22 Best Things To Do In Lake Havasu Arizona

I knew of Lake Havasu as a spring break vacation spot, as this moist, wild place between parched, desert lands. Yearly, for per week in March, Lake Havasu Metropolis turns right into a stripped-down, bar-clad city. Massive boats choke smooth waters; pontoons rub stern-to-bow. It’s a dizzying, disorienting change of tempo. You’d be forgiven for considering you entered yacht week in Croatia.

However this picture of Lake Havasu can also be somewhat deceptive. Positive, toned faculty boys and toned faculty ladies, laughing and clinking glasses, make up the brochure image of Lake Havasu. However the remainder of the yr, Lake Havasu Metropolis strikes at a slower tempo. It’s calmer, quieter, extra settled. You’ll see younger households, youngsters in tow, strolling the walkways. You’ll see {couples}, a number of a long time older, procuring, crusing, smiling.

Though Lake Havasu’s spring break repute precedes it, I hope this checklist of issues to do in Lake Havasu supersedes it. There’s lots to see on this metropolis: startlingly blue waters, rugged mountains,wind-swayed palms.

Come for the year-round surroundings. From mountaineering to scorching air ballooning, you’ll be able to absorbArizona’s West Coast ground-first or up-in-the-air (the views are spectacular each methods).

Right here’s Passport To Eden’s information to the highest issues to do in Lake Havasu Metropolis!

Disclosure: Heads up, this publish comprises some affiliate hyperlinks, which implies I could get a fee when you make a purchase order. Don’t really feel pressured to purchase something. I nonetheless love that you simply’re right here, studying my content material (aspect be aware: I’d most likely recommend getting a espresso or tea first although as a result of my weblog posts are usually lengthy). To seek out out extra, you’ll be able to learn our full affiliate disclosure proper right here.

Issues To Do In Lake Havasu, Arizona

4 hours into our drive to Lake Havasu, I sit up somewhat straighter. I sigh. I ahem. I attempt to gently steer the dialog in direction of Lake Havasu Metropolis’s hottest attraction.

“We’re going to see the London Bridge,” I blurt. “It’s actually the London Bridge. Effectively, a London Bridge, one of many London Bridges.”

Within the backseat of our automotive, my household stays silent. I’m unsure what I anticipated. I suppose, after seeing a cowboy-hatted Eiffel Tower in Paris, Texas, and a Parthenon duplicate in Nashville, London Bridge in Arizona doesn’t sound too far-fetched.

Nevertheless it ought to.

Best Things to do in Arizona

Go to London Bride

Right here’s what’s spectacular concerning the London Bridge in Lake Havasu: its historical past. It is a story of two cities, one that’s break up between busy, bustling, built-out London and distant, austere, underdeveloped Lake Havasu Metropolis. Within the mid-Twentieth century, Lake Havasu wished to attract in a neighborhood. Potential consumers had been flown into town: wined, pampered, and dined. Someplace, alongside that timeline, the London Bridge was dismantled, piece by piece, and reassembled 1000’s of miles away.

It’s onerous to inform who was crazier: the person who determined to promote the London Bridge or the person who determined to purchase it. The sale of the London Bridge was advised by Ivan Luckin, a thin-lipped, barrel-headed council member. And his proposal was met with comprehensible hesitation. I imply, who would purchase a protracted, uninteresting grey slab? This London Bridge wasn’t something just like the larger-than-life, neo-gothic Tower Bridge. This London Bridge wasn’t even the identical bridge from “London Bridge is falling down.”

However Luckin believed that this London Bridge might be bought. And if the primary 4 letters of his title had been any indication, he was proper.

In 1968, the bridge was bought by an equally visionary American, Robert P. McCulloch. It was an effort to get it arrangehowever value it ultimately (Cornelius Vanderbilt Wooden, one of many chief builders of Disneyland, was employed to supervise the challenge). Right now, London Bridge stays certainly one of Lake Havasu Metropolis’s most well-known points of interest.

