As the temperature climbs in Tucson, there are still plenty of fun activities and events where you can stay cool and beat the heat. A recent report from the British Journal of Psychiatry found seniors who participate in cultural activities show a decrease in depression so don’t forget to invite your senior friends and family members out into the community with you this summer. We have compiled a list of places that are accessible where you can stay cool with indoor or evening programming.
When the temperature hits 100 degrees there is nothing like sitting in the cool darkness of a movie theater. The Loft Cinema is a mission-driven, membership-supported nonprofit arts organization that screens independent, arts and classic films daily. Screen 1 and 3 in the Loft’s historic theaters are fully disability accessible and have a Hearing Loop Induction System.
2. Reid Park Zoo: Summer Safari, Saturday Nights
When the summer sun goes down the animals come out and the temperature is more tolerable for seniors. The Reid Park Zoo presents Summer Safari each Saturday night with live music, food & drink specials and animal encounters & keeper chats. Explore the zoo on fully accessible paths and get a taste of the wild.
3. Edith Ball Adaptive Recreation Center Pool
Located in Reid Park, this award winning facility offers unique aquatic experience to stay cool all summer long. The outdoor, covered Recreation Pool offers a variety of fitness classes, lap swim, and open swim times to enjoy the walking channel. In addition to the shaded outdoor pool pavilion, the center has an indoor, warm water Therapy Pool that provides individuals with disabilities an opportunity to experience benefits including increased range of motion and flexibility, relief of pain due to arthritis or other conditions, and overall relaxation. Both the Recreation Pool and the Therapy Pool are fully accessible.
4. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Cool Summer Nights – Open till 10:00 p.m. Saturday
The Desert Museum is open Saturday evenings after dark when the temperatures cool from May 18 – August 31, 2019. The museum’s two miles of fully accessible desert paths provide an opportunity to experience nocturnal animals. “Bats perform aerial acrobatics in pursuit of dinner, beavers splash around in their pond, and scorpions glow green under black light.” Besure to bring your flashlight See the schedule for weekly themes.
When the sun is searing spending a day at the Tucson Museum of Art can expand the mind. A National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) report found that “older adults” who attended cultural events report better mental and physical health than those who did not. LEARNING TO SEE: JOSEF ALBERS at the Tucson Museum of Art May 3 – July 7, 2019 explores the Formulation: Articulation is series of silkscreen prints published by Harry N. Abrams and printed by the well-known fine art printing firm Ives-Sillman.
6. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
Another great way to spend a day out of the heat is to explore the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Current exhibits include Miniature Silver: The Helen Goodman Luri
June 4 – May 31, 2020 and Evolution of a Modelmaker: John A. Acker
April 30 – August 18, 2019.
7. Eat an Ice Cream Sundae
The Ice Cream Sundae is an American invention that dates to the late 1800s and in Tucson, cold treats have been a staple of summer for just as long. There is nothing like reminiscing over an ice cream. The Screamery has been lauded for their sundae and their Speedway location has parking right out front and Sullivan’s Eatery and Creamery on the northwest side has over 40 flavors and table service.
