If your idea of beating the heat involves water, you won’t have to go far.
There are many destinations within and close to Tucson where residents can cool off and have a change of scenery.
The AC Hotel Tucson Downtown, 151 E. Broadway, is kicking off summer early with a rooftop pool party May 17. It is one of the hotel’s six pool parties planned through July 4.
“Guests can expect a lively, inclusive atmosphere filled with music, dancing and good vibes,” said Elyse Mundew, the hotel’s director of sales. “With themed décor and a community-focused energy, the events are designed to feel welcoming and celebratory, whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town.”

AC Hotel Tucson Downtown Pool Party (Photo courtesy of Elyse Mundew)
The themed pool parties feature live DJs, local artists and local vendors in an immersive experience that includes professional event photography.
The rooftop pool parties are open to hotel guests and the public. Single day tickets and VIP packages can be purchased through Eventbrite. At eventbrite.com/o/yes-good-pony-38699784383.
Here are some other ideas of how to cool off this summer.
Pool time
If you’re more into spending the day poolside, several local resorts offer day passes including the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd; The Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain, 15000 N Secret Springs Drive in Marana; The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 3800 E Sunrise Drive; and Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa 2727 W. Club Drive.

Passes start at $45 depending on the resort. For a list of participating resorts and prices, visit .resortpass.com/s/us/az/tucson/hotel-day-passes.
Road trip to a water park
Tucson has no public water parks, but head north to Phoenix and you’ll find several.
- Hurricane Harbor Six Flags, 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road in Glendale, offers various slides and rides for all ages. Daily summer hours begin May 17. Summer events include “Star Spangled Nights” July 4-5, which features fireworks and patriotic music. For more information, visit sixflags.com/phoenix/events.
- Revel Surf at Cannon Beach, 4503 S. Power Road in Mesa, opened in December 2024. They are open year-round including daily during the summer. Revel Surf is a full beach park resort with sand imported from the Florida Panhandle and activities including cliff jumping, leisure swimming, skating and surfing.
“The main attraction is the lagoon, which mimics real ocean surfing in different places around the earth, like California or Hawaii,” said Ethan Redondo, who works at Revel Surf.
To buy a beach pass or book a surf session or cabana, visit evelsurf.com/.
- If you’re heading to San Diego and want to make a water park pitstop, Yuma’s Waylon’s Water World is the perfect layover. The park is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; it adds Thursday and Fridays starting later this month.
Waylon’s Water World, 4446 E. County 10th St., off interstate 10 and the Avenue 3E exit, has a number of water slides, a lazy river and wave pools as well as a bar and cabanas.
“Our biggest and most popular slides are probably the Constrictor or the Red Racer,” said Dale Thomas, the park’s party and events coordinator.
Waylon’s also is home of the Z Fun Factory, which has mini golf, go karts, batting cages, an arcade and bumper boats. You can purchase day passes, or seasonal passes starting at $99.99, through zfunfactory.com/waylons-water-world.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.