Cities

Queen Creek

Find family fun in this town southeast of Phoenix — from history and theater to local food and outdoor recreation.

Located near the foothills of the San Tan Mountains, Queen Creek is a relatively new town (incorporated in 1989), but this family-friendly suburb has always been steeped in agriculture. Taste fresh flavors at heritage farms and gardens, or watch cowboys demonstrate their ranching skills. Or just enjoy desert life at one of the area's many parks.

Local attractions

Learn about the town's past — from the original keepers of the land, the Hohokam, to pioneer families and the railroad that once stopped here — at the San Tan Historical Society Museum, housed at the Rittenhouse Elementary School (circa 1925). See cowboys in action at the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre during various shows and rodeo competitions, such as bronc and bull riding, team roping and barrel racing. For high-brow Queen Creek events and entertainment, visit the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, which brings nationally touring acts to its theater stage but also hosts a family series with musicals and plays for children.

Parks

South of Queen Creek, San Tan Mountain Regional Park's 10,000 acres offer plenty of Queen Creek recreational opportunities and hundreds of trails through the desert landscape. Join a night mountain bike ride, follow park rangers during guided hikes and birding talks, and enjoy sunset yoga and wildlife meet-and-greets. In Queen Creek, visitors can play in four large parks throughout the town, while exploring the 12 mile trail system, which is accessible from a number of park locations.

Founders' Park, which is closest to the downtown area, features basketball courts, multipurpose fields, a playground and a 4,000 foot splash pad. Located across the street from Founders' Park is a one-acre Pocket Park for Pups, which allows dogs to run and play within enclosed grassy fields. When temps heat up, cool down at Mansel Carter Oasis Park's pirate-themed splash pad, which also includes a sand discovery dig zone, an inclusive playground and a stocked five-acre lake for fishing. Frontier Family Park also boasts a 5-acre lake for fishing, an inclusive playground and 24 lighted pickleball courts.

Homegrown eats

The urban oasis, Queen Creek Botanical Gardens, inspires visitors to grow their own edible plants. The 10-acre Queen Creek spot features orchards, greenhouses, demonstration gardens, a working industrial-age watermill and fishing on the shore of Pecan Lake. Learn how olives are grown and pressed into high-quality extra virgin olive oil during grove tours at the Queen Creek Olive Mill, then shop and dine at the Tuscan-inspired farm-to-table café or stop by the deli for prepared items to-go. At Schnepf Farms, wander the seasonal U-pick gardens and orchards for fresh produce, purchase fresh-baked pies and other goodies at the bakery, and then mark your calendar for the month-long Pumpkin & Chili Party in October featuring rides, food, corn mazes and a petting zoo.

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