Tucked into the heart of The Valley and neighboring Scottsdale, the Salt River Indian Community’s Talking Stick Entertainment District blends desert beauty with nonstop fun. Whether you’re dropping in for a day or spending the weekend, this is where golf swings meet skydives, and butterflies share space with illusions. Ready to explore?

Here’s your ultimate guide to the district’s can’t-miss experiences.

Talking Stick Resort

Two people relax on lounge chairs by a pool, raising colorful drinks, with a tall hotel building in the background and striped towels draped over the chairs. It’s a sunny day with blue skies.

This isn’t just a hotel—it’s a desert escape with serious style. Talking Stick Resort offers sleek rooms with Instagram-worthy views, two sun-soaked pools, and a spa with desert-inspired treatments. Savor dinner at Orange Sky—think burrata-topped beets or tenderloin—then hit the lively casino, sip a signature cocktail, or dance the night away. Whether you’re here to relax or turn up, this resort delivers.

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Spring training lives here—but this isn’t just a ballpark. Salt River Fields blends America’s favorite pastime with mountain vistas, community events and festivals. Home to both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, it’s THE spot for baseball lovers (more than 300,000 fans visit each season). But there’s more than just baseball here—think yoga on the field, food festivals, and community events!

PopStroke

Mini-golf, reimagined. Designed by Tiger Woods (yes, that Tiger Woods), PopStroke trades windmills for rolling greens and digital leaderboards. Two 18-hole courses offer enough challenge for seasoned players but still keep it light-hearted for date night. Even better? Drinks come to you—order via app, and your cocktail appears at your next hole. Finish the round with burgers, tacos, or one of their towering milkshakes, served up at the breezy onsite restaurant.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Performers in medieval costumes with flags stand in a sandy arena, surrounded by cheering spectators at themed tables, under dramatic lighting, recreating a medieval tournament scene indoors.

Yes, there are real horses. Yes, there’s sword-fighting. And yes, you will be eating with your hands. Step into the arena-style castle of Medieval Times and root for your knight as he battles for glory, all while feasting on garlic bread, roasted chicken, and buttery corn. The drama is delicious—and so is the four-course meal.

Butterfly Wonderland

Three children sit smiling on a butterfly-shaped bench in a bright greenhouse filled with plants and flowers, with a large orange flower sculpture behind them.

The largest indoor butterfly conservatory in the U.S., Butterfly Wonderland immerses you in a tropical rainforest where thousands of butterflies drift through the air like living confetti inside a stunning glass atrium. Beyond the butterflies? Visit the reptile and amphibian hall, watch “Flight of the Butterflies” in the immersive 3D theater, and explore interactive nature exhibits.

Topgolf

Part driving range, part social hub, Topgolf is your go-to for casual competition. Whether you’re a pro golfer or just here for the snacks and swing selfies, each bay is climate-controlled and fully equipped for a good time. Grab a shareable platter, keep score with digital tracking, and play through rain or shine with your crew.

Bam Kazam

A person balances carefully on a tightrope above a dark, reflective surface indoors, with brick walls and windows lit by warm lights in the background.

Ever dreamed of living inside an arcade game? At Bam Kazam, you’re the main character in a world of giant puzzles, wild obstacle courses, and brain-teasing challenges. One room dares you to escape without touching the “lava” floor; another drops you into a real-life labyrinth. With 60+ interactive rooms designed to test your mind and reflexes, this isn’t just playtime—it’s an all-out adventure.

Talking Stick Golf Club

At Talking Stick Golf Club, golf comes with a side of mountain views and standout design. Play the wide-open O’odham Course or take on the tighter, tree-lined Piipaash—both crafted by the legendary Coore and Crenshaw. Whether you’re chasing birdies or just soaking in the desert landscape, this public course brings a polished, no-membership-required experience to The Valley’s golf scene.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Who says you need a plane to fly? iFLY brings the rush of skydiving indoors with a vertical wind tunnel that lets you float like a pro—even if it’s your first time. Instructors walk you through every step, and the feeling of lift-off? Pure magic. It’s safe, surreal, and open to nearly all ages (kids as young as three can take flight!).

OdySea Aquarium

A family of five rides an escalator through an underwater tunnel at an aquarium, with children excitedly pointing at fish and a shark swimming above them. Blue water and marine life surround the clear tunnel.

At OdySea Aquarium, you’re not just watching marine life—you’re surrounded by it. Wander through underwater tunnels, meet sharks, penguins, and sea lions face to face, then hop aboard the OdySea Voyager—a rotating theater that glides past massive aquatic scenes through 46-foot viewing windows. With over 6,000 animals in 2 million gallons of water, this is the desert’s coolest dive into the deep.

Museum of Illusions

A smiling couple stands on a bridge inside a tunnel with swirling blue and purple lights, pointing and looking excitedly at the vibrant display around them.

Step into the Museum of Illusions, where reality bends and your senses get fooled—in the best way. Clone yourself at the infinity table, stroll across the ceiling, and get lost in mind-bending holograms. With 60+ interactive exhibits designed to trick the eye and delight the camera, this place turns everyday physics into a playground of “wait, what?!” moments. Bring your curiosity—and your phone. You’ll want proof.

The Pavilions at Talking Stick

Palm trees and parked cars line a shopping center at sunset, with stores including a fitness gym and Tony & Guy visible under a colorful purple and orange sky with scattered clouds.

Equal parts retail therapy and entertainment zone, The Pavilions is your easygoing endcap to the day. Shop the familiar favorites, grab spicy seafood at Angry Crab Shack or a cozy bowl of pasta at Babbo, and settle in for a movie night at RoadHouse Cinemas. Or loop back to PopStroke for one more round—because why not?

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Hanna Kroeger

Hanna Muth is a former music teacher turned freelance writer and instructional designer based in Orlando, Florida. When she’s not creating content for clients, she’s either cooking, playing her violin, or taking long walks around Disney World with her husband.

Favorite Place to Vacation:
Anywhere in Europe

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