In search of the best and most fun things to do in Maricopa, AZ?
Maricopa is perched in the Sonoran Desert. It is located in Gila River Valley and is within the scenic mountain ranges.
Maricopa is situated in Pinal County, Arizona, United States. Maricopa had a population of 62,720 in 2021. It is the largest incorporated municipality in the County.
If you go down memory lane to 1879, the city and the Southern Pacific Railroad were used as railroad junctions. The town’s name was later changed to Maricopa Ville, a little community raised by locals. But the city changed course and was no longer used as a railroad junction.
As the years went by, the city switched to agriculture, creating a conducive environment for farmers to grow and experiment with different crops.
Maricopa is one of the fastest developing cities in this part of the world. It is filled with natural scenery and provides fantastic attractions and picturesque vistas for a fun-filled vacation.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Maricopa, AZ
Things to Do in Maricopa, AZ
1. Sonoran Desert National Monument
The Sonoran Desert significantly impacted the history of Maricopa, helping immensely in the city’s development to what it is currently.
People can check out the Sonoran Desert National Monument, situated southwest of Maricopa.
The Sonoran Desert National Monument comprises unique blueprints of the Sonoran Desert’s natural beauty and even different biological plants in North America.
The Monument comprises mountain ranges isolated by valleys, including Sand Tank, White Hills, Maricopa, and Table Top Mountains.
It also contains historical and archaeological sites, remnants of several essential historic rails, and three wilderness areas. Two hints for you when you visit should be to take photos of the famous saguaro cactus forest and make sure to come with enough water to keep your body hydrated.
Address: Maricopa, AZ 85239, United States
2. Pacana Park
Pacana Park is one of the many parks in Maricopa. It is a 28-acre estate situated on North Porter road and is a famous destination for locals and tourists.
The Park consists of a 2-acre fishing lake, a vast playground area, two baseball diamonds, a complete baseball court, a gym section, picnic tables, two half courts, and two tennis courts.
These facilities are open to the general public and promise excitement for everyone. In addition, the Park is a fantastic destination for visitors to get involved in physical activities.
Panama Park is an ideal place to bring the whole family to enjoy a morning stroll, play tennis, or even play hoops in the afternoon.
Address: N Porter Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
3. Arizona Soaring
One of the fun things to do in Maricopa, AZ, is to ride a glider to catch views of the expensive lands in Arizona, including the Sierra Estrella Mountains.
Arizona Soaring is a training school for aviation situated at the Estrella Sailport. It is a privately owned and run airport on North Sailport Way and is very distant from airline and car traffic.
This flight institution provides the general public with flight programs like Primary Instruction for Starters, Tow Pilot Training and Aerobatic Training, and many others.
It also provides visitors with various flight packages, from thrilling aerobatic rides to mellow flights. However, if you have a huge phobia of great heights or are open to motion sickness, this activity might not be suitable for you.
Address: 22548 N Sailport Way, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
4. Shamrock Farms
The Shamrock Farms is a family-owned and operated farm in Stanfield and is less than 29-minute drive southside of Maricopa. For more than 100 years, it has been making fresh and pure milk for the people of this region and beyond.
Shamrock Farms, established in 1922, is dedicated to taking good care of cows to get the best of milk produce and nutritious milk.
Visitors can have a good tour of the farm and check out the 10,000 cows behind the farm’s growth and success. In addition, you can check out the dairy museum, where you learn about dairy history and understand the innovative technology behind their milk’s quality taste and pure produce.
Part of their tour also includes visiting their ice cream parlor for a taste of their tasty treats. The farm also provides a great learning experience via its school trips and family tours for all and sundry, especially the children.
Address: 40034 W Clayton Rd, Stanfield, AZ 85172, United States
5. Sonora Wings Hang Gliding
If you don’t know what to do in Maricopa, AZ, but want to try something new, check out the Sonora Wings Hang Gliding.
The Sonora Wings Hang Gliding is a top-notch hang gliding destination in Arizona. Have fun as you go high and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sonoran Desert. You can travel as high as 5000 feet and as low as 2000 feet; it depends on your adventurous and fearless nature.
You will be guided by a licensed tandem instructor through your flying escapade here. The guide will help you effectively use the glider to enjoy lovely views of the area, and they will also help you land safely.
