Located in the West Valley region of Arizona near the mountains of Estrella lies the bustling city of Avondale. The city is just 15 minutes away from the busy city of Phoenix, making it a very perfect place for city dwellers to relax and get in touch with nature. Avondale is filled with a lot of interesting activities and tourist spots for you to try and discover. A lot of them are also very family-friendly so you can bring your kids with you. The city is also home to the Phoenix International Raceway which is a haven for Formula On and NASCAR enthusiasts. Here are some of the best things to do in Avondale, Arizona.
1. Walk past the shops and restaurants in the Avondale’s historic corridor
The Avondale historic center is home to a lot of small shops right at the heart of the city. Each of these stores and restaurants work together to maintain the rich culture and history of Avondale. Be amazed by the street art across the streets. There’s a lot of events and activities that take place in the Avondale Historic Corridor so you should really experience one.
Avondale Historic Corridor
Address: 410 E Western Ave, Avondale, AZ
2. Be a part of the Billy Moore festival, carnival, and parade
The Billy Moore Festival is being celebrated every third week of October in Avondale. It is in honor of William “Billy” Moore, the founder of the city. The festival is now being celebrated for over five decades now but the fun in celebrating the festival is still there. The four-day celebration includes carnivals, festivals, parades, petting zoos, shows, food places, and so much more.
Billy Moore Festival
Address: Avondale Historic Corridor, Avondale, AZ
Website: Billy Moore Festival
3. Quench your need for speed as you shoot around the Phoenix International Raceway
Car and racing enthusiasts won’t miss a chance visiting or even watch a race live in the Phoenix International Raceway. The raceway has a total stretch of 1 mile (1.6 km) and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends every year. It has also hosted several race events like the USAC, CART, IndyCar Series and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Phoenix International Raceway
Address: 7602 S Avondale Blvd, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Phoenix International Raceway
Opening Hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
Price: From 10 USD
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4. View the confluence of the Gila and Salt Rivers from the Monument Hill
Isn’t it amazing to see two rivers converge on a single spot? See the Gila and Salt River converge from a spot in Monument Hill in Avondale. There’s even a marker that pinpoints the exact location of the two rivers meeting each other! You can visit the marker as soon as you finish watching a race from the Phoenix International Raceway.
Gila and Salt River Meridian
Address: Monument Hill, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Gila and Salt River Meridian
5. Pay your respect at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
A lot of Christians, especially the devoted ones, really try to go to church regularly. This is for them to pray for themselves, their families, loved ones and to pray for their safety before they start exploring the city of Avondale. The best place to practice your faith in Avondale is at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Address: 13720 W Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392, USA
Website: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)
6. Give your dogs a free rein in Friendship Park
Brought your dog with you on your Avondale adventure? Why not play and bond with them at the Friendship Park? The park offers a very vast and wide green area for your dog to run and play with other dogs. You can also walk with them, or just do a simple game of fetch. You and your furry friend will surely enjoy your time at the Friendship Park.
Friendship Park
Address: 12325 W McDowell Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
7. Taste traditional American food at the TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant
Start your day right while in Avondale by having a hearty and sumptuous breakfast at TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant. The diner serves authentic American food for breakfast and lunch. Must try dishes include the crispy bacon, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, and apple pie. Plus, the cute, hometown-diner atmosphere is very appetizing, too!
TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant
Address: 310 N Dysart Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 5am - 3:30pm; Mon - Thu: 5am - 2:30pm; Fri: 5am - 9pm
8. De-stress yourself through the process of gardening at the Garden Patch Community Garden
Whether you have a green thumb or not, gardening and planting can be a great de-stressing activity for everyone. The best place to learn more about planting and gardening in Avondale is at the Garden Patch Community Garden. The garden is composed of individual and communal gardens which also include an orchard. You can plant anything you like in the garden while you learn how to be an effective gardener. Thus, earning a green thumb for yourself!
