There are so many fun things to do in Gilbert, AZ and we’re going to share so many of the fun options right here!
So whether you live in Gilbert, are thinking of moving to Gilbert or are just visiting, there is something here for everyone.
#1 Gilbert Regional Park
Location: 3005 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85298
Cost: Free
What doesn’t Gilbert regional park have?
- Basketball courts
- Tennis courts
- Pickleball courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- Amphitheater with free events
- Fishing lake with half mile walking path surrounding it
- A 17 foot tall playground with tons of features
- A 4000 square-foot splash pad with 57 water features
The splash pad is also well lit at night so perfect for those hot summer nights and it’s open every single day of the year.
#2 Top Golf
Location: 1689 S Santan Village Pkwy, Gilbert, AZ 85295
Cost: $13.50+ / hr
Topgolf and saying fun place for the family and friends to play various golf games together. Even if you are not a fan of golf, this is really fun.
Each party is provided with a booth that has a seating area, various golf clubs, a tea, as well as a touchscreen monitor where you can add all of the members of your party he will be playing, select one of the many available games to play and monitor your scores.
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Every person who plays pays a one time membership fee of five dollars. After that you will have your own top golf player card I will not need to pay the fee again.
Keep in mind Tuesdays is half price day so you only have to pay for half the cost of the booth per hour. Another thing to know is that the cost of the booth increases throughout the day so the cheapest time to go will be on Tuesday mornings.
I recommend making a reservation in advance.
#3 Riparian Preserve
Location: 2757 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: free
The Riparian preserve is an oasis in the middle of Gilbert. It’s a 110 acre wet land and wildlife sanctuary.
It has seven ponds throughout the preserve with hiking trails all around.
The first like that sits closest to the entrance has a floating boardwalk over the water where you will see a variety of ducks and turtles. This lake sits in between the riparian preserve at Southwest regional library.
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There is also a small children’s play area it has a large cement snake the kids can walk along. There is also another small area that has dinosaur fossils for the kids to dig around.
What most people don’t know is that the preserve also has three overnight campsites available.
#4 Freestone Park
Location: 1021 E Juniper Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: free
Freestone Park is huge park in Gilbert spanning 88-acres and has a:
- Rec center
- Mini amusement park with rides
- A train to ride around the park
- Skate park
- Fishing lake with ducks
With all the palm trees, waterfalls, large lake and open spaces, it’s a beautiful place to spend an hour or even the whole day. Bring a picnic!
You can get a discount to ride the tree on the Freestone Train website here.
#5 Fat Cats
Location: 4321 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: varies depending on activity
Fat Cats has something fun for the whole family.
- Movie theater
- Bowling
- Arcade
- VR
- Glow golf
Movies only cost five dollars all day on Tuesdays and the arcade is half price on Wednesdays.
You can also go for nighttime bowling under the neon lights.
#6 Henhouse Pancakes
Location: 3244 E Guadalupe Rd STE 110, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: varies depending on order
Visit Henhouse Cafe to eat a double stack of 18” pancakes that can feed up to 11 people. They’re delicious and they are big.
As a family of four we put the pancakes to the test. It took us two meals and we still couldn’t finish them both!
#7 Carl’s Damaged Pet Warehouse
Location: at the corner of 164th Street and Olny Avenue, Gilbert
Cost: free (donations welcomed)
Carl’s damaged pet warehouse is a small place right in someone’s (well…Carl’s) backyard.
He has animals he has taken in and you can come feed. In the mornings he often puts food out so you can feed the animals.
There is no charge but there is a donation box to help feed the animals.
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#8 Gilbert Historical Museum
Location: 10 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Cost: $6 Adults, $5 Seniors, $3 Children 5-12, Children under 5 years are free
The Gilbert Historical Building is oldest building in the city and used to be a school house.
It now offers free weekly story time to young kids.
#9 Goat Yoga
Location: Goat Yoga, 26601 S Val Vista Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85298
Cost: $18
If goat yoga is something you’ve never tried, you need to try it…yes, even if you’re not into yoga.
