Fountain Hills, Arizona

Overview

Fountain Hills started life as the P-Bar Ranch, settled sometime between 1906 and 1919. In the late 60s, real estate developer Robert McCulloch bought 12,000 acres of the ranch, and the basic infrastructure of the town was constructed from 1968 to 1969.  In 1970, the town’s trademark fountain, once the highest in the country, was turned on in a grand opening ceremony. Since then residential units have been quickly sold and businesses have started to operate. The First Annual Arts and Crafts show was held in 1975 attended by 20,000 people, followed by the opening of the Botanical Garden and the Library. Fountain Hills now has a population of 31,000 people and is visited by an additional 100,000 each year.

Fast Facts

• Fountain Hills was described by developer McCulloch as a “hometown by nature.”
• Fountain Hills is encircled by the Four Peaks, Superstitious Mountains and the McDowell Mountains,
• The Fountain Hills’ iconic fountain is located right in the center of a 30 acre lake
• It “blows” water each hour for a period of 15 minutes.
• The water can rise to a height of almost 600 feet but it is still not the tallest fountain in the world.
• The water is tinted green every year on St. Patrick’s Day

Best Hotels

The Inn at  Eagle mountain is perfect for golf lovers. The hotel’s design fits the desert landscape and although it is a bit older, the guest rooms are kept clean and the place is relatively quiet and peaceful. The views from the adobe buildings are stunning and it is only a short distance to restaurants and a grocery store.  You get a good bargain for the rates you pay and you will really enjoy playing golf. It could be better if the hotel got a little face lift.  Book your Fountain Hills Hotels with Reservations.com.

Things to Do

Visit the River of Time Museum if you want to learn about the history of Fountain Hills. Play golf in several lovely nearby golf courses.  Attend the Fountain Hills Festival of Arts and Crafts and feast on displays of art, good food and music.  Another festival is the Fountain Hills Great Fair which the town celebrates each February. The musicians make music and make money at the same time. Bring your dogs to the canine park where your pet can meet and play with other pets. Go for a walk in downtown Fountain Hills and shop till you drop, or watch movies or try out new cuisines in various restaurants.  Be brave, ask the chef for the recipe of the dish you loved, and try it out.

Restaurants and Dining

It seems nobody doesn’t like MPJ’s Grill and Restaurant in Fountain Hills. It serves classic American food and the verdict seems to be, everything is third degree delicious.   It serves vegetarian-friendly dishes such as the hot portobello mushroom sandwich with sweet peppers, but hamburgers and french fries are also great. Redendo’s Pizzeria and Pasta is a local watering hole for pizza and pasta lovers.  It is definitely for casual dining but the New York pizzas have wonderful toppings and the cannoli and pasta are definitely home made.  The staff is courteous and the restaurant is very kid friendly.