Peoria has a rich agricultural history that it has balanced with being one of the fastest growing cities in the state.
City leaders have been attracting the tech industry to the area, with plans to be at the center of the booming microchip supply chain thanks to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company location rising up in nearby north Phoenix.
The city swath is impressive, spanning from south of Grand Avenue to the far north encompassing much of Lake Pleasant Regional Park and the northern most reaches of Maricopa County, offering much to do in this expanding Valley of the Sun suburb.
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Peoria has a rich agricultural history that it has balanced with being one of the fastest growing cities in the state.
City leaders have been attracting the tech industry to the area, with plans to be at the center of the booming microchip supply chain thanks to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company location rising up in nearby north Phoenix.
The city swath is impressive, spanning from south of Grand Avenue to the far north encompassing much of Lake Pleasant Regional Park and the northern most reaches of Maricopa County, offering much to do in this expanding Valley of the Sun suburb.
Here are 10 places to visit in Peoria.
P83 Entertainment District and Peoria Sports Complex
Location: 83rd Avenue south of Bell Road
Hours of operation: Varies
Cost: Varies
It’s time for spring training and a meal. P83 Entertainment District has long provided a variety of restaurants for spring training revelers to enjoy after a game. But the total game-day experience has gone to the next level since the $20 million Park at P83 opened directly under the shadow of the Peoria Sports Complex. But don’t worry if baseball isn’t your cup of tea, the Park at P83 and the rest of the entertainment district is open all year round for your dining pleasure.
Downtown Peoria
Location: Grand and Peoria avenues
Hours of operation: Varies
Cost: Varies
Downtown Peoria is where old time heritage and new experiences converge. The city’s new digital water tower landmark welcomes visitors as they enter the area, where they are greeted by some of the city’s oldest buildings, including a soon to be revamped historic schoolhouse at 83rd Avenue and Madison Street that Peoria officials see as a future cultural hub for the city. The area is home to the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, offering live entertainment year round. The area also has a small but growing dining community.
Ben Christensen
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Location: 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road.
Hours of operation: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily May 1 to Oct. 31; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily Nov. 1 to April 30
Cost: $10 vehicle entry fee
One thing that sets Peoria apart from other Arizona cities is that residents can say they have a lake in their backyard. The regional park has become more than a lake with all kinds of things to do ranging from water slides to their newest attraction, a floating pickleball court. There’s plenty to eat at the water-side restaurants, as well as the opportunity to work it all off on the surrounding trails.
Park West
Location: 9744 W. Northern Ave
Hours of operation: Varies
Cost: Varies
A central gathering place for the denizens of the West Valley and a community hub for south Peoria residents, the 254,000-square-foot Park West has something for everybody, with a 14‑screen Harkins Theater and more than 40 restaurants, cafés, boutiques, fitness studios, and beauty services. Park West is a place residents come to slow down and let the kids play at the splash pad, or bring a dog for a retail walk.
Trails
Locations: Various
Hours of operation: Sun up to sun down
Cost: Free
Take in some of the West Valley’s most scenic views on one of Peoria’s many public trails. Peoria is home to more than 18 miles of multiuse trails for walking, jogging, hiking, cycling and horseback riding. Take a stroll along New River from Northern Avenue to Happy Valley Road, or hit six miles along Skunk Creek between 83rd and 51st avenues. There are more than 30 miles of mountain hiking trails within the city’s boundaries. Always remember to bring plenty of water, and protect yourself with a hat and sunscreen. And don’t forget to check the weather and wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
Rio Vista Community Park
Location: 8866 W. Thunderbird Road. Park entrance is about a third of a mile west of the Loop 101 on Thunderbird Road.
Hours of operation: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m., daily
Cost: Free
The 52-acre Rio Vista Community Park offers a variety of amenities to the public ranging from lighted sand volleyball courts and softball fields to a skate park, as well as playground and tot lot for the kids. There are also splash pads from April to October. The 2.5-acre urban lake offers fishing for those with a license, and the park is home to Peoria’s Veterans Memorial Wall, which recognizes those who have served and are serving. Finally, the 52,000 square-foot Rio Vista Recreation Center is home to a public gymnasium, indoor racquetball courts, a climbing wall and more.
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Pioneer Community Park
Location: 8755 N. 83rd Ave.
Hours of operation: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m., daily
Cost: Free
As Peoria’s longest running community park, the 83-acre Pioneer Park has much to offer. The park highlights public art with the installation, “Forge” by Thomas Sayre, a landmark visible from 83rd Avenue. Amenities include baseball fields and multipurpose fields, a dog park, and a 5-acre urban lake stocked with fish. It is often a central gathering space for families and parties with picnic ramadas and barbecue grills, as well as a heritage court for small events.
Paloma Community Park
Location: 29799 N. Lake Pleasant Parkway
Hours of operation: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m., daily
Cost: Free
The 85-acre Paloma Park is the city’s newest large-scale park with all the modern amenities, including lighted multipurpose fields and pickleball courts. The park is home to lighted ball fields, an inclusive-designed playground, a lighted dog park, two concessions buildings and an overlook plaza, with yet more planned for build out. And the Spring Serenade concert series is a great reason to bring the family and folding chairs to the park in March and April.
Theater Works
Address: 10580 N. 83rd Drive
Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Box office also opens one hour prior to all scheduled performances.
Cost: Varies
Theater Works has been a staple in Peoria, delivering top-notch community theater for decades. It just recently completed its 50th anniversary season, closing with the family-favorite “Wizard of Oz.” The troupe has had residence downtown at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts for 20 years, where the singing and dancing will continue for future seasons. This year’s main stage season kicks off its seven-production lineup with “Annie” and then closes in May with “Shrek the Musical.”
Arizona Broadway Theatre
Address: 7701 W. Paradise Lane
Hours of operation: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Box office open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Varies
Arizona Broadway Theatre is the Valley’s premier professional dinner theater, located in the heart of the Arrowhead Towne Center area. The company combines Broadway-caliber, full-scale musical productions with multi-course dining. All Broadway shows are produced in Peoria, pulling talent from the surrounding Valley and the big dogs in New York City. The company also hosts special events and a concert series that is likely to pay tribute to your favorite artist.
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
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