12 Things to Do in Fountain Hills, AZ, in the Fall

When Arizona’s temps begin to cool in the fall, the opportunities for a wonderful day, evening, weekend, or extended visit in Fountain Hills, AZ, really heat up. So whether you’re looking for a little adventure, some quality time in the great outdoors, some tips on fun fall activities in AZ, an inspirational art experience, or things to do in AZ with kids, you’ve come to the right place.

Enjoy the Outdoors

It would be hard to start any list of fall things to do in Fountain Hills, Arizona, without mentioning all the ways you can enjoy the outdoors. Fountain Hills is nestled in a stunning natural landscape, and the views just keep inspiring.

1. Try a New Hiking or Biking Trail

Whether you want to go for an easy walk or really get your heart pumping, Fountain Hills offers trails for every age and activity level. You can take the 1.5-mile Lake Overlook Trail to get great views of the town and the mountains, enjoy the five miles of trails in the Fountain Hills Mountain Preserve, or stretch your legs a bit further by heading to McDowell Mountain Regional Park.

2. Enjoy a Round of Golf

As the weather starts to cool, one of the best things to do in AZ is to get in a round of golf at a destination course. With several great golf courses in Fountain Hills to choose from, including the golf clubs at Desert Canyon Golf, SunRidge Canyon, and Eagle Mountain, you may just want to make a long weekend of it.

3. Join the Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Fitness Walk

Halloween isn’t the only opportunity you have to get dressed up in a fun costume. When you join the fun in Fountain Hills for our Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Fitness Walk, you can get in some great exercise and dress as your favorite Thanksgiving dish!

Attend Fall Festivals and Events

4. Spend a Weekend at our Annual Arts Festival

The Fall Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts has been a mainstay of Fountain Hills since 1974. With over 500 artists and artisans displaying their work, it’s a great opportunity to find a special something for just about everyone on your gift list. You’ll likely find plenty of things for yourself, too!

5. Sip Some Wine Along the Avenue

During the Happy Hour Wine Walk on the Avenue every first Friday of the month, you can take a leisurely stroll along the Avenue, enjoy cuisine from around the world, and savor a wide range of wines. Plus, you can do some shopping. What could be a better way to unwind at the end of a week?

Take in a Show

Looking for artsy things to do in Arizona? Fountain Hills features plenty of opportunities to enjoy the arts, and fall is a great time to see something new.

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6. Take a Self-Guided Public Art Walk

We take art seriously around Fountain Hills, which is why you’ll find a wide range of public art on display throughout the town. Why not make a plan to see it all? Print out our public art walk map, and treat it like a passport by checking off works of art as you enjoy each one.

7. Enjoy an Evening at the Theater

Fountain Hills Theater offers a wonderful range of theater performances throughout the season. So whether you enjoy a good play or like to tap your feet to the songs of a great musical, you’ll be sure to have a great time at the theater. And if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Arizona, well, Fountain Hills Theater offers productions specifically for children and young adults.

Have Fun with the Whole Family

When you’re looking for things to do with kids in AZ, Fountain Hills offers a lot of fall family-friendly activities to keep the kids engaged and give them a fun experience.

8. Play in the Parks

Fountain Hills boasts five parks that cover 119 acres. Take the kids to enjoy one of the many playgrounds and pack a picnic lunch to extend the fun. Just don’t forget to visit Fountain Park to watch the World Famous Fountain put on an awe-inspiring display. The kids are sure to love it!

Visit Experience Fountain Hills’ event calendar to plan around family-friendly activities in Fountain Hills parks.

9. Visit a Museum

The River of Time Museum & Exploration Center offers all sorts of interactive experiences for the whole family to learn about the Verde River and its importance to Arizona throughout history.

10. Watch the Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual event that everyone looks forward to. People come from far and wide to kick off the holiday season and enjoy the parade of marching bands, floats, classic cars, animal groups, and more.

Watch the Dark Skies Unfold

If you want to get away from the bright lights of the big city and experience the wonder of dark skies, Arizona can deliver, thanks to dark sky designated places like Fountain Hills, future home of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center. Fountain Hills is dedicated to preserving the night sky, and there are many opportunities to observe Arizona’s dark skies and learn more about how important they are from knowledgeable guides.

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11. Take a Guided Walk or Hike at Night

Vicky Derkson of Night Sky Tourist offers a number of Full Moon Fitness Walks and stargazing hikes during the year. On the fitness walks, the moon will light your way, and Vicky will share lunar stories from cultures around the world. During the stargazing hikes, she’ll provide a tour of the night sky, regale you with celestial stories, and give you an opportunity to get a little closer to the stars through the viewfinder of a telescope at the end of the hike.

12. Enjoy a Dark Skies Experience at Adero Scottsdale Resort

Adero Scottsdale Resort has a “Find Your Way” program and features stargazing activities on Fridays with the “Star Dudes,” including constellation tours, telescopes, and storytelling.

This fall, Arizona residents can book at a special rate to take in the dark skies and make a staycation out of their break.

Experience Fountain Hills, Arizona

With so many great fall things to do in Fountain Hills, AZ, don’t you think it’s time to join us? Save this blog post, follow us on Instagram, or download our Fall Event Guide for more fall activities in Arizona.

View the Fall Event Guide