You just received a very excited text from your in-laws that they are coming to visit you next month! Of course, you are excited about a visit from family, but you are also at a loss as to how to entertain them for their stay.
Cleaning the house, planning meals, and changing your routine can be stressful enough…I’m here to help take something off your plate. Here’s a list of the best things to do with visitors in Gilbert, AZ. Let's show them our amazing town!
Things to do outside with visitors in Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert is full of fun things to do outside! From miles and miles of bike trails to great nature parks, you and your visitors will love the outdoor scene in Gilbert!
Riparian Ranch
The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a great place for you and your guests to spend some time outdoors! Here, you and your visitors can stroll along the 4.5 miles of trails while keeping your eye out for birds, fish, and other wildlife.
You can fish (catch and release) at Water Ranch Lake, and there are even campsites available if looking to spend more time enjoying nature! The preserve is even dog-friendly so if your guests are traveling with Fido, they won’t have to leave him behind!
Gilbert’s Farmers Market
If your guests are visiting on a Saturday, take them to the Gilbert Farmers Market to support local small businesses and indulge in some tasty fresh food. It's open every Saturday between the hours of 7 am and 12 pm (hours vary slightly by season).
Golfing
Gilbert is home to 4 public and beautiful golf courses to choose from. Western Skies Golf Club is a good one to start with as they have some of the most affordable tee time pricing in the area and great views of the Superstition Mountains.
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
I can’t think of a better way to show your visitors all the best spots in town than with a slightly competitive scavenger hunt! There are several different self-guided scavengers to choose from depending on your interests.
Operation City Quest offers a 2-mile hunt where you compete to gain as many points as you can while you search for landmarks and other points of interest throughout the city!
Rent an Electric Bike
Gilbert is a very bike-friendly city with several great paved trails. If you do not have your own bike, you can rent a fun electric bike from Pedego Gilbert.
After learning the ropes, you’ll be ready to hit the trails. There are four main trails (Heritage Trail, Santan Vista Trail, Marathon Trai, and the Western Powerline Trail) that run through the city and connect to many of the city parks. Here's a bike map so you can determine the best spot to hop on the trails!
Things to do with kids with visitors in Gilbert, AZ
Are you visitors traveling with kids? Here's a list of things to do with the kiddos in Gilbert!
Gilbert Regional Park
Gilbert Regional Park is fun for the WHOLE family and a great place to bring visitors. At the center of this park, you’ll find an epic playground complete with a massive slide, swings, obstacles, and even a zipline.
If you can pull the kids away from the zipline, you and your visitors can take a stroll around the lake, have a picnic, fish, or play a game of tennis or pickleball.
Splash Pads
Gilbert has some pretty hot temperatures year-round that your guests may not be completely used to. A great way to cool down (for the adults and kids) is by visiting the local splash pads. Gilbert has two of its own, but there are several others that are very close by.
My personal favorite is the splash pad at the water tower due to its proximity to downtown. You can play around for an hour or two and then go explore the cute boutiques and restaurants downtown!
Bowlero
Bowlero makes this extra fun with its fun environment. In addition to bowling, you can check out the arcade, compete in a family-friendly game of laser tag, and order some wings and a drink. It's a great place to spend an evening with visitors in Gilbert!
Things to do inside with visitors in Gilbert, AZ
Although Gilbert gets much less precipitation than the rest of the United States (typically just 33 days a year), there are many (many) days that are simply too hot to be outside. Here’s a list of indoor activities to do with your guests in Gilbert!
Top Golf
If it's too hot to play a normal round of golf, Top Golf is a great alternative! It's technically half-way outside (it's open-air), but there are large cooling fans overhead and you do not have to walk from hole to hole. There are different virtual courses and games you and your guests can play!
3D Mini Golf
Imagine 3D Mini Golf is a fun underwater-themed indoor golf course for the whole family! This glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course features 18 fun and unique holes. There’s even pizza and sodas onsite to munch on after you and your visitors finish your round!
Gilbert Historical Museum
The Gilbert Historical Museum is actually the only museum in the city and a great place to take any history or art lovers. Its open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and has a large collection of artifacts detailing the history of Gilbert. There are occasional special events here as well such as yoga, art workshops, and live music.
San Tan Village
The San Tan Village is a large open-air shopping mall with over 50 different stores and a plethora of restaurants. Spend your day strolling through the various shops or checking out a happy hour deal at one of the on-site restaurants.
El Bella Day Spa
Your visitors will likely not argue against a relaxing day at the spa! It's a great way to end a vacation! The El Bella Day Spa offers a variety of massages, facials, and beauty services for all interests!
Best restaurants to try with visitors in Gilbert, AZ
- Isabel Amor: A Mexican cafe and tequila bar serving authentic dishes. There's even live music every Wednesday!
- Spinatos Gilbert: Pizza lovers will quickly become obsessed with Spinatos freshly made pizzas! This family kitchen is a great place to take guests!
- Sushi Neko: Who doesn't love a good sushi night? Sushi Neko also has some of the best Happy Hour deals in all of Gilbert!
After a delicious dinner, be sure to check out the local ice cream shops! Peterson’s is my favorite!
Nightlife in Gilbert, AZ
It's clear that Gilbert is not the most lively nighttime city in the world, but if your guests are party animals, you do have a couple of fun options!
- Hale Centre Theatre: The Hale Centre Theatre is a beautiful performing arts theater with a rotating schedule of live shows. Depending on the show and date chosen, adult tickets typically fall around $45.
- JP’s Comedy Club: Bring your visitors out on the town for a night full of laughter and happy tears. There’s a rotating calendar of shows and open-mic nights to attend at JP’s Comedy Club so be sure to check the website for an updated calendar!
Sample One Weekend in Gilbert Itinerary with Visitors
To make your life even easier, I have put together the ultimate one-weekend in Gilbert Itinerary for you to use while you have visitors!
- Friday: Yay! Your guests have arrived. Celebrate by going out for a delicious dinner at Isabel Amor. After dinner head to JP Comedy Club for a drink and a few laughs.
- Saturday: Allow everyone to sleep in a bit after a day of travel and then head to Gilbert Regional Park for a morning outside. If your guests are traveling with kids they will love the playground, if not spend some time walking around the lake or competing in a tennis match. You could pack a picnic lunch to eat before leaving as well! In the afternoon, head to the San Tan Village for a bit of shopping. After you are all shopped out, head back downtown for a self-guided scavenger hunt of the city. You’ve surely worked up an appetite by now. Grab a delicious dinner at Sushi Neko.
- Sunday: Spend your last morning relaxing at El Bella Spa. If you have additional time, you can head to the Splash Pad at the Water Tower followed by an afternoon of shopping or a stop at the Gilbert History Museum.
