The Fourth of July lands on a Monday this year and that means a nice long weekend for many people.

Whether you're ready to celebrate Independence Day by heading to a fireworks blowout with family and friends, chilling at an adults-only pool party or packing the car and setting off for some part of Arizona that's cooler, greener or has a great swimming beach, we've got you covered. 

Here are the best things to do in metro Phoenix and around Arizona for Fourth of July 2022, plus some money-saving tips to fight the high cost of gas.

Need a vacation? 10 places to rent a cool cabin in Arizona this summer

A few cities around the Valley had supply-chain issues and won't be presenting fireworks shows this July 4th. But there are numerous places where you can enjoy a thundering pyrotechnics display this holiday weekend. Our guide to the best Fourth of July celebrations in metro Phoenix covers all the fun, including live music, rides, petting zoos, food trucks and more.

It's not too late to plan a last-minute getaway to someplace in Arizona that's cooler or wetter than Phoenix. From Bisbee to Flagstaff to Lake Havasu City, here are seven Arizona weekend getaways that have a lot to offer on the July 4 weekend. You'll find fireworks, a laser light show, a rodeo, festivals and much more.

If you're heading out of town for the holiday, gas prices are probably on your mind. Yes, they're historically high. But you can make a dent in what you'll pay at the pump with these gas loyalty programs. They're easy to join. Our guide to five of the most popular ones explains how.

Public pools from Buckeye to Phoenix to Gilbert have opened for summer 2022, with swim sessions, lessons and other fun. Here is our comprehensive guide to public pools throughout metro Phoenix.

From lazy rivers to exhilarating slides, this guide to metro Phoenix water parks tells you where they are and what's offered at each park. Want to staycation at a Phoenix or Scottsdale resort? This guide to hotel water parks with the best slides and other amenities has you covered. We've got a guide to getting hotel-pool day passes, too.

Grab your friends, don your best swimwear and head to one of the hotels and clubs throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale that host parties with DJs, live music and specialty cocktails. To elevate your experience, reserve a day bed or private cabana. Here are five of the best pool parties for summer 2022. 

Salt River Tubing offers outings of 1½ to four hours on a calm stretch of the lower Salt River. Here's our guide to Salt River Tubing, including holidays and theme days when visitors are encouraged to dress up. The Fourth of July theme is Bag it for Bucks: Take Pride in America. 

Reach me at jill.cassidy@arizonarepublic.com or follow me on Twitter @JillHikes.

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