Along the western side of Arizona is Lake Havasu City, the largest in Mohave County, with over 57,000 residents as of the 2020 census.
The city had a humble beginning as an army rest camp during World War 2, but that changed in 1958 when a businessman purchased parts of the land and made plans to develop the area.
The city is located along the Colorado River, east of Lake Havasu.
It is a great place to visit year-round.
The pristine Lake Havasu attracts visitors from all over the world through various recreational activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and water skiing.
Here are the 20 best things to do in Lake Havasu City, Arizona:
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The London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, AZ, is exceptional because it is one of the most well-known bridges in the world.
It was initially built in London in 1831, then transported to Lake Havasu City in 1971.
The bridge has appeared in movies and television shows and is a popular tourist destination.
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The bridge spans the width of the Colorado River.
Robert P. McCulloch, the founder of Lake Havasu City, bought the bridge for $2.5 million.
More than 1.3 million people visit the bridge each year.
There are also several famous restaurants and hotels near the bridge.
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Lake Havasu got its name from the Mojave people, who were initial settlers of the area prior to the dam construction in 1934, which led to the formation of this lake.
“Havasu” is the Mojave word for blue, which is the clear color of the vast lake.
Currently, Lake Havasu is a popular destination for leisure water creation such as boating and fishing.
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It’s been reported that the lake brings in as many as 750,000 people each year.
There are fishing tournaments where you compete with friendly locals and visitors for the largest catch or the most caught fish.
To those interested, Lake Havasu is situated between the border of San Bernardino and Mohave County, Arizona.
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London Bridge Beach is a world-famous spot in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
It’s one of the most popular places to visit in the area and for a good reason—it offers some of the best views and experiences in the city.
Located right next to London Bridge, this beach gets a constant, beautiful backdrop of stylish architecture.
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It’s a great place to swim, sunbathe, and relax as you lounge on tropical beach umbrellas and chaise lounges.
Besides the beach, there are several restaurants and bars nearby.
Whether you visit during the day or at night, the London Bridge Beach is perfect for relaxation.
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Dorian Wallender from Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Situated along the Colorado River, Windsor Beach is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
It features a surreal, beautiful scenery of nature, with mountains and rivers always in the background.
The beach itself has a wide variety of activities to keep everyone busy, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, hiking, and kayaking.
There are also several restaurants and bars nearby if you get hungry or thirsty.
And if you need to buy something, there are several stores within walking distance.
Windsor Beach is a great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Lake Havasu Golf Club is a championship golf course designed by the world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.
It is one of the most popular courses in the area and has been featured in Golf Digest, Golf Week, and other major publications.
Lake Havasu Golf Club is a 27-hole course that offers a unique and challenging experience for golfers of all abilities.
The course winds through the stunning desert landscape and provides beautiful views of Lake Havasu.
The club also offers a pro shop, restaurant and bar, and practice facilities.
Head to Clubhouse Drive and play a round of golf in this premium, one-of-a-kind course.
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Rotary Park is a must-visit destination in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
This stunning park offers something for everyone with diverse activities to keep visitors busy and entertained.
From the playground and splash pad for kids to the basketball courts and pavilions for adults, Rotary Park houses several facilities and amenities.
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The best part of Rotary Park is undoubtedly its location on the shores of Lake Havasu.
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing day by the water or participate in some of the many water sports and activities on the lake.
Whether you’re looking for a place to spend a relaxing day or a place to keep the whole family busy, Rotary Park is worth a visit.
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The Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is a federally protected area managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
The city created the refuge in 1938 to protect the bald eagle, which was threatened by extinction at the time.
Impressively, the refuge is now home to more than 250 birds and over 60 species of mammals.
It offers visitors a chance to see and photograph various birds and other wildlife, so don’t miss out on the chance to take pictures of their adorable creatures.
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This refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day, with the added benefit of admission being free.
There are several hiking trails in the refuge, and visitors can also enjoy fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on the lake.
