Venture beyond the postcard views and discover 18 unique Arizona activities you probably didn’t know about and won’t find in travel guides! The state’s landscape hides extraordinary experiences that often get overshadowed by its well-known attractions. From adventurous indoor obstacle courses to serene lakeside activities, these hidden gems reveal a side of Arizona that most visitors never see. Skip the typical tourist spots and uncover its unexpected side for an experience like no other.
1. Slick City Action Park
Location: Scottsdale, Peoria, Chandler & Queen Creek, AZ
Year-round adventure starts here! This indoor adventure park takes sliding to new heights with massive super slides that’ll keep you on your toes. With over 20,000 square feet of fun and Ninja-style obstacle courses, it’s a playground for your inner child. The “Mega Slide” is sure to get everyone—from your cautious cousin to your thrill-seeking bestie—laughing and having a blast. Be sure to wear something comfortable—you’ll be climbing back up for “just one more slide” all day long.
2. Revel Surf at Mesa Beach Park
Location: Mesa, AZ
Revel Surf brings beach vibes to the Arizona heat with a stunning 2-acre surfing lagoon in the desert. Not into the waves? Try cliff diving from platforms that’ll give you just the right amount of “why am I doing this” butterflies, with heights ranging from a gentle 6 feet to a daring 25 feet. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also a skate flow park and an athlete training area. After working up an appetite, head to The Beach Grill for snacks and drinks. The best part? You won’t be stuck digging sand out of your shoes!
3. Bam Kazam
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Bam Kazam in Scottsdale, AZ, turns your childhood dream of stepping into a video game into reality. This interactive, physical escape room features over 20 uniquely designed rooms packed with puzzles and physical challenges, allowing you to experience your own live action adventure. The “Gravity Defied” room will leave your mind spinning as you solve puzzles that defy the laws of physics. Just be prepared for some soreness the next day after all the jumping, climbing, and those “I almost had it” moments.
4. Game Show Battle Rooms
Location: Scottsdale & Chandler, AZ
Game Show Battle Rooms lets you live out your TV contestant dreams with buzzers, wacky hosts, and the pressure of your friends judging your trivia knowledge. Their 90s nostalgia nights are particularly epic—nothing beats the thrill of crushing a trivia round while your friends marvel at how much useless information you’ve stored over the years.
5. Drunk Shakespeare
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Shakespeare: but make it boozy. This brilliant concept pairs classically-trained actors with multiple shots of whiskey for a literary experience that would make your high school English teacher both proud and concerned. Set in downtown Phoenix, this cocktail-fueled performance turns the Bard’s classics into hilarious, unpredictable shows where no two nights are the same. Running Thursday through Sunday, you might see Hamlet deliver his famous soliloquy while trying (and failing) to stand on one leg, or Romeo professing his love to a plant instead of Juliet. Splurge on premium tickets and you’ll get to play director, altering the fate of characters mid-performance. It’s Shakespeare as he probably would have wanted it—slightly chaotic and with plenty of booze.
6. Puzzle Rides
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Picture an adult scavenger hunt, but with a twist—electric golf carts take you on a journey through Scottsdale as you solve puzzles and uncover mysteries. Part sightseeing tour, part brain teaser, Puzzle Rides lets you solve mysteries while cruising past landmarks you might otherwise miss. The “Wild West Heist” theme is particularly awesome, letting you play detective for 90 minutes with up to five friends. They switch up the themes seasonally, so locals keep coming back to crack new cases. They’ve also got pub crawls (solving puzzles while progressively getting less capable of solving puzzles—brilliant) and bachelorette party options for when you’re tired of the same old restaurant-bar-club routine.
7. Simply Smashing Rage Release Room
Location: Tempe, AZ
Having one of those weeks? You know, the kind where everything seems to go wrong. Head to Simply Smashing and take it out on some innocent electronics! Their “Office Space” package lets you recreate that iconic scene from the movie while blasting your angry playlist over Bluetooth speakers. In just 25 minutes, you’ll go from stressed to euphoric as you reduce office equipment to satisfying bits of plastic. It’s cheaper than therapy and way more fun than meditation—plus you get some killer slow-motion destruction photos for your social media.
