Each year thousands of visitors come to the NW Valley to enjoy our blue skies, sunshine, and spring training games. The region has wonderful golf courses, museums, restaurants, and plenty of trails for biking and hiking. With quick access to major highways, you have easy access to surrounding tourist attractions like the White Tank Mountains, Westgate Entertainment District, Desert Diamond Casino, Old Town Glendale, historic Wickenburg, downtown Phoenix and the Wildlife Zoo, Aquarium and Safari, and more.
Our Newest Regional Attraction:
Desert Diamond is the West Valley’s Crown Jewel Casino! The new $400 million casino hosts a full-scale casino featuring a 75,000 square-foot gaming floor, poker, blackjack, live bingo, 5 restaurants and more! Desert Diamond Casino is the Official Casino Partner of Westgate Entertainment District. With shopping, dining and nightlife there is always something to do. Best of all the casino is only 18 minutes by car and ten miles away from the center of Surprise. There’s plenty for you and your friends to explore and a lot to experience! Click Here
Desert Diamond is the West Valley’s Crown Jewel Casino! The new $400 million casino hosts a full-scale casino featuring a 75,000 square-foot gaming floor, poker, blackjack, live bingo, 5 restaurants and more! Desert Diamond Casino is the Official Casino Partner of Westgate Entertainment District. With shopping, dining and nightlife there is always something to do. Best of all the casino is only 18 minutes by car and ten miles away from the center of Surprise. There’s plenty for you and your friends to explore and a lot to experience! Click Here
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BASEBALL
Enjoy some exciting baseball. Voted the best place to catch a spring training game, Surprise Stadium is the proud Cactus League home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. The Phoenix metropolitan area holds claim to the greatest concentration of professional baseball facilities found anywhere in the United States. The NW Valley offers easy access to all your favorite team games. Cactus League Click Here |
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GOLF Courses
With near perpetual blue skies, Surprise and the Sun Cities offer lots of golfing opportunities including three Greg Nash-designed golf courses. Golf Courses Click Here |
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HIKING the White Tank Mountains
Flanked by one of Arizona’s largest mountain preserves, the White Tank Regional Park is situated in the saguaro-dotted Sonoran Desert and is only minutes away. Plan a day trip for some fun adventure, like hiking, biking, and horseback riding (no experience required). Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Click Here |
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TENNIS, RACQUET and PICKLEBALL
Play tennis, racquetball, pickleball and table tennis at one of several locations in the NW Valley. One of the top centers in the country is the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex. Sun City and Sun City West also boasts some outstanding courts and and facilities! |
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ARTS AND CULTURE
Arts and Culture: Stunning natural beauty is just the beginning. We have arts and culture with Arts HQ, WHAM, and the West Valley Symphony. Surprise has an impressive variety of outdoor art treasures, like the 12’x78’ media mosaic called Reflections of Surprise that depicts the history of the area. For a map of art experiences in Surprise Click Here In Arizona, creativity is not only fostered – it's encourage! Click Here to learn how Arizona is truly a state of the art. |
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WILDLIFE ZOO
Enjoy the nearby Wildlife Zoo, Aquarium, and Safari Park, pick-your-own citrus farms, the Roses at Leyton Farms and Uptown Alley. Uptown Alley is a local gathering and entertainment complex complete with dining, sports bar, bowling, laser tag, billiards and kid’s activities. Wildlife World: Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park Click Here |
Desert Diamond CASINO
The West Valley’s Crown Jewel Casino! The new $400 million casino hosts a full-scale casino featuring a 75,000 square-foot gaming floor, poker, blackjack, live bingo, 5 restaurants and more! Desert Diamond Casino is the Official Casino Partner of Westgate Entertainment District. With shopping, dining and nightlife there is always something to do. Best of all the casino is only 18 minutes by car and ten miles away from the center of Surprise. There’s plenty for you and your friends to explore and a lot to experience! Click Here
Climate:
CLIMATE Surprise is graced with near-perfect weather featuring more than 330 sunny days a year and an average temperature of 86 degrees.
Average High Average Low Average Precip.
CLIMATE Surprise is graced with near-perfect weather featuring more than 330 sunny days a year and an average temperature of 86 degrees.
Average High Average Low Average Precip.
