Things to Do and See: Having Fun in Phoenix

This is a list of events in the metro Phoenix area that occur every year. The festival list includes brief descriptions, dates and contact information.

Learn about the aerobatic adventure flights and Top Gun combat flights that are offered at Fighter Combat International in Mesa, Arizona. If extreme flying or stunt flying is your interest, these aerobatic flights are for you.

A drive on the Apache Trail takes you on winding roads along the path of the Salt River, past three man made lakes, canyons, incredible desert views, Tortilla Flat, and an adventurous experience in driving. Here's a photo tour with tips about a scenic drive on the Apache Trail.

See a photo tour of the Arizona Challenger Space Center. The Arizona Challenger Space Center is located in Peoria, Arizona, northwest of Phoenix.

See photos and learn about what happens at the Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Science Center is a great place for kids to enjoy science in a hands-on environment.

You can spend a great deal of money shopping, attending concerts of big-name performers, going up in hot air balloons and taking desert jeep tours. Even in a metro area as large as Phoenix, there are still some great things to do and see that are free (or very cheap). Here are some of my favorites. In addition to these well-known free...

Here are my picks for the top attractions in the Phoenix area that you should not miss. Of the 15 best things to do and see in Phoenix, here are my choices 1 through 3.

A Big Bug exhibit, artwork by David Rogers, will be on display from September 2011 through January 2012. Get the details, ticket information, map and more.

Here are some listings of the hottest shows and concerts playing in the greater Phoenix area.

Here are some of the best resources for getting online coupons or discounts for Arizona businesses and services: groceries, restaurants, attractions, golf and more.

Get the details about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships, a professional tennis tournament held in Surprise, Arizona.

For a leisurely and informative scenic tour, try the Desert Belle boat tour on Saguaro Lake near Mesa, AZ. Here is how it works, and some things to know before you go.

Located in Papago Park not far from downtown Phoenix you'll find a local treasure, actually declared a Phoenix Point of Pride. It is the desert Botanical Garden. You'll be amazed at the beauty and colors of the desert!

Find out which events in Phoenix are scheduled. Buy discount tickets, including discount theater tickets, for Phoenix events.

Find out about Dolly Steamboat cruises on Canyon Lake in Apache Junction, Arizona. Dolly Steamboat offers daytime narrated cruises and twilight dinner cruises.

A visit to El Dorado Hot Spring will help you escape from everyday life. Here are some details and tips about visiting El Dorado Hot Spring.

The Everything Kids Fest is a giant family expo held each year in Scottsdale, Arizona with vendors, attractions, interactive activities, character performances and more.

Each year we line the street to watch the beautiful Fiesta Bowl Parade. The Fiesta Bowl Parade is held on December 31 of each year.

Get the details for both participants and spectators for the Ford Ironman Triathlon in Tempe, Arizona including the Ironman Expo.

Find out about the famous Fountain in the Town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and see a photo.

Frank Lloyd Wright built his winter home in Scottsdale, Aizona. It is called Taliesin West. Visitors to Scottsdale can tour the Frank Lloyd Wright property and learn about his role in architecture and Arizona.

Find free or cheap attractions and activities in Scottsdale, Arizona.

There are seventeen ghost towns discussed here which are all within a day trip of the Phoenix area.

Hell City is a tattoo festival that comes to Phoenix, Arizona each summer. Find dates, tickets, activities and see photos of the Hell City Tattoo Festival.

Hot air balloon rides are popular in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Because we have such great weather most days of the year, you can take hot air balloon flights all year long.

There are wonderful things to do with kids in the Phoenix area. Sometimes, though, budget may be an issue. Here are some free activities that will keep the kids happy.

There are so many parades in the Phoenix area! Here are a few photos of each of the parades that you can attend all over central Arizona.

Lucky Strike is a lounge, cafe, bar and bowling alley all rolled up into one destination in downtown Phoenix at a development called CityScape.

Every year Central Arizonans anticipate the coming of the Maricopa County Fair, where the emphasis is on education and fun, with a particular focus on agriculture.

In south Phoenix there's a very unusual home built by a man named Boyce Gulley. His daughter still lives there, and you can take a tour. Two-for-one discount coupons for Mystery Castle are often available through the Entertainment Book. (Buy Direct)

Native Trails is a free event in Scottsdale taking place over several weeks each winter.

Get the details about the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon. The P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon is held in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe each January.

The Parada del Sol Parade takes place each February in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Parada del Sol Parade is known as the World's Largest Horse Drawn Parade. Photo gallery.

Get all the details about the Parada del Sol Rodeo in Scottsdale, AZ. The Parada del Sol Rodeo is held at WestWorld. See pictures, too.

Learn about the Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona. Get tips about visiting The Phoenix Zoo.

Are there ever any coupons or discounts offered at the Phoenix Zoo? If you are looking for a Phoenix Zoo coupon, here's your answer.

Read an overview of the Pioneer Living History Village, located about 30 miles north of downtown Phoenix.

Every year train enthusiasts young and old gather at Railfair at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. Get the schedule, details, directions and see pictures.

Get all the details about Rawhide attractions and events. Rawhide is a replica of an 1880s western town.

The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup golf tournament is played in Phoenix, Arizona. Professional women golfers play to support charitable donations in this Phoenix golf event.

You can take a free trolley tour of downtown Scottsdale, Arizona. The Scottsdale Trolley Tour introduces you to downtown Scottsdale districts, history and trivia.

Take a ride on a Segway on a tour of Tempe Town Lake. You can learn how to ride a Segway while you take a scenic Tempe tour.

Once each month on a Thursday you can hear performances by local musicians at the Chandler Environmental Education Center.

Here are ten ideas for things to do with Phoenix area kids while they are out of school for Spring Break.

Affectionately referred to as the Cactus League, nine Major League Baseball teams come to the Phoenix area and three go to Tucson in March to get their workout before the real season begins.

Stratum Laser Tag in Mesa has a large laser tag arena. Laser tag can be played by both children and adults.

Find the pefect summer camp for your children in the Phoenix area. All price ranges, all interests, day camps and sleep away camps.

On Sundays in Scottsdale you can attend a free concert, take a free museum tour and take a public art tour at Sunday A'Fair.

Rent a kayak, paddle boat, hydrobike, pontoon boat and more at Tempe Boat rentals. Tempe Boat Rentals is located at Tempe Town Lake, just a few minutes from Phoenix.

Ticket scalping in Arizona is legal, with certain restrictions. Here are suggestions about how to find those tough tickets.

Looking for things to do with kids in the Phoenix area? Everyone loves riding on a train! These trains in Greater Phoenix are specially designed for kids to enjoy.

Quick facts and important details about Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ. Includes directions, ticket info, and other details and tips about horse racing at Turf Paradise. Photo gallery.

One of the first PGA tournaments of the year comes to Scottsdale, Arizona each winter. The Waste Management Phoenix Open (formerly known as the FBR Open) has been dubbed the "Greatest Game on Grass" and is the best attended golf tournament in the world.

The Heard Museum World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in Phoenix takes place each winter. Pictures, details, admission, location.