The refuge is a great place to see bald eagles, hawks, owls, and other birds of prey.
There are also plenty of deer, jackrabbits, and other wildlife.
If you’re interested, drive along Mesquita Avenue to find this refuge.
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Located along Dub Campbell Parkway, SARA Park sits as one of the largest parks in the city, boasting 1100 acres of land with gorgeous mountain views.
SARA stands for Special Activities Recreation Area.
People visit the park for its slew of activities, including fishing, swimming, and boating.
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But aside from that, there are special activities like fireworks displays, obstacle races, concerts, shooting, archery, etc.
You could spend the whole day in SARA Park and not run out of things to do, because they offer many facilities and activities to try and explore.
Add this to your list of places to visit when you’re in Lake Havasu City!
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Nestled along Park Avenue, this aquatic center offers fun and exciting public swimming facilities to travelers in the city.
Level up your water recreation with Lake Havasu Aquatic Center as you swim and play around with the sea animal sculptures and tropical oasis decor.
They have diverse waterscape amenities, each with different characteristics like their heated main pool, hot tub, kid lagoon, water slide, and splash pads.
Their main pool can also transform into a fun, refreshing wave pool on designated time stamps.
There are vending machines inside the area, but guests are free to bring their own food and drinks should they wish to do so.
Visit Lake Havasu Aquatic Center and splash around all day with family and friends.
A visit to the Lake Havasu Museum of History can bring you plenty of local knowledge about the beautiful lakeshore city you’re traveling in.
Discover the history of Lake Havasu through their small but carefully curated collection of relevant documents, photographs, and artifacts.
If you’re interested in animal wildlife, this museum also has something for you—their live reptile and tarantula exhibit is another unique collection to look at.
There’s no entrance fee, so you shouldn’t miss out on this learning experience.
Drop by London Bridge Road to find the Lake Havasu Museum of History.
Watch a real-life version of “Fast and the Furious” take place in Havasu 96 Speedway, a competitive car racing track in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Opened in 1989, this family-owned track took almost seven years of hard work and dedication to become a reality.
As of 2021, Havasu 95 Speedway celebrated its 16th consecutive season of opening, despite its initial early closure in 2000.
This racetrack has all the components that you see in movies, including tech sheds, pit gates, grandstands, and a smooth, oval car track to race in.
You’ll see diverse cars with different specs and colorful decor speeding through the tracks to be the top seed.
There are also special automobiles—outlaw karts—for children’s racing and enjoyment.
Visit Sara Parkway to find this track and watch an exciting match unfold right in front of your eyes.
Lake Havasu Visitor Center is a cozy place to stop by before you explore and see the sights of the city.
It’s located in English Village and is open free of charge to everyone.
The outside features a classic brick building with lion sculptures sitting around a cool water fountain.
Inside, they have colorful walls, nature backgrounds, and decor that gives you a sneak peek of your future adventures in Lake Havasu.
There are also informative exhibits and a complimentary brochure in the center, so you can have a self-guided tour around the London Bridge.
But if you’d like a tour guided by knowledgeable locals, this visitor center also offers historical tours around the London Bridge in certain seasons.
There are also exclusive Lake Havasu-themed souvenirs to purchase as memorabilia of your trip!
Site Six is a quiet fishing pier though it has a small history related to the military.
Back in 1942, this venue was one of the rest locations for Air Force personnel who wanted a short break from the military.
It was the sixth location for an emergency landing in case things went south with the war; hence, the name Site Six.
Now, it’s been open to the public and includes courtesy docks, restrooms, and a well-known fishing pier.
Even better, they added a type of structure under the water, which serves to attract more fish into the fishing area.
Relax like an Air Force personnel with Site Six Fishing Pier, located along Beachcomber Boulevard.
Within London Bridge Resort, you’ll find Martini Bay!
Experience fine dining and cocktails in an open-air patio with breathtaking views of the London Bridge and the Channel.
