The city of Glendale is a fantastic Arizona destination for many reasons, one of which is the fact that the capital city of Phoenix is a mere ten miles away. Self dubbed as Arizona's Antique Capital, Glendale is an excellent place to do some shopping, and the city offers a fine collection of golf courses to go with its enticing shops. Glendale golf vacations have been increasing in popularity for some time, and for good reason. Baseball fans are also likely to feel at home on a Glendale visit, especially in the spring. Both the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers share the wonderful local facility of Camelback Ranch for spring training.

For sports enthusiasts, kicking back in the warm sun and watching some preseason baseball is one of the most rewarding things to do in Glendale Arizona. The state-of-the-art Camelback Ranch complex boasts an impressive 10,000-seat ballpark, as well as a collection of major and minor league practice fields. Some of the best seats are out in the outfield lawn. In addition to watching preseason baseball games at the Camelback Ranch complex, Glendale visitors can also watch practices and maybe even get some autographs. Once the real baseball season gets under way, baseball fans who are enjoying a Glendale getaway can always make a break for Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix, where the Arizona Diamondbacks play their home games.

As impressive as Camelback Ranch is, there is another sports venue in the city of Glendale that gets even more attention. That venue is the amazing University of Phoenix Stadium. Another state-of-the-art gem, this multi-purpose entertainment complex is one of the best of its kind on the planet. Highlights of the venue include a remarkable retractable roof and a grass playing field that can be rolled in and out of the stadium. The NFL's Arizona Cardinals play their home games at the mind-blowing University of Phoenix Stadium, and tickets are hot commodities. The venue also hosts other events, and if nothing else, those who are looking for things to do in Glendale Arizona can drop by for an unforgettable behind-the-scenes tour.

Phoenix Map

Right next door to the University of Phoenix Stadium is the Jobing.com Arena, and it's where the Phoenix Coyotes have their games. As such, catching a professional hockey game can also be part of the plan when visiting the city of Glendale. Both of these attractive sports and entertainment venues are part of a larger Glendale development that is known as the Westgate City Center. This development is one of the area's hottest places to live and visit, thanks to its excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment options. For travelers who are planning on staying at one of the Glendale hotels, it is worth noting that the luxurious Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa can be found in the heart of the trendy Westgate City Center.

For golfing enthusiasts, Glendale golf vacations are worth considering. There are a number of good public courses to choose from in and around town, with some of the more affordable places to play being found in the nearby communities of Avondale and Litchfield Park. Many travelers who choose to enjoy Glendale Golf vacations actually look to stay in Litchfield Park, as it is where the wonderful Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa can be found. This AAA Four Diamond Award-winning resort features three championship courses, all of which offer eighteen beautiful and challenging holes. Phoenix area vacation packages are out there for travelers to take advantage of, and the Wigwam offers some tantalizing golf packages that can help golfing enthusiasts maximize their Glendale escape.

The city of Glendale Arizona boasts the Westgate Entertainment District that is a joy to explore, especially for shoppers. On more than one occasion, this historic core of the city has been named among the top shopping spots in the entire country, thanks in part to its fine collection of antique shops. Unique boutiques complement the antique shops, and there is no shortage of eateries to choose from. Free covered parking is available at the downtown Glendale Visitor Center.

Anyone who is looking to add shopping to their list of things to do in Glendale Arizona can also visit the upscale Arrowhead Towne Center, which is one of the region's best malls. In addition to housing more than 170 restaurants and shops, the Arrowhead Towne Center also features a movie theater. Rounding out the top places to shop in the city of Glendale is the Northern Shopping Corridor, where wine shops mix with clothing boutiques, other specialty shops, salons, spas, bars, and clubs.

These are just some of the options for things to do in Glendale Arizona, and visitors can always keep the city's festivals and events in mind when planning a visit. One of the most popular local festivals is Glendale Glitters. Held in December, this seasonal festival offers fantastic holiday lights shows, raging block parties with live music, and hot air ballooning opportunities, among other things. Other wonderful local festivals include the annual Chocolate Affaire and the award-winning Glendale's Gibson Jazz & Blues Festival. The former is a chocolate lover's dream and takes place in February at Murphy Park. As for the two-day Jazz & Blues Festival, it takes place in April.