As a respectable hiker, I'm not going to call this a hike but it is a cool experience. I stopped by…read moreon Memorial Day in the afternoon by design. It was 95 degrees so I knew a challenging hike would be out of the question. Something like Hole-in-the-Rock though, easy peasy. While there were a decent number of people there, I had no trouble finding free parking. This natural wonder is located in Papago Park close to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. After you park, you'll have a five-minute walk to get to Hole-in-the-Rock. You'll have to climb an incline to get in the hole, so definitely be careful, but there are kids that do it too. And a lot of tourists that show up. So that pretty much sums it up. Once you get inside, you'll have an awesome view of the Phoenix through a literal hole in a big rock. You'll see a lot of people using it as a photo opp. That's not really my style, so instead, I took a seat and enjoyed the beauty for 10 minutes or so. It can get pretty crowded so keep that in mind if you stop by on a weekend. Hole-in-the-Rock is one of the top attractions on TripAdvisor in Phoenix. Definitely a cool (and short) adventure to cross of the bucket list. I spent 30 minutes there (which included hanging out in the rock for half the time).

A truly mystical and magical place. They close at 7:00 p.m…read more Most people try to get there later in the day to avoid the scorching 110 deg. weather and hot sun. There is a pond with tons of geese. I saw a man fly fishing.

If zero stars could be given, then it would be that…read more The service was appalling from start to finish. The atmosphere felt incredibly unwelcoming, and some interactions came across racially insensitive, leaving us feeling alienated and singled out. The family event thrown here was heavily restricted, making it difficult to host. Another situation was with cleanup summed up was explicitly told not to throw away the trash, only to be berated afterward for following those instructions. Felt hypocritical in a place that prides itself on having so many strict rules and policies, and would expect clear communication and consistency, but experienced the opposite. That is a family gathering ruined :)

Terrible place to live. The board won't release financial documents, won't answer questions in…read moremeetings, jams thru pet projects, spent $100,000 on a fountain that's on $12 million property owned by a business and won't replace an ADA swing for disabled kids unless a parent pays for it. The lakes are gross green and fish die. Irrigation is 40 years old and 100s trees die every year. Not enough $ in reserves to fix this old place.

Had two visits, it's a cool place to let off steam, literally. I really got a kick out of using…read morethat mini version of Thor's hammer, heavy af, but the crowbar was helpful nonetheless. Facilitated deeper sleep on both counts. The staff is always kind and chill.

I really wanted to love Simply Smashing Rage Release Room because I think the concept itself can be…read moreincredibly beneficial. People don't necessarily come to a rage room just to have fun and break things. Some people are dealing with tremendous grief, trauma, anger, stress, or the loss of someone they love, and an experience like this can provide a much-needed emotional release. Unfortunately, I felt the customer service and overall experience were lacking. The check-in process could definitely be more organized and welcoming, and there was very little effort made afterward to ask whether we enjoyed ourselves or had a good experience. Even though the business is centered around breaking things, basic kindness, enthusiasm, and customer service still matter. I also learned that many of the items being broken are used items that have been donated or obtained from thrift stores. What concerned me most was being told by an employee that staff members sometimes pick through donated items and select things they want for themselves before the items make it onto the floor. I obviously cannot speak to the company's policies regarding donated merchandise, but hearing that made me uncomfortable and raised questions for me about how donations are handled. There is a lot of potential here, and the actual idea behind this business is great. I simply think management could significantly improve the experience by focusing more on customer service, creating a warmer and more compassionate environment, and making sure donated items are handled transparently and appropriately. For some customers, this isn't simply about smashing a television or breaking a plate. It may be an outlet for something incredibly painful they're carrying. A little compassion and genuine human interaction could turn this from simply a place where people break things into an experience that actually helps people leave feeling a little lighter.

This was my second year at AZ Rise Up, and while I haven't been to Tempe Beach Park as an actual…read morepark in... honestly, I don't even know how long... as a festival venue? Solid. Like, genuinely well done. They space the vendor area far enough from the stages so you're not fighting for your life trying to shop while also dodging people who are deep in their "vibe." Huge win. The stages are set up in a way where, even when artists are playing at the same time, it doesn't feel like a chaotic sound clash, which I did not expect but fully appreciated. Also noticed they adjusted the layout a bit this year (especially around the Rise Up stage), and it worked. Way smoother flow overall. GA+ still not exactly bursting at the seams, but hey, more room for the rest of us. Sound? On point. Setup? Thought out. Experience (overall)? Actually great. Now... the people. Let's just say there comes a moment in life where you realize a fan base is no longer your fan base. And for me, that moment was somewhere between hour 8 and hour 9 of holding down my spot, when I got full-on trampled by someone who apparently believed personal space is a myth. Ma'am. I had been standing there for nearly 9 hours. NINE. This was not a casual pop-in situation. Up until that point, everything had been amazing. The music, the energy, the flow, chef's kiss. But that one interaction? Immediate vibe break. That said, I'm choosing growth here: I genuinely hope she finds whatever she's running toward... and maybe learns how not to run directly through people to get there. Overall though? As a venue for this fest, Tempe Beach Park absolutely delivers. I'll be back... just maybe with stronger crowd boundaries and a little more side-eye.

