When summer temps make you wonder if your steering wheel might actually be lava, you need an escape plan that doesn’t involve hiding in your freezer. Lucky for you, Gilbert and East Valley have no shortage of cool spots to escape the heat. Most of which… have a little something for everyone.
Let’s get to it
Main Event Gilbert | Where Overstimulation Meets Salvation
Located in Gilbert, this 22-lane bowling paradise runs Sunday 10 AM to midnight and Monday 10 AM to 1 AM, with Monday Night Madness offering all-you-can-play for just $10.95 from 4 PM to close. It’s like Dave & Buster’s had a baby with a community center and decided to crank the AC to “meat locker” setting.
What makes it special: Beyond the state-of-the-art bowling (with bumpers for those of us who need them), there’s a multi-level laser tag arena, a gravity ropes course 20 feet high, over 100 arcade games, VR experiences, and something called “Story Rooms” where you solve puzzles as a team. It’s basically sensory overload, but in the best possible way.
The vibe: High-energy chaos that somehow works. Kids are screaming with joy, adults are rediscovering their competitive sides, and everyone’s grateful for the excellent climate control. The staff keeps things running smoothly despite the controlled mayhem.
Insider intel: Monday Night Madness is the deal of the century. The Kids Bowl Free program is actually legitimate, and those private party rooms with A/V equipment make it perfect for events where you want to guarantee nobody will complain about the heat. Check out their activities here.
The White Rabbit | Gilbert’s Worst-Kept Secret
Hidden in the basement in downtown Gilbert, this underground speakeasy requires a monthly password (get it from their email list) and operates Sunday through Thursday 5 PM to midnight, Friday and Saturday until 2 AM. Cocktails run $12-15, but the experience of finding a legitimate speakeasy in Gilbert? Priceless.
What makes it special: This isn’t some theme restaurant pretending to be authentic – it’s the real deal, complete with a secret entrance marked only by a red light, staff in period attire, and intentionally preserved cobwebs. They’re even developing “The Rabbit Hole,” a speakeasy within the speakeasy for private parties.
The vibe: Dimly lit, intimate, and refreshingly cool. It attracts everyone from curious locals to serious cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate craft drinks with names like “Chasing Rabbits” and “Desert Bloom.”
Insider intel: Look for the red light on the Cumberland Street side of the Heritage building. Peak hours are 9 PM to midnight on weekends, and while they suggest period attire, showing up in shorts won’t get you kicked out. The secret door has an illuminated rabbit handle – because subtlety is overrated. Get your password here.
Slick City Action Park | Where Physics Goes to Die
Located in Queen Creek, this 90-minute adrenaline rush for $25.99 (ages 4+) is open daily 8 AM to 9 PM. It’s what happens when someone decides regular playgrounds aren’t exciting enough and indoor slides need to be an extreme sport.
What makes it special: Those 10-15 unique indoor dry slides use patented technology that somehow makes going down a slide feel like a legitimate thrill ride. The Twister slides, mega launch, cowabunga bowl, and avalanche slides have names that sound like they were invented by excited 12-year-olds, which is exactly the energy this place channels.
The vibe: Industrial-modern design meets pure fun. It’s spacious, well-ventilated, and the kind of place where adults rediscover their inner child and immediately regret not wearing longer pants.
Insider intel: Wear long pants unless you enjoy slide burns as souvenirs. The lockers are clutch for storing your dignity while you scream down slides with names like “Cowabunga Bowl.” Family Fun Days and After Hours glow events add variety to the chaos. Check out the slides here.
Snakes & Lattes | Board Games Meet Big City Cool
Located in Tempe, this Canadian board game cafe operates Tuesday through Sunday 7 AM to midnight. The $5 entry fee (waived if you’re eating) gets you access to over 1,000 games and trained “Game Gurus” who can teach you 200 of them.
What makes it special: This isn’t your childhood Monopoly collection – it’s a curated library of games color-coded by difficulty and group size, housed in a chic space that somehow makes rolling dice feel sophisticated. The full restaurant serves Canadian-inspired menu items including six types of poutine, because why not add comfort food to your comfort gaming?
The vibe: Modern and spacious with 3,500 square feet of air-conditioned bliss. The crowd ranges from ASU students to serious board game enthusiasts, all united by their appreciation for climate control and strategic thinking.
Insider intel: Arrive early on weekends unless you enjoy waiting. The craft beer selection features local brews from Four Peaks and SanTan, and parking is paid but manageable. Those Game Gurus aren’t just for show – they’ll actually teach you games that will impress your friends. Explore their game library here.
Topgolf Gilbert | Where Golf Meets Game Night
Located in Gilbert, this climate-controlled paradise operates Monday through Thursday 9 AM to midnight, and Friday through Saturday until 1 AM. At $25-60 per hour for up to six players per bay (plus a $5 one-time membership fee), it’s where your non-golfer friends can finally stop making excuses about not knowing how to swing.
What makes it special: Those 102 hitting bays aren’t just air-conditioned – they’re practically arctic tundras with cooling fans that’ll make you forget Arizona exists. The rooftop terrace offers stunning views when you’re brave enough to venture outside for 30 seconds, and the sports bar serves up American classics while you watch your terrible golf shots magically score themselves thanks to microchipped balls.
The vibe: Part sports bar, part entertainment complex, all relief from the heat. It’s where corporate teams come to bond over shared athletic mediocrity and where date nights go surprisingly well even when nobody knows what they’re doing.
Insider intel: Tuesday discounts are your friend, and the free games (pool, Jenga, cornhole) mean you can stretch your entertainment dollar. Plus, watching someone else struggle with golf clubs while you’re perfectly comfortable indoors never gets old. Reserve your bay here.
