Secrets of Summer: 11 Cool Places to Go

1)Tucson Premium Outlets at Marana Center, 6401 W Marana Center Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85742

You can spend many pleasant hours at Southern Arizona’s newest outdoor mall, well equipped with misters and 65 air conditioned stores to explore. 

Insider tip: Plan for an icy cold beverage break, like the original Orange Julius (at Dairy Queen/Orange Julius) plus seven others flavors and eight premium fruit smoothies, Johnny Rockets’ original and deluxe shakes (12 varieties), and Starbucks 8 categories of icy cold beverages (iced coffee, juice, tea, Frappuccino, Refreshers, chocolate, espresso, and bottled drinks).
Open: Mon-Sat, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sun, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
 

2) Harkins Arizona Pavilions 12 Theatres, 5755 W Arizona Pavilions Dr, Tucson, AZ 85743

This brand new multiplex has a Summer Movie Fun for Kids program. It has everyday coolness for adults, currently offering 34 options, including summer blockbusters (Ant-Man and the Wasp, SMF The Emoji Movie,3D Incredibles 2), drama (Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Sanju, Gotti, Leave No Trace) retro revivals (like Jaws andRaiders of the Lost Ark), to art and independent films like RBG(a documentary about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg).
Insider tip: Summer Movie Fun for Kids https://www.harkins.com/movies/summer-movie-fun
Open: Daily showings vary from around 9:30 am – 11:00 pm

3) Thirst Quenching Local Micro Breweries and Taphouses

Are you the adventurous type that likes to find the edge? Or do you want to sample a wide variety from a curated selection? Marana offers breweries and pubs highlighting unique experiences and a range of flavors.

Microbreweries

Catalina Brewing Company, 6918 N Camino Martin, Tucson, AZ 85741
Nowhere else will you find a larger selection of craft beer made with Sonoran Desert wild food ingredients on tap, year ‘round. Mesquite, agave, prickly pear, chiltepin are blended into balanced and original flavors, as well as seasonal regional ingredients such as pecans, White Sonoran Wheat, and more.
Insider tip: Food trucks and events scheduled frequently, check website or Facebook. http://www.catalinabrewingco.com/
Open: Tues-Thur, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Fri, 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sat, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sun, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Button Brew House,  6800 N Camino Martin Suite 160, Tucson, AZ 85741
With at least 14 original craft beers brewed on site, Button also offers Sunday-only Micheladas (a Mexican beer cocktail made with lime juice and spicy sauces), beer blends (including coffee), and Radlers (a German beer beverage with sparkling lemonade, meaning “cyclist” and is appropriate since both of Marana’s craft breweries are off The Pima County Loop bike path). 
Insider tip: Food trucks and events scheduled frequently, check website or Facebook. https://buttonbrewhouse.com/
Open: Mon-Thur, 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Fri, 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sat, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sun, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm 

Taphouses 

Dove Mountain Brewing Company, 12130 N Dove Mountain Blvd, Marana, AZ 85658
Pub food, and a selection of the best local craft beers, on tap from 21 breweries.
Open: Mon-Sun, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Growlers Taphouse, 8275 N Silverbell Rd ste 137, Tucson, AZ 85743
Hearty scratch-made pub food, ribs, pizza, and 30 craft beers on tap from across the U.S. Occasional live music.
Open: Mon-Thur & Sun, 11:30 am – 10:00 pm; Fri-Sat, 11:30 am – 1:30 am

Casa Marana Craft Beer & Wine Bar, 8225 N Courtney Page Way #191, Marana, AZ 85743
Marana’s newest taphouse with 35 beers on tap from all over Arizona and the U.S., wine, plus bottle shop. 
Insider tip: Food trucks are scheduled most Saturdays, events are scheduled frequently, check website or Facebook for latest. https://www.casamarana.com/
Open: Mon-Sun, 11:00 am – 1:00 am

Caps and Corks, 3830 W River Rd ste 100, Tucson, AZ 85741
This craft beer and bottle shop has about 25 beers on tap and eight wines on tap, plus 300-400 types of bottled beer and wines for sale.
https://www.capsandcorksaz.com/  

4) Topgolf Marana, 4050 W Costco Dr, Tucson, AZ 85741

Cool got a lot cooler in Marana when Topgolf Marana opened about six months ago. The driving range bays are cooled and the inside – with games, meeting rooms, restaurant, and patio bar – is fully air conditioned. 
Insider tip: Lessons, leagues, and Kids Summer Academy are available. https://topgolf.com/us/tucson/
Open: Mon-Thur, 9:00 am – 11:00 pm; Fri & Sat, 9:00 am – 1:00 am; Sun, 9:00 am – 12:00 am
 

5) Bookmans Marana, 3733 W Ina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85741

They call it Bookmans “Northwest” but, guess what? It’s really in Marana’s Southeast corner. You can indulge all of your summer reading, music upgrades, and video, décor, novelties, gift shopping, and art collecting here.
Insider tip: Check the website for kids’ events. http://bookmans.com/events/
Open: Mon-Sun, 9:00 am – 10:00 pm

6) Guitar Center Marana, 3830 W River Rd Suite 110, Tucson, AZ 85741

The best summer hobby? An air-conditioned garage band. Marana’s Guitar Center will spark your summer musical adventures with sales, rentals, lighting, drums, keyboards, band and orchestra instruments, used gear, vintage guitars, accessories, and lessons.
Insider tip: Lessons are scheduled between 10:00 am – 9:00 pm most days, see website for details. https://stores.guitarcenter.com/nw-tucson?source=4SOSWXXN
Open: Mon-Fri, 10:00 am – 9:00 pm; Sat, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sun, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

**Another cool thing to do during monsoon season: watch a natural fireworks show! Did you know that the Marana area is considered the lightning capital of the world? Check out our blog on best places around Marana to view monsoon-season lightning.