Top Things to do in Central Arizona
Top Hotels in Central Arizona
- 1. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 2. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport
- 3. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley
- 4. Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas
- 5. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
- 6. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- 7. Gila River Resorts & Casinos - Wild Horse Pass
- 8. The McCormick Scottsdale
- 9. The Wigwam
- 10. Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Tempe
Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Central Arizona, Central Arizona
Home to the Phoenix metropolitan area and its more than 3.4 million residents, Central Arizona offers an amazing array of museums, cultural venues and outdoor adventures. The Valley of the Sun boasts hopping nightlife and a thrilling selection of restaurants, resorts and spas. Discover Old West and Native American history. Hike among the cactus in the Sonoran desert. Try your hand at ranching in Glendale. Drive the Superstition Mountains. Visit Frank Lloyd Wrights Taliesin West in Scottsdale.
Restaurants in Central Arizona
1. Musical Instrument Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,330 reviews
The World's Only Global Musical Instrument Museum. Home of the MIM Music Theater--a 300-seat acoustically superb performance space--as well as the award-winning Café Allegro (open 11 am - 2 pm daily) and the MIM Museum Store. The average guest spends nearly four hours at MIM. Please allow plenty of time to fully enjoy MIM's galleries and exhibits. Open daily, 9 am - 5 pm; Closed Thanksgiving; Open Christmas, 11 am - 5 pm. General Admission: $20; Teens (ages 13-19): $15; Children (ages 4-12): $10; Children 3 and under: Free. Hours and prices are subject to change.
Reviewed By P1520TPandrewk
1. Expect to spend at least five hours or more! 2. Wear comfortable shoes! 3. Take your camera, phone charger etc.. 4. For Musicians, music lovers etc... 5. Bucket List Item 6. All styles of music represented 7. 777 Jackpot Rating! Go and see this place!
2. Hale Centre Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 300 reviews
Arizona’s Premier Family Theatre in Gilbert since 2003! 350-seat theater-in-the-round putting on family-friendly shows throughout the year.
Reviewed By 2bsuzyQ - Ontario, Canada
I booked tickets for a BFF bday getaway in Gilbert Arizona. I choose this after reading reviews here and looking at their website. I admit we had a slight concern when we saw the sea of grey hair in the audience, but it was a 5 star performance. I almost didn't buy tickets ahead assuming there would be seats in a community theater, but I'm glad I did get them ahead as it was a full house. I Would do will call if I go to Gilbert again. I actually forgot my tickets ( I live in Canada) There was no problem looking it up. I haven't been to a round theater before and it's a must try. While the seats were a very slightly old style squished, ( & air freshener In the bathroom would be a good idea) it did appear that every seat had a good view. It was neat to see how the director placed everyone so no one feels like they missed out on any action. I didn't take a star off for being squishy as it was a great night and it was a nice temperature. The price point is fine. All the staff were friendly and appeared happy. The drinks & snacks were reasonable priced which I truly appreciate. I loathe price gouging at theaters. There was free water as well. No problems with parking and there are several restaurants around. The cast for John Loves Mary surprised me with their talent and pulled me right in. They stayed outside to thank people and came together for our picture- that I will share if my friend ever emails it to me. ( hint hint ????????) There was wheelchair seating available. I was I, pressed with all of the actors, director and behind the scene staff. I will send a short out to the actors and recommend any future shows they may participate in. From the program they were Kim Stephenson Smith, Matthew r. Harris, David Michael Paul, Laura Soldan, Justin Howell, Juli Gore, Joey Morrison, Tom Endicott & Bobby Jean Owensby. Bravo!
3. Zelma Basha Salmeri Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By MsCanuck24
Hidden in an unassuming warehouse building, a labyrinth of galleries exhibits thousands of paintings and sculptures from the Basha family's private collection. I spend hours there upon each visit. Admission is free, so please donate generously. It will be the most extraordinary collection of western art that you will ever see!
4. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 503 reviews
Tours by appointment only. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility specializing in wild mammals. Over 70% of the animals that come into our center are returned to the wild. For those that cannot be released, we offer a home for life in our sanctuary. We conduct guided tours of our sanctuary by appointment only. Reservations are required and can be made on our website under the Visit Us tab.
Reviewed By nf0x - Denver, United States
Fun and educational experience for all ages. Passionate and well informed volunteers lead you through this animal sanctuary for Arizona rescued animals. Up close opportunity to see and learn about a variety of animals. See Mexican Gray Wolves that the center plays a role in their repopulation in the southwest US. Tours are outdoors and in the shade.
5. Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 748 reviews
Sedona's Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park is a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers the world over. The Buddhist Amitabha Stupa is an outdoor venue for prayer, meditation, and spiritual renewal for people of all faiths. In the park you will find two Buddhist stupas, a Native American medicine wheel, an exquisite wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and numerous quiet spots for meditation and quiet contemplation. You will experience peace in a quiet, sacred setting. The Amitabha Stupa is open every day and your visit is free of charge. The stupa is supported totally by visitor donations. The Amitabha Stupa is on private property and is owned by Kunzang Palyul Choling, a Vajryanna Buddhist Temple in Poolesville MD. Use of the property by tour guides and other business or commercial entities requires permission.
