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Groves of olive trees, peach orchards and pumpkin patches are not what most people picture in the Phoenix suburbs, yet that is the heart of Queen Creek. This fast-growing town on the far southeast edge of the Valley, about 40 minutes from downtown Phoenix, has held on to its agricultural roots even as new neighborhoods have spread across former cotton fields.
Homesteaders and cotton farmers settled along the Queen Creek wash in the early 1900s, and a few landmarks from that era survive: the 1925 Rittenhouse Elementary School, now a local history museum, and the small old church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its Garden of Peace. The town only incorporated in 1989.
Today families come for agritourism. The Queen Creek Olive Mill presses Arizona-grown oil and serves farm lunches, and Schnepf Farms hosts u-pick days and a famous autumn festival. Horseshoe Park stages rodeos and equestrian events, and San Tan Mountain Regional Park offers desert hiking at the edge of town. The Superstition Mountains are an easy drive northeast.
A family-run olive farm and mill that presses extra virgin olive oil from Arizona-grown olives. Join a short tour and tasting, browse the marketplace of oils, tapenades and balsamics, then eat lunch at the cafe on the shaded patio. Weekends get busy, so arrive before noon.
A large working farm known for its peach orchard, u-pick seasonal produce and country-style bakery. Its fall Pumpkin and Chili Party adds pumpkin patches, hayrides and carnival rides, and spring brings peach-picking days. Check the farm calendar before going, since activities change by season.
More than 10,000 acres of Sonoran Desert on the southern edge of town, with saguaro-dotted trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The Goldmine Trail climbs to views across the valley. Start early in summer, carry plenty of water and stop at the visitor center for maps.
A town-owned equestrian center with covered and open arenas, stalls and grandstands that hosts rodeos, horse shows, roping competitions and community events through much of the year. Spectators are welcome at most events, often for free. See the event calendar to find a show during your visit.
The museum fills the old Rittenhouse Elementary School, a brick schoolhouse from 1925 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits cover pioneer farming, the cotton era and early ranch families of the area. Volunteers keep limited hours, so confirm opening days before you go.
A small historic church that served the farming families of early Queen Creek and is one of the town's oldest buildings. The surrounding Garden of Peace has statues, shaded benches and paths that make a quiet stop. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds respectfully outside service times.
A community park built around a stocked lake where anglers can fish for catfish and bass with an Arizona fishing license. Walking paths circle the water, and the park adds playgrounds, sports courts and shaded ramadas. Early mornings bring herons and egrets to the shoreline.
A paved multi-use path that follows the Queen Creek wash through town, linking parks, neighborhoods and the town center. It is popular with cyclists, runners and families on scooters, and it is flat and easy. Ride or walk it in the cool hours, since there is little shade at midday.
A modern performing arts venue on a high school campus that books touring concerts, tribute bands, comedy, dance and family shows alongside local school productions in a large, modern auditorium. Check the season schedule online and buy tickets ahead for popular nights.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: CWanamaker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marine 69-71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marine 69-71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Marine 69-71, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: FSXIV, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Beyond My Ken, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