If you would love to fly alone without any instructor, attend their Gliding lessons and get all the information you need.
Address: 11934 N Russell Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
6. Raceway Bar and Grill
The Raceway Bar and Grill is a must-see destination for any collector and anyone visiting Maricopa. The décor alone is worth the visit; it’s every collector’s dream dining experience.
The walls of the Raceway Bar and Grill are filled with various antique items, including vintage license plates, signs, and other memorabilia. Furthermore, the restaurant has a massive collection of things that made it a feature on a TV show called “American Pickers”.
The Raceway Bar and Grill also began a Consign and Dine experience with collectibles and antiques. They have an excellent food menu that fits whatever budget you have. One of their specialties is the Chicago thin-crust pizza. Patrons can also have salads, burgers, sandwiches, wing baskets, big-size potato skins, etc.
Address: 49237 W Papago Road, #7, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
7. Huhugam Heritage Center
The Heritage Heritage Center, constructed in 2003, is an urban facility that preserves the rich culture of the Gila River Indian Community.
The Center is situated on South Maricopa Road, Chandler, just a 20-minute drive from Maricopa. Huhugam Heritage Center is nestled in the desert. Its classic building complements the mountains and hills surrounding it.
Part of the aim of this Center is to create an environment for culture, tradition, land, and community to commemorate and maintain the Gila River Indians’ lifestyle.
Most of the items on display here include pottery carves, bowls, jewelry, baskets, tools, and other crafted and artistic items produced by the Huhugam forefathers.
Check out the countryside design and structure of the Huhugam Heritage Center, the round-shaped earthen berm entrance, ball court and theater, gallery, circular halls courtyard, shade arbors, and museum gallery.
Address: 21359 S Maricopa Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226, United States
8. Copper Sky Recreation Complex
Wondering what to do in Maricopa, AZ? Check out Copper Sky Recreation Complex. It combines the Copper Sky Regional Park and Copper Sky Multigenerational Center to give its patrons the best recreational experience.
You can call in to make reservations for a tour of the Multigenerational Center. You can check in anytime if you choose not to have a scheduled tour.
The Copper Sky Recreation Complex features two basketball courts, group gym sessions, an outdoor aquatic center, a gym with cardio machines & weights, and an indoor walking & running track.
The Aquatics Center features a 25-yard, eight-lane pool with diving boards, a lazy river, a rock climbing wall, and a pleasant pool and waterslide.
Other things you will find in the 98 acres of the attraction include a fishing lake, two playgrounds, an amphitheater, and more.
Address: 4445 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
Also, check out the best of attractions and activities in SurpriseandPeoria for a fun vacation in Arizona.
9. Cilantros Mexican Cocina
One of the best places to visit in Maricopa, AZ, to satisfy your craving for Mexican dishes is Cilantro’s Mexican Cocina. It is a family-owned business operated by two partners, Juan and Linda, who hail from Trujillo-Peru and El Paso, Texas.
Both partners used their culinary skills in Mexican cuisines so the entire Maricopa community could enjoy it.
Most of their foods combine recent food trends and original Mexican recipes. They use freshly sourced ingredients to prepare all the dishes for which they are famous. The restaurant took after the name of a well-known Mexican ingredient called “cilantro.”
Address: 20928 N John Wayne Pkwy C 8, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
10. Ultrastar AK-Chin Cinemas
Visiting Ultrastar AK-Chin Cinemas is one of the top things to do in Maricopa, AZ, especially with friends and family. You can see any of their recent favorite movies on two giant screens in their stadium kind of seating.
You can still make reservations for their private, soundproof theater rooms that house about six to twenty persons with a bar and dining service.
It also features three different dining options, from regular 347 Grille to an ice cream store. In addition, there is a bowling alley, a laser tag area, a gamer cave, and an arcade.
The Ultrastar AK-Chin Cinemas also features a party arena for all and sundry. You can host any special occasion here, including your birthday parties, conventions, quinceañeras, etc.
Address: 16000 North Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
11. Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum
The Ak-Chin Him-Dak Eco-Museum has been in existence for over 20 years. Part of their objective is to gather, preserve, and communicate the culture and history of Akin Chin.
The meaning of the Museum’s name is “way of life.” The Museum is chiefly devoted to chronicling and communicating how the original settlers from this tribe cohabited amongst themselves.
