What are the best things to do in Arizona?

Arizona offers an extraordinary range of experiences. Visit the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Hike Camelback Mountain or Cathedral Rock in Sedona. Explore Old Town Scottsdale's 100+ art galleries and boutiques. Tour ancient cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Experience the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. Attend Cactus League Spring Training games across the Phoenix metro area. Drive the Arizona stretch of historic Route 66 through Flagstaff, Williams, and Seligman.

What is the best time to visit Arizona?

The best time to visit Arizona depends on your destination. For Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson, October through April offers ideal temperatures (60-85°F) and is peak season for golf, hiking, and outdoor dining. Spring (March-April) is perfect for Cactus League baseball and wildflower blooms. Summer is best for northern Arizona - Sedona, Flagstaff (elevation 7,000 ft), and the Grand Canyon stay 15-20°F cooler than the desert. Fall brings pleasant temperatures statewide and fewer crowds.

What are the best neighborhoods in Scottsdale?

Old Town Scottsdale is the vibrant heart of the city, packed with art galleries along the Scottsdale ArtWalk, upscale dining at FnB and Citizen Public House, and lively nightlife. The Scottsdale Arts District features the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Scottsdale Civic Center. North Scottsdale offers luxury desert resorts like The Phoenician and Four Seasons, championship golf at TPC Scottsdale, and stunning McDowell Sonoran Preserve trails. South Scottsdale has a growing craft brewery and restaurant scene along the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.

What are the best hiking trails in Arizona?

Arizona's top hiking trails include Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon (9.5 miles to the Colorado River), Camelback Mountain's Echo Canyon Trail in Phoenix (1.2 miles, strenuous), Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona (1.2 miles with red-rock scrambling), Humphreys Peak Trail near Flagstaff (Arizona's highest point at 12,633 ft), Havasu Falls (10 miles to stunning turquoise waterfalls), and Tom's Thumb Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. For easier hikes, try Papago Park's Hole in the Rock in Phoenix or the Devil's Bridge Trail in Sedona.

What are the best restaurants in Phoenix?

Phoenix's dining scene features James Beard Award nominees and diverse cuisines. Top picks include Binkley's Restaurant in Cave Creek for contemporary American tasting menus, Barrio Café for elevated Mexican cuisine, Pizzeria Bianco (nationally acclaimed pizza), Kai at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass for Native American-inspired fine dining, and Hana Japanese Eatery for omakase. For casual dining, try The Larder + The Delta for Southern comfort food, Tacos Chiwas for Chihuahua-style tacos, and Cornish Pasty Co. for eclectic pub food. Phoenix also boasts vibrant food halls like The Churchill and Uptown Farmers Market.

What are the best desert resorts in Arizona?

Arizona is home to world-renowned desert resorts. The Phoenician in Scottsdale offers a luxury spa, golf course, and Camelback Mountain views. Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain features boutique casita-style rooms and the acclaimed elements restaurant. The Boulders Resort in Carefree sits among dramatic 12-million-year-old granite formations. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North provides secluded desert luxury with Pinnacle Peak views. Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa in Tucson is a top-ranked wellness destination. L'Auberge de Sedona offers creekside luxury amid Sedona's red rocks.

What events are happening in Arizona in 2026?

Arizona's 2026 event calendar features major highlights: Cactus League Spring Training (February-March) with 15 MLB teams across 10 Phoenix-area stadiums. The WM Phoenix Open golf tournament (February) at TPC Scottsdale is the best-attended event in golf. Scottsdale Culinary Festival (April) showcases Arizona's dining scene. The Arizona Renaissance Festival (February-March) runs weekends in Gold Canyon. Sedona International Film Festival (February) draws filmmakers worldwide. Country Thunder Arizona (April) brings four days of country music to Florence. Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns provide year-round professional sports action.

Is Arizona good for a family vacation?

