In Tucson, AZ, summertime is when we pay the piper for those glorious fall and winter months doused in sunshine while other areas of the country deal with harsh cold. During summer, for locals and visitors alike, Tucson indoor activities reign supreme. We compiled this list of fulfilling indoor things to do in Tucson to make this and every summer full of wonder and excitement. 

 

Top Indoor Activities in Tucson for Play and Exercise 

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean our kids have less energy. Heading to an indoor sports facility like Sporting Chance Center is a great way to find indoor Tucson play while beating the heat. With basketball and volleyball courts and close to 40,000 sq ft of cool indoor space, your little athletes will have a ball. Sign up for a camp, league, or open play.

Sporting Chance Center- Entrance

 

Find other indoor activities for Tucson kids at amusement centers, like the laser tag and arcade sections of Funtasticks Family Fun Park. Look to spots like Wild Katz and Defy Tucson, where your kids can run around and get out that pent-up summer energy. Wild Katz offers “thoughtfully curated play zones that spark creativity, challenge motor skills, and encourage social interaction.” Defy Tucson the largest trampoline and extreme air sports park in Pima County. It’s great for birthday parties and special events, and they even have a super cool summer camp.

Take your kids shopping at an air-conditioned mall such as Park Place Mall. You’ll find great deals, a respite from the summer sun, and an increase in the family's step count.

Top Indoor Activities in Tucson for Learning and Entertainment 

Head indoors to stay cool, entertained, and mentally stimulated at the Mystery Escape Room. Choose from multiple difficulty levels and pass the challenges to escape. This one is great for adults and kids aged 8 to 14 when accompanied by an adult.

Museums and art galleries are indeed a Tucson summer pastime. The welcoming air conditioning provides a break from the heat and enough space in our overheated heads to experience the exhibits fully. 

Check out the Children's Museum Tucson for camps, programs, what to explore, and birthday party opportunities. Don't forget the Tucson Museum of Art, the main indoor portions of the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun Museum, and the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.

Interior of DeGrazia Gallery In The Sun


Other summer sanctuaries are the always-inspiring Madaras Gallery, the Yun Gee Park Gallery & Atelier, the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, and the Etherton Gallery in the historic and breathtakingly beautiful Barrio Viejo neighborhood.

 

Tucson has an abundance and wide variety of theaters where you and yours can pop in, enjoy the cool air, and take in a show. A local favorite, the Gaslight Theatre puts on hilarious, well-performed live shows. Early evening summer temps in Tucson can still hit the nineties or even triple digits, so take advantage of the Gaslight’s earlier shows or 3 p.m. matinees that often occur on Sundays.