- January 68 F/20 C 42 F/6 C 1.0”/25.4mm
- February 72 F/22C 45 F/7 C 1.3”/33.0mm
- March 78 F/25C 50 F/10 C 1.1”/27.9mm
- April 85 F/29 C 56 F/13 C 0.3”/7.6mm
- May 95 F/35C 65 F/18 C 0.1”/2.5mm
- June 104 F/40 C 73 F/23 C 0.0”/0.0mm
- July 107 F/41 C 80 F/27 C 0.9”/22.9mm
- August 105 F/40 C 79 F/26 C 1.2”/30.5mm
- September 100 F/38 C 73 F/23 C 0.8”/20.3mm
- October 89 F/32 C 60 F/16 C 0.6”/15.2mm
- November 76 F/24 C 48 F/9 C 0.7”/17.8mm
- December 66 F/19 C 41 F/5 C 1.1”/27.9mm
ROAD TRIPS
All of the sights below are within a 20-minute to one-hour drive from the center of Surprise.
The times and mileage may vary based on traffic conditions and route selected. ( drivetime/miles)
All of the sights below are within a 20-minute to one-hour drive from the center of Surprise.
The times and mileage may vary based on traffic conditions and route selected. ( drivetime/miles)
- Westgate Entertainment District 18 min. or 10 miles
- Old Town Glendale 21 min. or 18 miles
- Phoenix Children’s Museum 23 min. or 22 miles
- Desert Diamond Casino 24 min. or 13 miles
- Arizona Science Center 25 min. or 22 miles
- Pioneer Living History Museum 28 min. or 36 miles
- Castles-n-Coasters 30 min. or 27 miles
- Cerreta Candy Company 31 min. or 17 miles
- Wet-n-Wild 32 min. or 20 miles
- Deer Valley Rock Art Center 34 min. or 31 miles
- ISM Raceway 35 min. or 25 miles
- Wickenburg 39 min. or 35 miles
- Heard Museum 40 min. or 29 miles
- Lake Pleasant 41 min. or 29 miles
- Desert Botanical Garden 45 min. or 36 miles
- Phoenix Zoo 45 min. or 36 miles
- Cave Creek and Carefree 48 min. or 35 miles
200,000 + People attend spring training games in the month of March!
300,000 + Visitors go the White Tank Regional Park each year!
400,000 + People visit the Wildlife World Zoo each year!
300,000 + Visitors go the White Tank Regional Park each year!
400,000 + People visit the Wildlife World Zoo each year!
SPRING TRAINING &
Sports Lovers
Surprise is also a popular destination for fans who want close proximity to Phoenix and Glendale for Major League Baseball’s 2001 World Champs, the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. The NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and NFL’s Arizona Cardinals both play in nearby Glendale.
Whether you’re a spectator, participant or a little of both, Arizona is a sports lover’s paradise. With year-round sunny skies, you never have to lose a day or two of your vacation due to inclement weather. Surprise is the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers baseball teams. These Major League Baseball teams use Surprise Stadium for their activities. As Major League Baseball fans know, Spring Training has been an annual rite in Arizona for many decades and the city of Surprise is proud to be one of the host cities for the Cactus League. Surprise Stadium, Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, was ranked the #1 Spring Training Stadium in the Cactus League by USA Today. Whether you want to take in the Arizona sun, or looking for unparalleled player access with up-close encounters of veteran stars and blossoming prospects, Surprise Stadium brings you the BEST of everything!
The Budweiser Legends Deck features a different restaurant every day where fans can taste the local flavor while enjoying the game in a fun atmosphere. Plus, the stadium offers signature eats and craft beverages that will have your taste buds hitting home-runs, including Arizona local favorites, as well as staples from Kansas City and Dallas.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets: Online: Surprisespringtraining.com Phone: 623.222.2222 In Person: Surprise Stadium Box Office; 15850 N. Bullard Avenue, Surprise, AZ 85374
Sports Lovers
Surprise is also a popular destination for fans who want close proximity to Phoenix and Glendale for Major League Baseball’s 2001 World Champs, the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. The NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and NFL’s Arizona Cardinals both play in nearby Glendale.
