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15 Best Things to Do in Ahwatukee, Phoenix

Living in Ahwatukee is like living in a suburban community, but closer to natural areas, parks and outdoor recreation.

It belongs to Maricopa County and occupies most of the south. phoenixArizona.

This picturesque urban village is part of the East Valley region and has an estimated population of 83,464 in 2016.

The name Ahwatukee is claimed to be the Crow language spoken by the Crow Nation tribe.

By some accounts, the name referred to a demolished house near Sequoia Trail and Appaloosa Drive.

Randall Presley of Presley Development Company began developing the village in 1970 after purchasing 2,080 acres of land, including the Awatu Key Ranch.

Today, the village is one of the region’s favorite destinations for traveling families, backpackers and friends due to its laid-back atmosphere.

Here’s a roundup of the best things to do in Awatu Keye. phoenixArizona.

Hike the Pima Canyon Trail

Jason Finn/Shutterstock.com

If you are a long hike lover, Pima Canyon Trail It offers scenic vistas of valleys, rugged cliffs, amazing rock formations, and lots of beautiful desert terrain.

The first 3 miles offer great scenery and are perfect for those who want to get some exercise and see the beautiful scenery of the desert.

Cacti, native plants, and bushes are among the vegetation the trail offers.

Watch out for wildlife such as roadrunners, quail, lizards, coyotes and birds.

Pima Canyon Trail Scenery
Jeremy Christensen/Shutterstock.com

This is a 10.1-mile round trip trail, so if you want to explore more, remember to bring plenty of water as it will be a fun and challenging hike.

It’s an easy hike, but there are rocky and sandy parts, just put on your hiking boots and you’ll be fine.

Head to East Pima Canyon Road to begin your hike.

Cacti on the Pima Canyon Trail
Brave Fisher/Shutterstock.com

If you are traveling with family, one of the best destinations in Awatu Keye is: Desert Foothills Park.

The park is located between the low hills of the village and has picnic tables that can be used for family picnics throughout the day.

Kids can run around and socialize with other children in the shaded playground areas of the park.

In addition, there are sports grounds where everyone can play, such as a softball field, a soccer field, and a sand volleyball field.

There are also small desert areas with dirt trails for hiking and biking. This is the perfect way to spend her day with the whole family.

You can also stay here until the evening, so you can spend a more enjoyable and fulfilling time with your loved ones.

Desert Foothills Park is a famous Awatsky landmark located on East Marketplace Way Southwest.

Get your coffee at Whereubean Coffee

Nice laid back coffee house with outdoor seating, Where U Bean coffee They serve the best espresso and lattes in town.

Their espresso shots are hand-brewed, their teas are brewed, and their fresh bread is only made in small batches and served fresh.

Founded in 2013, the coffee house is also home to Intelligentsia Coffee, known for producing third-wave coffee.

Enjoy the cozy and cozy environment inside and outside the coffee house. And most of all, enjoy your favorite coffee.

WhereUBean Coffee also has some books to read.

If you’re a vegan, don’t miss the vegan-friendly brownies!

There is a coffee house on East Chandler Boulevard.

Foothills Gold Club Set on lush, scenic rolling fairways against a backdrop of beautiful desert terrain.

The 1.44-acre golf course has 18 holes of par 72 and 4 sets of tees and is rated 4 stars. golf digest.

It’s majestic beauty, and you’ll be surprised to find that you can play for about two hours or more at one of the lowest prices in the area.

The Foothills Golf Club also hosts tournaments, weddings, and other special events.

Opened in 1988 and located on beautiful South Mountain on East Clubhouse Drive.

See historic Lost Ranch sites

Located in a small valley in the scenic South Mountains is the site of Lost Ranch, now all in ruins.

The historic site is tucked away in a small valley off the mountain’s formal trails and is off the beaten track.

Officials have suggested that the lost ranch may have been an abandoned mining camp in the early 18th century that was never completed during the Great Depression and two world wars.

Officials speculate that the building was probably built in the 1915s and 1920s, as it is made of slump blocks.

Lost Ranch may be a bit off the beaten track, but its mystique has attracted many hikers in recent years.

You can see the remains of the fireplace and the entire foundation of the building.

Shop for local produce at the Awatukey Farmers Market

Awatuky Farmers Market Promote all local business owners, from farmers to artisans to craftsmen.

Here you can find fresh produce such as eggs, organic vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, flowers, herbs, seafood, wild-caught meats and arts and crafts.

A great local stop, especially when heading out to Awatu Keye on a Sunday.

Bring your reusable shopping bags to reduce waste.

The Awataki Farmers Market is located at the Awataki Tennis Club on East Warner Road.

Take a Morning Walk at Vista Canyon Park

When the sun rises Vista Canyon Park It offers the best sunrise in the village along with panoramic mountain views.

The park also has half a mile (0.5 miles) of lovely walking trails to explore and take advantage of the warmth of the sunrise.

The 26-acre neighborhood park also includes a playground that local athletes use for practices and friendly games.