Chandler Fashion Center | The Mall That Refuses to Die
Located in Chandler, this shopping destination runs Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 9 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM. With 180+ stores, a 20-screen Harkins theater, and Round1 Bowling & Arcade, it’s proof that malls can evolve beyond food courts and Spencer’s.
What makes it special: Beyond the usual suspects (Apple, Coach, Macy’s), there’s SCHEELS with its 45-foot Ferris wheel, because apparently sporting goods stores need amusement park rides now. The Round1 Bowling & Arcade adds entertainment that goes beyond “walk around and maybe buy something.”
The vibe: Upscale but approachable, with excellent AC that makes you forget malls were supposed to be dying. It attracts everyone from serious shoppers to families seeking climate-controlled entertainment.
Insider intel: Free parking in massive lots, 24/7 security, and device charging stations throughout. Text 480-526-9200 for visitor savings that can add up to $450+. The splash pad is seasonal, but honestly, who’s going outside anyway? Browse store directory here.
Arizona Museum of Natural History | Dinosaurs Don’t Mind the Heat
Located in Mesa, this educational escape operates Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday noon to 5 PM. At $16 for adults ($9 for kids, $2 for EBT cardholders), it’s where you can pretend you’re being educational while hiding from the sun.
What makes it special: The 3-story indoor waterfall with animatronic dinosaurs on “Dinosaur Mountain” is exactly as awesome as it sounds. The flash flood simulation every 30 minutes provides both education and air-conditioned drama. Gold panning activities let you experience the thrill of mining without the desert heat.
The vibe: Family-friendly and genuinely educational, popular with dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages. It’s the kind of place where kids drag parents in and parents secretly have more fun than they expected.
Insider intel: Free street parking, fully accessible, and can be thoroughly explored in 2-3 hours. The museum store has surprisingly cool stuff, and the whole experience feels like getting caught in a really good educational time warp. Plan your visit here.
FatCats Mesa | Everything Entertainment Under One Roof
Located in Mesa, this 61,000 square foot entertainment complex operates Sunday through Thursday 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday with extended hours. With 20 bowling lanes, 8-screen luxury movie theater, 50+ arcade games, and glow-in-the-dark mini golf, it’s like someone took every fun indoor activity and crammed them into one blissfully air-conditioned space.
What makes it special: Food delivery to bowling lanes means you never have to leave your climate-controlled comfort zone. The luxury movie theater features reclining seats that make you question why you ever watched movies anywhere else. Wednesday brings half-price arcade games, because apparently they want you to become addicted to Skee-Ball.
The vibe: High-energy family entertainment center where birthday parties go to become legendary and date nights turn into competitive showdowns. It’s busy, loud, and exactly what you want when hiding from 115-degree weather.
Insider intel: That massive private lot means parking is never an issue. The full food menu is actually decent, and accommodating large groups is their specialty. Some recent reviews mention kart control issues, so stick to the proven winners like bowling and arcade games. See their activities here.
Pecan Lake Entertainment | Queen Creek’s Crown Jewel
Located in Queen Creek, this locally-owned entertainment complex operates Monday through Friday 11 AM to 10 PM, weekends until 10 PM Sunday and Saturday. With no admission fee and activities ranging $8-22 per person, it’s where Queen Creek proves it’s not just subdivisions and strip malls.
What makes it special: The three-story Sky Time Ropes course reaches 50 feet high, providing both thrills and excellent air conditioning below. 4D VR experiences, axe throwing, escape rooms, karaoke booths, and an 18-hole putting course create variety that keeps everyone happy. The 3-acre botanical gardens provide outdoor beauty for those brave enough to venture out.
The vibe: Family-owned and operated, which shows in the welcoming atmosphere and attention to detail. It’s relaxed enough for families but exciting enough for thrill-seekers, with mountain views that remind you why people move to Arizona in the first place.
Insider intel: Free parking and admission mean you only pay for what you want to do. The Caldwell County BBQ on-site is legitimate, and customizing your visit means you can spend as much or as little time as desired. It’s locally owned, so your money stays in the community. Explore their attractions here.
Arizona Mills | The Tourist Trap That Works
Tempe’s 5000 S Arizona Mills Circle offers outlet shopping with serious entertainment upgrades. The mall itself provides free entry with 6,000 parking spaces, while attractions like SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium and LEGOLAND Discovery Center add family-friendly options that go beyond typical shopping.
What makes it special: The 26,000 square foot SEA LIFE Aquarium features a 360-degree tunnel that makes you feel like you’re underwater without the drowning risk. LEGOLAND Discovery Center caters to ages 3-10 with interactive rides and 4D cinema. Tilt Studio brings 150+ arcade games, laser tag, and VR experiences under one roof.
The vibe: Tourist-heavy but locals frequent it for the AC and entertainment options. It’s family-friendly chaos where everyone’s united by their appreciation for indoor climate control.
Insider intel: Those 6,000 parking spaces mean you’ll find a spot, and the food court provides sustenance for extended hiding-from-the-heat sessions. Recent additions like Bubble Planet show they’re committed to staying relevant beyond basic outlet shopping. See what else they’ve got here.
Other options worth mentioning:
- Mesa Arts Center – Broadway shows and free contemporary art museum
- ASU Art Museum – Always free admission with rotating contemporary exhibits
- WeWork Tempe – Professional co-working with day passes and rooftop amenities
- Mesa Public Library Main Branch – Free WiFi, community programming, and peaceful study spaces
- Social Hall – Restaurant/arcade combo near ASU with free games for patrons
- Changing Hands Bookstore – Arizona’s largest independent bookstore with author events
- Andretti Indoor Karting – Multi-level go-kart track and laser tag arena
