As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., the city of Buckeye in Maricopa County, Arizona, is a haven for adventure-seekers.
It offers exciting outdoor activities, from well-maintained trails for hiking, biking, and strolling, to camping or simply getting in tune with nature.
Founded in 1888, the then-town was originally called Sidney after Malie M. Jackson’s hometown in Ohio.
Jackson was an early settler in the area who developed about ten miles of the Buckeye Canal, also a namesake for Ohio’s nickname, “The Buckeye State.”
In 1910, the city officially changed its name to Buckeye and was incorporated in 1929.
In 2014, the town became a city with more than 90,000 as of the 2020 census.
Enjoy the city’s modern metropolis with coffee shops and restaurants scattered downtown, or find yourself strolling around and sightseeing.
Start your trip with the best things to do in Buckeye, Arizona!
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If you’re up for a full-day adventure in Buckeye, the Skyline Regional Park offers different exciting activities.
Experienced hikers can try the park’s well-kept trails at many difficulty levels, which give more challenge and fun.
There are also horse-friendly trails if you’re interested in that, or stretch your legs while enjoying the spectacular views in the area.
Many trails are kid-friendly, and even toddlers can hike just fine.
There are also camping sites; you can take your dog as long as it’s on a leash.
If you love the sunrise, you should start hiking as early as 5:00 a.m. to witness the sweeping views of the sunrise.
Skyline Regional Park officially opened in 2016 on North Watson Road.
Tee time amid sweeping views is a great way to spend a fine day at Verrado Golf Club.
The backdrop of the White Tank Mountains fills the golf course with sweeping views of Ironwood, saguaro cacti, and a beautiful open space for your golf time.
The 36 holes of this beautiful golf course offer challenging tests for advanced golfers, while beginners or standard players can also have their own enjoyable game.
Verrado Golf Club also features a restaurant where you can satisfy your taste buds after a tee time.
Established in 2004 on North Gold Drive, Verrado Golf Club also hosts weddings and events.
Buckeye isn’t only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and an excellent destination for food lovers and the like.
One of the most talk-of-the-town restaurants in the city is Rancheros Rodeo Restaurant, which makes authentic Mexican fare from scratch.
If you love breakfast, the restaurant has delicious huevos ranchero and chilaquiles & eggs that are finely crafted for a tasty meal of the day.
Its version of the popular dish, menudo,is also one for the books, so you may want to try it out too.
The restaurant also offers several American dishes that you enjoy in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Rancheros Rodeo Restaurant is at 343 Monroe Avenue.
Nothing feels better than getting your family and friends a present from local vendors and crafters at a place where you’re having the time of your life.
If you visit Screws and Sparkles on Monroe Avenue, you’ll never leave empty-handed.
Shop from its vast collection of locally made and vintage home decor, specialty gifts, jewelry, clothing, artwork, and more.
The shop houses more than 30 local vendors selling craft items that have made Screws and Sparkle a favorite stop for all locals and tourists.
Sophia and Arcenios Martinez established Screws and Sparkles in 2018.
Another exciting outdoor adventure is in store for you at Robbins Butte Wildlife Area on the junction of Highway 85.
The 1,681 acres wildlife preserve houses many species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish, as well as plants and other vegetation, including mesquites and cottonwoods.
You can also go fishing at the Gila River or secure a permit for hunting game species such as javelina, mule deer, quail, dove, and rabbit.
It also features 25-mile well-kept trails that are great for all levels.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department maintain the Robbins Butte Wildlife Area.
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It’s always nice to learn about a place’s rich history and enjoy the fascinating stories from the past.
The Buckeye Valley Museum showcases local artifacts, photographs, a 1926 tractor, pottery, and many more.
Some artifacts on display include a saddle that Maricopa County’s first Sheriff owned.
You can also find a photo of a bank, which Mexican revolutionary general Pancho Villa robbed twice.
These and other significant stuff that describes Buckeye’s past are showcased at the museum.
The Buckeye Valley Historical and Archeological Society maintains and manages the Buckeye Valley Museum.
I.H. Parkman founded it in 1954 on East MC 85.
Are you feeling bored?
A dose of adrenaline can fix that through an extreme adventure at Skydive Buckeye.
The center offers training, tandem skydiving, and solo flight for licensed skydivers as long as they follow several rules and policies for safety.
Established by Shane Seydel in 2017, the skydiving center features brand-new equipment regularly checked by the Federal Aviation Administration.
It’s also a Group Member of the United States Parachute Association with highly experienced tandem instructors who underwent extensive training.
With tandem skydiving, you’ll get strapped into a parachute harness with an instructor who will jump off with you from an aircraft after 15-20 minutes of the plane ride.
You’ll experience the most exciting time of your life within the first 40 seconds of free fall at a speed of 120 mph.
Your instructor will then deploy the parachute at 5,000 feet, allowing you to enjoy the gorgeous views of the White Tank Mountains, Lake Pleasant, and more.
Visit Skydive Buckeye at South Palo Verde Road to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure in the city!