The Museum showcases photographs, exhibits, and displays artifacts of the people of Ak-Chin. This attraction is quite different from a regular museum as the building that houses the Museum is that of the Ak-Chin people, while the residents are custodians.
The Museum organizes two events yearly; every April is the Him-Dak event, and every September is the Native American Recognition Day Celebration.
Address: 47685 W Eco-Museum Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
12. 347 Grill
After long hours of touring the city, you will surely be famished and need a place to treat your stomach to delicious meals. One of the best places to visit in Maricopa, AZ, is the 347 Grill.
The deluxe and family-fun restaurant offers a unique dining experience for visitors who visit. Dinner options include gourmet salads, homemade soups, smothered chicken, and specialty burgers.
The 347 Grill contains a bar that has a forty-foot projection TV, four 55-inch televisions, and a classic art bar. It has an ideal setting for romantic couples to have a good time enjoying locally crafted co*cktails on their outdoor patio.
At nighttime, a fireplace creates an intimate beauty over the patio as visitors treat their stomachs to drinks and appetizers under the shelter of shy blinking stars.
Address: 16000 North Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
13. Dwarf Car Museum
An unusual place to see in Maricopa is the Dwarf Car Museum. The Museum was established by Ernie Adams, who grew famous by producing Dwarf Race Cars, Dwarf Car Cruisers, and different models of vintage cars.
Ernie’s genuine passion for mobiles started in grade school as he would make sketches of old cars for school projects and produce cars using Woods just like the size of a crate box coupled with tail lights and steering produced from peanut butter jar lids.
In 1965, he built his first Dwarf Car, a 28 Chevy two-door Sedan made from nine old refrigerators and was nicknamed the “Grandpa Dwarf.”
You can find the car collection of Ernie at the Dwarf Car Museum. You will be amazed by the amount of creativity put in to attain these incredible results.
Address: 52954 W Halfmoon Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
14. Agave’s Restaurant
Agave’s restaurant is surrounded by the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort and Casino Hotel. The restaurant has a poolside setting with a familiar, fun environment with a classic architectural ceiling, a wall of windows, light wood furniture, colorful patterned carpet, and mauve walls.
The poolside restaurant has three large screens and a patio that overlooks a resort-like pool. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch.
Their foods are affordable for everyone and will fit whatever budget you have, so you need not break the bank to check out this restaurant. Their breakfast menu includes griddle selections such as French toast, green chili pork tostadas, Belgian waffles, and unique egg dishes.
They have excellent customer service that is always ready to take your orders. So make sure to visit and enjoy the many foods on their menu.
Address: 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
15. Skydive Phoenix
There are lots of fun things to do in Maricopa, AZ, and one of them is to go skydiving with Skydive Phoenix.
Skydive Phoenix, nestled on West Dasher Drive, is dedicated to being a friendly and fun zone for the people of Arizona. So enjoy great fun as you go up high and down from the sky.
Tandem Skydiving is the most reliable and safest way for first-timers and amateur skydivers to enjoy this skydiving activity. For persons interested in learning this sport, you can opt-in for their programs via our packages.
Professional skydivers can also be part of the sport by showcasing their immense passion and zeal for this activity. A tour with Skydive Phoenix will allow you to see amazing views of Camelback Mountain and Pan’s Phoenix Skyline.
Address: 56580 W Dasher Dr, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
Check out our guides on things to do in Pinetopandthings to do in Tombstone for a memorable trip to Arizona.
16. Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center
If you are seeking a place to enjoy quality entertainment, one of the additions to your checklist of top things to do in Maricopa, AZ, is to visit the Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center.
The Entertainment Center is a famous destination for people to gather and enjoy lots of entertainment.
The Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center comprises a grill, a bar, an arcade zone with the recent arcade games, a 3,000 square feet area for fun and entertainment, and a laser tag center,
You can plan for your next event here, no matter the occasion. It is an ideal place to enjoy lots of fun regardless of the day you visit.
Address: 16000 N Maricopa Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
17. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
If you are an avid golfer, one of the best things to do in Maricopa, AZ, is to check out the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. This beautiful Ak-Chin Indian Reservation provides a scintillating and relaxed environment, stretching over 320 acres.
The Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, situated on West Highway, is open to the general public to enjoy the all-around spectacular views of the large Arizona desert.