Garden Patch Community Garden
Address: 11350 West Coldwater Springs Boulevard, Avondale, AZ
Website: Garden Patch Community Garden
9. Watch a blockbuster movie at the Harkins Theatres Gateway Pavilions 18
Watching movies is everyone’s most favorite pastime. If you are in the mood to watch the latest blockbuster movies while you’re in Avondale, why not grab your family, friends, and loved ones at the Harkins Theatres Gateway Pavilions 18? The theater features 18 screens in a wheelchair-friendly stadium seating that can project in 3D with digital surround sound. The cinema also offers online and self-service ticketing system so you don’t need to queue up just to buy tickets.
Harkins Theatres Gateway Pavilions 18
Address: 10250 W McDowell Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392, USA
Website: Harkins Theatres Gateway Pavilions 18
Opening hours: 9am - 12am (daily)
10. Play arcade games with friends at the 8-Bit Aleworks
8-Bit Aleworks in Avondale is the best place to have a cold brew while unveiling your nerdy and geeky side. Enjoy playing the best retro games from the 80’s as the brewery has the best game titles like Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, and many more. The whole place also has nerdy nostalgia everywhere - from the posters on the walls to the glass coasters. The good thing is that, playing your favorite games from the 80s is for free!
8-Bit Aleworks
Address: 1050 N Fairway Dr building f suite 101, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: 8-Bit Aleworks
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Fri: 4pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
11. Catch a live football match at the American Sports Centers-Avondale
Sports and football enthusiasts rejoice! You can now watch football matches and other sports live while you are in Avondale at the American Sports Centers-Avondale. Watching football in the American Sports Centers-Avondale is even more satisfying with its premium quality infill turf along with state-of-the-art dasher boards. Aside from its two indoor football fields, the sporting venue also features six volleyball courts, four basketball courts and a 4,000 sq. ft. (371.61 sq. m.) multi-purpose room.
American Sports Centers-Avondale
Address: 755 N 114th Ave, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: American Sports Centers-Avondale
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 11pm; Sun: 8am - 10pm
12. Go zip lining and rock climbing at Main Event Entertainment
Who says that you need to trek long distances and travel too far just to go zip lining and rock climbing? At Main Event Entertainment Avondale, you get to enjoy exhilarating activities under one roof. Aside from zip lining and rock climbing, you can also enjoy playing bowling, multi-level laser tag, play a wide variety of arcade games, and a whole lot more. If you got tired and hungry from all of those activities, you’ll surely love the meals that they serve like wings, nachos and pizza.
Main Event Entertainment
Address: 10315 W McDowell Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392, USA
Website: Main Event Entertainment
Opening hours: Mon: 10am - 12am; Tue - Thu: 10am - 11pm; Fri: 10am - 1am; Sat: 9am - 1am; Sun: 10am - 11pm
13. Spend some time by reading books at the Avondale Civic Center Library
There’s also a place for bookworms in Avondale! Get your daily book fix at the Avondale Civic Center Library. Whether you look for an entertaining book, or you want to know more about the history of Avondale, the library certainly has something for you. It is the best place for you to just take a break from all of the adventures in the city.
Avondale Civic Center Library
Address: 11350 Civic Center Dr, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Avondale Civic Center Library
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 7pm; Fri: 1pm - 5pm; Sat: 11am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
14. Practice your hand at golf in Coldwater Golf Club
Playing golf is also one of our most favorite pastimes, especially for dads and uncles. Why not book some tee time and take them to the Coldwater Golf Club? The exquisite golf course offers championship-level golfing experience with perfect course conditions and amazing service. The whole golf course was designed by renowned course designer Forrest Richardson so the course has its unique challenges and playing experience to players of all skill levels.
Coldwater Golf Club
Address: 100 N Clubhouse Dr, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Coldwater Golf Club
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
15. Plan a picnic with family at the Festival Fields Park
Picnics are one of the best ways to bond with our kids and family. After all, there’s nothing more fun by playing on the green grass while eating some of our most favorite foods. The best place to have some picnic with your family in Avondale is at the Festival Fields Park. The good news is that the park has just opened its expansion. The 30-acre (121,406 sq. m.) expansion includes Avondale’s first skate park, a pump track, a splash park, fishing lake, fitness court area, basketball courts, dog park, and more picnic areas.
