Summertime has wrapped the state in its sizzling grip once again. Most tried and true Arizonans have hunkered down, prepared to spend the hottest months darting between artificially controlled climates, lolling in chlorinated pools or planning their escape to higher altitudes.

But resorts valley-wide are flexing their creative muscles to come up with ways to offer guests from near and far an oasis - experience right in the heart of the desert. Here are a few of our favorite resort beat-the-heat attractions this summer.

Dive-in Movies - We’re all familiar with the allure of a summer drive-in movie, but substitute your classic wheels for a snug inner tube, and the asphalt parking lot for yards of cool aqua water and you have one refreshing take on an old favorite.  Guests can float their way through family friendly flicks this summer at a majority of Valley resorts. To find out which resorts offer dive-in movies see below.

Moonlight Bicycle Tours – The unique brainchild of The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa (480-488-9009) is a nighttime jaunt enhanced by halogen-lit paths and night-vision goggles to reveal the fascinating nocturnal life of the Sonoran Desert. Stargazing is another option offered by The Boulders.

Sunrise Hikes – Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain (1-800-245-2051) gets an early start adapting to the summer conditions through their “Camelback at Sunrise” guided hike and “Early to Rise” tennis instruction. 

Poolside Parties and Entertainment – Many of the resorts that we polled are offering their own poolside extravaganzas from the eight-person Pointe Perfect Party complete with cabana rental at The Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs (602-866-7500) to live entertainment and the return of the popular rubber ducky races at the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa (623-935-3811).

Art Escapes – Drawing on its colorful origins as the home and studio of Arizona’s noted cowboy artist Lon Megargee, The Hermosa Inn (602-955-7878) offers a selection of cool activities ranging from drawing classes and an Artist in Residence Program to excursions to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West.

Carefree Cool Summer Shopping Days – El Pedregal Festival Marketplace at The Boulders is a distinctive mix of boutiques and galleries. The first Saturday of each summer month shoppers can enjoy free music, entertainment and complimentary chilled treats in El Pedragal’s central courtyard.

Of course Arizona resorts are no slouches when it comes to state-of-the art spas if you are really looking to indulge. And gimmicks aside, a family could easily lose a day in the gargantuan water features and slides at any number of resorts. Whether you’re taking the family or looking to get away, your summer retreat may be closer than you think. See below for an extended list of resorts and websites.

Valley Resorts

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain (SanctuaryAZ.com)
The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa (TheBoulders.com)
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch (scottsdalehyatt.com)
Hermosa Inn (hermosainn.com)
Royal Palms Resort and Spa*(royalpalmsresortandspa.com)
Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center* (thescottsdaleresort.com)
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort* (pointehilton.com)
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort* (pointehilton.com)
Sheraton at Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa* (wildhorsepassresort.com)
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa* (jwdesertridgeresort.com)
The Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa (wigwamresort.com)
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess* (Fairmont.com/Scottsdale)
The Phoenician (thephoenician.com)
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort* (loewshotels.com)
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa* (kierlandresort.com)
Pointe South Mountain Resort* (pointesouthmtn.com)

*offer dive-in movies