Glendale is a vibrant city located just northwest of Phoenix in Arizona. With its rich history, unique attractions, and beautiful natural landscapes, Glendale has something to offer for everyone.
From museums and gardens to sports and outdoor adventures, Glendale provides visitors with a wide array of things to see and do. This article explores 12 of the top attractions that you must visit when in Glendale.
Sahuaro Ranch Park
Opened in 1886, Sahuaro Ranch Park offers a glimpse into Arizona’s past. This working ranch property includes several historic buildings to tour, along with gardens, orchards, and a rose garden. Visitors can see farm animals, explore exhibits in the museum, and stroll along the trails of this city park.
With various events held here throughout the year, Sahuaro Ranch Park connects the region’s Native American and Mexican roots along with the pioneer history of early American settlers.
Glendale Arizona Historical Society Museum
Operated by the Glendale Arizona Historical Society, this museum complex consists of three historic buildings. Located downtown, the museum covers city history with exhibits, photos, and artifacts. One building on the property served as the historic Valley National Bank Building constructed in the 1920s.
Another historic structure formerly operated as a newspaper printing facility. Inside the museum, displays detail the agriculture and banking history of Glendale over various decades.
Historic Manistee Ranch
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Manistee Ranch offers an authentic glimpse of the past. In 1895, William John Murphy established this property once covering over 5,000 acres. Today, five acres remain preserved with three historic buildings open for tours.
Walking tours are self-guided allowing you to stroll the grounds at your own pace viewing the blacksmith shop, bunkhouse, and main house filled with artifacts. The ranch also holds special events like cowboy poetry gatherings and reenactments.
Arrowhead Towne Center
As one of Arizona’s largest shopping centers, Arrowhead Towne Center provides over 170 stores and restaurants to explore. With 1.3 million square feet of retail space, visitors can find many top brands like Macy’s, Dillard’s, and H&M.
The open-air layout surrounding palm tree landscaping allows you to conveniently access each storefront from the central corridors. Family play areas and comfortable seating zones let you take a break during your shopping excursions at the mall.
Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa
Transporting guests back to the 1930s heyday, a stay at the storied Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa feels both nostalgic and freshly luxurious. This landmark resort offers 331 newly renovated guest rooms along with suites and casitas.
Three championship golf courses span over 721 acres surrounding the resort. Beyond golfing, additional recreation options include pools, tennis, biking, fitness classes, and spa treatments. With several on-site restaurants and lounges, the full-service resort provides craft cocktails and menus showcasing Southwest flavors.
Westgate Entertainment District
Westgate Entertainment District delivers shopping, dining, entertainment, and community events all in one dynamic destination. As a mixed-use complex, Westgate offers over 20 restaurants, live music at Fountain Park, a 20-screen movie theater with IMAX, comedy club, and indoor skydiving experience.
Sports fans can catch games broadcast on a 33-foot television screen at Calico Jack’s Cantina outdoor patio. Many community events also happen at Westgate year-round like a farmer’s market and outdoor concert series.
Catlin Court Historic District
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this downtown neighborhood allows you to admire preserved architecture from the 1920s and 1930s. Developed as one of Glendale’s first residential subdivisions, the Catlin Court Historic District features brick streets lined with bungalow homes influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement.
Information signs located around the district detail some history and architectural notes about the neighborhood. Visitors can stroll the peaceful streets viewing these well-kept historic houses.
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park
As Arizona’s largest combination zoo, aquarium, and safari park, this 100-acre facility gets you close to exotic creatures from around the globe. Wildlife World houses over 600 animal species including endangered and threatened types.
Unique attraction highlights include a petting zoo, aquarium, butterfly pavilion, rides like the Dragon Mountain rollercoaster, and a safari park section to view free-roaming animals. Special programs, animal feeds, encounters, and seasonal events happen daily.
Glendale Stadium
Located adjacent to Westgate Entertainment District, State Farm Stadium serves as home field for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. With a retractable natural grass field, 63,400-seat capacity, and fully enclosed, temperature-controlled design, Glendale Stadium hosts football and big-name concerts.
Public tours are available allowing you behind-the-scenes access of the stadium to explore areas like the field, locker rooms, press box, and clubs. Glendale Stadium keeps the schedule dynamic by also hosting events like major college bowl games, trade shows, corporate conferences, and community gatherings.
White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Offering nearly 30,000 acres of desert and mountain landscape to explore just west of Glendale, White Tank Mountain Regional Park appeases outdoor enthusiasts. The park contains over 50 miles of trails for hiking and biking across various skill levels from easy to advanced.
Rock climbing, boating on the lake, camping, stargazing, and geocaching rank among popular activities to try here. White Tank Mountain Regional Park also provides great vistas of the Valley and its desert scenery dotted with an assortment of cacti.
Xeriscape Botanical Garden
Combining inspiration and information about water-wise gardening, this 7-acre botanical garden proves both beautiful and functional. As a demonstration garden, Xeriscape strives to inspire visitors to create sustainable landscapes suitable for Arizona’s arid desert environment.
A variety of theme gardens like the Harvest Garden and Butterfly Garden line winding paths and trails with educational signs. From late fall through early spring, the botanical garden also gains color from floral blooms across the property.
Glendale Aquatic Center
With eight pools spread over 40 acres, Glendale Aquatic Center offers pools for swimming laps, diving, and recreational use. Family-friendly aquatic elements include waterslides, play structures, and interactive water features.
This expansive center also contains areas focused on swim lessons along with space for birthday parties. Onsite amenities like locker rooms, showers, shaded seating, and concessions provide convenience during your time at Glendale Aquatic Center.
Conclusion
From historic sites and museums to shopping centers and outdoor escapes, Glendale provides many top-rated attractions and activities to fill your itinerary.
Family entertainment hubs, sports stadiums, botanical gardens, and preserved ranch properties give you a sample of cultural sites defining Glendale’s heritage over the decades. With annual events and festivals happening around the city too, Glendale delivers year-round experiences for visitors to enjoy.