Glendale, Arizona is a vibrant city located just 9 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix. With a population of over 250,000, Glendale offers visitors a mix of outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, sporting events, shopping, and dining.

#	Activity	Description
1	Historic Downtown Glendale	Explore over 100 specialty shops, antique stores, and restaurants.
2	Glendale Avenue	Main street with antique stores and diverse dining options.
3	Catlin Court	Area with bistros, boutiques, and wine tasting rooms.
4	Spring Training Game	Baseball games at Camelback Ranch Stadium.
5	Westgate Entertainment District	Over 20 restaurants, live music venues, and community events.
6	Glendale Chocolate Factory	Tours of the chocolate-making process and a factory store.
7	Historic Sahuaro Ranch	Living history museum on a former cattle ranch.
8	Glendale’s Heritage Districts	Historic districts with architectural tours.
9	Golfing	Play golf on various courses, including Wigwam Resort.
10	Hiking and Biking	Trails in Thunderbird Park and Sahuaro Ranch Trail Network.
11	Glendale Chocolate Festival	Annual festival celebrating chocolate with samples and events.
12	Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival	Festival with music, arts, crafts, and international marketplace.

Here are the top 12 things to do in Glendale, Arizona:

Visit the Historic Downtown Glendale

Name and Location: Downtown Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Historic downtown area with buildings from the late 1800s. Hub of the original Glendale settlement.

What to Expect: Old Towne shops, restaurants, antique stores in historic brick buildings. Museums and public art.

Visitor Information: Free to walk around. Metered parking available. Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.

Downtown Glendale features over 100 specialty shops, antique stores, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms centered around the restored 1900s historic district. Must-see stops include the famous antique shops along Glendale Avenue, the charming Catlin Court with bistros and boutiques, and the restaurants and tasting rooms at Historic Downtown Gateway. The beautifully restored historic Santa Fe Depot serves as the Visitor Center for the downtown district.

Stroll through the quaint tree-lined neighborhoods nearby to see restored bungalows and Spanish colonial revival homes. The downtown area comes alive on the first Friday evening of each month for the Glendale Glitters event, with live music, entertainment, food, and extended business hours.

Venture down Glendale Avenue

Name and Location: Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: One of Glendale’s main historic thoroughfares, lined with shops and restaurants.

What to Expect: Walkable downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Outdoor seating and people watching.

Visitor Information: Free. Metered parking along the avenue. Closed to traffic on Friday nights.

Glendale Avenue is the main stretch running through downtown Glendale. It is home to the city’s restored antique stores, restaurants, and historic buildings. Visitors can spend hours browsing the antique furniture and collectibles at stores like Antique Trove, My Favorite Things Estate Sales, Midwest Pickers, and Glendale Vintage.

Stop for a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants situated along the avenue, like the eclectic lunch spot Berni’s Bistro or the family-owned Siam Thai Restaurant known for its curry dishes. The old-fashioned soda fountain at Lola’s offers 70 different flavors of milkshakes and malts. For some after dinner sweets, Cerreta Candy Company sells chocolates, signature ice cream, and other confections.

Check Out Catlin Court

Name and Location: Catlin Court, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Landscaped outdoor plaza with fountains in downtown Glendale. Built in 2001.

What to Expect: Green space with seating amid historic buildings. Water features and public art displays. Events and performances.

Visitor Information: Free and open 24/7. Located just off Glendale Avenue.

Catlin Court is an L-shaped block adjacent to Glendale Avenue filled with bistros, boutiques, wine tasting rooms, and coffee shops. Grab a crepe at Crepe Bar or try the braised short ribs at Tavern Grill. Sample some wines at Arizona Stronghold Tasting Room, a local winery featuring Arizona-grown varietals.

Browse the clothing boutiques like Denim and Diamonds Boutique or Bandolier Leatherworks, stop for a relaxing pedicure at Classic Nails, or pick up some specialty seasoning blends at Arizona Spice & Tea Company. With its concentration of intimate eateries and shops, Catlin Court is one of the most charming areas of historic downtown Glendale.

See a Spring Training Game

Name and Location: Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Spring training facility for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. Opened in 2009.

What to Expect: MLB spring training games and practices in March. Lively atmosphere. Concessions and souvenirs.

Visitor Information: Ticket prices vary. Parking $10-20. Located near Westgate.

Glendale is home to two major league baseball teams for spring training – the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. The stadiums are located just 2 miles apart so you can catch a game for both teams on their home fields during spring training from mid-February to early April.

