Outside of Metro Phoenix, on Mesa’s south and Chandler’s east is a former agricultural community that has become one of the top 100 largest and most prosperous cities in America. Visitors get to enjoy Vrbo vacation rentals and Airbnb vacation rentals as they explore the best of what the city has to offer. Gilbert, Arizona is where the historical past and modern present converge in an interesting mix of town attractions drawing in tourists yearly. Visit Gilbert Historical Museum, the former elementary school built in 1913 currently a registered National Historic Site that shows nine exhibits of the town’s history. The Heritage District displays ancient buildings restored and converted into an entertainment center. Various art forms, good food, and outdoor recreational activities abound in Gilbert. Go stargazing using the state-of-the-art equipment of the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory. Birdwatch at the Riparian Preserve and have a picnic at Freestone Park. Below is a list of things to do in Gilbert, Arizona that you must try when visiting.
1. Go bird watching at Water Ranch
Take a break from the concrete jungle and spend a few hours bird watching at the Riparian Preserve at the Water Ranch. The preserve was built to educate people on the conservation and propagation of Arizona’s natural surroundings. The man-made lakes filled with pumped recycled water and the well-tended landscape simulating desert foliage and trails has become a natural attraction for over 200 varieties of birds and wildlife as well as campers and birdwatchers. Go camping and enjoy the Water Ranch for a fee or join tours organized by volunteers and nature lovers.
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
Address: 2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch
Opening hours: 5:30am - 10pm (daily)
2. Dine and drink at Mulligan’s Grill
Drop on in on this beautiful day at Mulligans for $5 All You Can Eat Pancakes! And also $5 Bloody Mary Bar. Tell...
Posted by Western Skies Golf Club on Sunday, 28 July 2013
This laid-back neighborhood grill and bar in the Western Skies Golf Club property has been serving patrons the best cold drinks and delicious dishes for ages. Mulligan’s is open all year round and welcomes everyone even non-golfers. Aside from the best greens to work your golf game, there are more than 14 HDTVs where you can watch sporting events thus making it your next favorite hangout!
Mulligan’s Grill
Address: 1245 E Warner Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Mulligan’s Grill
Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Thu: 8am - 7pm; Tue: 8am - 8pm; Fri: 8am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 6am - 7pm
3. Watch live shows at the Hale Centre Theatre
This privately owned theater, built in 1947, is the longest-running American theater company. Their technical and creative achievements have been recognized with over 30 Arizona awards. They perform family-friendly full-scale shows like musicals, tributes, classics, dramas, youth, and comedy productions. Their unique theater-in-the-round stage is surrounded by 350 seats, so guests have a more intimate view of the show. Tickets can be bought online, by phone, or by dropping by their West Page Avenue location.
Hale Centre Theatre
Address: 50 W Page Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233, USA
Website: Hale Centre Theatre
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10am - 6:30pm; Mon - Wed: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 20 USD
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4. Jump over to BounceU Amusement Centre
BounceU was created for kids and the kids-at-heart! The business is owned by a couple who have two kids and a bottomless passion for entertainment, children and serving the community. It’s the happiest place on Earth if you book it for a private party. The party venue is complete with inflatable equipment and amenities needed for a one-of-a-kind and stress-free celebration that includes child safety. A huge portion of the party proceeds is donated to their selected charity organizations.
BounceU Amusement Centre
Address: 1166 S Gilbert Rd Ste 110 Gilbert, AZ 85296
Website: BounceU Amusement Centre
Opening hours: Varies
Price: 9.99-10.99 USD
5. Visit Saint Anne’s Catholic Parish
The Catholic Parish of Saint Anne’s gathers its multi-cultural disciples under one church to worship as one community. It started out as a simple church in 1936, built by volunteers with a capacity of 70 people. It was renovated in 1943 with a 220-seater church financed by a charity fund of 80,000 USD. The parish is one of the largest registered congregations in the country and it is still growing. The lovely altar and façade of the temple is the perfect venue for celebrations like weddings, baptisms, and other religious ceremonies under the Catholic faith.
