BEAT THE PHOENIX SUMMER HEAT

When the 100+ days start stringing into weeks, Phoenix locals know just how hot it can get. They also have long known seven secrets for beating the heat.

The first is to head north to Slide Rock, in gorgeous Sedona. The next is to grab your inner tube and head for the Salt River! Wanna get out of town? Head to San Diego or Rocky Point.

If you'd like to keep the cost and trouble to a minimum, plan a day trip to a local water park. You'd seriously never know we lived in the desert, with the plethora of water fun available to Phoenix-area residents! 

Big Surf - The grand-daddy of all Phoenix-area waterparks, Big Surf celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Featuring a wave pool with massive waves that will challenge almost any Arizona surfer to water slides for kids and adults of all ages, this is a guaranteed day of fun. Located in Tempe.

The Breakers - Boasting Arizona's "largest wave pool, with 1.3 million gallons of wave pool excitement," The Breakers will actually require a bit of driving, as it is located in Marana, a Tucson suburb about 85 miles south of Phoenix.

Kiwanis Park Recreation Center - Much closer to home, Tempe's Kiwanis Park features an indoor pool with 3-foot waves and a 127-foot-long, 15-foot-tall double-spiral water slide. Rafts and tubes also available for rent.

Oasis Water Park at Arizona Grand Hotel - OK, here's something you don't encounter everyday: a high-end resort with a full-service water park. Features include: eight-story tower with three thrilling water slides; giant wave pool, relaxing river tubing, Wildcat Springs for the kids, and a 25-person hot tub. 

Sunsplash - This sister park to Tempe's Big Surf is located in Mesa. In addition to the usual attractions, Sunsplash also has a summer camp and swim academy.  

Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix - Located just within the City of Phoenix, Wet 'n' Wild features the usual attractions, as well as Dive 'n Movies on Friday nights from July 17 through August 28. The movies are free with park admission. Click here for a detailed list of the movie schedule.