Whether you’re a spectator, participant or a little of both, Arizona is a sports lover’s paradise. With year-round sunny skies, you never have to lose a day or two of your vacation due to inclement weather. Surprise is the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers baseball teams. These Major League Baseball teams use Surprise Stadium for their activities. As Major League Baseball fans know, Spring Training has been an annual rite in Arizona for many decades and the city of Surprise is proud to be one of the host cities for the Cactus League. Surprise Stadium, Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers, was ranked the #1 Spring Training Stadium in the Cactus League by USA Today. Whether you want to take in the Arizona sun, or looking for unparalleled player access with up-close encounters of veteran stars and blossoming prospects, Surprise Stadium brings you the BEST of everything!
The Budweiser Legends Deck features a different restaurant every day where fans can taste the local flavor while enjoying the game in a fun atmosphere. Plus, the stadium offers signature eats and craft beverages that will have your taste buds hitting home-runs, including Arizona local favorites, as well as staples from Kansas City and Dallas.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets: Online: Surprisespringtraining.com Phone: 623.222.2222 In Person: Surprise Stadium Box Office; 15850 N. Bullard Avenue, Surprise, AZ 85374
Parks, Zoos and the Outdoors
Surprise Park: 57-acre Passive Park
The Surprise Stadium, Spring Training home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals along with a Regional Library, aquatic center, tennis and racquet complex, youth baseball complex, Mark Coronado Park and Surprise Community Park are centerpieces of this new square mile plus downtown development, putting Surprise well on its way to becoming the playground of the
West Valley Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park Zoo
Open: 9am–9pm 365 days a year, including holidays
623-935-WILD (9453)
This is home to more than 600 exotic and endangered species, and more than 6,000 individual animals. Wildlife World Zoo offers free animal shows, feeding stations and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing animals.
Roses at Woolf Leyton Farms
8805 N Reems Rd
623-935-5887
Rows and rows of roses on four farms display their colors and fragrance to passers by. With about 800 acres used for the two-year crop, the locale ranks in the top three rosebush growing areas in the nation. Rose bushes grown in Arizona account for half of all the roses sold in the nation. It’s not a farm that gives unannounced tours, but to see and smell the fields in bloom in early spring is worth at least a drive by.
Horseback Riding White Tank Mountains
20300 W Olive (Waddell)
whitetanksstables.com
928-679-2884 (Call for reservations)
Experience the White Tank Mountains on horseback! Ages 5 and up. Tours range from one hour to four hours. No experience required. Tours are professionally guided. Sunset rides, wagon rides, etc.
Surprise Park: 57-acre Passive Park
The Surprise Stadium, Spring Training home of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals along with a Regional Library, aquatic center, tennis and racquet complex, youth baseball complex, Mark Coronado Park and Surprise Community Park are centerpieces of this new square mile plus downtown development, putting Surprise well on its way to becoming the playground of the
West Valley Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park Zoo
Open: 9am–9pm 365 days a year, including holidays
623-935-WILD (9453)
This is home to more than 600 exotic and endangered species, and more than 6,000 individual animals. Wildlife World Zoo offers free animal shows, feeding stations and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing animals.
Roses at Woolf Leyton Farms
8805 N Reems Rd
623-935-5887
Rows and rows of roses on four farms display their colors and fragrance to passers by. With about 800 acres used for the two-year crop, the locale ranks in the top three rosebush growing areas in the nation. Rose bushes grown in Arizona account for half of all the roses sold in the nation. It’s not a farm that gives unannounced tours, but to see and smell the fields in bloom in early spring is worth at least a drive by.
Horseback Riding White Tank Mountains
20300 W Olive (Waddell)
whitetanksstables.com
928-679-2884 (Call for reservations)
Experience the White Tank Mountains on horseback! Ages 5 and up. Tours range from one hour to four hours. No experience required. Tours are professionally guided. Sunset rides, wagon rides, etc.
FORE!
With the White Tank Mountains and a canopy of near-perpetual blue sky, the NW Valley is home to more golf courses than you could hope to play in one visit.
With many golf courses to choose from, you’re sure to find an ideal location for your golf vacation – as well as a tee time that fits both your budget and your sense of adventure. Before you arrive, call ahead for details on the Arizona golf courses that interest you, and make sure you ask about current rates and availability. In the winter, golf courses are in their peak season so you may need to book early. But if you can brave the summer heat, you can often enjoy these courses at significantly reduced rates. Many sites offer idyllic scenery and challenging courses. Click here for Courses
With the White Tank Mountains and a canopy of near-perpetual blue sky, the NW Valley is home to more golf courses than you could hope to play in one visit.
