Goodyear, Arizona, is a thriving community located just outside of Phoenix. It’s gained a lot of popularity since the 90s when many residential communities began construction, and many people relocated to the quiet city. It’s the fastest-growing suburb near Phoenix, so there are plenty of new faces looking for exciting things to do in the area.
- The Goodyear Community Park. This park is an excellent destination for people from all over the state, as it’s considered one of the best in Arizona. The community park has it all. From April to October, the splash park is the perfect place for kids to cool off from the Arizona heat. There are various sports courts and fields, sand volleyball courts, a dog park, playgrounds, a skate park, BBQs for public use, and more. It’s a popular place for people to have a nice picnic, bring the family, or just enjoy the beautiful weather.
- Goodyear Ballpark. For sports fans, the Goodyear Ballpark hosts the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds training camps each season, which fans can attend. Phoenix has all four major sports league teams, so it’s easy to go see a professional game about half an hour away. For non-sports fans, the ballpark hosts various events and festivals throughout the year. Every Halloween, there is a fall festival for children in costumes. In November, the Veterans Day tribute is hosted in the stadium. Other events include holidays and car shows.
- Estrella Star Tower. Estrella is the largest residential area in Goodyear, and the master-planned community has a lot to offer. The Estrella Parkway leads to the Estrella Star Tower down a walking path. The tower has a spiral design that looks like the milky way, and it’s designed to fit in with the nature surrounding it. The tower is the perfect spot to see amazing views of the landscape, stars, and the sunset. There is a river and a waterfall nearby, and residents can climb the 50ft tower to take it all in and feel the peacefulness.
- Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater. If you’re a fan of live shows and theater performances, the Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater is one of the best venues to do it in. The backdrop of the lake and mountains in the distance is the icing on top of the cake. Each year, the venue hosts Goodyear’s Lakeside Music Festival in the spring, which welcomes new local artists in partnership with West Valley Arts Council. Another popular event that has become a regular show is Ballet Under The Stars, performed by Ballet Arizona. The show welcomes in the autumn weather, and the show is free.
- The Bible Museum. Whether you are religious, like to learn about religions, or just enjoy history, the Bible Museum is a wealth of information. It’s attached to a local hotel, so you can visit anytime, but it’s only staffed from 9 am to 4 pm during the weekdays. Tours are also available to be booked in advance. There is an extensive collection to view, so it’s worth a stop for those who love to learn.
- Arizona Challenger Space Center. Previously located in Peoria, in October 2017, it relocated to Goodyear. The center offers outreach programs for students, but there are guided tours for adults with plenty to see and do. Hold a real meteorite, take a ride in the Earth-Space-Transport-Module, and so much more.
- Mountain Ranch Marketplace. Since 2010, The Mountain Ranch Marketplace has been serving the Goodyear area. The designated Gold Certification for sustainability from LEED shopping center has been the hub of shopping and dining in the area. There are plenty of plans for its continued expansion, so there’s always something new to see.
- Estrella Foothills Community Park and Pump Track. Take your bike between bowls, mounds of dirt, humps, and loops around the community park. The park opened in 2015 and was built by volunteers, and Goodyear residents have been having fun ever since. There are three different courses to cater to all experience levels. Visitors must follow the track rules, but everyone is welcome.
- Lakeside Grill. A local favorite, this restaurant is a must-try when in the Goodyear area. Located inside the Starpointe Residents Club, everyone is welcome to grab a bite to eat here. With both indoor and patio dining options, patrons can either sit by the fireplace and enjoy a hearty meal or sit in the sun and enjoy the lake view and breeze from the water. The grill has excellent customer service, fantastic food and is open seven days a week.
- Elevate Trampoline Park. There’s something for everyone at the Elevate Trampoline Park. Whether you want to bring the family or want to get together with many friends, it is a lot of fun. There are basketball hoops, rock climbing, foam pits, ninja courses, and so much more. You’ll have a blast.
- Corral West Adventures. If you want to explore Arizona’s natural beauty by horseback, Corral West Adventures offers a fun way to explore the Sonoran Desert. It is perfect for a family adventure, date night, or fun thing to do with friends, it is the perfect activity for the day. They hold plenty of events, and there are numerous trails to explore. You can learn how to care and tend to the horses, have a cowboy cookout around the campfire, and much more.
- South Lake Park. One thing to know about Arizona is the number of beautiful parks to enjoy. South Lake Park is a serene and peaceful park on the shore of South Lake. It’s highly recommended to visit during the sunset. There’s a path around the perimeter of the park to go for leisurely walks or a jog, and the path leads to North Lake. There are sports fields and courts to play a game of basketball, tennis, or volleyball. There are plenty of spots to have a picnic, feed the ducks, or just admire the scenery. Kids can play on the shaded playground for hours.
- Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park. The accredited zoo is home to Arizona’s most extensive exotic animal collection. There are plenty of group events, fun days, and education programs. The zoo has rides for kids to have extra fun, and there are over 125 acres of park to enjoy and restaurants on-site to pick up a snack or grab lunch.