Because of this, strolling, driving, or biking throughout London Bridge is non-negotiable whereas visiting Lake Havasu. Alongside a span of 930 ft, you’ll see British and American flags fanning within the breeze. You’ll move by coat-of-arms-bearing lamp posts, eachconstructed from melted-down cannons in Napolean’s Battle Of Waterloo. You’ll hear the accented chatter of vacationers from all world wide.

London Bridge, as we speak, is an immersive jaunt of historical past.

Bridgewater Channel

I’m beginning to marvel ifMcCulloch had some type of crystal ball. I can think about him peering into the long run, seeing the trendy, extra fashionable Lake Havasu, wanting round, and questioning how can we get from this to that?

As it might occur, London Bridge got here first; the channel after. Earlier than the Bridgewater Channel was dredged out, Lake Havasu’s London Bridge lay awkwardly in dry, heat-cooked land. The world was flooded later, filling the brown-tinged scene with brilliant waves of blue.

Right now, Bridgewater Channel is the place most of Lake Havasu’s boats meander. It’s a no-wake strip so anticipate to float slowly alongside it, to inch previous a shadowy arch, to lazily transfer in direction of a distant cuff of mountains.

Island Mall And Brewery

Island Mall And Brewery lies at one finish of London Bridge. It’s a closed-door procuring middle, a hub of presents and drinks. Most guests come for the views from the patios, which overlook the channel.

However there’s another excuse to go to too. Descend down a tiny flight of stairs to a good tinier community of paths to see why. From this modest sidewalk strip, fencing the water’s edge, Bridgewater Channel doesn’t appear so nonetheless. Each small, wavy motion feels extra tangible. You’ll really feel the gusts of wind in your hair. You’ll hear the chirrup of birds swooping above. It’s a quiet, scenic (albeit smoke-scented) spot.

Journey Tip: For those who’re seeking to hit up a brewery in Lake Havasu Metropolis, head to Mudshark Brewery And Public House for growlers and pizza!

English Village

No checklist of issues to do in Lake Havasu can be full with out point out of English Village, a charming cluster of outlets proper alongside the waterfront.

What English Village lacks in authenticity, it makes up for in charisma. Every of the inverse-V-roofed buildings is cute and kitschy. You’ll stroll previous a protracted line of gimmicky facades promoting all the things from t-shirts to ice-cold drinks.

Positive,the realm is about as convincing as Selena Gomez’s British accent in Monte Carlo (I really like this film by the best way. It’s certainly one of my favourite rom-coms – don’t decide me). English Village appears to be like like an all-too Americanized, Epcot-rendition of the UK. However that’s a part of the enjoyable.

Lake Havasu Memorial Walkway

As I squat all the way down to tie my footwear, I discover letters and phrases etched into the bottom. Near chains, cordoning off a pointy concrete drop-off, is Lake Havasu Memorial Walkway, a volunteer-run challenge, the brainchild of the Havasu Freedom Basis. On every brick, shaping the trail, is a reputation of a freedom fighter. Navajo Code Talkers. Healthcare staff. There are greater blocks too. These sandy-colored squares element bigger histories: the Boston Tea Get together, the Zenger Trial. Each is a brief and candy scholar essay diving right into a second of freedom.

Go On A Guided Sundown Tour

Indubitably, the most effective instances to expertise Lake Havasu is sundown. The sky is clementine-colored and so are the waters. Curves of clouds and crests of waves are copper-tinged.

You possibly can benefit from the intensely orange panorama proper from London Bridge or hop on a gaggle tour. Sundown Constitution Firm is the enterprise to know (you’ll see lengthy traces queued up exterior its blue-peaked stand in English Village). The Sunset Experience is a protracted, lingering, intimate three-hour tour that includes unparalleled, bucket-list-worthy views of Lake Havasu.

Lake Havasu Museum Of Historical past

The historical past of Lake Havasu is much more complicated and complicated than what I detailed above. Your information will dig into all the enjoyable particulars in your tour. However one other solution to find out about it’s at the Lake Havasu Museum Of History.

