Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Maricopa

"Looking for some fun sightseeing options in Phoenix, Arizona?. The South Mountain Park and Preserve is a great urban park to do the trick, and it’s officially considered a Phoenix Point of Pride while being among America’s largest parks of its kind. South Mountain Park and Preserve first began being plotted back in the 1920s, and it now has more than 16,000 acres to its name, consisting of 60 trails and plenty of stunning desert panoramas to take in."

"You can start your Phoenix Vacation by exploring the South Mountain Park with its variety of flora and fauna. It is also the home of the chuckwalla specie, a rare form of lizard. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Phoenix at the lookout point at 1,000 above the desert floor."

"Located at the Arizona Mills in Tempe, Sea Life Arizona is a 26,000-square foot interactive aquarium that is home to thousands of aquatic and marine creatures in a variety of habitats. The family-friendly park features state-of-the-art attractions such as a 360° ocean tunnel where visitors can see sharks, rays and turtles glide past and over them, an interactive scavenger hunt, and several interactive touch pools where sea creatures can be touched. The first-of-its-kind, outdoor Colorado River Adventure attraction allows kids to twist, turn and control the water path of the Colorado River from the Rocky Mountains to the Sea of Cortez and learn how land-locked desert cities affect the ocean."

"SEA LIFE is the world’s largest family of aquariums and includes SEA LIFE Aquariums in North America including SEA LIFE Arizona, Carlsbad, Charlotte-Concord, Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City, Mall of America, Michigan, New Jersey (opening soon), Orlando, and San Antonio (opening soon). From its origins in 1979 in Oban, Scotland, SEA LIFE now provides immersive marine experiences in nearly 50 locations in 17 countries around the world. We aim share our passion for the creatures of the oceans and to make our guests fall in love with them."

"5000 S Arizona Mills Cir Suite 145Tempe, AZ 85282(877) 526-3960. Click Here To See Ticket Price. SEA Life Arizona is one of our favorite kid-friendly attractions in the area."

"This farmhouse turned eatery, nestled in the historic Farm at South Mountain, is a love fest both in setting and cuisine. Its rural tranquility offers a lush backdrop for guests as well as chef Dustin Christofolo, whose daily menu of contemporary American farm cuisine includes ingredients harvested at next-door Soil & Seed Garden. Whether clinking glasses of vino at the exclusive Brick Oven Table on the patio or holding hands over a dish of dreamy homemade pasta in front of a crackling fire, Quiessence at The Farm has amore written all over it."

"No list of the most romantic restaurants in Phoenix would be complete without mentioning one of the absolute most amorous spots in the city, Quiessence at The Farm. Serving up a true love fest of flavours and ambiance, the tranquil setting lends itself to an idyllic romantic evening for two. Ingredients are harvested next door, ensuring food is fresh and fantastic."

"Quiessence restaurant is located in the back of The Farm at South Mountain, an oasis that takes you just slightly outside the typical desert landscape. You can dine either on the farmhouse patio or out on the lawn beneath the Valley sky. The menu is made up of local ingredients from the farm and other local businesses."

"Blending with the northern foothills of South Mountain Park, Mystery Castle is a bizarre 18-room three-storey mansion, like a cross between a Gothic castle and a hacienda. The story behind this monument, a Phoenix Point of Pride, is fascinating. On learning that he had tuberculosis in the 1930s, the Seattleite Boyce Luther Gulley fled his family for Phoenix without telling them, purchasing a mining stake and spending the next 15 years constructing this property on it."

"For those who are looking for something fun to do this weekend, try checking out the Mystery Castle. It was built over the course of 15 years by Boyce Luther Gulley, who had first abandoned both his family and his job, before vanishing for three years. After three years, he returned to Phoenix to build his castle."

"Mystery Castle, nestled on the foothills of South Mountain Park, was built in the 1930s and is a designated Phoenix Point of Pride."

"Desert Breeze Park has one of three spray pads in Chandler, one of two urban fishing lakes in the city, two playgrounds, four tennis courts and a volleyball court. One of the more popular parks in the East Valley, Desert Breeze Park is 47 acres of fun for the whole family. It has one of three spray pads in Chandler, one of two urban fishing lakes in the city, two playgrounds, four tennis courts and a volleyball court."

"Desert Breeze Park is a lovely destination for people wanting to walk around, play, or host a picnic — so much so that on the weekends it’s always busy!. However, if you take the time to go on a weekday, you’ll find a park that’s serene and open — with plenty of places to fish or sit in the shade!"

"Enjoy boat and bike rentals, two large corporate picnic areas, playgrounds, 15 ramadas, urban fishing and seasonal movies in the park."

"Visiting this park will allow you and your canine to honor a K-9 who gave his life in the line of duty in 2005."

"Deeply atmospheric temple complex, encircled by lanes but peaceful inside. Here there's a (rare) stone statue of an upright, standing Ganesh, said to be over 1500 years old, who is depicted with a flat head – said to mark the spot where the demon Ravana struck him. This is the second most holy site in Gokarna and it's customary for pilgrims to visit here first before heading to the neighbouring Mahabaleshwara Temple. Foreigners are not allowed inside the inner sanctum."

"Warner Rd., Tempe, 480-629-4270, cottonandcopperaz.com It’s Arizona through and through – not surprising given the reference to two of our state’s historic “Five C’s.” The Tempe gastropub marries locally sourced meats and produce from chef Tamara Stanger (you must try her legendary tepary bean spread and rotating carpaccio plate) with owner Sean Traynor’s delightful craft cocktails (each named after iconic Valley bars)."

"Cotton & Copper is only just getting rolling, but it feels like Tamara Stanger has just been set loose. Having parted ways with Helio Basin Brewing Co., Stanger teamed up with Sean Traynor to open a neighborhood restaurant/watering hole in suddenly red-hot south Tempe. The joint is no-frills, casual and a little raucous with a young drinking crowd."

"On top of boxing some recent Cotton & Copper menu staples, chef Tamara Stanger is cooking an intensive large-format meal that changes nightly. Lately, that has meant duck paprikash, Sonoran-style enchiladas, and Korean fried chicken spatzle. Grab one of Sean Traynor’s cocktails to wash down Stanger’s ethereal pies."

"This farmhouse turned eatery, nestled in the historic Farm at South Mountain, is a love fest both in setting and cuisine. Its rural tranquility offers a lush backdrop for guests as well as chef Dustin Christofolo, whose daily menu of contemporary American farm cuisine includes ingredients harvested at next-door Soil & Seed Garden. Whether clinking glasses of vino at the exclusive Brick Oven Table on the patio or holding hands over a dish of dreamy homemade pasta in front of a crackling fire, Quiessence at The Farm has amore written all over it."

"No list of the most romantic restaurants in Phoenix would be complete without mentioning one of the absolute most amorous spots in the city, Quiessence at The Farm. Serving up a true love fest of flavours and ambiance, the tranquil setting lends itself to an idyllic romantic evening for two. Ingredients are harvested next door, ensuring food is fresh and fantastic."

"Quiessence restaurant is located in the back of The Farm at South Mountain, an oasis that takes you just slightly outside the typical desert landscape. You can dine either on the farmhouse patio or out on the lawn beneath the Valley sky. The menu is made up of local ingredients from the farm and other local businesses."

"Silver Rose Bakery in Phoenix specializes in creating wedding cakes that are moist and flavorful. They take pride in crafting elegant tastes that keep their customers coming back. Choose from one of Michael & Priscilla’s artfully designed cakes, or they will take your designs and turn them into a tasty reality that all of your guests will love and compliment on your wedding day."