the fireworks displays in the area. Scroll down for Marana and Oro Valley.

Tucson 4th of July Fireworks Shows 2016

This is the particular Oro Valley information.

Oro Valley July 4th Celebration and Pool Party | Tucson Events

[Mountainsofmisery]

Originally Posted by pstern

We are visiting Tucson June 29-July 8; we are looking for a place to retire. I have a few questions about of visit: This will be our second trip to Tucson; we visited during spring break.
1. We plan to do lots of hiking and biking in the early mornings. What time would you suggest we head inside before we turn into BBQ? We are from Texas, so we are not strangers to the heat, but we realize that the climate is quite different than the gulf dominated weather we have in Austin.
2. We are looking for a few afternoon activities out of the heat, any special 'Tucson" places you would suggest to go and cool off?
3. I see that there are numerous 4th of July celebrations. Is there one that stands out? I saw that there was one in Oro Valley..is this a good one?
Thanks for your help. We are very excited about continuing our research!

Don't forget about hiking around the top of Mount Lemmon. It is 25 degrees cooler than at the base so you can hike in the relative comfort of 80ish degrees but the sun is intense so take appropriate steps. Google "Mount Lemmon Pools" and I think it is off the Wilderness of Rocks trail and a neat spot to take a break. Other great trails too.

[Saguarogirl507]

Oh yes. Mount Lemmon. Mount Lemmon. Mount Lemmon. Such a relief from the heat. And be sure and take the ski lift up to the tippy top for a view to die for.

I have tried hiking at 8AM in Ventana Canyon and by then it was already too hot.....Summer is really not the time to hike.

Indoor things like the Mini Time Machine, the Biosphere, the air conditioned bus at the Pima Air and Space Museum through the bone yard.

[jlawrence01]

Another place that would be cool in the summer is Kitts Peak, the home of the Kitt's Peaks Observatory. Being around 6000 ft means that it will be significantly cooler than the valley floor although it is still pretty warm. I would also recommend a tour or two of the telescopes.

Most of the venues around Tucson including the Desert Museum, the Botannical Gardens and Tohono Chul realize that it is very hot in the summer and very chilly in the winter and set things up so that you are never far from a building that you can step into and cool off.

[Windwalker2]

You can hike in the Catalinas (Mt Lemmon) all summer long, all day long unless it storms. Visit Summerhaven just to cool off. I did that for many years when I lived on the East side of town.

[mum301]

Miami and Tucson woman. Total newbie here,but here goes. Loved Miami's ocean and greenery, but hated the hot sauna weather. Love Tucson's slower less material lifestyle, ability to drive to the cooler mountians when too hot in Tucson. As far as weather comparision, it is apple and oranges. On the uncomfortable temp level I would say the 80's in Miami suck as bad as the high 90's in Tucson. I really miss the ocean and all the green tho. Ahhh and the rain!

[Raven_on_a_Coyote]

Keep in mind when I am saying this that I have lived in the very humid North Carolina for the last 15 years.

Summer for me so far has been hard, but keep in mind I have some kind of autoimmune disorder. The UV radiation is just too much for me most times. It is not so bad in the morning and evening, so it is not the heat, but sheesh, that sun is strong. I was riding my scooter for about 10 minutes in short sleeves (stupid) and I could already feel a sun burn starting. It also seems to worsen my anxiety.

The dryness makes all other times of day very pleasant for me though so I am enjoying it being 77 degrees in my apartment at night and sleeping fine.

So basically, if I see it is going to be over 95, I go out in the morning to a coffee shop at like 6:30 and get home by noon where I stay till sunset. I also wear a sunblocking long sleeve shirt all the time which helps a lot.

I miss being able to walk everywhere and even at night it is hard for me.

This weekend looks like it is going to be rough, highest temperatures in 20 years. I picked a great time to move here...

Can't wait for the winter, but I will not be living here after this year.

[RMESMH]

Originally Posted by Raven_on_a_Coyote

This weekend looks like it is going to be rough, highest temperatures in 20 years.

You must have heard the same warning I did .