We've visited the Tempe Beach Park area a few times for events like breast cancer walks and…read morefestivals. It's a beautiful location with scenic views of the bridges and water, and there's even a nearby museum which adds to the experience. Parking can be a bit of a mixed situation. There is a parking garage available, but it does require payment. We also noticed an additional open lot next to the garage where you can park for free; however, it is gated and the surface is mostly dirt and rocks, so just something to keep in mind. One thing we didn't come across was a public restroom, so it's unclear where the nearest one is located. Overall, it's a great area to visit and enjoy events. My only suggestion would be to add more parking options or provide a designated free parking area for visitors, so not everyone has to pay for parking.

Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest ones, and this ended up being one of my favorite…read moreways to spend this morning in Tempe! My friend and I rented a Surrey double bike at Tempe Town Lake, and from the moment we walked up, everything was effortless. The staff greeted us with a smile, got us checked in quickly, explained everything we needed to know, and had us rolling in just a few minutes. It's always refreshing when an activity starts with such friendly service. Once we hit the path, we spent the next hour cruising along the lake, taking in the gorgeous waterfront views, people-watching, and laughing our way around every turn. There's something so nostalgic and carefree about riding a Surrey bike--it instantly makes you feel like a kid again. It was the perfect mix of sightseeing, light exercise, and quality time with a friend. If you're looking for a unique date idea, a family outing, or just a fun excuse to get outside with your bestie, I can't recommend this enough. It's one of those simple experiences that ends up creating some of the best memories. Pro tip: Arizona's sunshine definitely doesn't play around! Pack the sunscreen, bring plenty of water and maybe even throw on a hat before you head out. You'll be able to relax and enjoy every minute of the ride. We'll absolutely be back for another ride around the lake. Sometimes the best way to experience Tempe isn't from behind a windshield--it's pedaling through it with the people who make you laugh the most.

We had a great time at the lake with a two-person kayak that cost only $30 to rent for an hour of…read moreentertainment. It was so much fun and one of the better dates we've had. It's nice to find activities that don't involve food, and this one was perfect for people watching and doing something a little out of the box

We had a great time kayaking on the Salt River with Erin and Paul from Riverbound Sports . They…read morewere awesome!! Both were very professional, helpful and made the trip down the river entertaining and memorable. Thank you Erin and Paul ! Seeing the many horses and also a mountain goat really added to the experience. We highly recommend Riverbound Sports especially for a very fun and enjoyable kayak trip on the river and look forward to doing it again.

Teri, Erin & Caitlyn were the greatest! On the shuttle ride over, Teri made sure our entire group…read morewas comfortable on the way over (it can get hot fast in those vans), and Erin did a great job navigating us through the horse jam on the river! Plus the photos and videos they captured - my phone is already out of storage! Can't wait to book another tour.

I think it's very impressive to learn that the greenbelt project transformed a serious flooding…read morehazard into one of the valley's top residential and recreational areas. I feel it's like an oasis of parks, lakes, paths and golf courses across miles through the heart of the city, and it's so peaceful and chill to walk through the greenbelt area.

Safe, fun, accessible recreation providing hours of time outdoors. What more can you ask for?!read more

Beautiful place, highly recommend going. Day or night it's pretty epic. Lots of free parking and…read morethings to do.

I came paddle boarding here on a Saturday evening with some friends. We parked at the Butcher Jones…read morearea. We arrived between 6-630p and the main parking lot was full, but there was another lot close by that had some spots open. Lots of people were swimming and hanging out on the beach. There were lots of boats and jet skis too. It was a really great night/sunset with the canyons surrounding the lake. Kind of a cloudy sky, but the stars eventually came out! A very relaxing time! I would definitely come back here!

We went here for a day while traveling in Arizona. We rented a cabana and it was so worth it... it…read morewas stocked with waters and cookies. The fan kept us cool on a 100+ degree day. We enjoyed the water slides and lazy river. We even played pool basketball . The staff came by our cabana often to take drink/food orders. All in all a fun time for the family.

I hate rating if I didn't use the pool…read more But the facility always let's us use this place for voting and I really appreciate that they allow us to congratulate outside and chat. There is a lot of parking. And the place is immaculate. That I can say.

Being from NYC this is our version of central park. I love the observatory which is open Friday…read moreand Saturday nights sunset till 9pm. It's free but donations are appreciated. They are rib by volunteers. The trails are clean, dogs welcome everywhere, horses in designated areas, camp sites also available to rent which come with bbq grills and pits along with space for tents. Check out their website for the info. This is a great park to take your kids to the playground, go fishing, get your steps in, take your dog food a walk or have a date. Many picture perfect spots which are popular for graduation, wedding, and birthday pics. I even saw a couple get married on the bridge at sunset a quick 5 minute ceremony to not hold up anyone. Parking in a few spots and adjacent to the library for extra parking. 2 bathrooms I've been to are clean and maintained. Water fountains also there.

The only question I have is... Why did we wait so long to come? There was 8 of us in our group and…read morewe loved being there. We all felt so calm and peaceful. Such a beautiful park with a lot of things to do. One of our favorite things was looking through the telescope to see Venus. There was a long line but it does move fairly well and is worth the wait. Thank you!