A mild mixture of everlasting and touring displays, Lake Havasu’s Museum Of Historical past is small and packed. You’ll study concerning the McCulloch period and the bridge’s journey to the Americas.You’ll find out about pre-and-post London Bridge days. You’ll find out about Havasu-area animals, wildflowers, and geology. There’s extra than simply historical past on show.

London Bridge Seaside

Alternatively, you would head straight to London Bridge Seaside, one of many lesser-known (however nonetheless very a lot recognized) sights to see in Lake Havasu. A waterfront park, studded with lanky, angled palms and hard strands of sand, London Bridge Seaside appears to be like finest within the cool eves of summer season. When you’ve got a pup, convey them right here (for Lion’s Canine Park particularly, however the remainder of London Bridge Seaside is truthful recreation too). And when you don’t, there’s nonetheless a lot to do: picnicking at one of many dozen ramadas, spiking a volleyball on the courts, dipping your ft within the buoyed swim space.

Water Sports activities Lake Havasu

For those who’re a landlubber like me, you may (initially) really feel a bit awkward and misplaced in Lake Havasu Metropolis.There’s a continuing parade of boats. Everybody’s out and about on the water.

However Lake Havasu doesn’t let boat-envy develop or fester, so shake apart any fears of lacking out. There are too many water sports activities rental spots in Lake Havasu for that.

Journey Tip: For those who take pleasure in SCUBA diving, head to certainly one of these stunning dive spots in Lake Havasu (Copper Canyon, Victoria Cliffs, Pleasant Isle)!

Lake Havasu Balloon Pageant

There’s one thing otherworldly, ethereal even, about seeing tear-drop-shaped scorching air balloons suspended within the sky. Lake Havasu Metropolis is aware of that. So yearly, town hosts Havasu Balloon Festival, a magical covey of scorching air balloons floating up-up-up within the sky. The balloons dip down too, simply sufficient to peck the water’s floor. Then, they glide away, dreamily drifting previous a rugged, blue-tinted panorama. Arrive early, well-before midday, and declare a spot close to London Bridge for the most effective views.

Tour The Lighthouses

One of the underrated issues to do in Lake Havasu Metropolis is a self-guided lighthouse tour. You’ll discover mini lighthouses hidden throughout Lake Havasu’s long-stretching, expansive shoreline. Every beacon-topped constructing is modeled after a bigger, extra iconic lighthouse within the U.S. (Chicago Harbor, Cape Henry, White Shoal to call a number of). And with over twenty lighthouse replicas peppered round city, you’ll have to stroll and hike and boat to see all of them.

Don’t really feel pressured to decide to a full-length lighthouse hunt. In any case, Lake Havasu has extra lighthouses than every other metropolis in america. That is the form of exercise finest achieved in small spurts – seeing a lighthouse here-and-there upon every go to. Take your time with the map (I’ll link it here) and choose a number of you wish to snap a photograph with.

Rotary Neighborhood Park

There are many causes to like Rotary Neighborhood Park. It’s large. It’s free to go to. It has a number of the finest sundown views of Lake Havasu. When London Bridge Seaside is simply too crowded, Rotary Neighborhood Park is the place you’ll wish to go for a little bit of peace and quiet. It’s an equally huge swath of inexperienced, proper on the other aspect of Bridgewater Channel. There are volleyball courts and picnic areas and playgrounds scattered over forty acres. And when you’re in search of a spot to stretch your legs, head straight to Shoreline Path, a multi-mile path skirting Lake Havasu’s shores.

See The Avenue Artwork

Murals cowl huge, naked partitions in Lake Havasu. The place you anticipate finding flat strides of beige and brown and grey are a frenzy of scenes: traditional automobiles, slim shade blocks, desert gardens. The road artwork of Lake Havasu brightens up the city. Drive by way of McCulloch Boulevard for a style of Lake Havasu’s artwork scene. And when you’re in search of extra, comply with this guide.