On a sunny day, you can take a dip at the Buckeye Aquatics Center, where you can have fun with a drink.
The center is in Buckeye Town Park, featuring various amenities for the kids to play in the water.
You can bring your food and drinks or buy them from the center for a reasonable price.
They also offer swimming lessons, and lifeguards are on site for safety.
The Buckeye Aquatics Center is a family-friendly attraction, so if you’re bringing your loved ones along, this is one of the best places to visit in Buckeye.
You can find it on North 9th Street.
Start your day with a delicious cup of coffee at Dutch Bros Coffee, where you’ll receive warm smiles and enjoy a friendly atmosphere.
The coffee shop offers hot and cold specialty coffee drinks, sodas, teas, frozen drinks, and baked goodies.
Their chocolate chip cookie and peach smoothie are also a must-try!
Founded by Dane and Travis Boersma in 1992, the coffee shop has expanded to more than ten states and emphasizes sustainability and reduced environmental impact.
Dutch Bros Coffee is on South Watson Road in Buckeye.
If you’re visiting Buckeye with your family, Sundance Park is one of the best attractions where you can have a picnic.
It’s an excellent spot for families with small children, especially since there’s a shaded play area, baseball and football fields, and picnic shelters.
You can have a BBQ cookout at the picnic shelter to spend a fine day sightseeing.
You can also take your dog with you, as the park has a dedicated area for pet dogs.
Sundance Park is on West Lower Buckeye Road.
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When in Buckeye, there’s a good chance that you will see some of the legendary vintage planes and aircraft at Lauridsen Aviation Museum.
Some of its planes include the C-119G aircraft, used in the 2004 movie “Flight of the Phoenix,” a remake of the original 1965 movie.
It also features the Grumman TBM-3 piloted by former U.S. President George Bush Sr., shot down in World War II.
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Several other aircraft are on display at the museum, located at the Buckeye Airport.
Hans Lauridsen and a few volunteers established the Lauridsen Aviation Museum in 2006.
Alan Wilson , CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you leave the Buckeye borders, you’ll also find unique hidden gems only a few minutes from the city limits.
Many historic and gorgeous tourist attractions await you in these neighboring towns and cities!
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You can ride through the historic Gillespie Dam Bridge, which locals and tourists still use, located at Arlington, Arizona, 27 minutes from Buckeye.
It was constructed in 1925 over the Gila River to bypass a section of the dam that was often flooded.
The through truss bridge was part of the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, also known as the Old U.S. 80 Highway.
The Gillespie Bridge officially opened in 1927.
In 2018, the Arizona Department of Transportation designated the bridge as part of the Historic U.S. Route 80.
Likewise, the historic bridge was the longest steel bridge and one of Arizona’s most extended highway structures.
You can explore the side of the bridge and near the Gillespie Dam to see some exciting stuff related to the bridge’s history.
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Baseball fans can also watch their favorite players at Goodyear Ballpark, the spring training home of the Cleveland Guardians and the Cincinnati Reds.
Many locals and tourists flock to the area to watch the players.
During the baseball off-season, the stadium also holds huge events and parties like graduation ceremonies, weddings, car shows, movie nights, and more.
It features the Terrace Patio, rented for private events, and a child play area with a Wiffle Ball field.
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There are also concession stands and a team shop right at the entrance.
The stadium officially opened on February 21, 2009, and had its first-ever Cactus League spring training baseball game a few days later.
Goodyear Ballpark sits on South Ballpark Way in Goodyear, Arizona, a 21-minute drive from Buckeye.
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A massive collection of African and South American animals and other exotic and endangered animals await guests at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park.
Cheetahs, mountain lions, tapirs, red foxes, giant ectotherms, aquatic animals, and hundreds of different species are all exhibited at the park.
To enjoy the Safari Park, you can take a train ride to see the exotic animals up close, such as hippos, cheetahs, rhinoceros, leopards, and more.
It also features a petting zoo where you can be closer to and feed animals.
The park also hosts daily shows and special annual events for everyone to join.
The Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park also houses food vendors, so you never have to go hungry after a wildlife adventure at the park!
Established in 1973, the park is on West Northern Avenue in Litchfield Park, Arizona, 28 minutes away from Buckeye.
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The Sonoran Desert National Monument is in Maricopa, Arizona, 21 minutes from Buckeye.
You can find numerous saguaro cacti in the area, which is also the monument’s iconic symbol.
Likewise, you can find them at the Maricopa, Sand Tank, and Table Top mountain ranges.
These wilderness areas are great places to explore and discover the Sonoran Desert’s hidden gems.
Activities like backpacking, hiking, stargazing, camping, motor touring, hunting, sightseeing, horseback riding, and photography are allowed at the monument.
Established in 2001, the Sonoran Desert National Monument is part of the National Landscape Conservation System and is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Buckeye offers endless possibilities, from outdoor excursions to dining in and sipping a delicious cup of coffee downtown.
All these fun activities bring unparalleled memories to take with you back home.
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