Fountain Hills Arizona

Fountain Hills Arizona Creative Commons

Scottsdale isn't exactly a huge city, but being a suburb of the nation's 5th largest city, it can be a hustle-bustle place. If you're looking more for a laid-back kind of getaway, Fountain Hills AZ may be more your style. It is located less than 20 miles east from downtown Scottsdale along Shea Blvd. With a population of about 25,000 (2011), Fountain Hills is charming town with a laid-back atmosphere.

Fountain Hills really doesn't have a downtown area but is a self-contained bedroom community with a mix of modest to luxury, upscale homes most of which have spectacular views across the Sonoran Desert studded with gigantic granite boulder out-croppings and large stands of Saguaro Cactus.

Like its name suggests, Fountain Hills is home to a spectacular fountain – it’s actually the largest in the United States. This behemoth of a fountain was created in 1970 by Robert P. McCulloch, the same person who reconstructed the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City a year later. On a normal day visitors to the fountain will see a plume of water being sprayed 560 feet into the desert sky. Making the spray even more spectacular is the 28 acre lake that surrounds the fountain. It is definitely a sight to behold so make sure that you stop by for a picture or two during your stay.

The fountain isn’t the only reason that visitors flock to Fountain Hills at all times of the year. The city is situated right next to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. If you love to gamble and test your luck, then head out there to the Fort McDowell Casino. This gambling mecca holds the state’s largest card room and boasts a load of entertainment and fine dining.

Another nearby attraction that draws a lot of visitors to Fountain Hills is Saguaro Lake which is just a short 15-mile drive from Fountain Hills. Named after the gigantic species of cactus that dots the Arizona countryside, you are sure to enjoy this sparkling blue body of water. Visitors are commonly seen boating, fishing, and swimming here. Jump on the Desert Belle, a tour boat that features a narrated boat tour of the lake.

Golf is another reason that so many people from around the world head to Fountain Hills. Two spectacular golf courses, the Golf Club at Eagle Mountain and Sun Ridge Canyon entices throngs of golf enthusiasts that meanders around beautiful homes with a plethora of water features and astounding views of the McDowell Mountains.

If you plan your vacation right, then you could happen to be in town during one of Fountain Hill’s annual festivals. Perhaps, the most famous of these festivals is The Fountain Hills Great Fair held during February. Music, food, and hundreds of artists selling their wares attracts people from all over the country to visit this terrific little fair. Children and adults alike will appreciate the Hot Air Balloon Rally which takes place during the event. A similar festival (though slightly more focused on the arts) is The Fountain Hills Festival of Arts and Crafts which takes place each November.

Fountain Hills is such a beautiful place that it can be hard to head back home. Very few places in Arizona offer the same small-town charm and cozy appeal. If you find that you’re having a hard time leaving, then you might want to take a look at some of the local real estate – even if it is just for fun. Besides all of the area’s great tourist attractions, Fountain Hills is a great place for both families and retirees to live for many other reasons – the kickback lifestyle, outstanding educational system, and variety of unique and comfortable condos and spacious affluent homes are just a few. Fountain Hills real estate definitely is some of the most sought-after real estate in all of Arizona.

All in all, Fountain Hills, Arizona is a great place to spend a vacation and even a better place to call home. With such a wide-variety of activities that suit almost everybody’s preferences, it is safe to say that you will be happy with your decision to visit this small desert town.

Fountain Hills Map