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Stop and Smell the Flowers: Things to do in Tempe and Scottsdale
Cover Photo by Nadine Wuchenauer on Pexels
Cover Photo by Nadine Wuchenauer on Pexels
Jourdan Garcia
Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025

Summer is right around the corner! The weather is warming up, and here in Arizona, we like to get out and enjoy the outdoors before summer is in full effect. Make the most of the season and check out my list of things you must do if you live in Tempe, Scottsdale, or Phoenix!

Visit the Desert Botanical Garden

An Arizona staple every spring is the Desert Botanical Garden right next to Camden Tempe and Camden Sotelo. There are tons of events from Dog Days at the Garden, Ballet Performances, Music in the Garden, and more. The trails walk you through the garden, showing a vast variety of desert plants. For all things Desert Botanical Garden, check out my blog from last spring!

Sunset at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona showing flowering cactus and other desert plants. Photo by James A. Molnar on Unsplash

Photo by James A. Molnar on Unsplash

See a Show at ASU Gammage

If being inside is more your speed, make sure to catch one of the fantastic shows at ASU Gammage this season. I had the pleasure of seeing Wicked last month with my gal pals, and it was amazing! The singing, costumes, and production were top tier and made me want to get up to dance and sing with the cast. I can’t wait to see Mamma Mia with my mom as well for our ultimate mother-daughter date.

View of a Wicked musical playbill with the stage and theater in the background, taken at ASU Gammage theater
Photo courtesy of Jourdan Garcia's best freind, Josie

Photo courtesy of Jourdan’s bestie Josie

Float into Summer with Salt River Tubing

For the ultimate outdoor adventure, head over to the Salt River for some river tubing. Bring all your favorite pals, snacks, drinks, and a speaker, and just float on as you relax all day and let the river take you away. It is also super important to stay hydrated and bring lots of sunscreen. My friends always joke that I am the sunscreen queen because you will always catch me reapplying! Check out all of our tips for surviving summertime in the desert because they apply when you are out on the river!

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