ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Challenger Space Center
  A learning center themed around space and science-including simulated space flights and mission controls.
• The Bead Museum
  Exhibitions of over 100,000 beads and beaded artifacts from around the world; permanent and changing exhibitions; outreach programs, lectures, tours, and classes. The Museum Store sells books on beads and related subjects, as well as beads and supplies, including special collector beads.
• Sahuaro Ranch
  The 17 acres of Sahuaro Ranch, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, presents the history of early European settlement in the West Valley through exhibits and artifacts. The Ranch is also a locale for local events such as tractor shows, quilt exhibits, fine art exhibits, the "Sweet Onion Festival", and the annual "Antique Tractor and Engine Show".
• Katydid Insect Museum
  A fun place for kids where they can learn about insects, arachnids, reptiles, and other creepy-crawly creatures.
• Glendale Police Museum
  Find out about the history of the Glendale Police.
• Deer Valley Rock Art Center
  This 47-acre sacred site in the Hedgpeth Hills contains nearly 600 builders with over 1500 petroglyphs; their mission is to preserve this site, while providing public access to the area through their museum, education, special tours, and activities for all ages.
• Theatre Works
  Peoria's Community Theater presents plays year-round including comedies, dramas, musicals, and children's plays, along with educational opportunities and community outreach in the arts.
• Peoria Historical Society Museum
  A schoolhouse from the turn of the twentieth century houses exhibits on the history of Peoria's earliest European settlers.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

• White Tank Mountain Regional Park
  This park surrounds the stunning White Tank Mountains, located between the Phoenix Basin of the Salt River Valley and the Hassayampa Plain. Hikers and bicyclers can enjoy over 21 miles of trails; a favorite hike for families is Waterfall Trail, which takes you to Petroglyph Plaza.
• Lake Pleasant Regional Park
  Just two miles north of Peoria you will find Lake Pleasant with over 10,000 acres of crystal clear water; here visitors can enjoy RV and tent camping, water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, and fishing.
• Glendale Xeriscape Botanical Garden
  This four-acre, award-winning garden includes over 1,000 varieties of desert plants, which can be viewed from the pleasant walking paths; open every day free of charge.
• Thunderbird Park
  Enjoy picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging, and wildlife and bird watching in this 1,185-acre conservation park in the Hedgpeth Hills.
• The Elsie McCarthy Sensory GardenA garden designed for the visually impaired, with scents and tactile exhibits of plants and foliage.
• Glendale Parks and Recreation
• NHL Coyotes Glendale Arena
• The Phoenix Coyotes
• The Peoria Sports Complex
  Consisting of a 10,000-seat stadium and 12 practice fields, the complex is home to adult, college, high school, and youth baseball tournaments and championships. Locals may also rent the facilities for special events such as weddings, shows, and exhibits. The San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners utilize the complex for Spring Training and player development.
• Turf Soaring Flight School
  Take a class and learn about gliding, or enjoy a peaceful and beautiful glide above the desert.
• Canyon Raceway
  Peoria's motor sport raceway has a 3/8-mile clay oval track; visit on Saturdays to watch Modifieds.
• Golf Courses in Glendale
  A review of golf courses in the Glendale area.
• Golf Courses in Peoria
  A review of golf courses in the Peoria area.

SHOPPING AND DINING

• Arrowhead Towne Center
  Arrowhead is one of the largest malls in the Glendale/Peoria region, with attractive water fountains, a hand-carved carousel, a kid's club, cinemas, and over 170 stores; major chains (like the GAP, the Disney Store, and Radio Shack) are well represented alongside specialty local stores.
• Historic Downtown Glendale and Antique District
  With its historic downtown center, Glendale has maintained evidence of its past. The picturesque, four-block district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The area has two distinct shopping districts--Old Towne, with red brick buildings, and Catlin Court, with renovated historic bungalows. With close to 100 antique stores, along with cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops, it's no surprise that the district was recently named one of the 10 best places to go antiquing nationally by both USA Today and Sunset Magazine. For an informative article on downtown Glendale go to: http://www.azcentral.com/travel/arizona/features/articles/
  archive/downtownglen.html
• Cerreta Candy Company
  Visit Peoria's Main Street and you will find a variety of locally owned service establishments and retail stores, along with the town museum and the community theater.
• The Spicery Tea Room
  Enjoy a real High Tea in a beautifully restored 1895 bungalow in historic downtown Glendale, complete with lace curtains, lovely linen, and old china tea services; the Spicery also offers a special "children's tea".
• Haus Murphy's
  Historic images of early Glendale and its people cover the walls of this classic German restaurant, which is housed in the oldest commercial building still standing in Glendale. The restaurant was used as a location in the movie "Murphy's Romance"; the soda fountain now found on its premises was originally used for the film, and purchased for the restaurant afterwards.
• McDuffy's
  This Peoria football pub is a fun place to hang out and watch games, and it is consistently voted "Best Place to Watch the Game" by the sports fans in the area.
• AZ BBQ
  Peoria's classic Arizona barbeque.
• Dillons
  Enjoy delicious barbecued and smoked ribs, brisket and pulled pork, smoked sausage, chicken and turkey at this eatery.

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

• Glendale Office of Tourism
  Find out more about Glendale, pick up maps, and talk with knowledgeable staff.
• Glendale Civic Center
  The recently completed $8.5 million Civic Center is the largest facility of its kind in the West Valley, and a premier location for important community events like antique shows, weddings, graduations, reunions, and business conferences.
• Luke Air Force Base
  Luke Air Force Base, located in Glendale, is the world's largest fighter-pilot training facility,
• Thunderbird: The American Graduate School of International Management
  Thunderbird is recognized worldwide as a top school for international business.
• Midwestern University
  Midwestern was the first private health sciences school in Arizona; campus also includes the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine.
• Arizona State University
  Glendale is home to ASU's West Campus.
• World Wildlife Zoo
  Visit exotic animals, all housed in natural habitats (and not a concrete sidewalk in sight!), at Peoria's first-rate zoo. Favorites include the Bengali White Tigers, Dromedary Camels, and the African Lions. The zoo also has educational programs and offers visitors the opportunity to hand-feed giraffes and birds.
• Things to see and do in nearby Phoenix