THINGS TO DO

Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

Crossing two hectares south of Guadalupe Drive in Gilbert, the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch is a beautiful lake created by the Town of Gilbert in 1999. The lake is well-maintained and its purpose is to preserve and protect water sources and wildlife habitats that are of most value.

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch has almost 300 species of animals, birds, and insects. It features over 4.5 miles of hiking trails, various vegetative zones, a paleontology dig site, and an observatory. The Preserve also offers a variety of educational programs and recreational opportunities for all ages.

Gilbert Farmers Market

Gilbert Farmers Market is located in Downtown Gilbert just west of the iconic Water Tower.  The market is held on Saturdays outdoors and features local, organic produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, and artisanal food products. No matter what time of year it is, the market is open. You will find 60 vendors during the summer season and close to 100 vendors in the fall and spring.  All vendors offer an extensive variety of locally grown produce from farms nearby, and also many local food producers from the Arizona area. The market’s mission is to promote local sustainability, educating the public about the benefits of eating local food, and healthy eating & a green living lifestyle among the community.

Gilbert Historical Museum

The Gilbert Historical Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history of the town of Gilbert. Located in a landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is based in the original Gilbert Elementary School which was built in 1913 and houses photographs and documents, a repository of artifacts and items, and a gift shop. Observe an array of outstanding exhibits, presentations, and displays that chronicle the town’s rich history, as well as a courtyard, packed with authentic farm equipment, some of which date back to Gilbert’s earliest days.

Freestone District Park

Freestone District Park, set on 88 acres of well-maintained landscapes, is a spacious family-friendly community park featuring various outdoor recreational activities and sports. The park is home to athletic fields, a playground for children, a recreational center, a skate park, a small amusement park with trains and carnival rides, and amphitheater, and several picnic areas. Freestone District Park also offers fishing and is open year-round, weather permitting.

Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory

The Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory (GRCO) is a community observatory that is owned by the Town of Gilbert and operated by the Riparian Institute. It is located east of the Southeast Regional Library at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch. The GRCO is open every Friday and Saturday evening at nightfall, weather permitting and year-round; The Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory hosts a Public Star Party every second Friday of each month which includes an astronomy-related talk and viewing of the stars.

XII West Brewing Company

Housed in a flea market-style communal space and located in the Barnone building in Agritopia and, the XII West Brewing of Gilbert is a new brewery that offers mouthwatering craft brews and drafts. Founded by Brian McCormick and brew master Noel Garcia, the space has zero brewing tanks as the owners brew their beer offsite in Garcia’s large garage. The walls of the brewery are decorated with beer-related posters and long communal block tables encourage interaction are used for beer tasting. There are several beers to choose from, ranging from Nelly Fonzarelly Pale Ale and Midnight Run Coffee Stout to It’s Okay Berliner Weiss and Sunday Morning Saison. XII West is open all week – seven days a week.

Hale Centre Theatre

The Hale Center Theater presents a host of performances and shows from both Broadway and Off-Broadway, along with other favorites and interactive theater-based educational programs for families and people of all ages.

Students and lovers of drama can learn more with a variety of classes, day camps, and workshops, or join a Student Matinee Program and take part in live theater tours. The Hale Center Theater is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 09:00 pm and hosts an array of different performances each week

Gilbert Temple, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints

Measuring 85,000 square feet, the Gilbert Temple is the largest temple the Church has constructed in 17 years and features five levels.  With a height of 82.5 feet tall and a 195-foot spire, this makes it the tallest building in Gilbert and one of the tallest in the entire Phoenix East Valley. The temple sits on a 15-acre location and is one of three in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Located close to the intersection of Pecos and Greenfield roads, the temple was built due to increasing demand of the high concentration of church members in the area. The Gilbert Arizona Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the 142nd temple of the denomination. The Gilbert Arizona Temple was built and dedicated as a “refuge from the storms of life and the noise of the world” for church members, with a parallel vision to all the other LDS Churches.

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