20 Best Things To Do In Buckeye, Arizona

1. Go shopping at Sundance Towne Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

No things-to-do list is ever complete without adding a mall to solve all your shopping woes. Located south of Interstate 10, Sundance Towne Center is a regional shopping mall featuring several stores and restaurants that cater to everyone. Here, you can find stores such as OfficeMax, Walmart, Lowe’s, and PetSmart, to name a few. This building also offers a wide variety of unique and traditional restaurants. Whatever you’re craving at the moment, you can find a place here to satisfy that.

Sundance Towne Center

Address: 700 S Watson Rd, Buckeye, AZ 85326

Website: Sundance Towne Center

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)

2. Wind down at Waddell's Longhorn Corral

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Don’t forget to have a nice meal followed by a few drinks while exploring the city of Buckeye, Arizona. Waddell’s Longhorn Corral is a barbecue restaurant serving classic burgers, steaks, and beers in a rustic setting. There’s live music to enhance everyone’s mood. In case you are looking for something else, try out their chicken quesadilla, nacho supreme, shrimp basket, and bacon chicken cheese.

Waddell's Longhorn Corral

Address: 1629 N 195th Ave, Buckeye, AZ 85396

Website: Waddell’s Longhorn Corral

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 1am; Sun: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon)

3. Stop by Sundance Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Situated near Lower Buckeye, Sundance Park is a public pet-friendly park that covers almost 30 acres (12 hectares) of ground. There are two dog parks here: one for large dogs and the other for small breeds. Of course, you don’t need to have a furry friend to enjoy the park. This open space also features multiple shelters for a picnic and a covered playground. If you are into sports, this area has a baseball field, soccer field, and volleyball courts.

Sundance Park

Address: 22865 W Lower Buckeye Rd, Buckeye, AZ 85326

Website: Sundance Park

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 5am - 10pm; Wed: 2pm - 10pm; Thu - Sun: 5am - 10pm

4. Tour Buckeye Valley Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you wish to learn more about the roots of Buckeye, drop a visit to Buckeye Valley Museum. Although the setup is a little smaller, Buckeye Valley features an impressive collection of artifacts like pottery from the pre-Columbian times and historic photographs lined thoughtfully along the two large galleries recently added to the original buildings. Established by I.H. Parkman in 1954, it displays historical pieces focusing on the town’s rich and vibrant local history. Admission to educational exhibits and classes is free.

Buckeye Valley Museum Tour

Address: 116 E. MC 85, Buckeye, AZ 85326, United States

Website: Buckeye Valley Museum

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 4pm (closed from Sun - Thu)

Price: Free

5. Explore Robbins Butte Wildlife Area

This 680-hectare (1681-acre) wildlife area lies to the east and west of Highway 85 as it crosses Gila River. This Buckeye tourist attraction is home to a number of diverse wildlife, including 140 species of birds, 19 species of reptiles, a number of mammals, and a variety of fishes. You can explore the Robbins Butte Trail and enjoy nature. You can even buy a license to fish and hunt. Unfortunately, overnight public camping is not allowed and fishing is permitted in Gila River only.

Robbins Butte Wildlife Area

Address: Buckeye, AZ 85326, United States

Website: Robbins Butte Wildlife Area

6. Savor the offerings at The Vic Bar + Kitchen

Have a taste of what Buckeye has to offer at Vic Bar + Kitchen, a bright and contemporary casual dining restaurant serving inventive comfort fare and cocktails. You can relax at their cozy inside tables or dine outside while enjoying the best views of Buckeye Valley, including the twinkling lights of Verrado and downtown Phoenix. Firmly believing in food preparation without any shortcuts and overproduction, this eatery proudly serves wholesome and delicious farm-to-table food to their beloved guests.

The Vic Bar + Kitchen

Address: 5325 N Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85396, United States

Website: The Vic Bar + Kitchen

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

7. Hike through Victory Steps at Verrado

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Enjoy the stunning views of Verrado while burning off your extra pounds with a hike here at the Victory Steps. Located near Buckeye, Arizona, Victory Steps sports a 0.3-kilometer (0.19-mile) ascending steps trail that offers scenic views. Locals generally use the trail for walking, running, and nature tripping. While the hike is rated moderate, you will definitely be up to a serious workout especially on the way down. You’ll also feel safe and secured as the area is usually patrolled by Buckeye’s local police.