With many golf courses to choose from, you’re sure to find an ideal location for your golf vacation – as well as a tee time that fits both your budget and your sense of adventure. Before you arrive, call ahead for details on the Arizona golf courses that interest you, and make sure you ask about current rates and availability. In the winter, golf courses are in their peak season so you may need to book early. But if you can brave the summer heat, you can often enjoy these courses at significantly reduced rates. Many sites offer idyllic scenery and challenging courses. Click here for Courses
Gift Shop
Popular T-Shirts, Mugs & Gifts For Your Favorite City in the NW Valley
El Mirage, Sun Cities, Surprise and Youngtown , Arizona
Click Here
Popular T-Shirts, Mugs & Gifts For Your Favorite City in the NW Valley
El Mirage, Sun Cities, Surprise and Youngtown , Arizona
Click Here
EXPLORE THE ARTS
Outdoor art abounds in Surprise! The community boasts a variety of public sculptures, murals, memorials, and monuments. This walk will get your heart pumping and give you a glimpse of our public art. This walk promotes a healthy lifestyle and offers residents and visitors the opportunity to experience and appreciate our outdoor public art. Please see the outdoor art map .
Art Experiences in Surprise Sundays at the Park – This free city sponsored concert and entertainment series is offered the second Sunday of the month during the spring and fall. All events are held at the Mark Coronado Park located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave. surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.
Surprise City Hall – The Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission selects rotating art displays and some permanent pieces of the city’s art collection located in the first floor lobby and hallway of Surprise City Hall, 16000 N Civic Center Plaza. Enjoy paintings and sculptures by area artists during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5pm, excluding holidays.
Valley Vista Performing Arts Center – Valley Vista High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a state-of-the-art performing arts center operated by the Dysart Unified School District. This venue offers a roomy lobby, 1,300 plush seats, professional BOSE sound, and theatrical lighting. The PAC plays host to a variety of arts and cultural events. For more information, please visit: Valley Vista Performing Arts Center
West Valley Arts HQ – The Arts HQ consists of 2,500 square feet of indoor gallery space plus an outdoor courtyard. These flexible spaces allow for a multitude of arts and cultural events and can be adapted to meet various visual and performance requirements. www.westvalleyarts.org
West Valley Conservatory of Ballet – WVCB is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide the community with classical ballet training. WVCB also has a performing arts company that consists of volunteer dancers whom are classically trained and have a passion for their art. www.wvballet.org
West Valley Symphony – The West Valley Symphony presents concerts for listening enjoyment and provides an opportunity for orchestral music education. westvalleysymphony.org Surprise Pops Band – This band plays free concerts in the West Valley, including in Surprise. They just ask that you bring a nonperishable food item for the Valley View Community Food Bank. www.surprisepopsband.com
WHAM Art Association & Gallery – WHAM presents programs, exhibitions and special events which foster interaction between artist and the community. The association also maintains WHAM West Gallery, a beautiful showroom for juried art shows and special events. www.wham-art.org
Near Surprise
Outdoor art abounds in Surprise! The community boasts a variety of public sculptures, murals, memorials, and monuments. This walk will get your heart pumping and give you a glimpse of our public art. This walk promotes a healthy lifestyle and offers residents and visitors the opportunity to experience and appreciate our outdoor public art. Please see the outdoor art map .
Art Experiences in Surprise Sundays at the Park – This free city sponsored concert and entertainment series is offered the second Sunday of the month during the spring and fall. All events are held at the Mark Coronado Park located at 15850 N. Bullard Ave. surpriseaz.gov/specialevents.
Surprise City Hall – The Surprise Arts and Cultural Advisory Commission selects rotating art displays and some permanent pieces of the city’s art collection located in the first floor lobby and hallway of Surprise City Hall, 16000 N Civic Center Plaza. Enjoy paintings and sculptures by area artists during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5pm, excluding holidays.