The golf facility is operated and managed by Troon Golf, providing visitors with a quality golfing experience, great customer relationships, and others.
The Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club was ranked as one of the Top 5 Best golf courses in Arizona in 2016 Golf Magazine and the Top 84 Best golf courses in the United States.
The Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club also has a restaurant, small dunes for people of all ages and skill levels, and an online apparel store.
Address: 48456 AZ-238, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
18. Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona
The Temple is perched in a serene environment with a mountain on one end and an open desert on one side. The Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona is one of the many temples in this region.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami of Kauai Aadheenam 1999 made donations of a 1400-lb, 4 ft high statue of Ganesh as a Murti for the Hindu Temple in Arizona.
The Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona was officially recognized as a religious organization in 2000. The building of towers and shrines started in phases as the years passed.
Over the years, It has been chiefly devoted to maintaining the tradition of the Hindu Temple. In addition, it has continually been hosting events that commemorate Hindu festivals and ceremonies.
Address: 51293 W Teel Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139, United States
19. The Duke at Rancho El Dorado
Rancho El Dorado is an 18-hole golf course nestled outside Maricopa, AZ. The Championship golf course was built in a properly designed community and was named the “Best New Course in 2003 by Travel Golf.
Over the years, the championship golf course has gotten acknowledgments from several golf industry publications. It features the beautiful Estrella Mountains, which offer an over-the-background view.
It also has a restaurant available for visitors, whether for breakfast or dinner, no matter what time of the day you visit. There is also an outdoor patio with a beautiful stone fireplace.
Address: 42660 W Rancho El Dorado, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
20. Koli Equestrian Center
Go on an expedition to the wild west by visiting the Koli Equestrian Center, a 20-minute drive from Maricopa.
The Koli Equestrian Center takes care of the greater Phoenix area but still gets patronizers from other areas. The Center is chiefly focused on giving the best horse riding experience in Phoenix, coupled with its quick and gentle trail horse rides through the symbolic and tribal areas under Arizona’s sunshine.
The trail spreads out over the 2,400-acre land of the Gila River Indian Reserve. It offers panoramic views of the outlying mountain area, trees, and plants associated with Arizona.
You can opt for a private ride if you are an expert rider or go for carriage expeditions, birthday parties, hay wagon rides, and other unique events.
There is something for everyone who visits here, not mind your skill level in horse riding.
Address: 6940 W Broken Ear Road, Chandler, AZ 85226, United States
21. Silk Massage
You enjoy a lifetime treat when you visit Silk Massage for their spa services.
The Silk Massage was ranked in 2015 as the Best Massage center in Maricopa because it provides visitors with top-notch services and cares for everyone who checks in.
The services offered include Deep Tissue Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology Massage, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Infant and Child Massage, Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Prenatal, and more.
They provide visitors with spiritual and healing services to ensure body balance, like the Lightbody Connection, Divine Matrix, and Activation.
Address: 43576 W, Caven Dr, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
22. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is located inside the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort & Casino hotel on the same estate as the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.
The Casino provides visitors with playtime on 1,100 videos and reel slots. They can select whichever denomination of play they want. It also has various gaming tables such as Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Pai Gow Poker.
Other things to find here include a Keno Parlor, Bingo Hall, and A Poker Room. The Casino also organizes Throwback Thursdays, where gamers are suitable to win a 10$ free play slot every Thursday morning.
You can also look out for their subsequent promotion and activities, such as the Labor Day Corvette and Sweepstakes.
Address: 15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ 85172, United States
23. Copper Sky Dog Park
Maricopa Copper Sky Dog Park is a great place to be if you want to give your dogs a nice treat when you visit Maricopa.
The Dog Park is new and features big and small dog spaces, so you need not bother if your pet will fit in.
The Park is immaculate and poop free; you will see people who are not staff of this place removing the droppings of other people’s dogs. So you have to avoid making a mess with your dog. Don’t hesitate to bring your dogs along, as they deserve to be part of the fun in the city.
Address: 17877-17933 N John Wayne Pkwy, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
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Plan Your Trip to Maricopa
It is okay to say that Maricopa is a place where you can’t run out of ideas of things to do. So if you were thinking of where your next trip will be, think no more as Maricopa, AZ, has got you covered.
You will undoubtedly find what suits your preference among the various attractions. Do visit!
