Arizona is a state full of beautiful landscapes, rolling deserts, and stunning canyons. It’s warm dry climate also makes it a popular destination for older adults looking to retire somewhere with mild winters, tax breaks, luxury shopping, impressive golf courses and great healthcare options.
There are so many great places to explore and things to do in the state. From bustling Phoenix and Tucson, to the gorgeous red rock desserts, to the peaceful area of Paradise Valley, or the nightlife of Scottsdale, the possibilities are almost endless. Pacifica Senior Living has several communities in Arizona, including Pacifica Senior Living Paradise Valley, Pacifica Senior Living Peoria, Scottsdale Village Square, Pacifica Senior Living Tucson and the Woodmark at Sun City.
Each of our communities has its own unique atmosphere that caters to a range of services and care levels, from Independent Living to Assisted Living or Memory Care. We love being able to send our residents on excursions, day trips, and local outings to enjoy some of the many attractions in beautiful Arizona.
Here are 10 of the top things to do in Arizona.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Delight the child at heart at the Mccormick-Stillman Railroad Park, a wonderful local outing that is perfect for the whole family. Located in Scottsdale, this is a wonderful location for residents of Scottsdale Village Square to travel to with grandkids and loved ones. Rowse the Scottsdale Railroad museum, including a century of railroad history and train cars on display. Love model trains? The park has those too, and the tiny trin models are sure to bring joy to those young and old.
Orpheum Theater:
The Orpheum theater in Phoenix is a historical performing arts venue in downtown. It boasts beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, and is often featured on historical walks and tours. It was first opened in 1929, and is still an active theater today. It has been home to a number of iconic and historical performances and show runnings. Visitors can enjoy local shows, from prominent performances to local theater, soaking up both the history and theatrical experience all at once. Our residents of Paradise Valley recently enjoyed a performance of The Nutcracker at Orpheum Theater.
Desert Botanical Gardens
Another great attraction in the area is the desert botanical gardens, also located in Phoenix. This garden features a range of local plant life such as cacti, outdoor walking paths, and desert flowers Many of the cacti have been in the area for many years, and have become impressive, towering specimens. Enjoy the wildflower loop in spring, Sonoran desert loop and desert discovery loops as well. The gardens also include a butterfly pavilion where you can experience thousands of butterflies firsthand in an open-air enclosure and lush garden.
University of Arizona Museum of Art
The University of Arizona Museum of Art is a wonderful art museum featuring a variety of paintings and sculptural pieces from local and national artists. Enjoy rotating exhibits, such as large Abstract Perspectives, which looks at mid century abstract painting, or check out the recently returned “Woman of Ochre” which had been sadly absent from the Museum for the past 30 years.
Scottsdale Marketplace
The Scottsdale marketplace is a multi-vendor shopping market home to a variety of antique shops, boutiques, gifts, garden centers, jewelers and home decor vendors, to name a few. This is a great place for visitors and locals to go to shop all the mall businesses and local vendors in the area, all in one convenient place.
Tucson Botanical Gardens
The Tucson Botanical Gardens is a 5.5 acre garden attraction consisting of 16 smaller gardens including a zen garden, barrio garden, prehistoric garden, butterfly garden, Xeriscape garden and children’s garden. Each of these gardens is connected to the other with walking paths. The garden was named as one of the top 10 North American gardens worth traveling for. The gardens aim to both educate and delight, and includes a butterfly and orchid pavilion, as well as year-round art exhibitions and shows.
Pima Air and Space Museum
The Pima Air and Space Museum is a wonderful attraction located in Tucson, and is one of the world’s largest non government funded aerospace museums. It features hundreds of aircraft as well as a large collection of artifacts. From hangar exhibits to outdoor displays and a memorial museum, it is an impressive collection of aircrafts and history.
Old Tucson Studios
Visit the scene of some of your favorite old western movies by visiting the Old Tucson Studios. They have been used since 1938, and have been the backdrop for hundreds of western-themed shows and feature films. Come tour the grounds, or enjoy one of the many shows that still take place on set.
Reid Park Zoo
The Reid Park Zoo is also located in Tucson and is a fun day out for the whole family. Visitors of all ages will love seeing animals such as elephants, giraffes, grizzly bears, lions, and so much more! View the exhibits, or visit during one of the many events and fundraisers. They also offer educational programs to teach and inspire visitors about conservation and various species within the zoo.
Tonto National Forest
Arizona has a number of national parks, forests, and canyonlands, from the Grand Canyon to Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon to name a few. While these other parks are located towards the northern edge of the state, the Tonto National Forest is not far from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Glendale. The park consists of some 600,000 acres of rugged land and forests, and has an array of hiking trails, biking paths, camp ites, and picnic areas. It is a great destination for a day trip for those looking to get away from the city and enjoy nature.
Reach out to us to learn more about our Senior Living Communities in Arizona, or set up a personalized tour. There is so much to see and do here, from our beautiful community campuses to the diverse attractions in and around the area. Learn how you can make Arizona home.