Saint Anne Roman Catholic Parish
Address: 440 E Elliot Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Saint Anne Roman Catholic Parish
Opening hours: Varies
6. Shop 'til you drop at SanTan Village
SanTan Village is an open-air mall that has everything you need “under one roof”. Aside from shopping at their 50 branded and outlet stores and dining in their 26 fast-food outlets and sit-down restaurants, the mall also offers special services. They offer mall events, in-mall security, store discounts, free Wi-Fi, a children’s play area with a splash pad, ATMs, restrooms, and a community room great for meetings, interviews, and recruiting events.
SanTan Village
Address: 2218 E Williams Field Rd Suite 235, Gilbert, AZ 85295, USA
Website: SanTan Village
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm
7. Organise barbeques at Freestone Park
The most famous park in the city is a vast community park with a recreation center, a mini amusement park, baseball fields, a kid’s playground, basketball courts, a mini train ride, and a skate park. Freestone Park has a lake where visitors can go fishing or have a barbecue picnic. Its lush foliage offers several shaded areas and creates a charming natural scenery that is perfect for Instagram pictures and family portraits. A trip to Freestone Park with everything it offers becomes a whole day fun-filled affair!
Freestone Park
Address: 1045 E Juniper Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Freestone Park
Opening hours: Sat - Fri: 5:30am - 10pm
8. Solve puzzles at the Gilbert Escape Room
Gilbert Escape Room offers a venue wherein you have a unique way of bonding with your friends, family, and colleagues. The escape rooms are for the exclusive use of your group with a minimum requirement of six people. Your team is placed in a room to find clues, solve puzzles, and find ways to get out of it within a given time limit. Every room has a theme and a special scenario that encourages everyone to work together in order to escape. The activity is perfect for birthday parties, team building, and special events.
Gilbert Escape Room
Address: 1422 W. Warner Rd, Space A 102 Gilbert, AZ 85233
Website: Gilbert Escape Room
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 10pm
Price: 26 USD
9. Hit the target at Gun Club 82
Gun Club 82 is Gilbert’s premier indoor shooting range and offers a gun club membership. The facility provides a safe environment for practice targeting and shooting your guns. Every gun shooting practice is an exciting experience at Gun Club 82. They also offer gun lessons, a shop for your guns and ammunition needs, a showroom, a roof deck, and the Ti Ammo restaurant serving handmade pizza on-site.
Gun Club 82
Address: 1695 S Santan Village Pkwy, Gilbert, AZ 85295, USA
Website: Gun Club 82
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm
10. Learn about planets in the Gilbert Riparian Observatory
Witness Gilbert’s beautiful sunsets and learn about our solar system at the Gilbert Riparian Observatory. Using their high-powered telescope, peek into the galaxy and on a good day, you might spot a planet or two. Staff will assist you in handling the equipment and provide you with all the information you need regarding astronomy. Flash photography is prohibited though. The observatory is beside the library at Guadalupe and Greenfield in the Riparian Preserve. Come every second Friday of the month at 7:30 pm for the Sky Watch program - a free lecture on astronomy plus free telescope viewing hours.
Gilbert Riparian Observatory
Address: Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Gilbert Riparian Observatory
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Price: 5 USD
11. Go local at Gilbert Farmers Market
Posted by Gilbert Farmers Market on Saturday, 22 December 2018
GFM (Gilbert Farmers Market) is a great place to shop and have brunch on a Saturday morning. All year round every Saturday, people gather in downtown Gilbert. Hundreds of vendors congregate to sell fresh, local and organic produce of the season. The whole family will enjoy the games, food trucks, local dishes, and live entertainment.
Gilbert Farmers Market
Address: 222 N Ash St, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Gilbert Farmers Market
Opening hours: Sat: 8am - 12pm (October to March), 7am - 11am (April to September)
12. Watch a movie at Regal Cinemas Gilbert 14
Catch the latest movies at Gilbert 14 Cinemas that boast of plush king-sized recliners and a fully loaded concession stand. They feature standard movies and digital 3D movies in their theaters. Join the Regal Crown Club and earn rewards like free passes to movies. They also sell gift cards which are the best gift of entertainment that you can give for any occasion.
