The Best Things to Do in Fountain Hills, AZ

If you are planning on visiting the greater Phoenix, Arizona area, you need to make sure you check out all of the towns and cities nearby.

Fountain Hills has become a popular location for individuals, families with children, and retirees. There is always something fun going on, great restaurants to enjoy, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy.

What are some of the top things to do in the local area? Take a look at the list below, and start planning your vacation today.

1. Swing By The Fountain Hills Artists’ Gallery

If you head over to East Avenue, you will find this amazing art gallery. It is a co-op that sells a wide variety of locally-produced art, and you might be surprised at just how talented many of the artists in the local area are.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a canvas painting, a sculpture, or a glass vase made by hand, you will find it here. You can even sign up to take an art class or two if you like! You can find the gallery itself located on N Saguaro Boulevard. It is directly across from Fountain Park.

2. Play Some Golf

Without a doubt, Arizona is one of the best locations in the country to play golf. Because it gets cold in a lot of other parts of the country, many people come to Arizona just to play golf. There are plenty of beautiful golf courses in Fountain Hills and Arizona is even home to a few professional golf tournaments every year.

Even though it may seem expensive, prices tend to drop during the winter. Just remember that it is hot outside, so be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen with you!

3. Visit the Fountain Hills Botanical Gardens

When you think about your Arizona getaways, you probably do not think about greenery; however, you should definitely visit the Fountain Hills Botanical Gardens. This is one of the most popular parks in the local area, and it is free to visit.

There are plenty of well-marked trails as well. You can also pick up a map near one of the trailheads to make sure you do not miss anything. If you are looking for the best location in the park itself, try to head out to the dam. You will see a lot of plants and animals near the dam that you will not find anywhere else.

4. Check Out The Fountain

The next item on the travel guide is the Fountain. Fountain Park is one of the best day trips in the local area, and the highlight of the park is the Fountain.

When it shoots up to its highest point, it reaches more than 600 feet. Now, it happens constantly throughout the day, shooting in the air for about 10 minutes out of every hour. Therefore, if it isn’t active when you arrive, simply sit back and relax for a bit!

There are plenty of fun things to do in the park, making this a kid-friendly location. Don’t miss out on the fountain during your trip to the local area.

5. Visit the Dixie Mine Trail

Hikers love Arizona, and while most flock to the hiking trails in Sedona, in Fountain Hills there are so many hiking trails to explore. Even though it is very dry in Arizona, the landscape is still absolutely mesmerizing.

That is exactly what you will experience if you decide to visit the Dixie Mine Trail. It is named after a unique mine at the end of the trail, so if you make it all the way to the end, you can take a look inside of an old mineshaft.

In addition, there are plenty of parking spots and public restrooms. You might even see a desert tortoise or two! It can get crowded later in the day, so try to get there early.

6. Check Out the Fountain Hills Great Fair

One of the best attractions in the local area is the Fountain Hills Great Fair. This is one of the highlights every year, and it features beautiful artwork from hundreds of local artists. The art comes in many shapes and forms, so be sure to check out some of the booths in the area.

You can also check out handmade jewelry, handmade clothing, and some delicious food. Typically, the fair is held in November, but the dates can change slightly from year to year. Check the calendar to see when it is happening.

You can find the great Fair located on North Saguaro Boulevard.

7. Hike the Fountain Hills Lake Overlook Trail

Another hiking trail that you will definitely want to explore is called Lake Overlook Trail. It is not that far from downtown Fountain Hills, and it is only a mile and a half long. Therefore, it is the perfect height for beginners.

There is a very slight elevation change, but the view is absolutely amazing. You can see the Fountain from the trail, so don’t forget to bring your camera with you!

8. Swing By The McDowell Sonoran Indian Preserve

This is the largest urban park in the United States, but it is still relatively far from the downtown area. Therefore, you will still feel like you are in a quiet area. You have nearly 200 miles of trails from which to choose, and there is always plenty of parking.

The Sonoran Desert is home to a wide variety of cacti, mammals, birds, and flowers. Many of the plants begin to bloom in the spring, so if you are looking for a symphony of color, this is the best time of year to go.

