Attractions in Glendale Arizona
Glendalians lead very active lifestyles and realize the importance of taking time to enjoy the outdoors. In Arizona, both visitors and residents take advantage year-round of the excellent outdoor recreation available in Glendale.
For picturesque picnics and dramatic spring blooms, venture to Thunderbird Park, a huge regional desert mountain park, and one of the 54 parks in Glendale’s superb 1,800-acre park system. Spend time with family and friends swimming in a city pool or touring the grounds of Historic Sahuaro Ranch, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Neighborhoods are being linked by the channelization of Skunk Creek. The 3-1/2 mile linear park will link neighborhood and regional parks in Glendale and connect trails into Phoenix and Peoria.
Soothe your soul with warm breezes by hiking the mountain trails, playing the lush golf courses, boating on the waterways or wandering through serene park gardens. Dance with nature while jogging or rollerblading along city foot paths, riding horses along Glendale’s equestrian trails or cycling on the miles of bike paths. An active outdoor lifestyle can easily be found right here in Glendale! graphic
And for the even more adventurous, try rock climbing, rappelling, backpacking, camping, bird watching, mountain biking, canyoneering, downhill or cross-country skiing, hunting, water or jet skiing and whitewater rafting – all within a two-hour drive from Glendale. Where else can you find all these adventures in one state? Sounds like Glendale, Arizona is the perfect place to call home. Visit https://www.visitglendale.com for more information.
Arts and Culture in Glendale
An art collection valued at $1.25 million can be attributed to a very active Glendale citizen Arts Commission and the fact that Glendale is the first city in the state to have a “Percent for Arts” ordinance requiring every public project to set aside money for art. Commissioned custom art sculptures can be seen throughout the city and have resulted in many marvelous development awards for the community.
The Glendale Main Library houses so much of the city’s art collection that it almost doubles as an art museum. The city’s fabulous library system, consisting of the main library and two branches, is a key cultural facility for all ages. The newest addition to the library system, the Foothills Branch Library, opened to fanfare in the summer of 1999 with more than 121,000 books, audiocassettes, videotapes and other materials. The 33,500- square-foot library – the largest branch library in the state – also features the first library drive-up-service window in Arizona.
The Glendale Community Band, a 100-member orchestra, is in its 35th year and plays every Thursday evening in June and July under the stars in the City Hall amphitheater. Young and old alike spread blankets on grass and listen to the marches, show tunes and classical sounds of this highly entertaining band. Band membership is open to the public.
Glendale seems to celebrate year-round with spectacular events that showcase the flavor and amenities in the community. To celebrate the holidays, every November through January, Glendale becomes the “City of Lights.” Glendale Glitters Holiday Light Extravaganza makes downtown sparkle with a half million lights adorning the trees in Murphy Park, decorating the buildings and lining the avenues. Enchanted Evenings during December, feature crafters and carriage rides around Old Towne and Historic Catlin Court shopping districts. As a finale to the holiday display, more than 30 colorful glowing hot air balloons brighten the night sky amid the lights at Glendale Glitter and Glow.
Unique features in our city like Cerreta Candy Company also provide a reason to celebrate. The annual Glendale Chocolate Affaire features a three-day exhibition of chocolate in every imaginable shape and form, wine tasting, live music, romance and candy factory tours. Another two-day festival, WorldPort, recognizes the presence of the prestigious American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale. graphic
Glendale also attracts museums with a twist. The Bead Museum displays ancient, ethnic and contemporary beads from different cultures around the world and attracts bead enthusiasts from throughout the United States. Around the corner, the American Museum of Nursing displays uniforms, caps, books and medical equipment for the guided tour explaining the evolution of nursing. For more traditional venues, the greater Phoenix area is filled with more fascinating museums and exciting attractions. The Arizona Science Center, The Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Zoo and Wildlife World Zoo are but a few of the world class attractions just minutes from Glendale