A spring training fan’s guide to Avondale—golfing, NASCAR, family-friendly parks and more!
Sponsored by Discover Avondale
Set against the backdrop of the Estrella Mountains, Avondale hums with vibrant energy. The city is packed with things to do, and its proximity to two spring training stadiums—Camelback Ranch and Goodyear Ballpark—makes it a quintessential pre- or post-game hangout.
Here, seven ways to play in Avondale.
1. Tee off
Hit the greens at Coldwater Golf Club, a Forrest Richardson-designed course featuring a rolling terrain and elevated tee boxes where both beginner and intermediate players feel challenged. Golfers looking to perfect their game should visit Valley Golf Center. The double-decker driving range includes hitting bays with automatic ball loading and Trackman Range ball tracking with distance analytics.
2. Experience NASCAR
Attention Racing enthusiasts! Set aside time from your Cactus League game attendance to soak up the high-speed showdown at the NASCAR Spring Weekend at Phoenix Raceway. The Avondale racetrack plays host to two exciting event weekends—a highlight on the motorsports calendar—which also includes NASCAR Championship Weekend October 31-November 2. Don’t miss the infield experience, an upgrade add-on that lets fans get up-close to the racing teams. Engines rev March 7-9.
3. Relax at a park
Catching a double-header? Enjoy a break between games at one of Avondale’s lush green spaces. Three to visit: Friendship Park, with walking trails, three playgrounds, a splash pad, fishing pond and shade ramadas; Festival Fields, which features custom-designed play structures, a 9,000-square-foot skate park and a giant picnic ramada; and Alamar, a 40-acre park with lakeside trails, pickleball courts, a dog park, amphitheater and playgrounds.
4. Savor local flavor
Avondale’s thriving food scene serves up everything from taquerias to breweries. Start the day at family-owned Champis, a panaderia baking delicious pastries such as conchas (sweet bread rolls) and magdalenas (light, lemony cupcakes). For lunch, try Leo’s, a favorite among locals for their street tacos and birria fries. Post-game, raise a glass at 8-Bit Aleworks where small-batch brews range from session IPAs to stouts and wheats. And White Sox fans will feel at home at Portillo’s, where they can order a Chicago dog just the way they like it.
5. Drive a racecar
Sure, you can satisfy the need for speed watching a NASCAR race, but what if you got behind the wheel? You can do just that at the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Phoenix Raceway. Select from several options, such as a five-minute solo drive or the 48-minute thrill-ride comprising six sessions where speed increases each go-round. Not ready to take the helm? Sign up for a ride-along, which seats you shotgun while an experienced instructor zips you around the track.
6. Take a hike
The Sonoran Desert envelops Avondale, and a hike is the best way to revel in the wild beauty. At Estrella Mountain Regional Park, more than 30 miles of trails—ranging in length from two to 10 miles, and in difficulty from easy to strenuous—wend among the saguaros. For a leisurely stroll through cottonwood groves, head to Tres Rios Wetlands. The scenic preserve (permit required, free) is a natural habitat for more than 150 bird species, who flit and fly over the gentle waterways.
Check out our Homerun Hikes Post7. Play for the win
Close out a day at the ballpark with a night at Main Event Avondale. The entertainment hub boasts a one-stop shop for fun: bowling, laser tag, billiards, escape rooms, miniature golf, an indoor ropes course and a gaming floor with both the newest games and arcade classics. Bowlero keeps things simple with billiards, bowling and beer, plus a lounge and on-site pro shop (for the serious bowlers in your group).
