Valley of the Sun

 Sites to See at Various Locations

Cave Creek/Carefree. Attractions near the Scenic Drive. [Read More]

Challenger Learning Center. 21170 N. 83rd Avenue. This is a world-class space science education facility featuring a mission-control room modeled after NASA's Johnson Space Center. The Center is open to the public and offers daily simulated space missions. (623) 322-2001.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center. 3711 West Deer Valley Road. The research center for Arizona State University includes a short trail that leads to rocks covered with thousands of well-defined petroglyphs. An interpretive center helps explain their meanings and origins. (602) 582-8007.

Dolly Steamboat Excursion. Canyon Lake. A replica paddle wheel steamboat takes visitors on a leisurely tour between steep canyon walls and cliffs covered with saguaros and (if you are lucky) bighorn sheep. (480)-827-9144.

Fountain Hills.  Located on the east side of the McDowell Mountains. It was originally noted for its tallest fountain in the world (560 feet). Today, it's a self contained community of considerable dimensions.  Nearby is McDowell Mountain County park with hiking trails, camp sites and picnic tables. 

Goldfield Ghost Town. North of Apache Junction on Highway 88. A genuine ghost town, a memory of an 1892 gold strike in the Superstition Mountains, it now consists of reconstructed buildings, a museum, a railroad, steakhouse, saloon, and shops. (480) 983-0333.

Lost Dutchman State Park. Superstition Mountains. There are hiking trails, primitive campsites, leisurely ranger-led nature hikes at this Sonoran Desert Park. Terrific view of Weaver's Needle, an area landmark. (480) 982-4485.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park. 9736 N. Fort McDowell Road. Big cats and other wild animals appear in unrehearsed, educational shows presented in a park-like setting. (480) 837-7779.

Phoenix International Raceway. 115th Avenue and Baseline Road. From November through April, NASCAR competitors, Indy cars, midgets and sports cars race around the one-mile, oval track. (602) 252-2227.

Pioneer Living History Museum. 3901 W. Pioneer Road (off I 17). On weekends, shoot-outs and costumed interpreters bring this 93-acre museum to life. Complete with blacksmith shop, Victorian home, dance hall, church and miners' cabins. (623) 465-1052.

Schnept Farms. 22601 E. Cloud Road, Queen Creek. Pick your own fruits and vegetables, shop in a country store, camp on a farm, enjoy something fresh from the bakery and stroll around a true working farm. (480) 987-3333.

Wildlife World Zoo. 16501 W. Northern Avenue. To see a large concentration of fascinating, exotic animals in one place, visit this unique zoo that began as a breeding facility for rare and endangered species. (623) 935-9453.