Regal Cinemas Gilbert 14
Address: 1012 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Regal Cinemas Gilbert 14
Opening hours: 10:45am - 10:45pm (daily)
13. Practice your swing at TopGolf
Putt the squad together and come Par-Tee at Topgolf!
Posted by Topgolf on Friday, 15 March 2019
This sprawling driving range isn’t just a venue where you can practice your swing. Bring your friends over and they can relax in the stylish lounge enjoying some food and drinks while playing golf. The state-of-the-art driving range is pleasing to the eyes even at night when all the neon lights are lit. Luxuries like free Wi-Fi, 200 HDTVs, full-service bars and restaurants, and private meeting rooms and event spaces are provided to guests. It’s a unique entertainment place, great for all ages whether they play golf or not.
TopGolf
Address: 1689 S Santan Village Pkwy, Gilbert, AZ 85295, USA
Website: TopGolf
Opening hours: Sat: 8am - 1am; Sun: 8am - 11pm; Mon - Thu: 9am - 11pm; Fri: 9am - 1am
14. Play great games on the greens at Western Skies Golf Club
Posted by Western Skies Golf Club on Sunday, 26 May 2019
Book your tee time as early as 6 am and start your day right. Western Skies Golf Club offers the most challenging and well-maintained greens to golfers seeking a game of fun and good value. The golf club constantly improves its facilities so regardless of what the weather condition might be, their golfers will always have the best game. Members are rewarded with great discounts for using the greens and enjoy access to great food and beverages in their famous in-house restaurant, the Mulligans.
Western Skies Golf Club
Address: 1245 E Warner Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Western Skies Golf Club
Opening hours: Sat - Fri: 6am - 8pm
Price:15 USD for 9 holes; 22-29 USD for 18 holes
15. Visit the Gilbert Historical Museum
Happy Flag Day!
Posted by HD SOUTH - Home of the Gilbert Historical Museum on Thursday, 14 June 2018
The Gilbert Historical Museum used to be an elementary school in 1913 and is now registered as a National Historic Place. There are nine exhibit rooms featuring a collection of memorabilia about the town’s history, a 100-year-old schoolroom, the citizens of Gilbert, and the Old West. It’s a great place to bring your kids and friends to know about Arizona’s participation in World War II.
Gilbert Historical Museum
Address: 10 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Gilbert Historical Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed Sun - Mon)
Price: 40 USD
16. Pamper yourself at the El Bella Day Spa-Gilbert
Posted by El Bella Day Spa - Gilbert on Tuesday, 1 August 2017
Feel like a celebrity when you step into the El Bella Day Spa-Gilbert. Their luxurious facilities provide complete beauty services for all sexes customized for the ultimate comfort and confidentiality. Their professional staff performs massages, facials, manicure and pedicure, body polish, haircut and style, and more. Book an appointment and try one of their exclusive beauty packages.
El Bella Day Spa-Gilbert
Address: 3303 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297, USA
Website: El Bella Day Spa-Gilbert
Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 10am - 5pm; Mon - Fri: 9am - 7pm
Price: 21 USD
17. Create your masterpiece at the SunDust Gallery Paint & Pottery Party Studio
The SunDust Gallery Paint & Pottery Party Studio was built in Mesa in 2009 initially, with the intention of bringing together local artists and providing them with a space to exhibit their work. After four years, the gallery expanded and moved to Gilbert offering art programs and classes to non-artists, families, and children. Their lessons are taught in a neighborhood classroom set up to accommodate up to 50 students each.
SunDust Gallery Paint & Pottery Party Studio
Address: 183 E Williams Field Rd #109, Gilbert, AZ 85295, USA
Website: SunDust Gallery Paint & Pottery Party Studio
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 9am - 6pm; Thu: 9am - 9pm; Fri: 12am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 20 USD
18. Honor the 9/11 Memorial
The Gilbert 9/11 Memorial remembers and honors the many individuals who died during the worst terrorist attack in the USA. It features a beam from the World Trade Center North Tower angled on the floor so that even little children can reach and touch the memorabilia. It’s surrounded by four granite walls inscribed with the names of those who perished. The memorial is laid on a pentagon-shaped area laid with bricks and engraved with messages from their donors.
