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Dining
DIVE IN
Looking for a pool party? From DJs to games to food and drink specials, these locales are the perfect place to play … MAYA DAYCLUB
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This 20,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Scottsdale features a beer garden, yard games, and a restaurant. For the summer months the pool opens for extravagant summer parties every weekend. Cabanas and daybeds can be reserved, as well as VIP bottle service. DJs play music all day. www.mayaclubaz.com
TALKING STICK RESORT
The Release After Dark pool party series at this Scottsdale resort begins at 5 p.m. on Fridays, and offers summer vibes with a hint of nightlife. Some of the biggest names in EDM are on hand playing tunes. There are also four Vibe Ultra Pool Party events this summer (all Saturdays), where DJs play music from a raised platform stage, and there are games such as oversized Jenga, cornhole, and ping pong. www.talkingstickresort.com
W SCOTTSDALE
From Thursday to Sunday, the W Scottsdale transforms into the ultimate party resort. The WET Deck pool becomes a Vegas-style party scene with bottle service, live DJs, and dancing. During the weekend, the pool is an adultonly area that can be accessed by reserving one of the lavish daybeds or cabanas. www.marriott.com
HOTEL VALLEY HO
Scottsdale’s OH Pool at Hotel Valley Ho is the destination for trendy pool parties on the weekends. Guests can reserve a daybed or cabana, and entertainment includes local DJs and musicians performing together to provide a party atmosphere. www.hotelvalleyho.com
GILA RIVER RESORTS & CASINOS - WILD HORSE PASS
Phoenix Suns starter Jae Crowder hosts the Summer Oasis Pool Party at Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass in Chandler. This exclusive concert series features celebrity DJs on the last Saturday of each month at the resort’s new Oasis Pool. www.playatgila.com
LYLO SWIM CLUB
Located at Rise Uptown, this poolside bar and restaurant serves Hawaiian-Japanese inspired bites on its all-day menu, and a cocktail program is led by the acclaimed Ross Simon. On weekends, reserve a day bed or lounge chair by the pool and enjoy poolside service, music played by live DJs, and lots of fun in the sun. www.riseuptownhote.com
TOP: HILTON PHOENIX RESORT AT THE PEAK. BOTTOM: DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE
splash pad, and water slides, while the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch (www.hyatt.com) has a 2.5-acre water playground with a sand beach and a three-story waterslide. And, at Great Wolf Lodge (www.greatwolf.com), there’s an extensive indoor water park designed with kids in mind.
CHILL INDOORS
TAKE FLIGHT Feel the rush of cool air at iFly (www.iflyworld.com), an indoor skydiving destination, where you'll don a flight suit and step into the wind tunnel (with an instructor) for an indoor flight.
ICY FUN The temps are definitely cooler when you’re at an ice rink—and the Valley has several. There’s the Ice Den (www.coyotesice.com), which has locations in both Scottsdale and Chandler, and AZ Ice (www.azice.com), which has locations in Arcadia, Gilbert, and Peoria. All offer public skate times and ice skate rentals.
EAT, DRINK, AND BE COOL During the summer, LON’s at The Hermosa Inn (www. hermosainn.com) opens its private underground wine cellar— which is kept at a cool 57 degrees—for a one-of-a-kind, prix-fixe, five-course tasting menu.
LON'S AT THE HERMOSA INN
HEAD OUT OF THE VALLEY
NATURE’S WATERPARK While there are plenty of lakes throughout Arizona for swimming, boating, and other water fun, there’s also Slide Rock (www. azstateparks.com/slide-rock/). Located in Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, Slide Rock State Park (about two hours north of Phoenix) offers a natural rock slide in Oak Creek for those seeking adventure and a way to cool off in the cool water.
GET ADVENTUROUS In Flagstaff’s Fort Tuthill County Park, navigate an adventure course and/or zip lines at Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course (www.flagstaffextreme.com). There are more than 30 zip lines suspended 15 to 80 feet high in the tall Ponderosa Pines, as well as a Kids’ Course for those ages 7-11.
ENJOY A CONCERT Also in Fort Tuthill Park in Flagstaff find Pepsi Amphitheater (https://pepsiamp.com). Managed and programmed by R Entertainment North, Pepsi Amphitheater was carved into the forest, set amidst the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine Forest in the world. Take in an evening concert under the stars with the summer concert series, which ranges from Jazz in the Pines (June 26) to Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers (Aug. 9) to Collective Soul & Switchfoot (Aug. 27). The full schedule is listed on the website.
HEAD UNDERGROUND Just outside Benson is Kartchner Caverns State Park (https://azstateparks.com) This stunning underground world, which was discovered in 1974, includes soda straw formations, gravity-defying helictites, a six-story formation, and more. Tour reservations should be purchased in advance.
For a more relaxing day, try these destinations … LUSTRE ROOFTOP BAR Located in Downtown Phoenix at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, this rooftop pool offers a sun deck, private cabanas, plush seating, dining and drink options from the resort’s signature Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails restaurant, as well as great views of Downtown. www.hotelpalomar-phoenix.com
SENNA HOUSE At Senna House, find the Sonora Swim Club’s (named after its views of the Scottsdale Sonoran Desert) rooftop pool lounge and day club. There are relaxed daytime and evening events, and food options by renowned Food Network celebrity chef Executive Chef Beau MacMillan. www.thesennahouse.com