This 70-acre (28.32 hectare) park in South Scottsdale has recreation facilities as well as meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 1000 guests. Facilities include five ramadas, one spray pool, two fishing lakes, two playgrounds and one basketball court. If taking a walk with your pooch is on the agenda, Vista Del Camino Park has the only dog run in Scottsdale. The 18-hole disc golf course is a fun place to spend an afternoon with friends or family.
Get out of the city and experience the beautiful sun-kissed Sonoran desert with its jutting peaks and unique desert wildlife. Pinnacle Peak Park is a perfect hiking destination for adventurers and thrill seeking tourists with even horseback rides available. The observation area at the summit gives you an unparalleled and splendid view of the ravine. The park is not without essential amenities and has a restroom, picnic tables, parking area, drinking fountain and ramada for convenience.
Want to go fishing while the kids enjoy a game of soccer? Then head to this 100-acre (40.46-hectare) park and have a lovely day out with family or friends. The gym and exercise courts at the community center include a variety of fitness options. An uncluttered pathway at Chaparral Park lets you choose between taking a walk or rollerblading. The ever-popular Mighty Mud Mania takes place every July and the kids will enjoy Tube Trouble where tubes grouped in sets of three form a challenging tunnel. With ballfields and soccer fields, basketball and volleyball courts, a swimming pool and relaxing ramadas, there's something for everyone at this park.
This 60-acre (24.28 hectare) park located within the Indian Bend Wash greenbelt is home to the Wedge Skate Park. It is every skater's dream complete with ramps, curbs and rails making it an awesome place to pick up new tricks. The park also offers an outdoor amphitheater, swimming pool, two lakes, two children's playgrounds. The 5K course along with softball, soccer, basketball and a sand volleyball courts make it a great place to come and work out. Or pack up the family, make some lunch and head on over to the picnic area for a great family out.
Located in the McDowell Mountains foothills, this National Historic Landmark was the former Winter home and school of the famed architect. Wright had been visiting Phoenix for years and he had stated that Arizona needed its own architecture. So in-between these visits, he purchased the land for a paltry sum and then subsequently began construction and attracting students. The structure today is the main campus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and is open for tours. Some of the highlights include Wright's former office, The Garden Room, the pool, theater and Main Studio.
Scottsdale Ranch Park offers amenities to all fitness fanatics. To all regime and work out needs, the park includes volleyball, basketball, racquetball, tennis and squash courts. For something a bit more challenging, the twelve station exercise will get your heart pumping. The tiny tots enjoy at the children's playground. Park facilities include 6 picnic ramadas taht can be reserved for special occassions. Park hours vary according to season; so contact the number listed for additional information.
Tempe Beach Park is the recreational lifeblood of Downtown Tempe, where locals come for recreation around the massive Tempe Town Lake. There are many attractions nearby, like pontoon bridges, the Tempe Center for the Arts and the Boat Marina. At the marina, you can rent a boat and take a tour of the lake or if you prefer more manual efforts, rent a paddle-boat for two. There is also a special water splash playground that is designed for kids so they can get soaked during the dog-days of summer.
This volcanic butte at the end of Mill Avenue has many names; the original inhabitant Hohokam Indians regard it as ʼOidbaḍ Doʼag, the city of Tempe as 'Hayden Butte' after the city's founder, and ASU students affectionately know it as 'A Mountain'. Regardless of the nomenclature, everyone can agree that the butte provides a nice hike with some beautiful views of Tempe and its environs once you reach the top. In addition to some great exercise, on the way you will see ancient petroglyphs from the aforementioned Hohokam, native wildlife and the massive letter 'A', which celebrates the nearby university.
One of the major attractions in the college town of Tempe, this quasi natural lake fed by the Salt River is a hit with the locals and tourists looking to escape the heat. The lake has many quiet parks and green spaces around where families can relax and also provides recreational activities like fishing and swimming. You can also take a tour around the lake by renting a boat, canoe or paddle-boat.
The Phoenix Zoo offers a plethora of activities for family recreation. Sprawling over 125 acres (50 hectares), this privately-owned leisure facility is a must-visit when in the Valley. It is home to over 1,300 exotic species including lions, giraffes, baboons and meerkats, making it one of the country's largest zoos. Explore the verdant labyrinth of the Forest of Uco, take a hike along the African Trail and enjoy a tractor ride at the Harmony Farm. Also, the interactive programs on offer are both educational and entertaining.
If you are in Phoenix and enjoy going on easy treks, then Papago Park is the place for you. With its sandstone buttes, marked paths and slight elevation, it is perfect for family hiking trips and there are plenty of easy mountain bike paths. The most notable attraction of the park is the hole in the rock formation, which formed over thousands of years most likely from water erosion. For the more adventurous, visitors can climb the face of the rock for an unparalleled view of Phoenix. Additionally, the park is close to famous attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo.
The Desert Botanical Garden was opened in 1939 to preserve the area's pristine desert environment. Today, the garden helps save endangered plants, with the focus still on native flora and special emphasis on succulents. The cactus collection is world-renowned and between the months of March through May, the seasonal blooms are spectacular. The garden hosts several events throughout the year, some of which include the popular 'Butterfly Habitat' during the spring and the 'Luminarias' during the holiday season. If you come during the summer months, don't forget your hat and sunscreen!