Reviewed By wreckthismess - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
I believe one should experience adventure, struggle & exertion when visiting sacred spots, allowing the self to interact with its surroundings, & give up ego in exchange for peace. If you’re bussed in, conveniently dropped off at the site it’s like passing thru a fast food drive-thru & you’ll have to overcome the convenience of your entitlement to catch up to the rest of us on a natural high who arrived via the hiking trails. The Amitabha Stupa is nestled in the shadow of Thunder Mountain in the Red Rocks, amongst a network of hiking trails just above Sedona. Once at this dry parcel you’ll see a magnificent wooden Buddha perched on a ledge among the junipers, the large Stupa, a sacred structure that’s said to contain millions of wishes, sacred relics, mandalas, & prayers. Even if you don’t believe that, merely imagining it gets you halfway there. Meditate, add silence, slow down, regenerate. Many do just that, finding a welcome respite from perpetual chattering & daily data overload. Visitors offer acknowledging glances broad smiles & that’s a start. Spin colorful prayer wheels clockwise & pray for a better future, a world free of perpetual war. Even if you don’t go in for this, the mere spinning of the wheels will link you to something outside yourself. I was told by a local, self-described “old hippie” who assisted on the site’s construction in 2004 that the site is deemed holy by local native peoples & the Hopi who’ve constructed a medicine wheel of stones here.
6. Tom's Thumb Trailhead
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 393 reviews
Reviewed By ca847
Beautiful scenery. Fun walk in the heat. Trails are marked very well. Be sure to bring plenty of water and proper shoes.
7. Arizona Copper Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 494 reviews
--Winner of the Arizona Tourism Award!-- The Copper Art Museum is one of the most interesting in the USA, purposely located in the former copper town of Clarkdale - a USA City Beautiful Movement town founded in 1912. Clarkdale was built by Senator W. A. Clark "America's Copper King." The collection on display is massive with over 5000 artifacts and hundreds dating to the 1500-1800's, Galleries; Special Historical Information, Military Art, Art and Architecture, Kitchen Collection, Drinking Collection and Winery and Distillery Collection. You will be amazed by this museum!
Reviewed By tbone4 - Scottsdale, United States
An education around every corner. This museum is immaculately maintained and has wonderful self guided signs throughout. The feeling is cool, quiet and peaceful. They have worked hard to create this space. Plan on spending a couple of hours if you want to stroll through....longer if you want to read every sign. Every question you might have about copper and this museum is answered somewhere within these walls. Loved it! There's few places to eat while in Clarkdale. However we took a stroll around this cute little town. We went back to historic Cottonwood for lunch. There's a lot of places to stop there.
8. Caywood Farms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 112 reviews
We offer farm tours relating to local agriculture including cotton and alfalfa. Learn how cotton is grown from seed to bale. This 2 1/2 to 3 hour tour includes an indoor presentation followed by a hayride out to the field. Cotton is planted in the spring and picked in the fall. We have cotton in the field until mid-February. You will see a cotton picker, cotton module builder and a cotton rood which picks up ground cotton. If cotton is not in the ground, we still offer tours. Please call for information on dates, times and reservations. Reservations are required.
Reviewed By jenniferzE5266LZ
We just visited here for a homeschool field trip while visiting from Oregon during Covid. Absolutely excellent tour. My kids ages 10-13 loved seeing the farm implements, watching the presentation to learn all about the cotton harvest, and especially picking and handling the cotton. She modifies the presentation for younger kids. Nancy is an excellent guide. Highly recommended!
9. Devil's Bridge Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,524 reviews
Reviewed By DistrictBrit - Washington DC, United States
The hike to Devil’s Bridge isn’t too strenuous, it’s roughly five-miles round-trip along a dirt road that leads into a more robust trail, with parts that require a bit of rock climbing up steep sections of the mountain. The higher you get the more narrow and rocky the hike becomes, it’s a 400 ft or so elevation climb in all but there are plenty of places to stop and take a break, or viewing areas to soak in the view should you not make it to the top. But if you make it to the top it’s awe-inspiring, and the opportunity to risk your life walking across the bridge for a photo is right there. Devil’s Bridge itself is a bridge to nowhere, it’s about a 50 feet drop should you fall, so don’t do that. At it’s narrowest it’s about five feet but if you’re good with heights then you’ll be fine.
10. South Mountain Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,302 reviews
This, the largest municipal park in the world, is a popular hiking, biking and horseback riding trail area.
Reviewed By michiganpete7 - Muskegon, United States
On our first full day in Phoenix, we chose to hike the Hidden Valley Trail via Mormon Loop Trail, which we found highly rated on the AllTrails app. A 5+ mile hike that took us 2.5 hours, as we’re ‘moderate’ hikers, it was a lot of fun. Bring plenty of water, backpack, sun screen, lip balm and a hat. The low ‘50’s temps were perfect mid-morning, feeling warmer than that as the sun was out. Hard sole shoes or boots will greatly help your hike!