Watch the Dodgers play at the Camelback Ranch Stadium where you can see superstars like Mookie Betts and Trea Turner take the field. The White Sox play at Camelback Ranch – Glendale, and you may be able to spot sluggers like Jose Abreu or Tim Anderson. Both stadiums have lawn seating so you can bring a picnic and take in a game. The weather is ideal in the low 70s during spring training season.

Explore the Westgate Entertainment District

Name and Location: Westgate Entertainment District, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Large dining, shopping, and entertainment complex. Opened in 2006.

What to Expect: Restaurants, shops, movie theater, professional sports and concerts at adjacent stadiums.

Visitor Information: Free to walk around. Paid parking in garages and lots. Many amenities.

Adjacent to two of Glendale’s major sports venues is Westgate Entertainment District, which features over 20 restaurants, live music venues, movie theaters, dancing fountains, and frequent community events. Stop by for a drink at one of Westgate’s popular watering holes like McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon or Calico Jack’s Cantina.

Catch a flick at the state-of-the-art Harkins Cinemas or laugh it up at the Improv comedy club. Kids will enjoy the game rooms, bowling alley, and arcade at the District Eatery and Entertainment center. Westgate truly has dining and entertainment options for visitors of all ages.

Tour the Glendale Chocolate Factory

Name and Location: Glendale Chocolate Factory, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Factory store of local chocolate manufacturer since 2005.

What to Expect: See chocolate being made, free samples, large selection of chocolates and gift items.

Visitor Information: Free self-guided viewing area. Retail store open daily.

The Glendale Chocolate Factory offers tours showing the small-batch chocolate making process from raw cocoa beans to gourmet bonbons. Guests can watch as chocolatiers handcraft truffles, caramels, and other confections. A highlight is viewing the factory’s bean-to-bar chocolate creation from start to finish.

After seeing how fine chocolates are made, visitors can stop in the factory store to sample and buy irresistible treats like chili lime chocolate bark and champagne truffle cups. The Glendale Chocolate Factory is North America’s largest supplier of private-label chocolates and sells only at its retail location, making it a delicious Glendale experience.

See the Historic Sahuaro Ranch

Name and Location: Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Late 19th century ranch homestead, now restored museum and park.

What to Expect: Historic home tours, gardens, barn, blacksmith shop, picnic grounds. Special events held onsite.

Visitor Information: Park open daily, free admission. Fees for some attractions and events.

Once an expansive working cattle ranch, Sahuaro Ranch is now on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a living history museum depicting the agricultural days of the early 1900s. Tour the original Ranch House to see what life was like for early 20th century Arizona ranchers and farmers.

Outside are restored outbuildings like the blacksmith shop, chicken coop, and carriage house that show elements of ranch operations. The grounds are a beautiful desert botanical garden with vibrant flower gardens, citrus orchards, peach groves, and aquatic plants. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the verdant grounds after your living history lesson.

Drive through Glendale’s Heritage Districts

Name and Location: Historic Neighborhoods in Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Early 20th century residential areas featuring unique architecture.

What to Expect: Homes in Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman, and other styles. Mature trees and landscaping.

Visitor Information: Public streets, observe speed limits and parking signs. Guided trolley tours available.

Glendale has four historic districts showcasing key architectural eras like Craftsman bungalows, Spanish colonial revival homes, and postwar suburban ranch houses. The Catlin Court Historic District features charming Spanish style bungalows from the 1920s and 30s.

The Glendale Arizona Historical Society offers free neighborhood walking tours with an expert guide through districts like Thunderbird Paseo and Ocotillo. You can also do a self-guided driving tour to admire the beautifully preserved homes nestled under mature trees. It’s a scenic way to witness Glendale’s heritage first-hand.

Play a Round of Golf

Name and Location: Glendale, AZ area golf courses

History and Significance: Glendale has over a dozen public and private golf courses to choose from.

What to Expect: Well-maintained courses, pro shops, equipment rentals, lessons, food and beverages. Stunning scenery.

Visitor Information: Call for tee times and rates. Seasonal hours/rates. Transportation needed.

With nearly 300 days of sunshine annually, Glendale is a golfer’s paradise. The city boasts six pristine golf courses offering lush greens and scenic holes framed by the Sonoran Desert.

Head to the Wigwam Resort to play the Gold and Blue Courses, the only Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses in Arizona. The Gleneagles Country Club offers challenging play on holes bordered by rows of grapefruit trees. Right in Westgate is the Coyotes Golf Club, an 18-hole course with elevation changes and unique bunkering challenges. Glendale has courses suitable for golfers at every skill level.

Go for a Hike or Bike Ride

Name and Location: Glendale trails and parks

History and Significance: Glendale has over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails.

What to Expect: Paved, natural, and loop trails for all levels. Scenic views. Picnic areas along many routes.

