No parent loves to hear, “I’m so bored,” from their child. And guess what? Companies don’t want to relocate to a place where their employees could say the same, nor travelers in search of excitement. No one knows this better than PHX East Valley cities, whose leaders and tourism organizations have worked tirelessly to ensure that no human within its region ever has to proclaim boredom. From resorts and agritourism to super-sized recreation, entertainment and shopping destinations, the East Valley has something for everyone — and there are no signs of stopping.
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Apache Junction: An outdoor oasis, with memorable experiences
According to Brock Severson, economic development specialist for the City of Apache Junction, the city has made a name — and prides itself — on being an East Valley tourism destination for outdoor enthusiasts, day trip visitors and every tourist in between.
“Not only are we located at the foot of the Superstition Mountains, but we also serve as the gateway to regional attractions such as Lost Dutchman State Park, Goldfield Ghost Town, Canyon Lake, Tortilla Flat and a breathtaking drive down historic SR-88,” he says.
Through the city’s travel website VisitAJ.com, visitors gain access to outdoor recreation, local shops, restaurants, hotels and attractions.
Severson adds that as the PHX East Valley’s footprint grows as a tourist destination, it’s critical that communities like Apache Junction highlight and preserve the beautiful, coveted and legendary natural features that make the city so special.
“These natural wonders are what makes Arizona an attractive destination to residents and tourists and play a key role for our communities to continue to promote fun, adventurous and healthy lifestyles,” he explains.
Chandler: Downtown delights and hidden gems
Chandler’s downtown has gained momentum as an East Valley tourism hot spot by attracting visitors far and wide, largely due to the city’s investments in the surrounding infrastructure (such as parking). “It has made it incredibly easy for our visitors to explore our downtown district, from the restaurants and bars to the boutique shops or enjoying some of the entertainment and unique events,” says Kimberly Janes, senior tourism program manager for Visit Chandler.
Easily walkable, charming Downtown Chandler is perfectly positioned to accommodate a largely business-based tourism market — but not exclusively.
“Business travel continues to be Chandler’s dominant travel segment,” Janes affirms, “but we get a good share of leisure travel to our community as well. In both cases, we lean into the unique strengths of our community and identify ways to share this information with storytelling about Chandler.”
Much of Chandler’s story includes several hidden gems and unique experiences, including the iconic Tumbleweed Tree — a holiday tradition that dates back to 1957 — and visiting the largest, independent brewery, SanTan Brewing Co.
Town of Fountain Hills: Artistry and exploration
If there’s one thing Fountain Hills is not short of — it’s art.
“Fountain Hills is proud to have over 100 pieces of public art throughout the community and partners with the River of Time Museum and Exploration Center to hold public art tours for residents and visitors,” says Amanda Jacobs, economic development director of the Town of Fountain Hills.
Jacobs explains that in an effort to elevate the arts, the Town installed eight murals on utility boxes in 2023, gaining popularity by residents, businesses and visitors. “The placemaking program returned in October 2024 with the installation of six new murals,” she says. “The town also proclaimed October 2024 as Arts & Humanities Month and is also known for the Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts, which began in 1974.”
In addition to celebrating art, Fountain Hills honors its neighbor relationships, working closely with Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation to promote the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, We-Ko-Pa Golf Course and Fort McDowell Adventures.
Big Fountain Hills news recently hit the streets with the announcement of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center (IDSDC).
“IDSDC will be a 23,000-square-foot nonprofit, STEM science facility, which will include a Dark Sky Observatory, Hyperspace Planetarium, Inspiration Theater, a Night Sky Experience Exhibit Hall and an Einstein Exploration Station,” Jacobs says.
Gilbert: Consummate host with a happening Heritage District
Gilbert visitors don’t have to worry about places to stay during their visit. The town is currently home to 14 hotels, two of which are currently under construction and expected to open in early 2025. Plus, nine new additional hotel projects were recently announced, adding to Gilbert’s hospitality pipeline.
“Gilbert has created significant demand in the last decade, coinciding with the launch of Discover Gilbert tourism marketing services. Our destination offerings are genuine and sought after,” says Glenn Schlottman, tourism program manager of Discover Gilbert. “The uniqueness of what Gilbert offers visitors complements the diverse tourism ecosystem in Greater Phoenix.”
