Buckeye offers more than homes, however. Retail centers have sprung up in recent months, with new restaurants, shopping and office space. The beautiful new three stories Town Hall building began business in July 2009, and renovation is almost complete on the 1910 Ware Building downtown. Heritage Park, with restoration of the gin and the addition of other features including a working “mini” gin, and an amphitheater, will be one of the designated sites of the Arizona Centennial in 2012. Though intersected by five highways, home to a general aviation airport and served by the railroad, Buckeye still remains one of Arizona’s biggest “small towns.” Nature surrounds in all directions, be it the majestic peaks of the White Tank Mountains to the north or the subtle rolls of Buckeye Hills, with the Mountains providing almost 30,000 acres perfect for hiking, mountain biking and trail rides. Bird watchers will delight at the Arlington and Robbins Butte Wildlife areas, and trails through the Buckeye Hills offer even more glimpses of native desert animals. The Buckeye Hills Shooting Range opened last spring to great reviews! Icons of the town have been carefully preserved along our main street, Monroe Avenue. Remnants of historic Route 80, the southern sister of the famed Route 66, and once the only all-weather all-year route to California, remain intact.

The most notable icon is the playful giant, Hobo Joe, a colorful symbol of a past Valley restaurant chain. Today, Millstone Café offers the best biscuits and gravy, along with specialty coffee, original salads and fantastic flatbread sandwiches. La Placita’s beautiful “great room” with its wood and stone décor and flat screen televisions, serves up delicious Mexican specialties and the best burger in town. Memphis Best BBQ is indeed “the best BBQ” in the nation! Slabs of ribs, sandwiches and individual dinners, slow smoked meat with or without the BBQ sauce and your choice of sides. YUM! All these restaurants are family owned and operated, serving home cooked goodness with friendly service that makes everyone feel like a local! From local pizza downtown, and a great choice of chain eateries north near the I-10 – everyone will be satisfied! Buckeye Town Park is currently home to the Buckeye Historical and Archeological Museum, which will be moved into the 30,000 feet of space at Heritage Park in the future. The Museum features an impressive collection of artifacts of the Hohokam and Anasazi tribes, early inhabitants of the valley. Town Park is also home to the Buckeye Aquatic Center, volleyball pits, ball fields, picnic tables and Skate Park. Buckeye Municipal Airport offers hangars, gyroplane rides, skydiving lessons and flight instruction, as well as 24-hour aviation fuel capability, ensuring a perfect view from above.

Stop in the Chamber of Commerce office to pick up maps and brochures on Buckeye as well as the rest of Arizona and request a copy of the new Historic Downtown Buckeye Driving Tour! Visitors will enjoy the many local events taking place throughout the year, including; the Helzapoppin’ PRCA Rodeo, Miss Helzapoppin’ PRCA Rodeo Queen Pageant, both in conjunction with Buckeye’s Pioneer Days with a parade and pancake breakfast in March. The Spring Demolition Derby in May; the West Valley Air Fair in April; “Swing & Sweat” Golf Tournament in August; Heritage Days in October; The Home Town Holiday Boutique, Car Show and Fall Demolition Derby in November; and Glow on Monroe, the ever popular Electric Light Parade and visits with Santa in December. Something is always “a poppin’ in Buckeye!”

Find out more about what Buckeye has to offer with the Buckeye Main Street Coalition.