Visitor Information: Free access. Trail maps online. Bring water and sun protection.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find terrific hiking and biking trails in Glendale that allow you to explore the Sonoran Desert landscape and marvel at iconic saguaro cacti. One of the most scenic trails is the 5-mile Thunderbird Park trail that winds through fields of wildflowers and a Joshua Tree forest.

The Sahuaro Ranch Trail Network features paths of varying length past historic ranching sites and a restored wetlands area. For cycling, the Union Pacific Park Trail runs 12 miles along the old Yellowstone Branch Rail Line. The trailhead at Heroes Regional Park has bike rentals available. With its rugged desert beauty surrounding the city, Glendale offers many options to enjoy the great outdoors.

Experience Glendale Chocolate Festival

Name and Location: Downtown Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Annual festival since 2014 featuring chocolate vendors, activities, entertainment.

What to Expect: Chocolate samples and sales, demonstrations, contests, music, and fun.

Visitor Information: Held in February. Free admission. Food tickets sold onsite.

Each February, the Glendale Chocolate Affaire takes place where tens of thousands gather in downtown Glendale to celebrate everything chocolate. Local chocolatiers and candy makers offer samples of gourmet truffles, house-made chocolate bars, chocolate-dipped fruit, fudge, and brittle.

You can indulge in chocolate-themed beer and wine, enjoy live music on multiple stages, watch chef demos and a chocolate fountain, and participate in a chocolate 5k run. The family-friendly festivities go throughout the afternoon along Glendale Avenue. The Chocolate Affaire is the sweetest event of the year.

Attend the Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival

Name and Location: Murphy Park, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Annual multicultural festival since 2006 with music, dance, food.

What to Expect: Performances, crafts, cultural exhibits representing Glendale’s diversity.

Visitor Information: Held in February. Free admission. Paid parking nearby.

Each February, the Glendale Civic Center hosts this lively festival celebrating the city’s diverse cultures and community. Enjoy global music and dance performances on three stages representing acts from around the world. You can browse the juried arts & crafts show with over 150 artists and watch demonstrations by master folk artists.

There is an international marketplace with global goods and a wide variety of ethnic foods for sale from Greek to Indian. Expect plenty of kid-friendly activities like cultural crafts, music workshops, and a hope maze. The Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival highlights the city’s multicultural spirit.

Shop at Arrowhead Towne Center

Name and Location: Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Major shopping center with over 170 stores, opened in 1993.

What to Expect: Wide range of retail stores and eateries. Ample parking. Family-friendly amenities.

Visitor Information: Open daily. Free access and parking. Mall walking available before hours.

The expansive Arrowhead Towne Center offers over 180 shops, making it the primary retail destination in Glendale. Major department stores like Macy’s and Dillard’s anchor the mall, which also has specialty brands like Anthropologie, lululemon, and Kendra Scott. You’ll find an Apple Store, a Microsoft retail store, and a Crayola Experience for kids.

Dining options range from chains like The Cheesecake Factory to local eateries like Humble Pie and Ladera Taverna y Cocina. The center hosts many community events year-round like festivals, concerts, fashion shows, and holiday celebrations. Arrowhead Towne Center provides plenty of convenient shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Dine at a Variety of Restaurants

Name and Location: Restaurants throughout Glendale, AZ

History and Significance: Glendale has a thriving dining scene with diverse food options.

From family-owned eateries to upscale dining venues, Glendale’s diverse dining scene offers something to suit all tastes. For Italian, there is scratch-made pasta and pizza at davanti enoteca or brick oven Neapolitan pies at Forno 301. Stop by Bonjour French Cafe for flaky croissants, quiche, and crepes in a Parisian setting.

Local farm-to-table restaurant Virtu is perfect for a romantic dinner with dishes like elk tenderloin and duck breast. Those seeking classic steakhouses will enjoy the Bone-In Ribeye at Nick’s Steakhouse or the dry aged porterhouses at Ocean 44. And visitors can always count on local favorites like Bistro Delight Cafe and 5 & Diner for solid breakfast and comfort food.

Conclusion

With an eclectic mix of outdoor recreation, sports, history, culture, shopping, and dining, Glendale has something to offer visitors of all interests and ages. From strolling the charming antique stores downtown to hiking alongside towering cacti, this Phoenix suburb truly showcases the best of Arizona living.

Foodies will appreciate the diverse culinary options while sports fans can cheer on baseball spring training games. Whether you spend the day at a museum like Sahuaro Ranch or browsing the shops at Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale provides memorable experiences and southwest hospitality. Its growing diversity and strong sense of community make Glendale a can’t-miss destination in the Valley of the Sun.