Visit Carefree

Life on Easy Street – Things to Do in Carefree, Arizona

Carefree, Arizona, is a town that lives up to its name. Located in the upper Sonoran Desert at the foothills of the Carefree Mountains, it's a laid back, upscale desert community. Although just a short drive from Phoenix and Scottsdale, it's a world apart. There are tons of things to do in Carefree for visitors of all ages and tastes.

Carefree Attractions Offer Something for Everyone

If you visit Carefree, you'll notice that the names of the streets are quaint and cute – Ho Hum Way, Easy Street, Tranquil Trail. At the center of town is the Carefree sundial, which is the world's largest sundial, pointing 52 feet in the air at the North Star. Near the sundial you'll discover a waterfall and a giant slide in the shape of a Gila monster. The park also contains a cactus-filled botanical garden with all kinds of unique southwestern flora.

When you're visiting Carefree, one of the main attractions is the stunning desert landscape. You can go hiking just outside of town at Pinnacle Peak, the McDowell Mountains, and Skull Mesa. Other things to do in Carefree include outdoor activities like horseback riding on the area's many trails, off-road motorcycling and bicycling, and boating at Bartlett Lake Marina.

 A Taste of Carefree Restaurants

Carefree restaurants offer great tastes for any palette. With one restaurant for every 250 residents, this mountain town has the highest per capita number of restaurants in Arizona. They serve American, Italian, Southwestern, Mexican, French, Mediterranean, Chinese, and much more. And no tour of Carefree restaurants would be complete without also sampling its freshly brewed coffee, local beer, and wine bars.

Carefree Shopping Offers Something Unique

You'll be surprised at how much Carefree shopping this tiny mountain town offers. There are plenty of stores and boutiques carrying unique gift items and real works of art. Shopping centers like the Spanish Village Shopping Center and El Pedregal Shopping Center offer more than just shopping but also immaculate Southwestern architecture that you can enjoy as you wander from shop to shop.

Stunning Scenery at Carefree Golf Courses

There are a number of popular Carefree golf courses located throughout the area as well, including the nationally renowned Charles Schwab Champions Golf Tour. You can play a round of golf with a backdrop of the majestic mountains or the light-show of the desert sunset.

The Carefree Calendar of Events

Small though it may be, there's always something going on here. The Carefree calendar of events offers festivals and fairs all year round. There are farmer's markets, arts festivals, Southwest crafts festivals, and cultural festivals where you can experience Native American culture. A few of the most popular include the Culinary Festival of Chocolates, Confections and Fine Arts, and Carefree's Parktoberfest, an Oktoberfest and dog walk that's a fundraiser for research on Parkinson's disease. The town also has a massive Christmas festival that lasts three full days. 

There are lots of things to do in Carefree, from enjoying local festivals to leisurely wandering the town, sampling its many shops and restaurants and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.