100+ Reasons Families Love Summer in and Around Dove Mountain
Grab your chilled water bottle, sunscreen and dark sunglasses — it’s summertime in Tucson. It’s a time to enjoy outdoor adventures in the morning, indoor endeavors in the afternoon, and legendary sunsets, starry skies and so much more in the evening.
Families in Dove Mountain have access to a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities through Marana Parks and Recreation, local nonprofits, businesses and cultural organizations during the summer months. There are literally more than 100 choices!
Here are some of the most beloved activities families look forward to year after year for everyone from toddlers to seniors.
Dove Mountain Hikers (Multiple dates throughout the summer)
Families can explore their incredible surroundings through Dove Mountain Hikers. This group is open to the public and organizes excursions through the Tortolita and Catalina Mountains and other scenic Sonoran Desert destinations. These hikes are a great way to get to know desert wildlife and plants, see incredible vistas and make new friends. The group is open to hikers of all ages and abilities.
Movies in Marana (Multiple dates throughout the summer)
The City of Marana hosts free movies in Marana at popular parks, pools and splash pads. The movies start at sunset, which is roughly 7:45 pm. Some of the featured flicks this summer are “A Wrinkle in Time,” “Show Dogs” and “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.”
Music in Marana (Multiple dates throughout the summer)
The City of Marana also hosts free live music in the park. Just bring a folding chair or a blanket and sit back and enjoy everything from classic rock n’ roll to country ballads at the Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. There are also free concerts at the Tucson Premium Outlet Mall every Saturday evening from 5-8 pm through the end of May.
Marana Parks & Rec Sports, Arts, Fitness, Camping, Hiking and Theatre Programs (Multiple dates throughout the summer)
Kids and adults of all ages can enjoy a variety of fun activities offered through Marana Parks and Recreation, including races, aquatics, golf, tennis, volleyball, pickleball, softball, dance fitness, marital arts classes and walking clubs. There’s even story art for tots, musical theatre, senior adventure trips, guided horseback rides, headlamp hikes and camping beneath the stars.
Marana’s Star Spangled Spectacular (July 4)
Marana’s annual Independence Day celebration is not to be missed! It is called the Star Spangled Spectacular for good reason. It has everything a family would want in a 4th of July event — live music, 30+ food trucks, a family-inclusive beverage/beer garden, a kid’s splash pad and waterslide and a magnificent fireworks show.
The Gallery Sports Club (Open daily)
The Gallery Sports Club at Dove Mountain offers members a variety of fitness, recreational and social activities for all ages. There are personal trainers who help members get the best results from the full circuit of state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment and free weights, fitness classes, a lap and recreational pool, and lighted tennis, basketball, pickleball and soft sand volleyball courts. Other recreational sports include bocce ball, croquet and football. The Club also organizes member events like barbecues, and there’s even an onsite spa and café!
Southeast Arizona Birding Festival (August 8-12)
The spectacular biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert and the Sky Island mountains comes alive during the summer monsoon rains. The Tucson Audubon Society’s birding festival August 8-12 is a perfect way for families to experience Southeast Arizona birding at its best!
The Famous Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is rated as the #1 attraction in Tucson by TripAdvisor.com. The 98-acre museum is a fusion of zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum and aquarium. It features desert paths, 242 animal species, 56,000 individual plant specimens and a regional mineral collection. It also hosts amazing educational activities for kids, including “Cool Summer Nights” events, clubs, camps and a junior docent program.
Return of the Mermaids (August 11)
Return of the Mermaids is a whimsical fantasy event where Tucsonans, young and old, pay tribute to the monsoon season by dressing up like they live under the sea. The next event is on August 11th in the Historic 4th Avenue district of downtown Tucson.
The Dove Mountain community is located footsteps from the Tortolita Mountains, minutes from Catalina State Park and less than an hour’s drive to the west and east Saguaro National Parks for hiking, biking, picnics and scenic drives. Other nearby and popular destinations are the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Picacho Peak State Park and Sabino Canyon.