[avatar user=”Alice.Lane” /] Glendale Arizona is a paradise for outdoor adventure enthusiasts! With its miles and miles of hiking trails and its acres and acres of public parks, Glendale offers something for everyone. Located on the diametrically opposite side of Phoenix, the city of Glendale has over forty miles of expansive, not too difficult hiking trails that are open from sunrise to sunset. Skunk Creek Linear Park is a 3 1/2 mile long trail that connects with the Thunderbird Paseo Path, a 4-mile long linear trail.
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Thunderbird Park encompasses a series of trails spanning 20 miles. Bridle Path is a 9-mile long trail over decomposed granite which is expressly designed for equestrian use. Grand Canal Linear Park is a 3 1/4 mile long trail. In addition to its hiking and horseback trails, the city of Glendale features over 100 miles of bicycle trails including the Grand Canal Linear Park, the Sahuaro Ranch Park, and the Thunderbird Paseo Park. Glendale’s annual Family Bike Ride is a special event to encourage families to bicycle together. It is also possible to explore the desert by taking a half-day, guided raft tour of the Lower Salt River.
Plant lovers will be enthralled with Glendale’s award-winning Xeriscape Botanical Garden. Visitors can check out listening wands from the library, complete with Arizona air conditioning, to enjoy a self-guided tour of the Garden’s collection of over a thousand cacti, trees, and desert shrubs. Plants are identified with both their common and their botanical names and since many of the plants are low-water species they are adaptable for Arizona gardens. You can take an online tour of the Xeriscape Botanical Garden. Animal lovers will love Glendale’s Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium which contains Arizona’s largest collection of animals including white alligators and white tigers. Arizona’s first public aquarium opened here last year with eighty exciting exhibits.
It’s also possible to enjoy the beauties of Glendale AC with customized tours and day trips that take you and your family on scenic drives to Native American ruins, historic sites, and tours of wineries. Single-day or multiple-day tours pick you up at your hotel and take you to destinations such as the Grand Canyon, Prescott, Tombstone, Sedona, and Bisbee with onboard DVD entertainment and family-friendly, educational opportunities with free beverages provided. Another great family adventure is the Challenger Space Center. Another way to explore space is with a hot air balloon expedition, which lets your family view the beauty of the Sonora Desert in quiet tranquility from on high.
If you are looking for great outdoor and family adventure, Glendale’s spectacular desert landscapes and adventures provide fun and relaxation you’ll never forget.