Phoenix Shade Trees

Beat the Phoenix Heat by Staying in the Shade

The American southwest has gone from being a lawless haven for outlaws in the late 19th century to the most popular destination for millions by the end of the 20th century. The once fearsome desert heat found in southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico used to keep many away, but Americans have flocked to these desert regions by the thousands during the past two decades. Phoenix, Arizona is now one of the largest cities in the southwest with a population of 4.4 million in the metropolitan area. Living in such a harsh climate requires a little bit of know how to help beat the heat and make it a more enjoyable place to live year round.

Arizona’s warm, dry climate dominates the weather pattern for the majority of the year. Summers in Phoenix are particularly nasty with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. While staying inside and cranking up the air conditioning is the first thought in most minds, there are other options available to stay cool during the summer in Phoenix. The top 10 options for staying cool include:

• - Canopy
• - Tents
• - Mist systems
• - Sprinklers
• – Pools
• - Water parks
• - Lakes
• - Rivers
• - Libraries
• - Museums

It’s only natural to beat the heat by staying out of it all together. Staying in the shade is a great way to avoid direct sunlight, making it feel cooler. A simple canopy covering your deck or patio can provide shade for your family and friends, making it possible to enjoy the outdoors without being cooked.

Outdoor enthusiasts may find their summer plans hindered by the excessive summer temperatures of Phoenix. Bringing a tent along to outdoor gatherings provides an open area for friends and family to gather. A simply canopy-style tent with no walls allows air to flow through while also protecting those underneath from the warm rays of the sun.

Those who want to put a little more work into keeping cool can install a misting system on their deck or patio. These systems are often quite simple, small tubing is installed along the canopy cover of the deck or patio. The tubes have small holes punctured in them, and when water is pumped through the system the small holes produce a mist that cools all those underneath the canopy.

Finding water is the logical next step beyond simple shade to help stay cool. Kids in particular can get exercise and cool down at the same time by simply romping through the sprinkler in the front yard. Those with the luxury of their own pool can hop in anytime to cool their bodies and beat the heat.

If you want to go beyond your own yard for ways to stay cool, Phoenix is home to a number of outdoor activities that provide a cooling relief. There are a number of water parks, lakes, and rivers in the Phoenix area that provide fun and entertainment, in addition to the cooling relief of water. Pack up the tent and canopy before heading out to these local parks, lakes, and rivers:

• - Tubing on the Salt River (available for $15 per person)
• - Lake Pleasant
• - Big Surf Water Park (located in the suburb of Tempe, AZ)
• - Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park (located in the suburb of Glendale, AZ)

Finally, there are other indoor options if you don’t feel like running up your own A/C bill around the house. Phoenix has a number of libraries, museums, and science centers where the whole family can learn, be entertained, and stay cool all at the same time. Consider the following local attractions to stay cool in the summer:

• - Arizona Science Center
• - The Heard Museum
• - Children’s Museum of Phoenix
• - Phoenix Public Library System

When you live in a city with an average of 110 days a year at or above 100 degrees, it can seem daunting to find enjoyable ways to stay cool. Hopefully these top 10 ways to stay cool provide exciting, new options for beating the Phoenix heat!

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