Valley Vista Performing Arts Center – Valley Vista High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a state-of-the-art performing arts center operated by the Dysart Unified School District. This venue offers a roomy lobby, 1,300 plush seats, professional BOSE sound, and theatrical lighting. The PAC plays host to a variety of arts and cultural events. For more information, please visit: Valley Vista Performing Arts Center
West Valley Arts HQ – The Arts HQ consists of 2,500 square feet of indoor gallery space plus an outdoor courtyard. These flexible spaces allow for a multitude of arts and cultural events and can be adapted to meet various visual and performance requirements. www.westvalleyarts.org
West Valley Conservatory of Ballet – WVCB is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide the community with classical ballet training. WVCB also has a performing arts company that consists of volunteer dancers whom are classically trained and have a passion for their art. www.wvballet.org
West Valley Symphony – The West Valley Symphony presents concerts for listening enjoyment and provides an opportunity for orchestral music education. westvalleysymphony.org Surprise Pops Band – This band plays free concerts in the West Valley, including in Surprise. They just ask that you bring a nonperishable food item for the Valley View Community Food Bank. www.surprisepopsband.com
WHAM Art Association & Gallery – WHAM presents programs, exhibitions and special events which foster interaction between artist and the community. The association also maintains WHAM West Gallery, a beautiful showroom for juried art shows and special events. www.wham-art.org
Near Surprise
- Arizona Broadway Theatre – An arts venue that combines quality dining and professional theater. Catitude Art Gallery – Catitude provides artist show and studio space, guest artists each month, special events and a variety of art forms. Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts - A state-ofthe-art 600-seat theater dedicated to enhancing the cultural and educational richness of Wickenburg and our surrounding communities. Desert Caballeros Museum – This museum aims to collect and preserve the history, learning, lore and mementos incident to the development of Wickenburg and the Arizona Territory. Ghostlight Theatre – This performing arts venue aims to educate and enrich the community through dramatic arts by offering a quality and diverse theater experience.
- Phoenix Opera - Arizona's most exciting opera company is dedicated to presenting magnificent traditional operas. The fully restored Orpheum Theatre, the last remaining example of palace theater architecture in Phoenix, is the home of Phoenix Opera.
- Theatre Works of Peoria – Theatre Works is a theater company that presents dramas, musicals, comedies and other special events.
- West Valley Art Museum – A premier cultural venue that features regular art events and a unique fine art collection.
- White Tank Library – Experience a variety of art exhibits and cultural events.
Pick Your Own Citrus Right From The Tree! (u-pickcitrusaz.com)
(December through March) You can pick some of the best tasting citrus around. ALL fruit is pesticide free as well so it’s even better for you! The NW Valley has two you-pick farms:
• Truman Ranch II: Located 1/3 mile south of Greenway Road on 188th Ave (Perryville Rd.)
• Cotton Lane Citrus: Located just west of Waddell and Cotton Lane.
(December through March) You can pick some of the best tasting citrus around. ALL fruit is pesticide free as well so it’s even better for you! The NW Valley has two you-pick farms:
• Truman Ranch II: Located 1/3 mile south of Greenway Road on 188th Ave (Perryville Rd.)
• Cotton Lane Citrus: Located just west of Waddell and Cotton Lane.
The Maricopa Trail
The Maricopa Trail offers visitors to NW Valley a vast area of Sonoran Desert and mountain hiking with easy access. It lies at the far west of Surprise and connects to White Tank Mountain Regional Park, which features an additional 25 miles of excellent shared-use trails.
The Maricopa Trail is an unfinished 242-mile (389 km) trail located within Maricopa County and connecting the major regional and municipal parks in and around the Phoenix metropolitan area. A loop trail encircling much of the urbanized area, the trail also consists of four spurs that will connect the loop with outlying mountain parks in the region. The trail crosses the U.S. 60 in Surprise, and approximately 15 miles of the trail run west of the Loop 303. Conceptualized in 1997 by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, the Maricopa Trail was envisioned as a pedestrian beltway that would connect nine of the department’s 10 regional parks, linking them with the city of Phoenix’s South Mountain Park and encouraging their use by the area’s residents. The trail incorporates existing portions of the Sun Circle Trail, the National Trail in South Mountain Park, portions of the trails within White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park and pathways already developed along the McMicken corridor in Surprise. Construction on new segments of the trail began in 2006 and has brought the total length of the existing corridors to approximately 80 miles (130 km). The Maricopa Trail connects nine county parks as well as one municipal park:
• Buckeye Hills Regional Park (spur route)
• Cave Creek Regional Park
• Estrella Mountain Regional Park
• Lake Pleasant Regional Park
• McDowell Mountain Regional Park
• San Tan Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
• South Mountain Park
• Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
• Usery Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
• White Tank Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
The Maricopa Trail offers visitors to NW Valley a vast area of Sonoran Desert and mountain hiking with easy access. It lies at the far west of Surprise and connects to White Tank Mountain Regional Park, which features an additional 25 miles of excellent shared-use trails.