This is such a unique experience. I mean where else can you dress up a goat, hang out with alpacas, cuddle with a cow and do yoga around them all?
No experience is needed. You can just show up for a good time.
#10 Imagine 3D Mini Golf
Location: 785 W Warner Rd Suite A107, Gilbert, AZ 85233
Cost: Ages 10 + $11.50, Ages 60 + (Military/Police/Fire/EMTs) $9.50, Ages 4 – 9 $8.50, Ages 3 & Younger, FREE
You may have tried glow golf before but I bet there is a good chance you’ve never tried glow golf while wearing 3D glasses!
This is a completely different experience, they have amazing, friendly owners and a unique concept in the area.
Here’s more from our recent visit.
#11 Gilbert Events
Gilbert hosts so many events throughout the year that are popular for good reason.
At Truckapalooza for example, families can come see, touch and get in tons of different types of trucks and vehicles they wouldn’t otherwise normally be able to.
There are also free concerts in the park, family nights, cinemas and many special events.
See all the events and what’s on the calendar for this month here.
#12 Gilbert Farmers Market with Kids Day
Location: 222 N Ash St, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: free to attend
Every Saturday in downtown Gilbert is the Gilbert Farmer’s Market which features local and organic produce from over 60 – 100 vendors depending on the season.
This is a family friendly farmers market with games and entertainment for everyone.
#13 Joe’s Farm Grill
Location: 3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Cost: varies depending on order
Not only is the food at Joes Farm fresh and delicious, there is open space for kids to run outside while you wait at one of the outdoor tables under 2 huge 100-year-old trees.
Behind the farm is a large garden where the restaurants food is grown, as well as community plots.
#14 Agritopia Farm Tour
Location: 3000 E Ray Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Cost: free
On the first Wednesday of every month, Agrotopia Farm holds a free tour which walks you through the garden and property.
You’ll learn about some of the family’s very interesting and the tour guide herself is fabulous, brining high energy and happy to answer any questions.
Note: if you can’t make it on a Wednesday you can call and schedule a private tour for just $5 per person.
#15 Topo Arizona
Location: 301 N Gilbert Rd bldg 2, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: varies depending on order
Topo is actually owned by Joes Farm Grill and shares an outdoor space with Joes sister restaurant, Joes Real BBQ.
There is only outdoor seating available in this beautiful area with tables, open space and even an outdoor twister game.
Enjoy a burrito and order some prickly pear cactus soft serve for dessert.
#16 Central Trail system
Location: 2214 E Pecos Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297
Cost: free
Gilbert has 35 trails that cover 320 miles so there is definitely no shortage of places to walk, hike or bike here.
The Central Trail System has 135 miles of fun to explore. And 54 of those miles are for biking along the canal.
There are three trail systems running north – south:
- Heritage Trail
- Santan Vista Trail
- Marathon Trail
And one that runs east to west, named Western Powerline Trail.
The fun things is, the trails connect to most of Gilbert’s parks and run parallel to the Valley’s canal system.
#17 Perry Pool or Williams Field Pool
Location: 1775 E Queen Creek Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297 | 1900 S Higley Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85295
Cost: $1 Child, $3 Adult
Gilbert is home to some excellent and inexpensive public pools.
Try Perry Pool or Williams Field Pool. There’s more than just the pool too! Each one has different amenities. The Perry Pool isn’t the largest of the local pools but they do have a splash pool area, diving pool and swim lanes.
Williams Field Pool is larger and amenities include splash pads, tumble buckets, a zero-depth area and diving boards.
#18 Cactus Yards Batting Cages
Location: 4536 E Elliot Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: varies
Cactus Yards is an amazing ballpark. And you don’t have to go for a game. You can also visit form the baseball and softball cages.
There are 2 slow, 1 medium and a fast cage for baseball. The zone changes for each pitch so pay attention! But that’s what makes it fun.
