Lake Pleasant - Surprise, AZ Area Guide

Ironically, the city's founder, Flora Mae Statler, didn't have high hopes for the new community -- which later grew to home of more than 100,000 residents. It was 1938, and she named the town Surprise because she said it would be a "surprise if the town ever amounted to much." The town founder is actually a bit of a "surprise," as well. For decades, everyone believe it was Statler's husband, Homer C. Ludden, who founded the town. The city did some research and -- surprise --- Statler owned the property and platted the first subdivision long before she married Ludden around 1950. Many think the error came about because at the time, female real estate developers were very uncommon, so to avoid the idea of a female founder, early residents assigned that title to her husband.

For an out-of-this-world experience, head to the Challenger Space Center. This museum works with the Smithsonian Institution to educate people of all ages about space. Exhibits include models of the shuttle Atlantis and Iridium communication satellite. Students in the 5th grade and above can participate in simulated shuttle missions. People of all ages enjoy Family Star Night, an interactive astronomy program takes place on select Saturday nights.

Annual events include spring training for the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers each February and March. "Second Sundays in the Park" hosts free musical performances the second Sunday of each month at Surprise Community Park.

Residents of Northwest Outlying typically head to Grand Avenue or Bell Road for dinner out. Both roads are lined with a variety of restaurants that will satisfy whatever craving you may have. For a true taste of the southwest, check out Rio Mirage Cafe. The restaurant serves a menu filled with Mexican favorites such as tacos and chimichangas. The house specialties attract a loyal following. Sample Rio's Special Burrito -- chicken, steak, or shrimp in a flour tortilla layered with fresh bell peppers, roasted poblano peppers, sauteed mushrooms, and onions, and then deep fried and topped with ranchero sauce and cheeses. Those looking for even more spice try the Fireman -- thick sirloin steak slices simmered with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and select spices. Topped with a very spicy hot green sauce, the dish comes with sides of rice, refried beans, and tortillas.

Skip the standard burgers and wings and try Booty's Wings Burgers and Beer. Try any one of the more than 30 choices for wing sauces. Dry rub options exist as well for those who don't want sticky fingers. The burgers here go beyond the ordinary. The house specialty, the Badonkadonk stuffed burger, features an Angus burger filled with garlic mushrooms, sauteed onions, bacon, jalapenos, and cheese. Top it off with a slice of cheese and kettle chips. Even the appetizers try some new twists. The bleu cheese wing pockets blend queso, bleu cheese, cheddar Jack cheese, and wing sauce together, wrapped in a pocket and fried. Wash it down with a beer or mixed drink from the full bar.

Tom Yum Thai Restaurant provides Thai food you'll love. This restaurant uses exotic herbs and spices to create some unforgettable dishes like Ginger Fantasy, which mixes sauteed chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp with ginger, onion, carrot, mushrooms, and bell peppers in a garlic sauce. And if you don't feel like going out, Tom Yum delivers.

Those looking to bar hop venture towards the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale or downtown Phoenix. Closer to home, the Irish Wolfhound Pub presents a lively atmosphere seven days a week. A full menu of Irish favorites satisfies hungry visitors for lunch and dinner, with a late-night menu available until 1 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Irish bar has Guinness on tap along with international and domestic brews. Live musicians entertain on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Show off your smarts during the trivia contests on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Loop 303 provides a highway connection to the area, linking with Interstate 10 to the south and Interstate 17 to the east. Grand Avenue provides a direct link to Phoenix, but heavy traffic and lights often make it a slow trip. A Valley Metro park-and-ride facility near Grand and Bell serves as the public transportation link for the area.

The Northwest Outlying neighborhoods sit on the edge of Uber and Lyft territory, so availability can be spotty. Taxis typically don't serve the area, but arrangements can be made in advance by contacting cab companies directly.

Sun City West, Vistancia, and other planned communities contain private parks for residents, including golf courses and a busy calendar of activities at community centers. Primarily funded through Homeowners Association fees, some special events impose additional fees.

The Surprise Community Park welcomes everyone with a number of recreational opportunities. Lighted basketball and volleyball courts keep people active with group sports, while the picnic areas and five-acre fishing lake provide more leisurely outdoor activities. The dog park contains separate areas for large and small dogs. Splash around at the aquatic center during the summer, where resident admission costs $2 for adult residents, $1 for child residents, and $5 for non-residents. The grounds also house a public library, a tennis and racquetball facility, and Dreamcatcher Park, designed to provide a fun and safe space for those with special needs.

Rent for a single-bedroom apartment in the Northwest Outlying area average $716 a month. That comes in roughly seven percent lower than similar apartments across the Phoenix metropolitan area. Gas prices typically run four percent lower than the Phoenix area average and 13 percent lower than the national average. Trips on Valley Metro buses cost $2 one way and $4 for an all-day pass. Expect no charge for the lot or covered spots at the park-and-ride facilities. Beer commonly costs $3, with happy hour and late-night "reverse happy hour" specials frequently available.

Discover the many chain stores, big-box outlets and small shops along Bell Road and Grand Avenue. While these stores fill most basic needs, shoppers seeking higher-end merchandise travel east to the Arrowhead Towne Center. This large, indoor mall features the anchor stores Dillard's, Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney. The mall also contains an AMC theater and a food court with free Wi-Fi.

Locals in Surprise who love the outdoors make their first stop Build A Bike on Bell Road. If your bike needs repairs, the staff here can get you up and rolling again, or you can just bring your mountain bike in for a tune-up. The staff assembles your new bike or rebuilds that old clunker you bought at a swap meet. Come here for your new bike and get it perfectly sized, or rent a bike for a weekend expedition off-road.

Those desiring home furnishings and a great deal head to Design with Cents, a designer consignment shop. Roam the aisles and explore the high-end furniture, artwork, handbags, and jewelry. Find a mix of brand new and resale items ranging from contemporary couches to mid-century modern chairs and accent pieces. The in-store decorators work with customers and offer in-home consultations. The store also provides free pickup service for consignment items.

Celebrate in style with the help of Party Planet. This locally-owned party supply store provides one-stop shopping for most party needs. Search the shop for plates, napkins, and other accessories, with themes ranging from birthday parties to luaus and casino nights. Party Planet also rents accessories such as popcorn, snow cone, and cotton candy machines and tables and chairs. The store even makes the cakes essential to many celebrations. Customers can take advantage of the pickup and delivery services available.

Find numerous grocery stores conveniently located around the Northwest Outlying area. Fry's, Safeway, and Albertsons each serve the area, along with Sprouts Farmers Market, which focuses on organic and natural groceries. Sun City Grand and Vistancia host monthly farmers markets for those seeking locally grown fruits and vegetables.