The Maricopa Trail is an unfinished 242-mile (389 km) trail located within Maricopa County and connecting the major regional and municipal parks in and around the Phoenix metropolitan area. A loop trail encircling much of the urbanized area, the trail also consists of four spurs that will connect the loop with outlying mountain parks in the region. The trail crosses the U.S. 60 in Surprise, and approximately 15 miles of the trail run west of the Loop 303. Conceptualized in 1997 by the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department, the Maricopa Trail was envisioned as a pedestrian beltway that would connect nine of the department’s 10 regional parks, linking them with the city of Phoenix’s South Mountain Park and encouraging their use by the area’s residents. The trail incorporates existing portions of the Sun Circle Trail, the National Trail in South Mountain Park, portions of the trails within White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park and pathways already developed along the McMicken corridor in Surprise. Construction on new segments of the trail began in 2006 and has brought the total length of the existing corridors to approximately 80 miles (130 km). The Maricopa Trail connects nine county parks as well as one municipal park:
• Buckeye Hills Regional Park (spur route)
• Cave Creek Regional Park
• Estrella Mountain Regional Park
• Lake Pleasant Regional Park
• McDowell Mountain Regional Park
• San Tan Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
• South Mountain Park
• Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
• Usery Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
• White Tank Mountain Regional Park (spur route)
Pickleball Tourist Craze
Tony, a Canadian tourist, said the main reason he visits Surprise each year for his winter vacation is the great weather, reasonable hotels and the awesome pickleball courts in Surprise Community Park! Surprise Community Park alone has over 16 courts. The courts are lighted and open from 6am to 10pm.
What is Pickleball? Pickleball is the fastest growing sport for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple, the equipment is minimal, and the game can be enjoyed by beginners to those who enjoy a fast-paced, competitive game. In short, pickleball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Pickleball is played on a badminton-size court, which is a shorter court than a tennis court with a lower net than what is used in tennis. Pickleball is played with a plastic ball and paddle. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association there are more than 2.5 million pickleball participants in the United States.
Here is a list of courts in Surprise:
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 5pm to 8pm are generally new and social players. Monday and Friday are typically ladies days. Leagues and Ladders are scheduled at various times.
Pickleball Tourist Craze
Tony, a Canadian tourist, said the main reason he visits Surprise each year for his winter vacation is the great weather, reasonable hotels and the awesome pickleball courts in Surprise Community Park! Surprise Community Park alone has over 16 courts. The courts are lighted and open from 6am to 10pm.
What is Pickleball? Pickleball is the fastest growing sport for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple, the equipment is minimal, and the game can be enjoyed by beginners to those who enjoy a fast-paced, competitive game. In short, pickleball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Pickleball is played on a badminton-size court, which is a shorter court than a tennis court with a lower net than what is used in tennis. Pickleball is played with a plastic ball and paddle. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association there are more than 2.5 million pickleball participants in the United States.
Here is a list of courts in Surprise:
- Surprise City Courts
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 5pm to 8pm are generally new and social players. Monday and Friday are typically ladies days. Leagues and Ladders are scheduled at various times.
- Happy Trails Resort: 17200 W Bell Rd, Surprise 85374 Information: Gated RV community. All levels of play. 6 lighted courts, club membership required for some activities. Daily play. Private community, but member guests permitted with restrictions. Ownership property, some rentals available.
- Sun City Grand: 17100 W Clearview Blvd, Surprise 85387 Information: Age-restricted community by Del Webb. One of 4 age-restricted communities within a 6-mile diameter with a total of more than 100 courts. Sun City Grand currently has 22 courts. Must be a member or a guest.
- Sunflower RV Resort: 16501 N El Mirage Rd, Surprise 85378 Information: 7 courts. Open daily October through March. Call for schedule 623.583.0100