- Ground Control. Ground Control is a restaurant that offers eclectic cuisine that is inspired by travel. Visitors can grab a cup of the best coffee from around the world, craft beers, and so much more. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you never have to miss a fantastic meal. They also have house-made gelato for dessert, which is never a bad idea. The restaurant is well-known for its beverage selection, so try out some world-class beer, spirits, cocktails, or wine.
- Life Time Climb. Located at the Palm Valley Life Time Fitness Gym, the climbing wall is accessible to members and visitors. If you’re a seasoned climber or brand new to climbing, or you like to visit a variety of locations, Life Time Climb is a great option. It’s also an excellent spot for a birthday party or a fun day out with friends. They have all the gear you need, and there are plenty of events and classes to enjoy for newbies.
- Estrella Mountain Regional Park. Since 1954, the Estrella Mountain Regional Park has been a gathering place for residents and has so much to offer. It spans over 20,000 acres, and the public park is located between Goodyear and Phoenix and was initially part of the Maricopa County Park system. The park offers views of the desert, mountains, different environments, and wetlands. It’s located where the Gila and Agua Fria Rivers. There is a grass picnic area that is one-of-a-kind in the region that is over 65 acres of space. There are miles of hiking, horseback riding, and biking trails. Golf lovers can hit the green on the golf course. There are public fishing areas, sports fields, and much more.
- Hawaiian Experience Spa. Take a time out at the Hawaiian Experience Spa. The Ibach family launched this incredible spa in 2007 with the goal of bringing traditional Hawaiian treatments to Phoenix. There are locations around the metro area, including Goodyear. Goodyear is the largest location with the most services, with 2,600 square feet of space, including showers, treatment rooms, massage rooms, and a full lounge with a complimentary tiki bar. There are various services, including rejuvenation, facials, sauna, and steam rooms to help you relax.
- Brass Armadillo Antique Mall. The popular antique mall in Goodyear is considered the Phoenix West location and opened in 2012. There are many locations throughout the Great Plains and Southwest, indicating the popularity. It has over 55,000 square feet of incredible finds and antiques. It’s one of Arizona’s largest professionally-operated antique malls. There are plenty of rare finds that are one-of-a-kind that you’ll only find here. Daily vendors come to sell their goods, and the community offers events, workshops, and seminars.
- Adventures of a Lifetime ATV. Located outside of Goodyear in Wickenburg, Arizona, this is a must-see adventure when in the area. Whether you want a fun day with the kids or a group of friends, go off-roading in the ideal terrain. There are tours available, overnight wilderness trips, and so much more. Each client receives proper training with practice before they’re allowed to go off on their own.
- North Lake. Located near South Lake, close to the Estrella Mountain Ranch, North Lake is a scenic place to walk or jog. There are trails available for hiking and biking as well.
- Golf Club of Estrella. Located within the master-planned Estrella, the Golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus II. He is the son of the professional golf legend. It’s considered one of the top 20 courses in Arizona by Golfweek Magazine. Surrounded by the Sierra Estrella Mountains, the course offers a challenging game and incredible views. It offers some of the best-conditioned course facilities in the world. The course offers public play, but visitors can book private events. There are often corporate gatherings and tournaments held here. There’s also an incredible restaurant on-site with delicious meal options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For those interested in a resort-style fun-filled day, the Golf Club of Estrella is the perfect place to be.
- Southwest Specialty Foods. Since 1986, Southwest Specialty Foods was launched by Jeff Jacobs and has since become the area’s best specialty food retailer. Known for their hot sauce line, Señor Jakes Barbecue Sauces. Over 200 products for the store are manufactured in Goodyear, including jerky snacks, sauces, salsas, and seasonings. The company has a public gift shop for visitors to pick up some treats and gift items. They can also sample all the items in the store.
- Bella Luna Ristorante. This upscale classic and contemporary Italian restaurant is home to the perfect date night in Goodyear. With a focus on locally-sourced ingredients, everything is made fresh in-house. Some of the most popular menu items include the veal oscar, surf and turf, spaghetti and meatballs, broccoli rabe, shrimp Bella luna, and much more. There are daily happy hour specials and something for everyone. Be sure to book a reservation.
- Saddle Mountain Brewing Company. Jacob and Laura Hansen launched the Saddle Mountain Brewing Company out of love for aviation and craft beer. Starting as homebrewers, the brewery started as a distributor of Taildragger craft brews. All of their types of beer have aviation and military-related names. Saddle Mountain was Goodyear’s first production brewery, and it pioneered the re-writing of liquor ordinances to allow micro-breweries. They are open daily and have a great menu with delicious appetizers, nachos, and artisan pizzas.
- Oasis Bagels. If you want something a little more low-key, Oasis Bagels is a casual cafe with delicious traditional-style bagels that are hand-rolled and kettle boiled daily. There are specialty breakfast and lunch menu items, including sandwiches, steel-cut oatmeal, omelets, and much more. You can grab a hot or cold-brewed coffee, pastries, cakes, and donuts. Grab a quick breakfast on the run or sit and get some work done in this charming spot.
