Beat the Heat: The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Fun in Tempe This Summer
When temperatures rise, Tempe delivers a cool escape for all ages with a lineup of indoor adventures that are anything but boring. Whether you're wrangling energetic kids, planning a creative date, meeting up with friends, or exploring Tempe as a visitor, there's no shortage of exciting ways to stay entertained—and air conditioned.
This summer, skip the heat and dive into Tempe’s best indoor attractions. Think hands-on museums, live music, interactive art spaces, and high-energy activities that’ll keep the whole family cool and engaged.
Here are just a few of the top experiences Tempe has to offer this season:
As You Wish at Tempe Marketplace
Located within the District at Tempe Marketplace, As You Wish is a place where you can discover imaginative possibilities. At As You Wish, you pick out a piece of pottery and decorate it as you please with store-provided paints. Classes are available for special projects for adults and kids.
Bubble Planet
Open since February, Bubble Planet is a voyage through fantastical, pastel landscapes that are designed to appeal to all five senses. Jump from one immersive space to the next — experiencing every variety of bubbles imaginable — and don’t miss the unique photo ops. Plan for this experience to last 60 to 90 minutes.
Candle Chemistry
Located on Mill Avenue, Candle Chemistry invites you to capture the essence of the Sonoran Desert, create your new signature scent or just explore new scent combinations with a coconut wax candle pouring class or by creating a custom body product. Walk-ins welcome!
Changing Hands Bookstore
Changing Hands Bookstore is one of the best independent bookstores around. It has a wonderful selection of children’s toys and books.
Dave & Busters
Something new and exciting to offer, including more than 150 arcade and tabletop games and virtual reality experiences. Find a perch at one of the sports bar’s many TVs on game day or sip your way through happy hour and late-night happy hour.
Escapology Tempe
Inside every room, you’ll find a narrative filled with suspense and surprises. Creatively designed themes test your wit and teamwork skills in eight different escape room themes, including two that are equipped with “kid mode.” Can you solve the mystery and escape in 60 minutes?
Hammer and Stain
Join a session here and get crafty by creating your own trendy wood signs using personalized stencils, paints and stains — all provided during the workshop. Additional workshops range from resin pouring and quilting to apparel creations and more.
Kiwanis Wave Pool
Climate-controlled pool features 3-foot waves in various patterns and features a 122-foot-long spiral water slide. Rafts and tube rentals are also available. The Wave Pool is open for the season — 1 to 5 p.m. — every Saturday in April, Saturdays and Sundays in May, and every day waves begin on Monday, June 1. For additional information, call 480-350-5201, ext. 2.
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona
This ultimate indoor playground invites families with children aged 3 to 10 to explore a world of creativity and color by getting hands-on with the thousands of LEGO bricks in themed build-and-play areas with the endless possibilities. Check out replicas of landmarks from throughout the Grand Canyon State built with 1 million LEGO BRICKS, take interactive adventures, watch movies at the LEGO 4-D cinema and build LEGO creations with master builders. A LEGO store and café are also onsite.
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Get up close and personal with thousands of aquatic creatures at this 26,000-square-foot aquarium. Interactive touch pools and Arizona’s only 360-degree tunnel allow visitors to come face-to-face with the animal underworld, including sharks and rescued sea turtles. Encounter a vast array of creatures, including seahorses, sharks, rays, tropical fish and more. There are more than 30 display tanks with 5,000 sea creatures.
Splash Pad at Tempe Marketplace
Open year-round and daily until 11 p.m., the Splash Pad at Tempe Marketplace is the ideal family-friendly spot for children to splash, play and cool off outdoors. Check the events calendar for special themed events.
Tilt Studio
This entertainment oasis invites the entire family to experience more than 150 arcade and video games, as well as laser tag and virtual reality experiences. When it’s time to refuel, head upstairs for a mouthwatering menu of American cuisine, including salads, pizza, wings and other snacks. Be sure to ask about current specials that combine dining and gaming for a package deal.
Whether you’re planning a fun day with the kids or curating a summer staycation, this guide will help you find the coolest (literally!) things to do indoors in Tempe. Stay safe, stay cool, and let the summer fun begin!
