Want desert scenery with small-town charm and big-city access? Head to Maricopa, Arizona! Just south of Phoenix, Maricopa offers sunny skies, Native American culture, outdoor adventures, and relaxation at nearby resorts and casinos. It’s a peaceful base for exploring Central Arizona.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Maricopa is from late fall through early spring (November–April). Enjoy warm, dry weather perfect for hiking, golfing, and exploring the Sonoran Desert. Summers can be extremely hot, but indoor attractions and poolside lounging are always options.
How to Get There
- By Car: Maricopa is about 35–45 minutes south of Phoenix via AZ-347 and I-10.
- By Plane: Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), then rent a car or take a shuttle south to Maricopa.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle lines stop at Maricopa Station several times a week.
Where to Stay
- Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort – Full-service resort with a casino, spa, pool, and on-site dining, operated by the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Maricopa – Copper Sky – Modern, pet-friendly hotel close to Copper Sky Recreation Complex.
- Nearby Vacation Rentals – A variety of short-term rental homes offer a cozy alternative for families or longer stays.
Top Attractions
⮕ Marvel at Miniature Muscle Cars at the Dwarf Car Museum
© Dwarf Car Museum
Dwarf Car Museum is owned and managed by Ernie Adams, who built his first Dwarf Car in 1965. Visitors will see it displayed at the museum as ‘Grandpa Dwarf.’ It’s still operable today. In the ‘80s, Adams turned his attention to Dwarf Race Cars. The first Dwarf Car race was at the Prescott Yavapai County Fair in 1983. Eventually he turned his skills to Dwarf Car Cruisers, which are wildly popular head-turners. Visitors to the Dwarf Car Museum will be able to see every car in Adams’s collection from Grandpa Dwarf to the latest cruiser.
52954 West Halfmoon Road, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 520-42-41-58
⮕ Catch the Latest Flicks in Style at Ultrastar AK-Chin Cinemas
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Ultrastar AK-Chin Cinemas is the place to be in Maricopa, Arizona, for film, food, fun, and parties. Families can choose from 12 giant screens with stadium-style seating to catch their latest favorite movie. Better yet, guests can reserve a private, soundproof VIP theater suite that accommodates six to 20 people with dining and bar service. There are three dining options from the casual elegant 347 Grille to an ice cream shop. Guests will find a bowling alley, arcade, laser tag arena, and gamer cave. The Multi-tainment Center has party space for every age and can host any event from children’s birthday parties to quinceañeras to conventions.
16000 North Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 520-568-3456
⮕ Tee Off at the Championship-Level Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
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Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club spans 320 acres on Ak-Chin Indian Reservation, which is located in Santa Cruz Valley about an hour southeast of Maricopa. It’s a tranquil oasis of green with 360-degree views of the surrounding desert. This Troon managed golf course has a junior golf program that allows kids 15 and younger to play free with a paying adult, get complimentary golf club rentals, and take free golf lessons also with a paying adult. Other amenities include play and stay packages at Harrah’s Ak-Chin, physical and online golf store, and Arroyo Grille – their upscale, onsite restaurant.
48456 West Highway 238, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 480-367-8949
⮕ Try Your Luck and Lounge at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino
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Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is situated inside Harrah’s Ak-Chin Resort & Casino hotel on the same property as Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. The casino offers play on 1,100 video and reel slots, and guests can choose from among several denominations of play. It also features a variety of gaming tables including Pai Gow Poker, blackjack, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Guests will also find a Poker Room, Keno Parlor, and Bingo Hall. Ak-Chin Casino hosts Throwback Thursdays where players get $10 free slot play each Thursday morning. Guests will also want to keep an eye out for frequent promotions and events like the Labor Day Corvette Sweepstakes.
15406 Maricopa Road, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 480-802-5000
⮕ Swim, Lift, and Play at Copper Sky Recreation Complex
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Copper Sky Recreation Complex combines the Copper Sky Regional Park with Copper Sky Multigenerational Center to bring guests the ultimate recreation experience. Visitors can schedule a tour of the Multigenerational Center by calling ahead. Those not needing a tour can drop in anytime. Guests should expect two full basketball courts, an indoor walking/running track, group fitness classes, pickleball courts, fitness center with weights and cardio machines, and outdoor Aquatics Center. The Aquatics Center has a 25-yard, eight-lane lap pool with diving boards, a leisure pool with waterslide, a lazy river feature, and a rock climbing wall. The 98-acre Regional Park has a stocked fishing lake, amphitheater, two playgrounds, and so much more.
4445 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 520-316-4600
⮕ Soar Like a Bird with Sonora Wings Hang Gliding
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Sonora Wings Hang Gliding provides visitors to Maricopa, Arizona, with premier tandem hang gliding experiences, or with unbeatable training. Tandem flights include the 2,000-foot flight, which is the most popular, the 3,000-foot flight where you have more learning time, or the Mile High Flight that lasts 40 minutes. Tandem flights provide a certified tandem instructor who guides you to the best experience once the glider is released from the tow rope. With such a magical experience, many guests will want to purchase the media package with their flight to capture the entire event on video and with over 100 still shots.
11934 North Russell Road, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 480-251-1515
⮕ Golf in Desert Beauty at The Duke at Rancho El Dorado
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The Duke at Rancho El Dorado is an 18-hole, championship golf course located outside Maricopa, Arizona. The new course was built in the Rancho El Dorado planned community and in 2003 was named ‘Best New Course’ by Travel Golf. Since then, it has continued to rack up accolades and awards by golf industry publications. This oasis of undulating green fairways has the magnificent Estrella Mountains as its backdrop. Silver Spur Grill is situated in The Duke clubhouse overlooking the gorgeous 18th hole. The restaurant is open from breakfast to dinner and features a beautiful outdoor patio with a stunning stone fireplace.