Havasu State Park

Sturdy, fats gusts of wind swarm by way of Havasu State Park. I battle my solution to the sting of the water. Oh-my-goodness. That view. This view. The water is sharp and teal. It’s brilliant and shimmery beneath the pale blue of the sky. Somebody – a willowy woman with a unfastened mom-bun – is kitesurfing (although I’m not fairly positive how given the climate). She appears to be like effortlessly stylish. I image myself kitesurfing, however I can’t. Even in my head, I can solely see my arms flailing beneath the white crests of the waves.

Lake Havasu State Park is undoubtedly picturesque. Even on dangerous climate days, this plot stays the most effective recreation areas in Lake Havasu Metropolis. The park lays declare to virtually a thousand acres of land, on prime of which you’ll discover campsites and cabins and an interpretative backyard. The most effective half, maybe, is Mohave Sundown Path, which traces by way of lowlands and shoreline. Mohave Sundown Path begins exterior the park (at London Bridge, close to English Village) however finally weaves into the day-use space. Like most of the finest ground-level points of interest in Lake Havasu, it’s a spot to stroll, stroll, after which stroll some extra.

SARA Park

Within the warmth of summer season, SARA Park seems like an excessive amount of. However within the fall, the crisp mountain air feels good. As you hike SARA Mountain Park Loop Path (and it truly is a hike, the type that may go away you scrambling and breathless), you’ll be face-forward with the mountains. They’re all a deep, darkish, dusty brown with thick scars tracing down their sides.

The views are unimaginable, unabashedly direct. After seeing tough peaks from afar for thus lengthy, it feels unusual to be down within the wash. Stick with the hairline path (you can find detailed directions here). It’s longer than it appears to be like, more durable than it appears, and shorter than it feels.

The Desert Bar

For the longest time, The Desert Bar felt like a legendary place. It’s typically touted as one of the vital elusive issues to do close to Lake Havasu Metropolis (the watering gap, itself, is situated in close by Parker, Arizona). I get that: The Desert Bar is out-of-the-way, open just for a number of hours on the weekends, open just for a number of weekends of the yr. You must cross a tough, rugged highway en route. Your automotive’s wheels shall be slicked in mud, the home windows splattered with grime. By the point you arrive, you’ll really feel such as you’ve achieved one thing extremely cool and one-of-a-kind, one thing that no vacationer has ever achieved earlier than (and then you definitely’ll see tables crowded by vacationers with the identical smug expression – ah, properly).

Go for the environment. Guests are pleasant. Meals (cash-only, convey a twenty no less than) is first rate. Drinks can be found. Pop open a bottle and sink into one of many chairs. Take heed to the reside music. Chat for a bit. Repeat.

Journey Tip: For those who don’t have a automobile for off-roading, I’d not advocate making the trek out to The Desert Bar. When you’ve got a Jeep, truck, or an ATV, go for it!

Cattail Cove State Park

Proper on the shores of Lake Havasu is Cattail Cove State Park, a stunning 2000-acre recreation space excellent for these craving a bit extra bodily exercise. There are robust (however quick) trails that drive you to sweat: Ripley’s Run, Wayne’s Means,Ted’s Path. There’s a designated swimming space when you plan to satisfy the water head-on. There are stand-up BBQ grills and locations to calm down and fish too (fishing license wanted). At Cattail Cove State Park, most of the finest issues to do in Lake Havasu lie proper at your fingertips.

River Island State Park

Round Lake Havasu, a number of hours right here and there, you’ll discover signal after signal for state park after state park. River Island is one such case.

River Island State Park is well-loved by campers and RVers. There are over 30 campsites, eight of which supply a beachfront view. If you wish to dip your ft within the water, go proper forward. Within the drenching warmth of Arizona summers, River Island State Park stands tall as one of the vital well-liked swimming spots in Northern Arizona.

My prime tip? Don’t go away with out making an attempt Wedge Hill Path. It’s half-a-mile, reasonably uphill, and results in sweeping views. From up prime, you’ll be able to see the glassy blue waters of the Colorado River snaking by way of tawny lands.

