How to Visit Chandler, Arizona

Dr. Alexander J. Chandler was the first veterinary surgeon in the Arizona territory and the visionary behind the town of Chandler as we know it today. The area grew by leaps and bounds thanks to its agricultural focus, specifically on cotton, corn and alfalfa. Here’s how to visit and enjoy Chandler, Arizona, from its rich agricultural history to the local art scene.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stay at the San Marcos Golf Resort when you visit Chandler, Arizona. Formerly known as the San Marcos Hotel, this Spanish Mission style structure was built in 1913 and has played host to many internationally-known celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Ronald Reagan and Al Capone.

2. Visit the Historic McCullough-Price House first. This 1938 Pueblo Revival style home is also the location of the Chandler Visitor’s Center, so it’s a great place to start for information and literature from those who know best how to tour the town.

3. Stroll through Historic Downtown Chandler. Filled with dozens of quaint shops, restaurants and galleries, this is the place to get a real feel for the town and its people.

4. Go back in time at the Chandler Historical Museum, featuring exhibits ranging from the Hohokam’s presence there thousands of years ago to the arrivals of the town’s namesake--Dr. Alexander J. Chandler--in the late 1800s. Check out the Arizona Railway Museum too, featuring railway equipment, artifacts and mementos from the past and the present.

5. Get to know the local art scene when you visit Chandler, Arizona. Visit Chandler Center for the Arts in Historic Downtown Chandler and, if you’re there the first Wednesday of the month, don’t miss the First Wednesday ArtWalk, featuring local artists and their work.

6. Go skating at Chandler Skate Park at Snedigar Sportsplex, a 35,000-square-foot facility for skaters of all levels, featuring concrete bowls, decks, blocks and metal rails.