It also features large open spaces with plenty of lawns and shady mature trees, perfect for dog walking.

Vista Canyon Park is located on South 30th Street.

Get in touch with nature at South Mountain Park and Preserve

Wooden benches at South Mountain Park and Preserve
Naya Dadara / Shutterstock.com

Unplug from the noise of the world for a few hours to reconnect with nature. South Mountain Park and Preserve is good at

The 16,000-acre park known as Phoenix Point of Pride is the largest municipal park in the United States and one of the largest in the world.

Three mountain ranges—Ma Ha Tauku, Gila, and Guadalupe Mountains—combine the reserve and offer 50 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.

Formed in 1924 and formerly known as Phoenix Mountain Park, it is home to spectacular flora and fauna.

South Mountain Park and Preserve Trails
Alidrone / Shutterstock.com

Look out for coyotes, deer, birds, rattlesnakes, lizards, squirrels, jackrabbits, bobcats and more.

The reserve also has cacti and native plants and bushes, bringing you even closer to nature.

One of South Mountain Park and Preserve’s trailheads is the Desert Foothills Trailhead on the South Desert Foothills Parkway.

Get adventurous at the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

When it comes to adventure, Ahwatukee does not disappoint!

Perfect for vacations with family and friends, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park We offer an indoor playground for all ages.

Choose from zip lines, rope courses, climbing walls, obstacle courses, dodgeball, trampolines, go-karts, trapeze, sky rider, laser tag and more.

These are great for all ages including big kids.

Don’t miss the adventure and fun for your little ones, too, as there’s a kids’ area for ages 7 and under.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is located at the Foothills Park Place Shopping Center on East Ley Road.

Read a book at the Ironwood Library

provide adequate and comfortable reading corners and quiet reading places, ironwood library A neighborhood gem when it comes to resources.

This library, one of the branches of the Phoenix Public Library, is small, quaint, and well-stocked with books to read.

It features a lovely children’s area for children to play and read, as well as other activities they enjoy.

For teens, the library also has great books and other resources.

Their WiFi is free for any visitor and so is the computer they use to work.

The Ironwood Library is located off East Chandler Boulevard.

Enjoy beautiful views of the Hidden Valley at Buena Vista Lookout

The Buena Vista Lookout overlooks the entire Hidden Valley.

The observatory offers panoramic views of the city of Phoenix and highlights the beauty of the desert surrounding the natural area.

There are rocky areas and slopes, and it is a popular spot for cyclists who can enjoy the scenery.

Interesting rock formations and cacti can also be found throughout.

Buena Vista Lookout is located on East Buena Vista Road.

Let the kids cool down at Mountain Vista Park

It’s hot, or just hot, in the Phoenix area.

To keep things cool for the kids when visiting Awatu Key between May and October, head to: Mountain Vista Park.

The park has a splash pad where kids can play and have fun in the splash to beat the heat.

There is also a ramada for picnics and a grill for barbecues.

There is also a lighted sports field for sports enthusiasts and a playground for the little ones.

Mountain Vista Park is on South 50th Street.

Play Frisbee at Sun Ray Park

Offering a 9-hole par 3 disc golf course, Sun Ray Park A popular spot for frisbee players.

This beautiful secluded park has no water features or rocks that could damage the disc.

Better yet, the park is away from highway noise, so there are no distractions.

You can also see small wildlife such as rabbits, quail, lizards, prairie dogs and birds.

Just off East Ray Road is Sun Ray Park.

Other attractions nearby

Beyond the Ahwatukee border, there are many great attractions worth the drive.

These are just minutes from the beautiful villages.

Visit Mystery Castle

Appearance of Mystery Castle
Tishomir / Shutterstock.com

Located at the foot of Namsan, mystery castle offers guided tours of the 18-room mansion.

In addition to its 18 rooms, the castle also has 13 fireplaces, parapets, beautiful nooks and crannies, and Southwestern antiques.

Mystery Castle Facade
Maddy Benellotte/Shutterstock.com

When Boyce died in 1945, the adult Mary Lou lived in the castle until her death in 2010.

Mystery Castle is located in South Mountain Village on East Mineral Road, a 20-minute drive from Awatu Key.

Inside Mystery Castle
Marine Corps 69-71 (English Wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy tee time at Raven Golf Club

Located near downtown Phoenix, Raven Golf Club It offers beautiful gorgeous rolling fairways lined with mature Georgia pines.

18 holes of a par 72 golf course surrounded by the stunning South Mountain and its steep slopes.

When you play here, the scenery changes in an instant. A green oasis for golfers, away from the hustle and bustle of modern metropolises.

Raven Golf Club opened on East Baseline Road in 1996. Only 18 minutes drive from Awatu Key.

final thoughts

With unparalleled trails and sweeping mountain views, Awatu Key is a tourist gem.

This village is one of Phoenix’s finest jewels, with rich flora and fauna.

On your next trip, discover the best activities at Awatu Key in Phoenix, Arizona.

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