蜜柚直播

This story was created by #ThisIs蜜柚直播 and underwritten by聽.听Thank you for supporting the聽local organizations聽that support us!

Anything cooler than 蜜柚直播's triple-digit temperatures sounds like a dream.听

Lucky for us, is just a drive away and is generally about 20 degrees cooler than the fiery summer temperatures in 蜜柚直播.

Of course, there are more reasons to visit Mount Lemmon than the nicer weather, though it's definitely a perk.

Jenni Zimmerman is involved in the mountain in more ways than one 鈥� she's an associate broker for聽, her family owns the聽听补苍诲 she's the president of the聽. She says there's something for everyone in Mount Lemmon, whether it's hiking, fishing, climbing, cycling or simply walking around and supporting the local businesses.听

Before we get into things to do on the mountain, Zimmerman gave some tips and suggestions:

• Wear sunscreen
• Bring lots of water聽
• Pick up your trash and dog poop聽鈥� don't leave it for others to find
• If a hiking trail is closed, don't ignore the closure signs

1. Eat a mountain of ice cream (and other yummy foods)

Mount Lemmon is home to a handful of restaurants including the Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin, Sawmill Run Restaurant and Iron Door.听

, known for its cookies and ice cream, was originally named Mount Lemmon Cabins & Cookies. In 2003, the restaurant went up in flames during the devastating Aspen Fire. The business was later rebuilt into what it is now.听

also has history on the mountain, as it got its name from the Mount Lemmon Sawmill Co. & Restaurant (and is owned by the same family who ran the inn), which was destroyed by a fire in 1977. The current Sawmill Run Restaurant has a menu of burgers, sandwiches and appetizers like poutine.

has been around since at least the late 1970s and serves up chili, soups, sandwiches and "mountain specials" such as green chile quiche and a bratwurst plate.

Also on the mountain: 听补苍诲

2. Shop knickknacks, souvenirs and art

Since it's one of very few stores in the area, you can imagine that the is packed with all the necessities 鈥� and the cutest knickknacks.

From souvenirs and T-shirts with "Mt. Lemmon" sprawled across, the store also sells snacks, canned food, camping supplies and tools (and homemade fudge, but more on that later).听

Though the area has been home to some kind of store since the 1940s, the current store held its grand opening in 2000.听

Also in Summerhaven (the town near the top of the mountain) is the , which is home to gift items such as wind chimes and coffee mugs. And in Ski Valley, there's , which feels a lot like a cozy gift shop you land in after getting off of a ride in Disneyland.

There's also , which sells clothing that's designed in-house, hand-poured candles, plus other local goodies.

3. Enjoy a bird's-eye view from a ski lift

After you take a walk through The Motherlode Gift Shop, make sure to pick up tickets for the ski lift 鈥� which you can hop on even when it's not ski season.

The will give you the best 30-minute bird's-eye view of the bright green grass and fluffy trees.

"The chair lift is always super cool if you've never done it before and aren't afraid of heights," Zimmerman says.

4. Hike through the tall trees and cooler temperatures聽

There are more than 1,000 miles of trails in for hikers, equestrians and cyclists.听Zimmerman likes the聽.

But if you stumble upon any trails that are closed, don't ignore the signs. The trails are closed for safety reasons and due to potential hazards,聽so don't risk it.

"The thing is, if you're going to go hiking, be prepared," Zimmerman says. "Don't just take one little bottle of water. Wear your sunscreen. People don't realize that you are higher and you will get sunburnt." 聽

You can find more information about hiking trails .

5. Stay at the Mt. Lemmon Hotel, Mount Lemmon Lodge or any other cute cabin

Back to homepage

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Sometimes you need more than a day in Mount Lemmon.

The opened in 2021 and has individual cabins, some of which are pet-friendly. Meanwhile,聽聽opened last summer and spots 16 rooms and a Swedish sauna.

Beyond the two hotels, there are lots of .听

6. Look up at the twinkling stars

Stargazing is a go at聽聽鉁燭he UA's Steward Observatory has had an astronomy facility on Mount Lemmon for more than 50 years.

The center offers a 5-hour that guides visitors through a complete stargazing experience featuring an astronomy lecture and a light dinner.

There's limited capacity for the program, so book in advance if you're interested.

7. Try a fun flavor of homemade fudge

According to the Mt. Lemmon General Store, the very first customer who walked through the doors asked for fudge.

comes in loads of flavors such as butter pecan, cookies and cream, mint chocolate, toffee, raspberry chocolate and pistachio. (You can also get the fudge shipped if you can't make it up to Summerhaven.)

And if the ski lift in Ski Valley makes you hungry, also sells fudge. The shop has been making its fudge in flavors like M&M and pink lemonade for more than a decade.听

8. Go fishing or picnic by the water

The Rose Canyon area is home to a lake, camping, hiking trails and lots of picnic areas (though there are also many other spots to picnic along the road up the mountain).听

is not only popular for fishing for trout, but we've also spotted people setting up easels and painting canvases of the sparkling lake. The Forest Service says the lake is 6 acres.

The fish stocking schedule for the lake is managed by the 蜜柚直播 Game and Fish Department. Click for the schedule.

9. Set up a tent and take in the fresh air

There's a hotel and plenty of cabins in Mount Lemmon, but maybe you're more of a camper.

If that's the case, there are to choose from. Take in the scent of the pines, go birdwatching and look up at the starry sky after sunset. Just make sure to check the fire restrictions before you leave home.

And in case you forgot any camping supplies, the Mt. Lemmon General Store carries the necessities. Same with a small store in the Rose Canyon area.

10. Stare at the beautiful views聽

There are pullout spaces all along Catalina Highway (the road up the mountain), so you'll have countless chances to temporarily park your car and take in the scenic views.

Make sure you have your phone handy because I can almost guarantee you'll want to take photos of the view.

For a date night, Zimmerman recommends eating dinner at the Sawmill Run Restaurant, then heading south to Windy Point, which is a popular spot along the drive, for views of 蜜柚直播's sparkling city lights.听

Reward your days and discount your nights with Checking PLUS from Hughes Federal Credit Union.

. Save on pet insurance, identity theft restoration, personal services, discounts on entertainment, home improvement and plan your next trip with your own travel concierge. Explore the savings and possibilities with Checking PLUS. Visit聽.