Nestled in the quiet suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona is the unexpected gem of the city of Surprise. This small town is my home, a place with a culture and people I have come to greatly love. Surprise is near to my heart in numerous ways, and I know that any traveler will agree after their visit. Whether young or old, sports fanatic, wildlife admirer, or history buff, Surprise embraces the things that make our community and people unique.
QUARTER FINALIST 2013 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Throughout the year, our city hosts many events for everyone to enjoy. My family has faithfully attended the annual Memorial Day parade and the extraordinary Fourth of July fireworks celebration. Both of these bring American pride and commemoration of our nation’s history and heroes into our city. Also, Surprise celebrates its birthday in the first week of December with the Surprise Party. The festivities showcase a hot air-balloon glow, fireworks, a car show, craft fair, carnival rides and games, and a sky-gliding finale.
The Northwest Regional Library, the Community Park, and the Surprise Aquatic Center provide activities for the whole family to spark creativity, fitness, and fun! More entertainment options include Uptown Alley, a sensational bowling alley and laser-tag arena and Digi-Plex movie theater. I have made many memories with friends and family enjoying the amusement that these destinations have to offer!
Surprise also contains enticing outings for any aficionado! If you love being in the outdoors, as my family does, a must-see is the gorgeous White Tank Mountain Regional Park in western Surprise. As a resident, I have experienced the joy of exploring the hiking trails full of desert wildlife and marveling at the ancient petroglyphs engraved in the mountainside. Additionally, visitors can come to camp in the mountains beneath the beautiful Arizona sky.
Visitors who enjoy playing or watching sports will be glad to hear that Surprise’s sports facilities are nationally recognized! Our Tennis and Racquet Complex is open for community tournaments, private lessons, classes, and individual matches. In addition, NCAA Division II Tournaments and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America charity tournament are held in the fall and spring at the Complex. Golf lovers have a variety of 8 open-to-the-public courses located in Sun City Grand, Sun Village, and Happy Trails RV Park. Surprise Stadium is the home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers Spring Training games that draw in MLB fans from across the nation. I have personally enjoyed many ballgames at our stadium, and I love the all-American atmosphere and the classic nature of baseball that is brought to our city. In short, any sports devotee is sure to find their niche of entertainment here!
Surprise is the home of many educational and historical sites that can be enjoyed by visitors and residents. Located within the White Tank Mountains Library is the White Tank Nature center, where those exploring the mountains get a chance to see and learn about the native animals up close. Another nationally recognized program is the Women’s Heritage Trail. This historic journey throughout Old Town Surprise highlights the women who built Surprise including our founder, Flora Statler.
Surprise, Arizona is my home. Our people, culture, and special events are all things visitors should experience because they truly display a precious small-town feeling of togetherness in our community. No matter your age or interests, Surprise holds a desert oasis of relaxation, history, and enjoyment for any visitor! For more information on the treasures Surprise holds, please visit surpriseaz.gov.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