8. Fly Fit Bungee
Location: Avondale, AZ
“I wish working out felt more like being a superhero”—said everyone, ever. At Fly Fit Bungee, your fitness routine gets a gravity-defying upgrade as you bounce, flip, and float through workouts while attached to bungee cords. The best part? Those impossible-looking aerial tricks are actually accessible to beginners thanks to the supportive bungee system. You’ll walk out feeling like you joined Cirque du Soleil for a day, with muscles you didn’t even know you had letting you know they’ve been thoroughly worked. Fair warning: regular gyms will seem painfully boring afterward.
9. Capybara Experience
Location: North Scottsdale, AZ
If you haven’t met a capybara yet, you’re missing out on one of the chillest animals around. These gentle giants, often compared to giant guinea pigs, are the zen masters of the animal kingdom. At the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, you can enjoy a personalized, private experience where you’ll interact with capybaras up close—feed them, pet them, and take memorable selfies! You can book a private tour for just your group and even opt to feed the capybaras as part of the experience for $25 per participant. It’s the perfect way to unwind and connect with these incredible creatures. Private tours allow for more animal interactions, behind-the-scenes access, and a personalized touch that’s perfect for families, small groups, or team-building outings. This VIP experience is scheduled by request, so make sure to book in advance for a chance to meet these adorable, laid-back animals
10. H2-WHOA Lake Pleasant
Location: Lake Pleasant in Peoria, AZ
Opening in May 2025, this floating waterslide is about to take your summer fun to new heights. At 75 feet tall and over 100 feet long, it’s the perfect mix of excitement and a little bit of hesitation. For an extra cool experience, the Night Flights program lets you slide under the stars for $30 from Memorial Day to Labor Day—which sounds like the perfect way to cool off after a scorching Arizona summer day. Just be sure to book ahead, especially on weekends when everyone has the same brilliant idea.
11. Verde Canyon Railroad
Location: Clarkdale, AZ
Train travel feels nostalgic even when you weren’t alive during its heyday. The Verde Canyon Railroad takes that nostalgia and pairs it with jaw-dropping scenery for a 4-hour journey through red rock country. Spot bald eagles soaring over ravines while you kick back in climate-controlled comfort with a drink in hand. The refurbished train cars give you all the charm of old-school rail travel without the less charming historical aspects (like uncomfortable seats and no A/C). Before boarding, swing through the depot to brush up on local railroad history or grab snacks for the journey. It’s like time travel, but with better amenities. Pro Tip: In the fall, be sure to experience the seasonal beer-tasting train, where you can savor local brews while enjoying the stunning fall foliage along the Verde Canyon.
12. Yachtuzzi Boats
Location: Lake Pleasant in Peoria, AZ
Someone had the brilliant idea to combine a boat with a hot tub, and Yachtuzzi was born. Cruise Lake Pleasant in a temperature-controlled hot tub with Pleasant Water Sports, a partner of Goodnight Stay. These self-driven hot tub boats let you and five friends relax in warm water while exploring the scenic lake. With Bluetooth speakers and cup holders, it’s like a floating party where everyone’s already in their swimwear. The sunset cruises are especially magical—floating in warm water while the canyon walls glow during golden hour. The best part? No boating experience is required, so you can focus on the important things, like choosing the perfect playlist for your “I’m in a hot tub that moves” moment.
13. TuTugether
Location: Tempe, AZ
For those of us whose art skills peaked in third grade, TuTugether offers redemption. This crafting studio lets even the artistically challenged create something Instagram-worthy. Try rug tufting, where you’ll wield what’s essentially a fabric gun to create custom rugs, or pour painting, where the laws of physics do most of the artistic heavy lifting. The decoden class lets you bedazzle everyday items until they’re barely recognizable under a layer of charms, while Spin Shot Art involves shooting paint-filled balloons with BB guns—which is both therapeutic and artistically valid. It’s the perfect spot for creative friend gatherings, offering a unique twist to the usual dinner-and-drinks routine.