42660 West Rancho El Dorado, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 480-844-1100
Attractions for Couples
⮕ Ride the Thermals and See Arizona from Above with Arizona Soaring
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Arizona Soaring operates out of Estrella Sailport in Maricopa, Arizona. The sailport is the perfect place to do your own soaring, take a ride, or take lessons, because there is little air traffic. For those only interested in riding, Arizona Soaring offers tranquil experiences riding along the captivating Sierra Estrella Mountains, or wild aerobatic rides suitable for thrill-seekers. Guests can choose from four options, 20- or 40-minute scenic soaring experiences, or 15 minutes or more of aerobatic soaring. They also offer pilot training. Would-be pilots can complete training quickly with Arizona Soaring’s fast-track training program that gets grads up in the air in record time without cutting safety corners. Students learn from FAA certified, full-time glider instructors.
P.O. Box 858, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 520-568-2318
⮕ If You’re Ready for a Thrill, Then Dive into the Sky with Skydive Phoenix
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Travelers who dream of seeing the earth from miles above traveling at 120 miles per hour have found their Shangri la in Skydive Phoenix. This skydiving operation has a drop zone that affords skydivers views of the entire city Phoenix and the surrounding area from the plane, the free fall, and after the chute opens. Skydive Phoenix offers both tandem skydiving and skydiving instruction from their Maricopa facility. Non-skydivers can enjoy the thrill of watching the jumps as participants parachute to the ground a few feet away. Skydivers can preserve their memories by purchasing high definition videos of their jumps.
56580 West Dasher Drive, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 480-557-5867
⮕ Relax and Rejuvenate with a Touch of Luxury at Hands of Silk
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Hands of Silk
takes a holistic approach to mind, body, and spirit healing massage. They offer an array of therapeutic massage techniques designed to restore overused muscles, relax stressed minds, and heal from traumatic experiences. Guests looking for an elevated spiritual experience can indulge in services that focus on energetics, including the body’s electromagnetic grid, meridians, and chakras. Massage therapists teach guests to practice ‘focused attention’ to experience inner intelligence, fulfillment, and peace. Guests can experience one of seven types of massage – Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal, reflexology, hot stone, and infant/child massage. They also provide craniosacral therapy, sugar scrub, and body contouring services.
43576 West Caven Drive, Maricopa, AZ, Phone: 480-522-6505
Where to Eat
- The Range Steakhouse – Upscale dining with steaks, seafood, and fine wine at Harrah’s Ak-Chin.
- Oak & Fork – Wine bar and small plates spot perfect for date nights or group outings.
- Brooklyn Boys Pizzeria – Local favorite for New York–style pizza, pasta, and subs in a casual setting.
Local Events
- Maricopa Salsa Festival (March) – Taste local salsas, enjoy live music, and join the community for a spicy spring celebration.
- Pinal County Fair (March) – Family fun with carnival rides, exhibits, and entertainment at the fairgrounds.
- Holiday Homes on Parade (December) – Tour festively decorated homes and neighborhoods across Maricopa.
Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Maricopa, Arizona
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (30 min) – Explore the remains of an ancient Sonoran Desert civilization and learn about Hohokam history.
- Chandler (30 min) – Shop, dine, or relax at parks and spas in this growing Phoenix suburb.
- Phoenix (30–40 min) – Visit world-class museums, desert gardens, and historic districts in Arizona’s capital city.
- Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (25–30 min) – Watch drag races or drive fast cars at this high-speed attraction near Chandler.
- Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass (30 min) – Another nearby option for gaming, dining, and entertainment.
FAQ
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Q: How does Southern Arizona compare to Northern Arizona?
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A: While Northern Arizona is home to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, Southern Arizona has its own special allure.
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Q: Where is Maricopa located?
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A: Maricopa is situated in the Gila River Valley and is the southernmost city of the Phoenix metropolis.
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Q: What can visitors expect to find in Maricopa?
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A: Visitors will discover unique entertainment opportunities that are available daily.
At a Glance
Best Time to Visit |
Places to Stay |
Tips for Visiting |
Spring (March-May) – Warm, pleasant weather perfect for outdoor activities and golfing. |
Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino Resort – Resort-style accommodations with entertainment and amenities. |
Visit Copper Sky Recreation Complex – Enjoy sports fields, fishing, and walking trails. |
Summer (June-August) – Hot temperatures ideal for water activities and indoor entertainment. |
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Maricopa – Comfortable accommodations close to local attractions. |
Cool off at Ak-Chin Circle Entertainment Center – Enjoy bowling, dining, and indoor fun. |
Fall (September-November) – Cooler temperatures perfect for exploring the desert landscapes. |
GreenTree Inn & Suites Florence – Comfortable lodging just a short drive away. |
Explore Sonoran Desert National Monument – Enjoy hiking, wildlife, and stunning desert views. |
Winter (December-February) – Mild, sunny weather ideal for outdoor exploration. |
Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort – A relaxing stay with golfing and scenic views nearby. |
Golf at The Duke at Rancho El Dorado – Enjoy excellent courses and beautiful surroundings. |
Maricopa is a 40-minute day trip from Phoenix (35.7 miles via I-10 E and Maricopa Rd).
Plan Your Trip