If you want to make sure you see everything, you may want to pick up a trail map at the visitor’s center as well.

9. Cool Off in Saguaro Lake

If you are looking for some fun water attractions in the local area, you should definitely swing by Saguaro Lake. It was formed when a dam was placed in the Salt River, and it is located inside of Tonto National Forest. There are amazing canyon walls that ring the lake, creating a magnificent view.

You can sign up for a boat tour if you want to see everything, and you might even want to sign up for a dinner cruise. This is also a popular spot among people who like to fish, as the lake has plenty of rainbow trout and walleye.

10. Swing By McDowell Mountain Regional Park

There are plenty of beautiful state parks in the area, and you may want to check out McDowell Mountain Regional Park. You can find it near the Fort McDowell Indian reservation, and it is just off of Arizona Route 101.

You can choose from fifty miles of hiking trails. This is the perfect location to do some biking and horseback riding as well. The trails can vary significantly in terms of their scope and difficulty, so be sure to take a look at the map to see what is suitable for the people in your party.

The park is also free to enter, and it is open regardless of the weather!

11. Visit the River of Time Museum

If you want to learn more about the unique geology that exists in the local area, you should swing by the River of Time Museum. This is a fun location for children and adults of all ages.

The geology of the area has changed over the years, and this museum will explain exactly how it happened. There is an admission fee, but it is very low. You can even sign up for a guided tour from one of the volunteers.

You can even check out some archeological artifacts from the Native Americans who lived in the area before the arrival of European settlers. The museum is located in downtown Fountain Hills.

It is located at 12901 N La Montana Dr #4742, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.

12. Visit Pinnacle Peak Park

This is a relatively small park compared to the other ones in the area, but it is still one of the most popular parks to visit. You will see deer, bobcats, gila monsters, coyotes, and more.

You will also get some amazing views of the mountains in the area. Most of the critters begin to come out at dusk, so if you want to see them, this is probably the best time to visit the park. Furthermore, like many of the other parks in the area, admission is free.

13. Explore the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Area

The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Area is a non-profit rehabilitation center for wild animals that have been injured or pets who have been abandoned. The goal is to rehabilitate animals to the point when they can be returned to the wild. They are successful the majority of the time. If the animal cannot return to the wild, they are permanently housed there.

You will find some unique animals at the conservation center, such as mountain lions and leopards. You may even want to sign up for a tour during your visit. Arizona is very conscientious about the environment, and this is a perfect example of that. If you want to see some animals, visit the conservation center!

It is located at 27026 N 156th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262.

14. Check Out Taliesin West

Without a doubt, one of the greatest attractions in the local area is Taliesin West. It was built by Frank Lloyd Wright, arguably the greatest architect of all time, and he was known for his incredibly bold styles.

He did a great job of blending human-made objects with the natural world, and Taliesin West was his home. A lot of the house was built by hand, so this is a great opportunity to take a glimpse into the past. You can sign up for a tour, which lasts a few hours. Even though it is not cheap, it will definitely be worth your time.

It is located at12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259.

15. Visit Cave Creek

If you are looking for a taste of the Wild West, you will definitely want to visit Cave Creek. There are lots of museums, historic buildings, and delicious restaurants. Many of the buildings have been restored since they were first built. It is also home to a lot of art galleries, shopping destinations, and antique halls.

There are a lot of unique events that take place throughout the year, so you may want to take a look at the calendar. Many of the events take place during the winter when it cools off a bit. If you are looking for a trip back in time, consider swinging by.

See All That Fountain Hills, AZ Has To Offer

These are just a few of the many fun indoor and outdoor activities you may want to try in the local area. There are lots of fun playgrounds, golf courses, and day tour opportunities in Fountain Hills.

Even though lots of people love to check out the Grand Canyon, there are plenty of other fun activities if you explore the region around Maricopa county, including Fountain Hills!

With lots of fun shops, historic sites, parks, and aquatic activities, it is easy to see why this has become such a popular destination. There are also plenty of vacation rentals available, so consider booking your trip to the Fountain Hills area now!