Gilbert 9/11 Memorial
Address: 50 E Civic Center Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Gilbert 9/11 Memorial
Opening hours: 24/7
19. Read books in the Southeast Regional Library
Posted by Southeast Regional Library on Monday, 3 June 2019
The Southeast Regional Library is one of the coolest places to hang out if you want to catch up on your reading. It’s a huge facility, right beside the Riparian Preserve at the Water Ranch on the corner of Greenfield and Guadalupe road. The high-tech library offers over 170,700 reading material in various formats, computers with internet access, word processing public computers, programming with no age limit, and activity computers for kids.
Southeast Regional Library
Address: 775 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Southeast Regional Library
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm; Mon - Wed: 10am - 9pm; Fri: 10am - 5pm
20. Watch a musical show at the Higley Center
Posted by Higley Center on Sunday, 23 September 2018
Higley Center for the Performing Arts features a small theater and a huge, fully equipped concert hall where you can watch plays, musicals, drama shows, dance performances, and corporate presentations. You can also rent the center for school and corporate events, exhibits, or meetings. The maintenance of this lovely theater is dependant on donations, ticket sales, and rental fees. The center has impressive modern interiors, a spacious lobby connecting the Little Theater and Concert Hall, dressing rooms, a scene shop for loading and unloading equipment and scenery, quick-to-connect power outlets, and a motor-coach hookup.
Higley Center
Address: 4132 E Pecos Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85295, USA
21. Go cycling on the Gilbert Central Trail System
Gilbert’s popular Central Trail System has earned its reputation as a “bicycle-friendly community”. It features 54 miles (86.9 km) of bike trails running parallel to the canals and equestrian tracks, making it a haven for the outdoorsy types. The three trail systems - Marathon, Santan Vista, and Heritage Trail, run from north to south connecting the city’s parks and canal systems. There are several pocket parks, ramadas, drinking fountains, other entertaining features, and fascinating monuments that people can see once they cycle through the trails.
Gilbert Central Trail System
Address: Gilbert, AZ 85299 United States
Website: Gilbert Central Trail System
22. Cool off at the Heritage Square pop-jet fountain
Head to the Heritage Square when you want to cool down from the summer heat. The square is located in the Water Tower Plaza which is a memorial to the iconic 1927 water tower which was the main water source of the town. The tower was restored and the area beneath it was converted into a park with fascinating water features like a pop-jet fountain, a splash play area for kids, a water wall beside a cantilever bench, and a huge granite kugel ball that sprays water. Admission is free and anyone can come over to get wet!
Water Tower Plaza
Address: 45 W Page Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233, USA
Website: Water Tower Plaza
Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)
23. Walk your dogs at the Cosmo Dog Park
Cosmo Dog Park is a paradise for dogs where they can run leash free. It’s a popular 17 acre (0.026 square miles) park in Gilbert built especially for dogs. It features a lake where they can dive into, several doggie drinking fountains, an obstacle course, wash stations, tables, benches, and walkways. The park is named after the town’s first police dog, Cosmo.
Cosmo Dog Park
Address: 2502 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Cosmo Dog Park
Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 5:30am - 10pm; Tue: 12pm - 10pm
24. Try thirst-quenching craft beers and brews at 12 West Brewing Co.
Throwing a party for the long weekend? Swing by the Taproom for bottles, cans, and crowlers!
Posted by 12 West Brewing on Sunday, 2 September 2018
12 West Brewing Co. is your go-to place when you want a taste of handcrafted brews and beers. It is a huge facility with a 10-barrel brewing system that produces enough beer for the community. Visit the taproom where guests can taste 12 different kinds of freshly made craft beer and a variety of other beverages. This family-friendly establishment allows dogs on the patio. You can bring the kids and there are board games to keep them busy while you watch a ball game on one of their three TVs.
