15 Things to Do for Labor Day Weekend

Still looking for something fun to do this long weekend?   

It's going to be a HOT Labor Day weekend in the Valley with highs over 100 degrees. Of course, there is still some fun to be had. Here are a few ideas:

Greater Arizona: 

1. Snowbowl Scenic Chairlift

The ski resort is open for the summer. Take a ride up the mountain and see the beautiful views over Arizona. There is even a Groupon and 15% off that with promo code FUN15. Super deal. 


2. Visit Payson
Drive for an hour or two and it gets a good 20 degrees cooler. You can visit a park or hiking trail in Payson. The afternoons will be warm, but not too bad if you're coming from the Valley. 

3. Backpacking 

There are lots of options for backpacking in Arizona, here is one place we recommend.

4. Taylor Sweet Corn Festival
This event goes all Labor Day weekend and includes a parade, festival, rodeo, and live music. 

5. Visit one of Arizona's lakes.

6. Pueblo Grande Ruins

To get to the ruins near Globe/Roosevelt Lake you must take a road which is recommended 4-wheel drive and then do a strenuous 7 mile (round trip) hike.  But, there is quite a reward from the effort - ruins, canyons, and a waterfall with amazing history.

7. Explore a new city
Pick a city in Arizona, something close, or something far and research the best things to do in that city. If you live in the East Valley, for instance, a drive across town to Glendale might be fun. Visit Cerreta's Candy Factory for a tour, get some pizza at La Piazza al Forno, then stop at Green Park Gallery  to see the work of some local artists.

Here is a great resource for day trip ideas with lists of the Top 10 things to do in several cities.

8. Drive to Show Low via Salt River Canyon
Take a drive through Salt River Canyon, explore Show Low a bit, then get some Mexican food in the Globe/Miami area on the way home. Go here and here for other day trip ideas. \

9. Take the Apache Trail drive
For an alternate scenic drive, head to Roosevelt Lake and drive back through Globe. There are several stops you can make: Superstition Mountain Museum, Tortilla Flat, and Apache Lake for example. 

10. Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery

Visit Canyon Creek (45 miles East of Payson) for the day or camp overnight. 

The hatchery consists of a self guided visitors center, several "raceways" for growing fish and a show pond with the big trophy fish.  Visiting the hatchery is free, but if you want to feed the trophy fish, make sure to bring your quarters.  

In the Valley:

11. Farmers markets

Take the whole family to a farmers market this weekend. If you head to Downtown Gilbert, for example, you can shop, eat from a local food truck, and let the kiddos splash under the water tower. There is also a market in Downtown Phoenix, one at Roadrunner Park and one in Ahwatukee open this weekend. 

12. City pool
Certain cities have pools that will be open all weekend. Check out the fun pools in Chandler or Kiwanis Wave Pool (coupon here) in Tempe and Rhodes Aquatic Center in Mesa which are open Sat - Mon.  Other pools such as those in Buckeye and Surprise will be open Saturday and Sunday this weekend. 

13. Go to a splash park 

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Here's a list of 20+ splash parks throughout Arizona.

14. Waterparks 
It's pretty much your last chance to get to one of the Valley's water parks this season. Check out Wet n Wild, Sunsplash, or Big Surf. 

15. Pogo Pass 

Buy a pass for $40 each (use code IHEARTAZ) and get admission to 15 great Phoenix area venues. This is an awesome deal for a year's worth of family fun. You can get your money's worth on it this weekend and then still have lots of stuff to do for an entire year. 

Anything else on your to-do list this weekend?

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