Things to Do in Fountain Hills

The stables at Cave Creek Outfitters nestle into the natural splendor of the Sonoran Desert amid its valleys, boulders, and saguaro cacti silhouetted against the setting sun. Owners and operators Todd Masden and Cheryl Ward lead educational tours through the Western landscape with more than 40 well-mannered steeds paired with riders according to their individual ability and experience. Cave Creek Outfitters equips riders with complimentary bottled water and asks that they wear long pants and closed-toe shoes so horses don't feel jealous of their opposable toes.

A flurry of paintballs whiz through the air, splattering their targets with brightly colored pigment. Players at Westworld Paintball Adventures explore either indoor or outdoor fields, where they can unleash a paintball-pelting fury, rain or shine. At Splatter Ranch’s outdoor enclave, paintballers find cover in gullies or clusters of shrubbery as majestic cacti stand guard a safe distance away. The field and on-site pro shop spread across 20 acres of terrain, which is peppered with a few buildings where players can duck into or play Rochambeau for decoy duty.

At the indoor arena, Xtreme Pursuit, players kick up clouds of dirt as they chase each other around a 33,000-square-foot facility and take shelter in bunkers and buildings amid specialized lighting, a sound system, and fog machines. The facility is air-conditioned and open year-round, with a pro shop supplying equipment to players.

In the shadow of the mountains of Tonto National Forest, Bartlett Lake watercrafts skid across 2,815 acres of the lake's pristine waters. The marina abounds with recreational facilities—its fleet of professional jet skis, pontoons, and ski boats sit parked along docks of grills, a general store, and a covered, floating patio. A 45-foot yacht towers over the rest of the rental boats, furnishing lively parties of up to 25 people with a slide, bar, and restroom, while a large houseboat floats along the lake peacefully—an impressive vessel complete with private rooms, a deck, and kitchen. As visitors navigate the lake or forage the surrounding area's desert terrain trails, they have the opportunity to admire indigenous plants and abundant wildlife.

Fun facilitators Monica and Gabor accelerate customers’ heartbeats with exhilarating motorcycle rentals through AZride.com. Gabor, a biker since the age of 14, started AZride by deciding to combine his cherished hobby with more than 20 years of collected industry experience. His infectious love for riding spread to Monica, AZride’s guest-relations expert, who personally tends to each customer’s reservations and special requests for a Batcycle. AZride's enthusiastic duo hosts customized and guided motorcycle tours across Arizona’s arid landscapes or equips customers to explore their surroundings with structured ride plans for private self-guided tours.

Pinz celebrates classic ten-pin competition with open hours throughout the week, league opportunities, and cosmic bowling each weekend. The newly renovated facility is now outfitted with synthetic bowling surfaces, glow-in-the-dark carpeting, and flat-screen television sets. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the lanes take on glowing hues that emulate the experience of bowling under the Northern Lights without the inconvenience of getting frostbite. Pinz’s onsite kitchen dishes up quick specialties to fill bellies, and the facility’s game room is equipped with pool tables, air-hockey tables, and a digital jukebox capable of plucking old 45s from the far reaches of the Internet.

Jennifer Pilates’s clients range from celebrities to professional athletes to international fitness gurus, none who live in Scottsdale. Luckily for them, she’s turned to Skype to revolutionize and expand her classroom, doling out individualized lessons online. She partners her high-tech classroom with an actual studio in Scottsdale, where students can take part in the core-strengthening practice of Pilates in both group mat lessons and private training sessions. She also conducts wellness consultations to further boost her students’ health.