Nature and Adventure
The desert never sleeps
 Glendale is a playground for the outdoor and athletic enthusiast. We welcome you to enjoy the miles of trails and acres of parks that Glendale has to offer. Love to hike? Then you’ll love Glendale. The city offers approximately 40 miles of hiking trails open from sunrise to sunset. Trails are expansive and not very demanding. Trails include Skunk Creek Linear Park (a 3.5-mile linear trail that connects to Thunderbird Paseo Path), Thunderbird Park (a series of trails that spans 20 miles), Bridle Path (a 9-mile trail over a decomposed granite path meant for equestrian use), Thunderbird Paseo Path (a 4-mile long linear trail), and the Grand Canal Linear Park (a 3.25-mile long linear trail).. Cyclists looking for bike trails will find more than 100 miles of bike routes in Glendale. Cyclists will enjoy the Grand Canal Linear Park, Sahuaro Ranch Park and Thunderbird Paseo Park. The city also hosts an annual event called the Glendale Family Bike Ride. It is meant to encourage families to ride their bikes.
Glendale is also home to the world's largest fighter-pilot training facility, Luke Air Force Base. The base is home to more than 300 aircraft, and a number of its 8,000 personnel can be seen zipping through the sunset daily.
- Xeriscape Botanical Garden/City of Glendale
Award-winning garden contains approximately 1,000 trees, shrubs, cactus and more. Listening wands can be checked out inside the library for a self-guided garden tour. Plants are identified by common and botanical names. Many are low-water use and excellent for Arizona gardens. Free landscaping brochures are available inside the library. Check out the water conservation Web site for an online tour of the garden. Open to the public dawn to dusk. 5959 W. Brown, Glendale, 623-930-3596, www.glendaleaz.com/waterconservation
- Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
Arizona's largest collection of exotic animals, including white tigers, white alligators and much more! New in 2009 is Arizona’s first & only public aquarium – 180,000 gallons of fresh 7 salt water in 80 exciting exhibits.
165th and Northern avenues (State Route 303)
623-935-WILD, www.wildlifeworld.com
Regional Parks
 Parks and Recreation - Parks and Facilities
For additional information regarding Parks and Recreation, please visit www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation
for more information.
Recreation Centers and Special Facilities
Skate and BMX Facilities
Parks
Tours
- Arizona Scenic Tours
Custom tours and day trips throughout beautiful Arizona. Grand Canyon, Sedona, Prescott, Tombstone, Bisbee and more! Scenic drives, historic sites, Native American Ruins, Winery tours. We’ll pick you up at your hotel or Metro Phoenix location. Single day or multiple day excursions custom-planned for you. Family friendly, on-board DVD entertainment system. Beverages and photography included. Give us a call today and make your trip to Arizona unforgettable.480-459-7144 or 1-800-724-1251, www.ArizonaScenicTours.com
- Challenger Space Center
A Smithsonian Institution affiliate
Visit the Challenger Space Center today! Arizona’s own museum and activity center dedicated to space and space exploration. Open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 21170 N. 83rd Ave., just south of Deer Valley Road on 83rd Ave., 623-322-2001, www.azchallenger.org
- Desert Voyagers Guided Raft Tours
Get outside and see what discoveries the desert has to offer. Join us for a half-day guided tour on the Lower Salt River today! Year round, reservations required. 480-998-RAFT, www.desertvoyagers.com
- Hot Air Expeditions
Rated Best Balloon Flight in Phoenix by Fodor’s Travel for 11 consecutive years!
Hot Air Ballooning with Hot Air Expeditions is an experience of a lifetime – it’s a great way to experience peace and tranquility while floating in the air and seeing all that the beautiful Sonoran desert has to offer. All flights also include a champagne toast upon landing, a gourmet breakfast catered by the award winning Vincents, and a Certificat d’Ascension En Machine Aerostatique commemorating your flight. 800-831-7610, 480-502-6999, www.HotAirExpeditions.com
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