1. Gilbert Is A TOWN And Damn Proud Of It
Technically speaking,
Gilbert is considered an incorporated town, not a “city,” but don’t think that means it’s any less important. In fact, Gilbert is the most populous town in the entire country. Sure, it’s sort of in Phoenix’s shadow, but it’s still making a name for itself.
2. Go For The Beer, Then Eat All The Pretzels
If you’re a fan of an icy cold craft beer, you’re going to be spending a lot of your time at World Of Beer in Gilbert.
They’ve got everything from local brews to imports and a menu that will make for quite a tough decision. But their food is worth staying for, too. Sized bigger than your head, their pretzels come served to you on a banana stand with the option of mustard or cheese.
3. Gilbert Is Good For The Soul
Riparian Preserve At Water Ranch is the city’s wildlife preserve with 4.5 miles of trails including equestrian tracks that connect to Gilbert’s Trail System.
If you’re tired of the desert trails and rocky scenery, head here on foot or on horseback while you check out the 200 species of birds that call Riparian home throughout the year. Kick back and relax while you take in the amazing Arizona sunsets and let it all go.
4. People In Gilbert Live The Frontier Life
If you’re looking to get out for the day and take in some of that breath-taking Arizona scenery, but aren’t much in the mood for driving, that’s what the Arizona Frontiers tours are there for. Leaving from Gilbert, Arizona Frontiers will take you around Arizona’s most scenic areas like Sedona, the Grand Canyon, ancient ruins, Jerome and Northern Arizona wineries for archeological and historic tours.
5. Where Gilbert Is Going, It Definitely Needs Roads
What’s a city without roads? Nothing, of course. That’s why Gilbert throws Gilbert Days, a unique three-day-long celebration commemorating the paving of Gilbert Road through downtown. Falling during the holiday season, the festivities include a carnival, a 5k and 1 Mile Fun run, a rodeo, and a parade that features an appearance from Old Saint Nick himself. The fun brings everyone from town out to celebrate their beloved Gilbert.
6. In Fact, It’s Growing Faster Every Day
Everyone wants to live in Gilbert. And there’s proof. The population in Gilbert is one of the fastest growing in the nation, increasing from 5,717 in 1980 to 208, 453 in 2010 as of the 2010 census. So get down here before everyone else does!
7. Gilbert Consistently Ranks As One Of The Best Places To Live
Gilbert locals have known all along that their city is one of the best spots on earth, but now they have proof. With good public schools, affordable healthcare options, low crime rates, and sunny skies, Gilbert earned its place on CNN Money’s list of Best Places To Live countrywide. The family-friendly neighborhoods set in a community that caters to people who enjoy active lifestyles make residents happy to call Gilbert home.
8. Probably Because Of The Awesome Community Events
Since 2010, SanTan Village has been lighting up the crystal clear skies of Gilbert at Christmas time with a hot air balloon display, creating the most magical and unique holiday tradition around. Even better? The admission is free and is open to everyone, even that rotten Grinch.
9. Gilbert Has More Golf Courses Than Cacti
Okay, not really. There’s a lot of cacti. But Gilbert also has a huge selection of golf courses and residents here take their favorite recreational sport very seriously. You can head to Greenfield Lakes or Westfield Skies for traditional 18-hole, or you can get the abridged version if you’re in a hurry at Trinity on Power Ranch.
10. It’s A Biker’s Dream Come True
Gilbert is well known for its Central Trail System that offers 135 miles of enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. Along with its equestrian tracks are over 54 miles of marked bike trails where you can ride along the canals and check out a view that hikers around the country could only dream of.
11. You Can Work On Your Kick Flips Til The Sun Goes Down
Located inside Freestone Park is a much beloved 22,000 square feet skate park for all the little Tony Hawks in Gilbert to practice their skills. Bikes, inline skates, and scooters are all allowed here at this unsupervised park.
Don’t forget the helmet, it’s the law in Gilbert.
12. Star Gazing Takes On A Whole New Meaning
Not many people can say that they have an observatory in their backyard, but in Gilbert you can. The Gilbert Centennial Rotary Observatory is located on the grounds of Freestone and is home to massive, state-of-the-art 16’ diameter computerized scope. Visitors can come look every Friday and Saturday evening from September through June.
13. Did You Know, There’s Wakeboarding In Arizona?
Surfers might find themselves bored in Gilbert, but what’s a surfer doing in Arizona, anyway? Besides, that’s all the more reason to learn how to wakeboard. The Boardhub, offers crazy fun wakeboarding lessons for everyone from the absolute beginner to the mega-experienced. Grab the rope and go out on the lake for the ride of your life.
14. Gilbert Eats Enough Ice Cream For A City Three Times It's Size
With Arizona’s soaring heat that sees temperatures often go above 100 degrees, it’s obvious that ice cream is a popular treat in Gilbert.
But you’ll never hit up the ice cream truck again after trying one of the mind blowing gelatos from Frost. Their vast array of unique flavors include gems like Nutella, white chocolate macadamia nut, chai tea, and a spicy jalapeno.
15. There's A Ton Of Town History
While walking through the Heritage District that marks the original location of the town of Gilbert, visitors can stop by the Gilbert Historical Museum to learn all about its history.
Walk through the many rooms dedicated to showcasing the Gilbert of yesterday including an old school room, a military room, and a model train room among others. To spice it up a bit, they also hold frequent “Night At The Museum” events.
16. Everyone In Gilbert Knows There's Fresh Fruit To Be Had Way Out Here
When most people think of Arizona, all they imagine are canyons, desert, sand, and cacti. But that only makes up a portion of the state.
Arizona also has plenty of farmland and fresh produce brought directly to the residents of Gilbert every Saturday at the Gilbert Farmers Market.
17. Mark Twain Never Left Gilbert
Out front of the popular Farmhouse Village restaurant sits a statue of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Diners and visitors are welcome to sit with him as he reads you the story of Huckleberry Finn or have their picture taken alongside him before heading inside for a delicious meal.
18. Gilbert Will Teach You To Fly
There are two types of people in the world. Those who are scared of the circus (all those clowns!) and those who dreamt about running off with it. At Trapeze U, everybody wins because you can learn how to become a stellar trapeze artist without a single clown watching and waiting to kill you in your sleep.
19. Get Up Close And Personal With The Theater
Gilbert’s Hale Centre Theatre’s intimate seating provides visitors with something that the other local theaters don’t: on stage seating. Set in a rectangle around the floor stage, there isn’t a bad seat to be had. The cast puts on multiple productions a year that make for a great show for adults and children.
20. It's The Kind Of Great Town That Celebrates Diversity
The Gilbert Global Village Festival is an international bazaar at the Gilbert Civic Center’s North Campus that celebrates diversity and cultures from all over the world. There is an international marketplace you can shop, demonstrations on costumes and musical instruments, and a Parade of Nations that kids can jump in. Like so many events in Gilbert, the Global Village Festival’s admission is free for everyone to enjoy.
21. Fall Means Nights Out At Freestone Park
Come out for an evening of free music at Freestone’s Concert In The Park, a series of outdoor musical fun and entertainment. It’s the best way to relax at the end
What you love about living in Gilbert? Tell us in the comments below!
