Ranking Arizona's East Valley Cities for Family Fun & Entertainment
If you’re thinking about moving to Arizona’s East Valley—or just want to explore more of your backyard—here’s your guide to which cities bring the most to the table when it comes to entertainment, dining, and family-friendly things to do. These rankings aren’t just about size—they’re about what each place feels like to live in day-to-day. Let’s dive in:
1. Gilbert
Gilbert takes the top spot, and it’s not even close. From the charm of the Heritage District with its walkable downtown and restaurants like Joe’s Farm Grill and Culinary Dropout, to year-round events at Freestone Park and Gilbert Regional Park—there’s just always something happening. Add in family-focused activities like Topgolf, Discovery Park, escape rooms, splash pads, and farmers markets... and it’s easy to see why families flock here.
Why it's #1: Balance of community, safety, events, and development.
Could it move? Only if other cities seriously step it up. But Gilbert also risks falling if it overbuilds or traffic and cost of living spike too far. With how fast things are growing, future road congestion and over-saturation could become real issues.
2. Chandler
Chandler comes in strong with a mix of old and new. Downtown Chandler has a unique vibe, offering comedy clubs, live music venues, and seasonal events. Places like the Chandler Fashion Center bring shopping, while Tumbleweed Park and Veterans Oasis offer outdoor escapes.
Why it ranks here: It’s versatile—there’s a little bit of everything. Plus, Intel’s campus and growing tech scene bring people and money in.
Could it move? It could challenge Gilbert if it revamps more of its public spaces and curates more destination-style experiences. Continued investment in the downtown area could give it a fresh boost.
3. Mesa (East Mesa)
East Mesa is the sleeper hit of the East Valley. Az Grounds (formerly Legacy Park), one of the largest youth sports complexes in the nation, is already pulling in families and teams from across the U.S. Plus, there’s Usery Mountain for outdoor adventures, new dining options popping up near the 24 Freeway, and big plans underway for continued growth.
Why it’s ranked third: Momentum. It’s not all the way there yet, but it’s on its way.
Could it move? Definitely. If entertainment and commercial growth continues, East Mesa could leapfrog Chandler in the next few years. However, growth needs to be managed well to avoid overwhelming infrastructure.
4. Queen Creek
Queen Creek is coming in hot. Between Mansel Carter Oasis Park, Schnepf Farms, and the new Pecan Lake Entertainment District, this once-quiet town is making noise. Add in newer shopping centers, local dining, and community events, and Queen Creek is carving its spot.
Why it's not higher (yet): It’s still filling in. You’ll find more open land than open patios right now—but that’s changing quickly.
Could it move? Absolutely. With Borgata (STV/QC boarder), The Switchyard, and Pecan Lake continuing to grow, QC is pushing hard toward the top. If the town continues to build infrastructure around these developments and handles traffic growth wisely, it could easily climb.
5. Mesa (West Mesa)
West Mesa has historic charm and a mix of older neighborhoods, but when it comes to entertainment, it’s still catching up. There are gems like the Mesa Arts Center and Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Main Street has seen a bit of a comeback—but the vibe is more low-key.
Why it ranks here: More cultural than commercial—great for local art and food, but fewer family-focused destinations.
Could it move? Possibly. As downtown revitalization efforts continue and the light rail expands, West Mesa might slowly rise, especially if more family-oriented attractions come in.
6. Tempe
Tempe isn’t just a college town, though ASU definitely drives the vibe. There’s kayaking on Tempe Town Lake, concerts at Tempe Beach Park, and plenty of great food. But its family-friendliness depends on what stage of life you’re in—some areas feel busier, louder, and more transitional.
Why it ranks here: Strong on entertainment, but more adult and student-focused.
Could it move? Yes. If more family-focused events or amenities are added, and some neighborhoods continue to gentrify, Tempe could balance out its offerings a bit more for families.
7. San Tan Valley
San Tan Valley is still developing when it comes to commercial and entertainment options. While it does offer proximity to Queen Creek and tons of newer neighborhoods, it’s quieter and more residential by nature. Some fun local favorites exist, but you’ll likely drive to Gilbert or QC for a lot of your plans.
Why it ranks here: Great for affordability and newer homes, not so much for built-in entertainment.
Could it move? Yes—but slowly. A few more anchor developments or community hubs would really help boost this ranking. If it gets its own destination-style spaces in the next few years, STV might surprise a lot of people.
8. Scottsdale (South & Southeast)
Technically on the East Valley fringe, South Scottsdale blends into Tempe and is full of restaurants, shops, and art spaces. While North Scottsdale gets more of the high-end family lifestyle attention, South and Southeast areas are still great for walkability and access to big events.
Why it ranks lower: It’s more upscale, more touristy, and less about consistent family-centered amenities than the other cities above.
Could it move? Likely not in this list unless the surrounding communities slow down. Scottsdale already has a well-defined identity—it’s more luxury leisure than family-first.
Got a favorite? Did we get it right? Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here for years, there’s no doubt the East Valley is growing—and fast. These rankings could easily shift over the next 3–5 years as more retail, parks, and experiences pop up.
If you're thinking of buying, selling, or just want to explore where your next chapter might be, reach out—we’ve got boots-on-the-ground insights to help you make the move with confidence.
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