12 West Brewing Co.
Address: 3000 East Ray Road Barnone, building 6, suite 110, Gilbert, AZ 85296, United States
Website: 12 West Brewing Co.
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
25. Enjoy American fast food at Joe’s Farm Grill
Posted by Joe's Farm Grill on Monday, 2 November 2015
At Joe’s Farm Grill, they make your dining experience in Gilbert memorable with a farm-to-table style of serving dishes. The restaurant was started in the owner’s residence. The 60s structure of the building was retained and the interiors updated with a mid-century burger joint look so diners can have a beautiful dining experience in a working farm. Joe’s Farm Grill serves classic American dishes fast-food style using the freshest and high-quality local produce. They use all-natural beef burgers, and trans-fat free oils for their marinades, dressings, and even in their frying.
Joe’s Farm Grill
Address: 3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Joe’s Farm Grill
Opening hours: Sat - Fri: 7am - 9pm
Price: 5 USD
26. Play pool and darts at Champions Sports Saloon
Champions Sports Saloon is a no-frills place but is the coolest bar to hang out and grab a few drinks after dinner. The staff and the customers are so friendly you’d feel right at home. They offer Happy Hour drinks and pub grub with darts, TVs, and a pool table for entertainment.
Champions Sports Saloon
Address: 211 N Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234, USA
Website: Champions Sports Saloon
Opening hours: Sat - Fri: 10am - 2am
Price: 2 USD
27. Tour the Morrison Ranch Silos
Silos are a classic town symbol and Morrison Ranch Silos is named after the family that owns the ranch and established this unique community in Phoenix’s southeast valley. The Morrisons developed the land into one of the biggest cropland, dairy farm, and ranching business. Surrounding the silos is a vast, well-appointed landscape with a mix of residential and business units in a campus-like set up where it’s ideal to reside, raise a family, set up a business, and eventually retire in.
Morrison Ranch Silos
Address: Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Morrison Ranch Silos
Opening hours: 24/7
28. Get laser tagged at Bowlero Gilbert
www.hauteeventphotography.com www.HautePhotoVideo.com
Posted by Bowlero on Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Bowlero is not your ordinary bowling alley! Aside from 44 bowling lanes Bowlero also features various arcade games, billiards, and laser tag games. It’s a complete entertainment every day of the week for the whole family. It’s also the perfect venue for dates, birthday parties, teambuilding sessions, corporate events, and social gatherings.
Bowlero Gilbert
Address: 1160 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296, USA
Website: Bowlero Gilbert
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 11am - 1am; Sun: 11am - 10pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm
Price: 3 USD
29. Explore the Gilbert Arizona Temple
This amazing temple was built to accommodate the large overflow of worshippers from the nearby temple in Mesa, Arizona. The marvelous architecture of the temple is made of an ivory exterior with intricate detailing and lovely crafted glass windows. Its notable single central spire is topped by a gold-leaf statue of a Moroni angel. Explore the surrounding temple grounds flanked on both sides with circular well-tended gardens featuring a pond with a fountain.
Gilbert Arizona Temple
Address: 3301 S Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297, USA
Website: Gilbert Arizona Temple
30. Challenge yourself with a zombie game (from USD 20.0)
This exciting game will train you how to outlast a Zombie attack by taking you into various parts of the city to gather the food and supplies you might need. Using an app on your smartphone, you and your team will be told where to find tools, weapons, food, shelter, and supplies after answering a few tricky questions and enduring a few challenges. You gain more points and virtual weapons with more things that you find. You will have more chances of surviving the Zombie apocalypse and beating the rival teams.
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Gilbert by Zombie Scavengers
Duration: 1 hour
Great things await in Gilbert
With so many wonderful things to do and see in Gilbert, it won’t be a surprise if you decide to make your stay a permanent one. Try one of our recommendations above and have an unforgettable visit to Gilbert! Don’t forget to book one of the best vacation rentals for your accommodation needs.
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