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Perhaps you’re searching for a rough and rugged experience all of your own. If that’s the case, let our outdoors become your playground. From urban and desert trails to water recreation respites and rolling fairways, Arizona’s Western metropolitan region will leave you with life-altering outdoor experiences (and you’re photos will be pretty amazing, too).
Stand atop any of the West Valley’s mountain crests, and you’ll soon learn that the climb is well worth the effort. A clear day presents opportunities for nearly endless views of the rolling desert and bustling cities below. Head north, west or south and suddenly you’re immersed in a desert fairytale with winding trails daring you to climb, bike or meander your way higher. Delight in the native flora and fauna or enjoy the best seat in the house for a morning sunrise.
Water seekers will find refuge just a little farther northwest at one of the state’s most popular boating destinations—Lake Pleasant. An ideal locale for fisherman’s retreat, the area is also perfect for boating exploration and high-speed water action.
Chip shot? Long ball? Short game? Your challenge awaits here, too. Reserve your tee time today and conduct a little business on the course (and work on that handicap while you're at it).
Cardinals Football
602-379-0102, www.azcardinals.com
Coyotes Hockey
480-563-PUCK, www.phoenixcoyotes.com
Kansas City Royals Spring Training
623-222-2222, www.surpriseaz.com
Phoenix International Raceway
866-408-7223
www.phoenixinternationalraceway.com
San Diego Padres Spring Training
Tickets 623-878-4337
www.peoriaaz.com/sportscomplex
Seattle Mariners Spring Training
Tickets 623-878-4337
www.peoriaaz.com/sportscomplex
Texas Rangers Spring Training
623-222-2222, www.surpriseaz.com
Turf Paradise
602-942-1101, www.turfparadise.com
The Legend at Arrowhead
21027 N. 67th Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 623-561-1902
www.legendarrowhead.americangolf.com
The Legend at Arrowhead course is set among six lakes and mature palm trees creating a beautiful links style layout. The undulating greens offer a level of excitement unmatched among Arizona golf courses. The course also features a large number of fairway bunkers and many doglegs. Expect to have all of your golf skills put to the test.
The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa
300 E. Wigwam Blvd.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
623-935-33811
www.wigwamresort.com
Beautiful star-filled nights. Warm days, basking by the poolside. Romantic dinners. Spectacular sunsets. And a luxurious, oversized casita with outstanding amenities. For nearly 80 years, the Wigwam has been an Authentic Arizona resort with stellar service and historic charm. And now, discover and entirely new experience with multi-million dollar golf renovations, the pampering Red Door Spa, luxurious enhancements to the guestrooms, and the addition of an upscale, contemporary steakhouse. Picture yourself taking an enriching escape.
Glendale Municipal Golf Courses
Glen Lakes Municipal Golf Course
5450 W. Northern Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85301
623-939-7541
9 Hole Par 33 Course
www.glendaleaz.com
Desert Mirage Golf Course
8710 W. Maryland Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85305
www.desertmiragegolf.com
Desert Mirage Golf Course is a public golf course and pro shop that allows you to play, take lessons, or buy and rent all the equipment you need. Whether you are looking to play 9 holes with your buddies on Saturday or to pick up some new balls and clubs, we are the place for you!
Paseo Racquet Center
6268 W. Thunderbird Rd.
Glendale, AZ 85306
623-979-1234
www.paseoracquetcenter.com
A USTA award winning multi-court facility featuring 19 lighted tennis courts, a full-service pro shop and a sports bar.
Historic Downtown Glendale
5800 W. Glenn Drive
Suite 140
Glendale, AZ 85301
623-930-4500
www.VisitGlendale.com
Journey Glendale’s past with public art, historic ranches, National Register neighborhoods, museums and exhibits. Immerse yourself now in our walking tour.
Glendale started as a place for farmers in the area to get the goods and services they needed and to ship the fruits, vegetables, and livestock they raised to national markets. First settled in 1892, Glendale attracted farming families with its fertile land, canal-fed water supply, and no-alcohol policy. Land developers, led by William J. Murphy, guided the growth of the farming town. With the establishment of a railroad link to Phoenix in 1895, Glendale blossomed into the largest town in the northwest Salt River Valley. Local farms cultivated everything from sugar beets to cotton. Glendale incorporated as a town in 1910. Separated from Phoenix by miles of open space, Glendale developed its own downtown with banks, groceries, theaters, department stores, businesses, and surrounding neighborhoods. Some of Glendale’s past remains visible in the historic buildings that are part of this tour.
Contact the Glendale Visitor Center for self-guided our group walking tours.
Glendale Visitor Center
Phone: 623-930-4500
Toll-Free: 1-877-800-2601
Fax: 623-463-2337
5800 W. Glenn Dr., Suite 140
Glendale, Arizona 85301
www.VisitGlendale.com
Email: tourinfo@VisitGlendale.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Love to hike? Then you’ll love Glendale and the West Valley. Glendale offers approximately 40 miles of hiking trails open from sunrise to sunset. Trails are expansive and not very demanding. Trails include Skunk Creek Linear Park (a 3.5-mile linear trail that connects to Thunderbird Paseo Path), Thunderbird Park (a series of trails that spans 20 miles), Bridle Path (a 9-mile trail over a decomposed granite path meant for equestrian use), Thunderbird Paseo Path (a 4-mile long linear trail), and the Grand Canal Linear Park (a 3.25-mile long linear trail). Thunderbird Park is one of the most prominent hiking trails and has a summit of 570 meters. Hiking enthusiasts can join the Glendale Hiking Club, which is sponsored by Glendale Parks and Recreation. The trails span 1,000 acres and are the only desert-mountain preserves in Glendale. After you are through with hiking, there are some great picnic spots to stop off for a bite to eat. Picnic areas are located in desert washes shaded by Palo Verde and Ironwood trees. If you love plants and animals these trails are perfect for you, too. Critters and wildlife tend to visit. Animals you can see on trails include jackrabbits, squirrels, lizards and 19 species of bird. Hikers can see 26 different types of trees and shrubbery. They also have to be careful for the infamous cacti like the Buckhorn Chollas, Teddy Bear Chollas, Compass Barrel, Saguaro, Engelmann Hedgehog and Pincushion cacti.
Thunderbird Conservation Park
Located at 59th Ave. and Pinnacle Peak Rd. in the Hedgpeth Hills, the 1,185-acre park is dedicated to preserving the native desert environment. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging and bird watching. The park also boasts nearly 20 miles of multi-use trails built with the efforts of many volunteer groups.
Open daily from sunrise to sunset
The main entrance is at 59th Ave. between Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak roads.
Lake Pleasant
With miles of blue water snaking through mountain ridges, the lake is a gorgeous escape for water sports seekers and fishermen alike. Learn about the history of the area and desert wildlife at the Lake Pleasant Visitor Center at Lake Pleasant Regional Park. Step onto the center’s balcony and enjoy an up-close look at Waddell Dam.
41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Rd.
Peoria/Morristown
928-501-1710
www.maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
This is the largest regional park in Maricopa County. Enjoy the hiking and biking opportunities this huge area offers. Infrequent heavy rains cause flash floodwaters to rush through the canyons and onto the plain, scouring out depressions, or tanks, in the white granite rock below, giving the mountains their name.
13025 N. White Tank Mountain Rd.
Waddell
623-935-2505
www.maricopa.gov/parks/white_tank
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