14. Pecan Lake Entertainment
Location: Queen Creek, AZ
Can’t decide what activity you’re in the mood for? Pecan Lake Entertainment has you covered. This place combines electric karting, a ropes course, VR experiences, axe throwing, escape rooms, arcade games, and a putting course all in one spot. It’s like someone took a 10-year-old’s birthday wish list and made it fun for adults too. Race your friends on the karts, then settle the score with some mini-golf. It’s the perfect place for those days when your group text can’t agree on anything—there’s something for everyone here. Plus, the park continues to grow! Coming soon will be a surf experience!
15. The Grand
Location: Phoenix, AZ
If you’re looking for something totally unexpected in Phoenix, check out a haunted pirate ship in the desert. The Grand’s 21+ themed bar delivers a unique experience with the Ghost Ship, complete with moving deck floors, atmospheric fog, and an undead crew staying in character all night. It’s like Pirates of the Caribbean meets craft cocktails. Their signature drinks aren’t just tasty—they’re mini theatrical productions that smoke, glow, or change colors. The “Kraken’s Revenge” has even become an Instagram sensation. On Sunday nights, you can join in on sea shanty singalongs that are equal parts ridiculous and ridiculously fun. It’s a whole new level of entertainment you never knew you needed.
16. Roars and Pours
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Roars & Pours offers a unique adults-only night at the zoo, where you can explore the Phoenix Zoo after hours with a drink in hand. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the animals without racing kids to the elephant exhibit. The event also features zoo-themed entertainment like chicken poop bingo, camel rides paired with craft beer, Zoo Family Feud, and Equine Meet & Greets—because horses are just cooler with a glass of chardonnay. Be sure to mark your calendar for April 3 or May 1, 2025, and grab your tickets early—this mix of animals and alcohol sells out faster than you might expect. If you miss the event, check out the Phoenix Zoo website for more upcoming dates. And for a unique twist, consider going near the holiday season to experience the Phoenix Zoo Lights—without the kids! It’s a magical experience just for adults.
17. Fish N Sips
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Happy Hour gets an upgrade when your drinking buddies include sea lions, penguins, and sloths. On April 11th, 2025, OdySea Aquarium transforms into the coolest bar in town, letting the 21+ crowd mingle with marine life from 5-9 PM. There’s something magical about sipping cocktails while watching jellyfish pulse through water or penguins waddle about. Live music by Dominick Provenzano provides the soundtrack as you learn fun facts during special animal talks—information that will definitely impress your friends at future trivia nights. It’s the perfect excuse to visit one of America’s largest aquariums without having to share the viewing windows with dozens of tiny fingerprints. If you can’t make this event, be sure to check out the OdySea Aquarium website for more upcoming dates.
18. Chicken N Pickle
Location: Glendale, AZ
Chicken N Pickle brings together America’s fastest-growing sport and farm-to-table dining in a brilliant combo venue. Pickleball, the sport with the funny name that’s taking over, gets the spotlight at this Glendale complex featuring both indoor and outdoor courts. Complete newbies can join clinics to learn the basics, while more competitive types can enter monthly tournaments. The rooftop courts offer stunning mountain views that make even a rough game look great on social media. The restaurant side of the equation focuses on brined, slow-roasted chicken that’s good enough to visit for dinner alone. It’s the perfect place to burn calories and immediately replace them—pickleball and chicken, a winning combo!
Experience Arizona’s Unique Gems and a Perfect Stay
These 18 activities reveal a unique side of Arizona often overlooked by traditional travel guides. From exciting outdoor adventures to peaceful moments, Arizona offers a wide range of experiences to suit any interest. After a day of exploring, relax and recharge by booking your stay with Goodnight Stay. With convenient locations and great accommodations, your Arizona trip will be complete with a perfect place to rest.