Victory Steps at Verrado

Address: N Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85396, United States

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

8. Head to Hidden Lake

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

For a guaranteed fun outdoor recreation for the whole family, go straight to the beautiful Hidden Lake, a 120-acre (49-hectare) recreation area with 60 acres (24 hectares) of trophy fishing waters. Being one of the private lakes in the state, it has been rehabilitated and developed into a safe and clean environment for families and nature advocates to enjoy. Aside from trophy fishing, guests can also engage in paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, camping, and sightseeing. The recreation area also offers live music and special events at the on-site music bar and events area, the TopWater. The private lake is also available as a venue where you can host your special events.

Hidden Lake

Address: 24445 W Sunrise Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85326, United States

Website: Hidden Lake

Price: from 5 USD

9. Check out White Tank Mountain Regional Park

White Tank Mountain Regional Park is a fascinating place to explore for both its history and recreational actives. Home of eleven archeological sites, White Tank Mountain Regional Park has been a home to humans from as far back as 500 AD. Today, the sites are attributed to the Hohokam Indians, who eventually abandoned the area around 1100 AD. During your visit, you will see petroglyphs from the Hohokam Indians, and possibly even older, from around 10,000 years ago.

Multiple trails with varying levels of difficulty run throughout the park, perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. One trail, the Black Rock Trail, goes through a Hohokam village site, and if you’re looking for a large display of petroglyphs, take the Waterfall Canyon Trail to see the “Petroglyph Plaza.” Unless otherwise stated, all trails are multi-use and awaiting exploration. And if you can’t get enough of the park during the day, stay the night at one of the 40 campsites. Exploring this Waddell regional park is one of the interesting things to do near Buckeye.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park

Address: 20304 W White Tank Mountain Rd, Waddell, AZ 85355

Website: White Tank Mountain Regional Park

10. See Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge

About 10 miles (16 km) outside of Buckeye stands a more-recent historic structure, the Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge. But don’t be fooled, the dam was built almost 100 years ago, in 1920, with the bridge being built in 1926. Originally intended to divert water to neighboring streams for farming, the dam only partially stands today after heavy rainfall in 1996 caused it to collapse. However, the bridge is still standing, and used, by tourists and locals alike. Rustic steel beams create a picture-perfect moment for all who visit, especially at dusk when the sun’s beams highlight every color and angle of the bridge.

Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge

Address: S Old US Hwy 80, Arlington, AZ 85322

Website: Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge

11. Have a splash at Buckeye Aquatics Center

For the perfect place to cool off in the Arizona heat, head to the Buckeye Aquatics Center. More than just a pool, the aquatics center offers a zero depth, beach front area, a 10-foot (3 m) high dive, low-dive, and a winding water slide. The beach area comes equipped with water features for the whole family to enjoy. Staying in Buckeye for the summer? Be sure to get a summer pass to enjoy not only the pools, but programs for the family. And if you’re worried about crowding, lap swim, free swim, and evening hours are available weekly, ensuring your time at the aquatics center is specialized for your recreation needs.

Buckeye Aquatics Center

Address: 207 N 9th St, Buckeye, AZ 85326

Website: Buckeye Aquatics Center

12. Go exploring with Geo Savvy Tours

Twenty minutes outside Buckeye is headquarters to the best boutique tour company in Phoenix. With Geo Savvy Tours, you can see surrounding areas from the comfort of an SUV or minivan, and learn about the history and geography of the region from a guide who is passionate about Arizona. Geo Savvy Tours is more than just looking at rocks and museums. By highlighting the local cuisine, art, urban environment, and culture, Geo Savvy Tours fully connects you to what it means to live in Arizona.

Multiple tours are available, including day tours to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Arizona’s wine country, missions and museums throughout Tucson, and more. If one day isn’t enough, multi-day packages are also available from Geo Savvy Tours. Joining this tour is one of the fun things to do in Buckeye.

Geo Savvy Tours

Address: 20908 W Wycliff Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396

Website: Geo Savvy Tours

13. See the great outdoors at Estrella Mountain Regional Park

For more outdoor fun, check out the Estrella Mountain Regional Park. This family-friendly recreational park is perfect for an afternoon getaway, day trip, or nighttime adventure. Offering baseball pitches, fishing on the Gila River, hiking, horseback riding, biking trails, a golf course, and campsites, the park is a great location for every outdoor enthusiast. If you run out of what to do in Buckeye, visit this park!