Arizona is an excellent family destination year-round. Top family attractions include the Phoenix Zoo (one of the largest nonprofit zoos in the U.S.), Arizona Science Center, Children's Museum of Phoenix, and OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale. For outdoor fun, visit Slide Rock State Park near Sedona, Lake Powell for houseboat adventures, or Kartchner Caverns State Park for underground tours. The Grand Canyon Junior Ranger program engages kids at all ages. Many Scottsdale and Phoenix resorts offer kids' clubs and family pool areas. Tucson's Pima Air & Space Museum has 400+ aircraft on display.

What are the best day trips from Phoenix?

Phoenix is ideally located for Arizona day trips. Sedona (2 hours north) offers red-rock hiking and vortex sites. The Grand Canyon South Rim is a 3.5-hour drive. Tucson (1.5 hours south) features Saguaro National Park and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Jerome, a former copper mining ghost town, sits 1.5 hours north with art galleries and the Jerome Grand Hotel. Prescott (1.5 hours) has Whiskey Row saloons and Watson Lake. Montezuma Castle (1.5 hours) showcases 800-year-old cliff dwellings. Apache Trail east of Phoenix offers Tortilla Flat, Canyon Lake, and the Superstition Mountains.

What is there to do in Sedona?

Sedona offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, spirituality, and arts. Hike to Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge, or Bell Rock for iconic red-rock views. Visit the four main vortex sites (Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon) believed to radiate healing energy. Explore Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village for galleries and Southwestern art. Take a Pink Jeep Tour through the backcountry. Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built into the red rocks. Sedona's dining scene includes Elote Cafe (Mexican-inspired), Mariposa (Latin-inspired with panoramic views), and Cress on Oak Creek. The Sedona International Film Festival runs annually in February.

Home > Housing Market > Surprise

Surprise Housing Market Report: August 2026

Verified market data for Surprise, Maricopa County, updated twice weekly by Incyte Realty.

As of August 2026, the median home price in Surprise, Arizona is $424,990, at $222 per square foot, with homes averaging 74 days on market. Conditions currently favor a balanced market. Data compiled by Incyte Realty from redfin.com and realtor.com and homes.com, as of 2026-08.

$424,990

Median Home Price

$222

Price per Sq Ft

Avg Days on Market

balanced market

Current Conditions

Market data last updated: 2026-08-24 · Sources: redfin.com, realtor.com, homes.com · Surprise figures as of 2026-08

Surprise vs. Maricopa County

The median home price in Surprise is $424,990, against a Maricopa County median of $504,900. Homes here average 74 days on market, versus 73 days county-wide. County inventory is currently low with a stable trend.

Surprise vs. Maricopa CountyMedian home price. Verified figures; see the update date above.

View as data table

Area	Median home price
Surprise	$425K
Maricopa County median	$505K

Median price across Maricopa County citiesSurprise highlighted. Top cities by verified median.

View as data table

Area	Median home price
Paradise Valley	$3.1M
Carefree	$1.3M
Scottsdale	$1.2M
Cave Creek	$1.0M
Fountain Hills	$741K
Queen Creek	$659K
Gilbert	$600K
Litchfield Park	$537K
Chandler	$520K
Anthem	$511K
Peoria	$495K
Goodyear	$483K

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median home price in Surprise, Arizona?+

The median home price in Surprise is $424,990 as of 2026-08. For comparison, the Maricopa County median is $504,900.

How long do homes take to sell in Surprise?+

Homes in Surprise currently average 74 days on market, compared with 73 days across Maricopa County. Figure as of 2026-08.

Is Surprise a buyer's or seller's market right now?+

Surprise currently shows balanced market conditions with an average of 74 days on market. Market conditions are reassessed twice weekly from redfin.com and realtor.com and homes.com.

Planning a move? Read the full Surprise community guide for neighborhoods, schools, and things to do, or return to the full metro market report.

Ready to look at actual listings?Browse live homes for sale in Surprise on Incyte Realty's search, updated in real time.

See Homes For Sale

Surprise Housing Market Report: August 2026

Surprise vs. Maricopa County

Nearby Market Reports

Frequently Asked Questions