Witness the gorgeous sunset and enjoy the live music and entertainment that comes after in the evening while sipping some refreshing cocktails.
The chefs use only the freshest ingredients, most of which are locally sourced, to bring out the best local cuisine.
Day or night, this place is a great location to dine and unwind while feasting on delicious food and beautiful views.
Situated within the English Village, this boat agency takes you on tours of lakes and rivers.
It aims to showcase the natural beauty of Arizona, from Lake Havasu City to the impressive London Bridge.
They offer many packages of different locations in Lake Havasu, including Copper Canyon and the many lighthouses scattered around the city.
But their most popular option is the sunset tour package, which takes you around the wonders of Lake Havasu.
At some point in this tour, you’ll get a clear, stunning view of the sunset, which you can only see from aboard a boat.
Visit Sunset Charter & Tour Co. and book a ticket!
If you plan on extending your trip to the city with camping in mind, the best spot to do this is at Lake Havasu State Park.
The park encompasses 928 acres of nature trails and gorgeous beaches with campsites, boat ramps, cabins, a picnic area, and special events space.
You can choose from 51 campsites with water and electricity in both standard and beachfront camping.
Each camp also has a picnic table and fire ring, and most of them also have shade ramadas.
Established in 1965, Lake Havasu State Park also offers boating and fishing.
It’s located off London Bridge Road.
Take your adventures to a whole new level by maneuvering your own boat at Rubba Duck Safari.
Led by a local guide, you’ll get to pilot the boat to explore the gorgeous lake, where you can see London Bridge, the Lighthouses, Balancing Rock, Copper Canyon, and more.
Listen to the guide’s story about the city’s local history, the lake, and its many interesting facts.
Apart from the beautiful lake, the guided tour’s main attraction is the Topock Gorge, which is filled with wildlife and colorful rocky walls.
All these you can do while you’re piloting your own boat at Rubba Duck Safari!
You can find it on London Bridge Road, adjacent to the Chair Restaurant.
The Lake Havasu Astronomy Club (LHAC) regularly holds stargazing parties in the city, which are attended by many locals and tourists.
Lake Havasu City founder Robert P. McCulloch purposely designed the residential areas in the city with no streetlights for stargazing.
If the LHAC has no star parties, there are spots in the city, where you can spend some hours enjoying the skies.
You can go to the end of Bison Drive, SARA Park Trailhead, Yonder Park, or to Site Six Overflow Parking Lot.
The Lake Havasu Astronomy Club is located in Havasu Mart on McCulloch Boulevard North.
Feel your adrenaline rushing by flying over the lake through the adventure pros at Hangin’ Over Havasu.
Yes, you’ll be flying between 40 and 85 mph, depending on your flying trike—small or large; up to 2,000 feet from the ground.
An instructor will fly with you, and you can enjoy the aerial views of the lake and the mountain landscapes.
Hangin’ Over Havasu flies from September to June each year.
It’s located on Highway 95 at Lake Havasu City Airport.
A premiere shopping mall in the city, The Shops at Lake Havasu is a change of pace if you want to get out of the water and the heat of the sun.
Opened in 2008, the mall features many quaint and eclectic boutiques, restaurants, a cinema, and many special events.
You can browse through these shops and buy whatever you need for your trip, dine at restaurants, or drink your favorite cup of coffee.
If you’d like to watch a movie, Star Cinemas features fresh movies, concessions, and a comfortable stadium and VIP seating.
The Shops at Lake Havasu was opened in 2008 on the shores of the lake on Highway 95.
With its proximity to Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City is a powerhouse for water recreation activities like fishing and boating.
Even so, you can’t discount that the city has more than just water attractions.
The city is home to natural landscapes, excellent architectural structures, museums, racetracks, bars, and other exciting attractions that don’t require water.
Overall, Lake Havasu City is a great place to visit for a relaxing and fun-filled vacation in the state of Arizona.
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