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Address: 14805 W Vineyard Ave, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Website: Estrella Mountain Regional Park

14. Tee off at Copper Canyon Golf Club

Relax and unwind during your Buckeye visit at the Copper Canyon Golf Club. This 18-hole course is fully equipped for everyone from professionals to part-time players, and sits as a green oasis inside the Arizona desert. Forgot your gear? Don’t worry, Copper Canyon Golf Club is glad to rent out equipment for day use. When you’re done enjoying the manicured green, grab a bite at Indigo Grille, Copper Canyon’s delicious eatery.

Copper Canyon Golf Club

Address: 26577 W Desert Vista Blvd, Buckeye, AZ 85396

Website: Copper Canyon Golf Club

15. Discover Skyline Regional Park

A sister park to the Estrella Mountain Regional Park, Skyline Regional Park is another excellent location for outdoor exploration of Arizona. Offering hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, with no park entrance fee, you are sure to enjoy your visit at Skyline. Featuring trails that are slightly more rugged than that of Estrella, you can test your durability and skill, while looking for lizards, snakes, and other wildlife. Campsites and ramadas are also available, perfect for family picnics or a night of stargazing.

Skyline Regional Park

Address: 2600 N Watson Rd, Buckeye, AZ 85396

Website: Skyline Regional Park

16. Try desert skydiving

Take the plunge with this fun and thrilling way to view Buckeye, Phoenix, and the surrounding Arizona area. With Desert Skydiving, you can do just as the name implies and skydive out of a plane. Catering to veteran skydivers and rookie tandem jumpers alike, Desert Skydiving will have you shouting with glee in no time.

Desert Skydiving

Address: 3000 S Palo Verde Rd, Buckeye, AZ 85326

Website: Desert Skydiving

17. Take your shot at Joe Foss Public Shooting Range

While in Buckeye, practice your aim at the Jo Foss Public Shooting Range. At the Joe Foss Public Shooting Range, all ages and experience levels are welcome to practice safe shooting techniques in this well-equipped facility. At Joe Foss, you will find rifle and pistol ranges, perfect for testing distance, trap and skeet shooting for accuracy, and an archery range for the rustic enthusiast. Before you hit the range, be sure to stop by the company’s retail center for ear protection, target paper, and more, to make sure your experience is loaded with fun.

Joe Foss Public Shooting Range

Address: 26700 Buckeye Hills Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85326

Website: Joe Foss Public Shooting Range

18. Get pampered at The Spa at Victory Club

Finally, relax and unwind at the Spa at Victory Club. With a focus on the whole you, the Spa at Victory Club is guaranteed to bring you total comfort. Offering a range of services including massage therapy, waxing, skin treatments, and more, you will leave the spa feeling like a new person, ready to enjoy the rest of your Buckeye adventure.

The Spa at Victory Club

Address: 5325 N Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85396

Website: The Spa at Victory Club

Nearby options

19. Get closer to wildlife at Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

A 215-acre (87-hectare) facility, Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park at Litchfield Park features South American and African animals, along with the largest collection of exotic animals in the state. While here, visitors can enjoy various rides and attractions. If you want to see endangered antelope, gazelles, and ostriches, take the African Safari Train. There’s also a carousel to keep the little ones entertained. In case you get hungry, there are plenty of snack bars and cafes on the premises.

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

Address: 16501 W Northern Ave, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

Website: Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

20. Ride with Corral West Horse Adventures

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

How about going for a horseback riding adventure in Buckeye, Arizona? Corral West Horse Adventures is known for offering riding lessons, wagon rentals, and more. You can go horseback riding at one of the most pristine locations in the state, the Sonoran Desert. Here, you can explore guided horse trails on a one-hour or two-hour tour. For a more exciting experience, opt for the sunset rides over the Sonoran Desert.

Corral West Horse Adventures

Address: 14401 W Arena Dr #9019, Goodyear, AZ 85338

Website: Corral West Horse Adventures

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Experience Buckeye

During your next Arizona visit, be sure to enjoy an excursion to the small gem, Buckeye. With shooting ranges, skydiving, ATV tours, and more, Buckeye is guaranteed fun for the whole family.