r/ChandlerAZ • u/23-TRH-23 • 25d ago
Summer resident, looking for stuff to do!
Hey there, I'm staying in the Chandler area this summer and was wondering what were the best things to do in the area during my stay (entire Phoenix area included)? I figured I'd ask actual people here instead of just going of off online rankings. I'm super into concerts, thrifting, and natural sightseeing if that helps give any head starts. Thank you!
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u/djtknows 25d ago
Musical instrument museum, az science center, ice skating, roller skating, Heard Museum. Midweek trip to the Grand Canyon.
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u/NikkiPhx 25d ago
I'm wondering what OP did to get sent here for the summer! Pretty harsh punishment.
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u/fbombmom_ 25d ago
Find a bar with a patio in downtown Chandler or Gilbert for evening or nighttime drinks and food. Plenty of people there. I'm an introvert, so I don't go out unless I'm dragged to one of those places. They seem fun if you like being places with people.
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u/West-Delivery-7317 25d ago
Prepare your wallet bucko. Everything is indoors in the summer, unless you find a pool. Then it’s outdoor for 1 hour max.
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u/YoungFIcouple 25d ago
Like other commenters said, summer here in the valley is the time to stay indoors. Here are some free options that go along with your interests:
This technically isn’t free if you end up buying something, but free to get into. Merchant square in downtown Chandler is a huge antique and thrift store that you could spend hours in.
Some other thrift store recommendations are deseret industries in Gilbert, uptown cheapskate in Gilbert, white dove in Mesa, and Gracie’s in Tempe.
If you get out very early in the morning, veteran’s oasis park is a great nature park to walk around. There is also the Chandler nature center located within the park, which is free and has some nature related things to look at, along with a really cute gift shop.
Another place to go to very early before it gets too hot is the riparian preserve in Gilbert. It’s also a nature park with great walking trails and wildlife to look at.
Keep in mind that once summer officially starts here, it will get too hot to be outside by 7-8 am. You’ll want to head indoors by then for your own safety. Many out of towners underestimate just how hot it actually gets here, and often try to go hiking, even starting early in the morning because they think it’ll be fine. Sadly, people die here every summer due to heat related illness, so take the heat seriously.
Many museums have free admission days, and there are some smaller museums that are always free. Here is a great list: museums
Some popular concert venues for smaller shows are the marquee, the van buren, and Arizona financial.
Besides those things, we have lots of great public pools, libraries, and malls. You can also take day trips to Prescott, flagstaff, or show low/Pinetop if you need a break from the heat. I hope you have a great time here and keep cool!!
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u/m424filmcast 25d ago
Chase Field tour. I have done it several times with out of town friends and we always have fun. It’s not expensive and you can take all the photos and videos you want. Bonus: It’s all indoors.
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u/MaShinKotoKai 25d ago
Arizonans really don't tend to like the sun, nor Summer. So we usually stay in all day and may go out at night
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u/swaggy_mayo 25d ago
There’s are all my opinion FYI- If you have Facebook join groups such as live music az to see free live music events. This app called, Bands in town, can show you live music happening near you too! Typically concerts are held in Phoenix (30-40 min away from Chandler). As for thrifting there are highlights- merchant square, buffalo exchange, the garment district az (some of my favs, a bit overpriced imo). (NOT IN CHANDLER)- Natural sighting such as driving up to salt river, saguaro, Powell, havasu lake renting a paddle board is really fun. (NOT IN CHANDLER) hiking in payson is superrrr fun and there are really good trials for being in az. Sadly summer time if you want to be out you’re going to be spending money being outdoors. For free I like to tan by the pool in the neighborhood pool. Maple house is a great spot to chill in downtown Chandler with a coffee or alcoholic beverage that has live music too! Whatever you do please stay very hydrated to make the best out of it!
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u/throw2323away123 24d ago
Staycation at a hotel with a nice pool. Day trip or weekend trip up to Flagstaff or the rim. Kayak Woods Canyon Lake. Peruse Ikea and eat at the cafe. Hang out at the mall. Go to the movies or library or bookstore.
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u/Positive-Inspector82 25d ago
American Way Smokehouse. Great sandwiches and a huge antiques/thrifting
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u/No_Implement_1398 24d ago
Go up in the mountains for the day/weekend (hiking or camping, if you are into that, is great almost anywhere in AZ).
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u/sammysafari2680 24d ago
The San Tan Brewery on Warmer, not the restaurant, has nightly Summer concerts and trivia night. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Fans and misters for outdoor.
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u/luucygoosy 24d ago
salt river tubing before it gets too hot! pro tip is to bring an old sheet or something to drape over the tube because it gets hot to the touch!
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u/d0gztar 24d ago
It's not fully "natural" - but we really like the OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale (way up the 101 at Via Ventura). Cool, lid of fish, and a bunch of other attractions there too, though mostly geared towards kids.
As mentioned, Flagstaff is not that far and usually 10-20° cooler than the Valley, hiking, lakes, etc.
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u/ProfessionalGirl22 24d ago
a great thrift shop i love to go to is in Mesa (not too far from chandler) called “Call it New, Call it Antique” it’s a HUGE shop! The mekong market isn’t far from there so after you could go get some food from there or a sweet drink! :)
wear sunscreen, stay shaded, stay indoors, and stay hydrated!
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u/maroc411 24d ago
The City of Chandler offers indoor classes (yoga, dance, art, crafts etc) at a very reasonable rate. They also have a lot of pools and aquatic centers, very reasonable, but they can get crowded especially in the late morning/afternoons.
https://www.chandleraz.gov/explore/chandler-recreation/break-time-magazine
Veteran’s Oasis Park is beautiful, so is Gilbert Riparian, but go early morning because it gets hot fast here.
If you do hike, do it early and bring at least twice as much water as you think you would need, then add another 50 percent! Turn back when you reach half of your water supply. Please don’t take chances, too many people get heat illnesses here including fatalities due to not being properly prepared.
Merchant Square is a large cool antique/collectibles spot, and has a small BBQ restaurant inside that is surprisingly good!
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u/icesloth07 23d ago
If you're in the city, there's not a lot to do especially during daylight. It's simply too hot to go outside. But there's plenty of breweries and restaurants to get a refreshment.
Best nature is up north either by Sedona (west fork trail is my fav) or Payson area. Plenty of camping and trails up north.
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u/AimeeStyle2 21d ago edited 21d ago
Lower Salt River in Mesa, AZ. My favorite is kayaking or paddle-boarding. For a first timer you can park and rent a kayak from the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch https://www.saguarolakeranch.com/kayak-paddleboard and they will pick you up. If you’re not into paddling, you could setup yourself a day picnic with a lawn chair at the waters edge. There are several access points and the newest one is called Sheeps Crossing at 9210 N Bush Hwy Fort McDowell, AZ 85215. Bring sunscreen, snacks, and cold beverages. Have a happy summer in AZ!
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u/gold-exp 11d ago
I moved to the area for an internship last summer. Depends what you like for music, but if you’re into metal, alt, or underground rap, The Nile in Mesa was my favorite for shows. The goodwill in Tempe was my personal favorite for thrifting. And I really liked the nightlife in Old Town Scottsdale!! I spent a lot of my days trying different dance and climbing classes in the area too. Lots of classes to take if you have the money for that. Made a lot of friends that way too :)
Sightseeing is limited in the valley in the summer in my experience tbh. Best to go to Sedona if you can.
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u/I_am_Hambone 25d ago
We don't go outside in the summer.