Buckskin Mountain State Park

Thirty minutes from Lake Havasu Metropolis is Buckskin Mountain State Park, a surprising desert oasis and hiker’s paradise. There are a handful of trails to comply with, ones that hint previous desert wildflowers within the spring and ones that hint by way of historical past year-round. At instances, you’ll move by deserted copper mines and at instances, you’ll move by nothing in any respect. In sure moments, Buckskin’s paths really feel overwhelmingly stunning and in others, the paths really feel lonely and desolate. In fact, there’s extra than simply mountaineering (although that’s the primary draw). You’ll nonetheless discover the same old checklist of issues to do close to Lake Havasu: boating, swimming, fishing.

Havasu Nationwide Wildlife Refuge

It took me some time to get into birdwatching. I’m nonetheless unsure if it’s for me. Though endurance isn’t my advantage, I’d be remiss to not point out Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, a well-liked “birding hotspot” in keeping with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Havasu Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is for severe birders. It’s magnificently huge (30000-plus acres) and residential to thick brushstrokes of shrubs and winter-vacationing migratory birds. There are harder-to-stumble-upon endangered species too: Willow Flycatchers, Yuma Clapper Rails. Relying on the season, you may see birds, you won’t(your finest wager lies at Pintail Slough and North Dike). You may simply hear a tweet, a trill, and when you’re fortunate sufficient, a cac-cac-cac-cac. You’ll go searching confused and marvel the place is that sound coming from? The place? Regardless that over 300 species speak in confidence to Havasu Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, this primitive, nature-first, riparian stretch nonetheless seems like a strongly clenched secret.

Invoice Williams River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge

As soon as upon a time, virtually thirty-odd years in the past, a bit of Havasu Nationwide Wildlife Refuge turned Invoice Williams River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. You possibly can see a fraction of Invoice Williams River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge while driving from Lake Havasu Metropolis to Buckskin Mountain State Park. There are scenic overlooks, little fringes off the highway the place you may get out and see brilliant teal waters, mats of inexperienced and orange petering over the sting, and shadowy mountains jutting up-and-out past. The official entrance to the park is additional away, a forty-minute drive from Lake Havasu Metropolis, previous the photogenic throws of Invoice Williams Memorial Bridge, into the depths of wildlife dense lands.

Purchasing In Lake Havasu, Arizona

The most effective locations to buy in Lake Havasu are dotted proper alongside the Downtown District, Island Mall, and the waterfront outlets at London Bridge.

Right here’s the place to buy in Lake Havasu Arizona:

• Desert Rose Present & Interiors: (a tad dear) reward store with eclectic finds
• Stylish Once more: consignment store with a number of cute tops and attire
• Our Place: somewhat store with plenty of metalwork decor
• Q Artwork Gallery: native, Arizona-themed artwork up-for-sale

The place To Eat In Lake Havasu, Arizona

Our High Decide – Shugrue’s

Shugrue’s is previous Lake Havasu. Go right here to shut out your journey, to absorb one last sundown proper earlier than you allow, to clink your glass towards the backdrop of London Bridge. This Lake Havasu restaurant is all concerning the views. Though Shugrue’s isn’t recognized for its meals, there are good picks off the menu: tender however crisp calamari, filet mignon. The meals isn’t dangerous; it simply isn’t as memorable as the long-lasting, postcard scene of Lake Havasu proper exterior.

Different Lake Havasu Favorites:

• Street Side Coffee Company: with indoor-and-patio seating, Avenue Aspect Espresso Firm is among the finest locations to talk with associates and sip a cup of joe. It’s a low-key, unbiased coffeehouse with a heat, inviting environment.
• Scoops: kid-friendly and date-night pleasant, Scoops is a captivating ice-creamery serving nostalgia in a Neopolitan-striped parlor
• Cha Bones: go for joyful hour, seven days per week from 3 PM to six PM