There are lots of ways to stay entertained this summer in Maricopa. Photo by Misty Newman

By Misty Newman

Looking for something fun to do with your family and banish those boredom blues away? Maricopa is a great community with numerous fun places, events, and activities for your entire family to enjoy.

Whether you visit beautiful parks, enjoy movies under the stars or go horseback riding, you can stay entertained, excited and engaged all summer long.

1. Copper Sky Recreation Complex

Copper Sky Recreation Complex includes a multi-purpose recreation center, a 98-acre park, and an Aquatics Center.

Hours of countless fun could be spent in the park alone. There are many different activities your family can enjoy at Copper Sky. Some of the park features include:

•    A large covered playground
•    Fishing lake which is stocked with rainbow trout, bass, catfish, bluegill and white amur.
•    Dog park
•    Tennis Courts
•    Skating Park
•    Basketball courts
•    Sand Volleyball courts
•    Soccer and Baseball fields
•    Horseshoe pits

The skate park at Copper Sky. Photo by Misty Newman
The skate park at Copper Sky. Photo by Misty Newman

If you would rather be inside, the multi-purpose recreation center includes weightlifting equipment, fitness classes including Indoor cycle, Total Body Conditioning, Boot camps, Jillian Michaels’ Body Shred, Silver Sneakers and much more.

For those hot summer days, the Aquatics Center is a swimmer’s haven. Your family can enjoy the eight-lane, 25-yard lap pool, waterslide, rock-climbing wall, lazy river, and splash pad.
Daily rates for adults are $4 and $2 for children.

In addition to the many activities provided at this complex, Copper Sky has partnered with the City of Maricopa to offer a multitude of sports, fitness and recreation programs.

In the PLAY Maricopa Guide (Summer 2016), you can find information on swimming lessons, tiny tot fitness, karate, summer reading events, summer camps, dance, Homeschool Fit Program, and youth sports- soccer and softball.

For outdoor enthusiasts, take advantage of the all-inclusive trip packages which include hikes to Fossil Creek and the Grand Canyon, a trip on the Verde Canyon Train or a visit to the Musical Instrument Museum.
For more information or to sign up for an activity through Copper Sky Recreation, visit: www.copperskyrecreation.com.

2. Play Disc Golf

Disc golf at Maricopa Meadows.
Disc golf at Maricopa Meadows.

Try something different and enjoy a round or two of disc golf at Maricopa Meadows Community. On this challenging and fun disc golf course, you can spend quality time with your family outdoors and get great exercise at the same time.

The course in Maricopa Meadows was established in 2012 and redesigned in 2015. It is a 21 Mach 3 hole course with concrete pads at each launching station.

The moderately hilly course is designed strategically requiring you to throw over the lakes and around the trees. The baskets are in excellent condition and are set in a counter clockwise direction for an optimum flow.
You will find that playing disc golf is not just a “walk in the park.” Throwing the disc from basket to basket and concentrating to get there in a certain amount of throws takes a lot of physical and mental energy.

Disc golf is a fun and convenient activity because you can play anytime and (other than the initial equipment), there is no cost involved.

3. Dining with Antiques

Raceway Bar & Grill. Photo by Misty Newman
Raceway Bar & Grill. Photo by Misty Newman

Looking for a restaurant where you can get a great outdoor dining experience? The Raceway Bar & Grill has a one-of-a-kind spacious outdoor patio your entire family can enjoy.

This restaurant has a unique atmosphere. In the outdoor dining area, antique cars, signs and other memorabilia the owner has collected over the years are nestled among the tables, chairs, and outdoor bar. These collectibles are so well known that a few years ago the television show “American Pickers” filmed at Raceway and even bought some of the antiques.

Raceway not only has a great atmosphere, but also a delicious menu. Live music every other Friday night from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. will keep you entertained and is a great accompaniment to your dining experience.

4. UltraStar Multi-tainment Center

UltraStar Multi-tainment Center has movies, bowling, laser tag, dining, bars and a video arcade.
UltraStar Multi-tainment Center has movies, bowling, laser tag, dining, bars and a video arcade.

UltraStar is an excellent choice in Maricopa when you want to be entertained, dine or have fun indoors. Grab a bite to eat from the elegant 347 Grill or Luxe Lounge before watching a movie or enjoying one of the many game and entertainment options.

Movie Series: Pull up a lawn chair and watch a movie under the Stars. Every Friday night in May and June 2016, a different movie will be featured. Concessions are available for an additional cost.

Ten Pins Down: Bowl at one of the most advanced bowling alleys in this area. Enjoy leather couch seating, 20-foot video screens and food and beverage service. Ten Pins Down has 16 standard lanes and eight VIP Lanes.Ultra Stars and Little Star bowling is open to kids every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon.

Urban Arena Laser Tag: This is a great event for the entire family or for parties. Get your heart pumping in this 3,000-square-foot, two-story arena. Using the latest laser technology, there is a vast number of programmable games to choose from. You can play from eight-minute rounds up to 20 minutes and play as a team or individually.

5. Horse Back Riding

The Hunters lead trail rides in Hidden Valley. Submitted photo
The Hunters lead trail rides in Hidden Valley. Submitted photo

For that country feeling, strap on your boots, grab a hat and take a trail ride or get a riding lesson with Hangin’ Saddle Ranch. Trail rides on the BLM land are $55 for one hour. According to the owner, Glenn Hunter, the trail rides often go 2-3 hours.

If you need to get more comfortable on a horse first, you also have the option of taking horse riding lessons. In addition to learning how to ride, you will learn about the equipment, how to saddle a horse, and even learn about the horses anatomy and basic physiology. Children as young as 4 years of age can begin training.

Hunter has trained and won over 30 ribbons and 13 trophies with his winning show horse, Sonny. Being a “seasoned veteran cowboy,” he trains his horses using The Natural Horse Method. In addition to riding lessons and trail rides, Hangin’ Saddle Ranch also offers horse training and boarding.

Hangin’ Saddle Ranch is located in Hidden Valley in the Sonoran Desert nestled among Haley Hills, Papago Butte, and the Palo Verde Mountains, and is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

So get outdoors this summer and enjoy one of the many activities we have right here in our community.


Misty Newman grew up in Idaho and was raised in the outdoors. She loves to go camping, hiking, fishing, & rafting. In her past life, two of her favorite recreational activities included bungee jumping and rock climbing. She was a ranger for a state park, a Recreation Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club, and the photo editor at the College of Southern Idaho. She moved from Idaho in 2007 and has lived in Maricopa since. She now enjoys exploring AZ with her two beautiful children. Visit http://www.maricopaoutdooradventures.com/

See her previous InMaricopa Outdoors stories:

Relive the Old West with Maricopa Mounted Shooters

Residents grow with Master Gardener course

Gun-safety tips from Maricopa Shooting Service

Avid adventurer changes life, now helping others

Hang gliding over Maricopa

Pacana Park remains in the heart of Maricopa

Introduction to InMaricopa Outdoors