Gilbert Attractions & Things To Do

East Valley Attractions

Thinking of settling down in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona? Not only are home prices affordable with housing choices for every taste, the area offers a wealth of activities and attractions ranging from serene to extreme.

Grab a pair of hiking boots and binoculars and head out to Gilbert’s Riparian Preserve for bird watching, fishing or picnicking. This urban nature preserve offers an impressive list of programs. Sign up for bird walks, dinosaur digs, or even sky watching. Learn about archeology, butterflies, aquifers, plants and more.

The scenic Apache Trail winds along 41 miles of rugged Arizona terrain. Bordered by the Four Peaks Wilderness Area to the north and the Superstition Wilderness to the south, this historic highway snakes through steep canyons, gorgeous rock outcroppings and incredible geological formations. The heart pumping section of Fish Creek Canyon offers sheer drops of hundreds off feet. Plan on spending about five hours simply driving the Apache Trail or stay longer and explore the region. Visit Lost Dutchman State Park, hike into the Superstition Wilderness, go bass-fishing at the renowned Canyon Lake or camp for a few days at one of several camping spots along the route.

Cool off in the summer by tubing the Lower Salt River Rapids. Located about 15 miles outside of Mesa in the scenic Tonto National Forest, Arizona’s Salt River Tubing is open during the summer months, May through the end of September, and offers tube rentals and trips from two to five hours, conditions permitting. Don’t forget waterproof sunscreen.

Arizona is regarded among rock climbers as one of the best winter spots for rock climbing in the country. Climbing the rocks outside of Scottsdale offers a stunning bird’s eye view of the magnificent countryside. The McDowell and Granite Mountains and Pinnacle Peak Park are popular with climbers of all abilities. For experienced climbers, Camelback Mountain’s Praying Monk rock formation offers a challenge and is also said to have mystical powers. Afterwards, spend some time meditating or indulging in a massage at a choice of nearby spas and retreats.

Each November, the community of Chandler hosts the Arizona Balloon Festival. Over a three day weekend, enjoy evening balloon glows, early morning launches, hot air balloon races, music, entertainment, arts and crafts, parachutists and an evening of fireworks. Reasonable ticket prices typically range from $5-$7 and parking costs between $5-$8. The festival acts as a fundraiser for local charities.

What do Triathlons, Pro-Beach Volley Ball and dragon boats have in common? They can all be found at Tempe Town Lake. Tempe Town Lake is a two mile long lake created by damming the Salt River in 1999. Trails, fishing, boating and over one hundred events each year make this lake a recreational dream come true. The area is home to the Arizona Dragon Boat Association which holds an annual festival each spring.

East Valley offers several Indian casinos. One of the closer ones is the Casino Arizona at Salt River in Scottsdale. Casino Arizona offers slots, blackjack, poker, fine dining and entertainment as does the Gila River Casino in Chandler.

Baseball fever? Catch a few games watching the pros. Each spring, the Major Leaguers come to town for spring training. The San Francisco Giants make their spring home at the Scottsdale Stadium while the California Angels take over Diablo Stadium in Tempe.

Arizona’s first golf resort, the San Marcos, is one of many world class golf courses throughout the area. The San Marcos, which opened in 1912, is a landmark located in the historic district of downtown Chandler. Scottsdale, Arizona was recently named by the Robb Report as “America’s Best Places to Live for Golf”. With over two hundred golf courses in Scottsdale alone, there are plenty of tee times available.

Not only does the East Valley area offer plenty of recreational activities, it’s a great place to work and live. Some of the nation’s fastest growing communities are located in the valley. The economy is robust with large employers such as Intel, AT&T, Motorola, the Boeing Company and TRW operating facilities throughout the area. The aviation and aerospace industries have found East Valley attractive for both manufacturing and training. The education system ranks among the highest in the state. From master planned communities to charming neighborhoods the region offers something for everyone.