#19 Altitude Trampoline Park
Location: 701 N Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: $13.50+
At Altitude trampoline park, you can enjoy the:
- Jump pit
- Dodgeball
- Basketball trampoline
- Balance beam
- Rock climbing wall
- And more
There are plenty of tables to sit or eat at. Free wifi is also available if you want to let the kids play while you get some work done. Parents can also sit and relax in one of the massage chairs.
The rock climbing wall drops down into a foam put.
And Friday night glow night is also super fun!
#20 Main Event
Location: 1735 S Santan Village Pkwy, Gilbert, AZ 85295
Cost: $16.99+
Main event is fun for adults and kids. They have such a variety of entertainment including:
- Bowling
- Laser tag
- Gravity ropes
- Billiards
- Shuffle board
- Some new type of escape room things
- Arcade
They also have a bar and food.
#21 Mother Nature‘s Farm
Location: 1663 E Baseline Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85233
Cost: $10
Mother’s Nature Farm is open from September through December for fall and winter festivities.
In the fall they have a hayride, maze, farm animals and a pumpkin patch.
In Winter they have snow and snow festivities.
#22 Southeast Regional Library
Location: 775 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: free
The Southeast Regional Library is a large and beautiful library sitting right next to one of the ponds at the Riparian Preserve (mentioned in #2 above).
The back of the library has huge windows that look out over the pond. You’ll find many tables along that back while so you can relax, read or work while you enjoy the view of the water.
There is also a large kid’s section that includes kid computers, tables with activities and an event room.
#23 Look For Murals
Location: 90 E Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, Arizona 85296
Cost: Free
If your family appreciates art and culture with a bit of history, this is a cool thing to do for free. Head to the Heritage District and take some great groupies with the fam.
#24 Rotary Centennial Observatory
Location: 2757 E Guadalupe Road (inside the Riparian Preserve)
Cost: free, although donations appreciated
On the second friday of every month from sunset until 9:30pm, the observatory is opened by volunteers and the public can come view the stars from a huge telescope.
If you want to learn even more, you can head to library next door for an astronomy talk at 7:30pm.
#25 Go Bowling
Location: 1160 S Gilbert Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
Cost: $3.99
Bowlero has 44-bowling lanes plus arcade games. And if you’re looking to save on some bowling fun, you can participate in their ongoing deals:
Sunday Funday: $3.99 bowling games and $3 for a $6 arcade card after 6pm on Sundays.
Grab the whole family for a Sunday game of Bowling at Bowlero after 6pm.
#26 Creamistry
Location: 335 N Gilbert Rd Suite 101, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: varies depending on order
Every tried premium ice cream made fresh to order with liquid nitrogen? If not, it’s time you give it a try!
You’ll see your ice cream instantly freeze right in front of your eyes that typically takes up to 45 minutes in the freezer.
There are also lots of yummy toppings to choose from. Non-dairy ice cream is also available.
#27 Handel’s Ice cream
Location: 1672 E Guadalupe Rd #101, Gilbert, AZ 85234
Cost: $4+
Indulge in a home made ice cream that the kids will surely enjoy. They have variety of products from cones, sundaes, shakes, handel pops, to ice cream sandwiches!
Insider tip: On Tuesday’s you can get a scoop for only $2.50!
#28 SanTan Village
Location: 2218 E Williams Field Rd Suite 235, Gilbert, AZ 85295
Cost: –
San Tan Village is an open-air mall with some great shops and restaurants. In the center they also have a kids playground. On either side of the playground you’ll find an ice cream shop, perfect for those hot days, and Puppy Love…which as you may be able to guess, has lots of puppies for you to go in and see!
There is also a Kids Club available on the first Friday of each month which is perfect for the younger kids to come out and to sing, dance and enjoy activities. Several retailers also attend and often give out samples. Kids club is free!
Fun Things to Do in Gilbert AZ
As you can see there are plenty of fun things to do in Gilbert both inside and out! What new did you find on this list that you’ll be trying soon?