Festival Fields Park
Address: 101 E Lower Buckeye Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)
16. Gulp down a few drinks in the Aguila's Hidaway bar
Having a few drinks with your friends is also a must when you’re on an expedition. Why not try having some few drinks at the Aguila’s Hidaway bar in Avondale? Aguila’s Hidaway bar is the local’s favorite go-to place for cold drinks and great convos. The service and the bartenders are also great that they really make sure that your glass is never empty.
Aguila's Hidaway bar
Address: 1235 N Dysart Rd, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Aguila’s Hidaway bar
Opening hours: 11am - 2:30am (daily)
17. Hit the dance floor at the Tropicana Nite Club
Drinking with friends is fun, but it’s even more fun when you go drink and party! For your clubbing fix, try the Tropicana night club in Avondale. It is an upscale night club that specializes in Latino music, but everyone is welcome to party. The music is composed of mashups of merengue and salsa. They also get some live bands to play, especially during their busiest nights of Fridays and Saturdays.
Tropicana Nite Club
Address: 513 W Western Ave, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Tropicana Nite Club
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 8pm - 2am (closed on Sun - Thur)
18. Rejuvenate yourself at Massage Envy
A day touring the city of Avondale is indeed very tiring. If you need to recharge, de-stress, and relax, why not treat yourself to a day of serenity at Massage Envy. They offer massages, body stretch, facial sessions, and other treatments. Treatments and massages are also performed by the most professional masseurs and skin care providers so you are assured that you get the best service that you deserve.
Massage Envy
Address: 9945 W McDowell Rd Suite 107, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Massage Envy
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm
19. Enjoy a bowling night with family at Bowlero Avondale
Playing some bowling over cold brew and snacks is also a fun thing to do with friends and family. The Bowlero Avondale features 40 bowling lanes for you to play with. Aside from that, there’s also arcade games, billiards, pool, sports bar, private rooms, lounge area, and an on-site pro shop. The Bowlero Avondale is also PWD-friendly!
Bowlero Avondale
Address: 1425 N Central Ave, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: Bowlero Avondale
Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 1am; Sun: 9am - 11pm; Mon: 11am - 12am; Tue: 9am -11pm; Wed: 11am - 11pm; Thu: 9am - 11pm; Fri: 11am - 1am
20. Unwind and relax after a hectic day in the Donnie Hale Park
The Donnie Hale Park is a great place to spend the afternoons with your kids and loved ones. You can just walk and stroll around the park. But has a greater appeal over older kids as the park features playgrounds and climbing facilities. All you have to do is to release your children and let them play around as long as they can.
Donnie Hale Park
Address: 10875 W Pima St, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Opening hours: 6am - 11pm (daily)
21. Shop until you drop at the open-air Gateway Pavilions shopping center
Shopping is something that you should not miss when you are in Avondale. Spend the whole day shopping until you drop at the Gateway Pavilions shopping center. There’s also a lot of dining options in the shopping center. Some of the most popular brands in Gateway Pavilions include Costco, Marshalls, Panda Express, McDonald’s, Jamba Juice, Subway, Bed Bath and Beyond, Sports Authority, Starbucks and Taco Bell.
Gateway Pavilions
Address: 10020 W McDowell Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392, USA
Opening hours: 9am - 12am (daily)
22. Hit the target and practice your shooting skills at AZFirearms
For men, especially dads and uncles, shooting is their main stress reliever. Aim some targets or buy some equipment at AZFirearms in Avondale. AZFirearms is a full-service gun shop that also offers in-house gun smithing and repairs.
AZFirearms
Address: 215 E Western Ave, Avondale, AZ 85323, USA
Website: AZFirearms
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Enjoy and have fun in Avondale
Avondale has a very rich history and a fun culture for everyone to discover. Make sure to do all of these things when you are in the city. Or better yet, schedule your trip to be in time with the Billy Moore days for an even fun time in the city. Enjoy!