New Homes & Lifestyles

The Good Life: The Glendale Life - From football frenzy to signature festivals filled with family fun, unique culinary flavors, holiday splendor and more-when it comes to lifestyle, Glendale's got you covered

Bone-crunching tackles, 50-yard field-goal returns and glorious power plays led by The Great One Wayne Gretzky-if it's the fast-paced world of professional sporting excitement you seek, Glendale's got your game. Or maybe you want to slow things down a bit with a leisurely stroll through unique boutique shops under a blanket of millions of twinkling holiday lights, breathtaking views from a hike through nearby mountain scapes or a late-night glass of wine at a fine restaurant. Well, we can handle life at that pace, too.

Welcome to Glendale, Ariz.
Whether it's family fun you seek or a place for peaceful, solitary contemplation, Glendale has a setting to fit your personality, mood and desires. Glendale caters to all types-from families and neighborhood groups to active adventure seekers to the successful single looking for non-stop entertainment and hip eateries. Here are just a few ways you can enjoy the Glendale life.

Sports and Entertainment
If you're the face-painting, jersey-wearing, sign-holding, die-hard sports fanatic type, Glendale is most definitely your home base. As the home of the Coyotes and the Arizona Cardinals, Glendale is a place where residents and visitors can immerse themselves in sports and entertainment year round. Head to the award-winning Jobing.com Arena to watch the Coyotes take on their opponents under the leadership of hockey hero Wayne Gretzky. Spend your falls and winters counting Cardinals first downs in the NFL's newest stadium. And start every year in the Arena with professional lacrosse and the Arizona Sting.

Speaking of champions, Glendale will be hosting plenty in the near future. Home of the Super Bowl in 2008, Fiesta Bowl and major related events, and a BCS National Championship-the Cardinals Stadium will be turning heads from all corners of the earth, and roaring fans and growling linemen will echo in the desert for generations.

Music more your style? You'll have yet another reason to love the Jobing.com Arena, which has been heralded by headline performers like U2, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney and named best new major concert avenue by Pollstar magazine, a major concert industry publication. Showcasing state-of-the-art video technology, a pulsating sound system and seating arrangements that guarantee clear views from all points, the facility has been an ideal host for everything from intimate, rare acoustic performances to chart-topping, televised concert extravaganzas. Complete your ultimate entertainment experience with Cabela's-the world's leading outdoor retailer-or a movie and shopping at Westgate and Zanjero's retail offerings.

Family Style
Historic Downtown is renowned for its incredible array of festivals that draw more than one million visitors annually. These crowds enjoy special events that celebrate everything from the sweet taste of chocolate to one of Arizona's largest holiday light displays that blanket the entire downtown area. Mark your calendar now to be sure you don't miss out on any of these:

Glendale Glitters
Experience a unique, thrilling holiday celebration as you enjoy millions of colorful lights, multiple stages of music and dance, food, seasonal merchandise, a children's wonderland, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping and visits with Santa.

Glendale Glitter & Glow
Of course, downtown streets will be filled with glowing hot air balloons, street performers and a variety of the region's top rock, jazz, reggae and blues bands for the final weekend of Glendale Glitters.

Glendale Chocolate Affaire
An upscale festival of chocolate and romance, gourmet cuisine and beverages, horse-drawn carriage rides, national entertainment and tours of Cerreta Candy Company.

Glendale Jazz & Blues Festival
Kick back, enjoy the great weather and have a cool drink in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale. Featuring jazz and soulful blues.

That Thursday Thing
Taking place on the third Thursday of every month, from October through May, this event boasts late evening hours for Glendale's downtown antique stores, specialty shops and boutiques. Each month, the event will have a different theme that will give shoppers and fun-seekers an extra reason to head to downtown Glendale.

Glendale's Hometown Fourth of July Celebration Sizzles
Held at Glendale Community College this sizzling celebration has all the makings of that old-fashioned hometown Fourth of July picnic you remember from your childhood. Highlights include all your favorites, like a fantastic fireworks display, country music, an F-16 fly over, a kid's stage, games and plenty of delicious food and beverage.

Don't forget to visit www.glendaleaz.com for the latest festival information

Recreation
Stand atop any of Glendale's nearby mountain crests, and you'll soon learn that the climb is well worth the effort. A clear day presents opportunities for nearly endless views of the Valley below. Head to the city's northern region, and you'll find the Thunderbird Conservation Park, a 1,185-acre park in the Hedgpeth Hills dedicated to preserving our native desert environment. The hills were named for Robert Hedgpeth, an early homesteader in the area, and the park took its name from the World War II pilot training facility once located four miles to the south. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging and bird watching. The park also boasts nearly 20 miles of multi-use trails, which were constructed thanks to the efforts of many volunteer groups.

Water seekers will find refuge just a little farther northwest at one of the state's most popular boating destinations-Lake Pleasant. Glendale is also within minutes of the expansive White Tank Mountain Regional Park, which offers even more hiking and biking opportunities.

For those looking to add a little camaraderie and team spirit to their weekly routines, Glendale's Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of sports leagues, including basketball, volleyball and softball. Both adult and youth leagues are available, and a new season is always right around the corner. Visit the Parks and Recreation Department website at www.glendaleaz.com for a current listing of team sports and other recreational opportunities.

It is an exciting time in Glendale, and at the city's heart, you will find a community rich with neighborhoods, ever-blossoming retail destinations, national sports landmarks and more. So take your time and enjoy all Glendale has to offer. And who knows, you may just be inspired to try a change of pace.