Discover Gilbert is currently in year three of a five-year plan layered with tactics that place the town in a competitive position to attract youth sports, increase visitation from friends and families, and support business travel, which all benefit from the town’s close proximity to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
“These planning efforts have been guided by the economic development team and included Gilbert’s hospitality stakeholders and contributions from Gilbert’s business community,” says Dan Henderson, director of Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development.
Places like Gilbert’s Heritage District have further elevated the town’s position as a top tourism destination in the East Valley.
“From Gilbert’s Heritage District and the incredible growth in downtown to the expansion projects in Agritopia and SanTan Village and now Cooley Station to the east, we have expertly designed pockets of activity in Gilbert,” Schlottman says. “Hotel developers can see this demand and the influx of new visitor-centric offerings, along with the regional business growth and want to meet it head-on.”
Queen Creek: Agritourism and new addition, Pecan Lake
The Town of Queen Creek continues to gain momentum as a top East Valley tourism and agritourism destination in Arizona. From annual Pumpkin & Chili parties and u-pick experiences at Schnepf Farms to The Queen Creek Olive Mill — there is plenty for residents and travelers to experience in the way of entertainment.
The rich natural surroundings and strong agritourism base of Queen Creek is a significant reason for the establishment of Pecan Lake Entertainment. This 10-acre indoor/outdoor family entertainment center offers an abundance of activities for visitors of all ages.
“Our guests come and stay for hours due to the fact that we have multiple amazing food options and various indoor and outdoor seating areas that allow friends and families to gather and have a good afternoon,” says Tim Campbell, president of Pecan Lake Entertainment.
Along with one of the largest steel rope courses in the U.S., Pecan Lake houses a smaller rope course with zip rails under the main course for toddlers, a 21-hole putting course (Pecan National) built within the property’s Botanical Gardens, self-scoring axe throwing, untethered virtual reality, three state-of-the-art escape rooms and more.
Campbell adds that although Pecan Lake has been open less than a year, several of its attractions have gone viral on social media nationwide.
“This has caused a high number of our visitors to come while visiting Arizona from out of state,” Campbell says. “During some holiday periods, over 50% of our guests have been from out of state.”
Mesa: A mix of new attractions, accommodations and more
Key destinations such as Revel Surf at Cannon Beach and the expansive sports complexes of the Arizona Athletic Grounds are beckoning visitors to Mesa — but these are only a few examples of what this bustling city has to offer in the way of attractions.
“Mesa boasts a thriving downtown scene with an array of eateries, museums, boutiques, coffeeshops, breweries and live performance venues,” says Marc Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Mesa. “Near downtown, visitors will also discover diverse cultural experiences with mouthwatering cuisine, captivating shops and colorful murals in the Mesa Asian District.
Out-of-towners are taking advantage of Mesa’s burgeoning hotel market. Recently, Wingate-Hawthorn Hotel on the Mesa Gateway Airport campus and the dual branded 174-room Tempo and Homewood Suites by Hilton have established locations in Mesa’s Gallery Park.
“Candlewood Suites Mesa-Phoenix East will soon bring 108 additional rooms just south of US-60 on Crismon Road,” Garcia says.
Mesa’s key partnerships have also curated programs such as the Fresh Foodie Trail®, an initiative that showcases the region’s unique “farm-to-fork” experiences, further strengthening the city’s collaborative efforts.
“This aligns with the Southeast Valley’s heritage as an agricultural and farming community and emphasizes our authentic local experiences,” Garcia explains.
Tempe: Events and entertainment mecca
Tempe is well established in terms of its accommodations and entertainment, but another area of lifestyle where Tempe truly shines is its events.
“Starting in January, we host the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon with 11,000 locals and visitors racing through Tempe,” says Michael Martin, president and CEO of Tempe Tourism. “The event calendar continues through spring with Tempe Blooms, Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts, Arizona Dragon Boat Festival, Arizona Aloha Festival, Innings Fest, Extra Innings Fest and, of course, Cactus League Spring Training.”
Later in the year, Tempe hosts the Four Peaks Tempe Oktoberfest, Ironman Arizona, Tempe Fall Festival of the Arts, Tempe Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and the fan favorite, Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade.
“These events — and others sprinkled throughout the year — drive visitation to Tempe, making the city an epicenter for major events,” Martin notes.
Tempe is also a hub for live music and the arts, as well as sports. ASU Gammage has hosted Broadway shows such as “Wicked,” “Mama Mia!,” “Life of Pi” and “Moulin Rouge” and Tempe is home to the Cactus League’ Los Angeles Angels and the Valley Suns — the NBA G League’s counterpart to the Phoenix Suns.
