Local Pulse: Exploring the Town of Gilbert, AZ

The Local: Michelle Streeter

Senior Project Manager

Town of Gilbert

Unexpected Surprises in Gilbert

Step off the plane at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and you might be tempted to stay. After all, Arizona’s largest city is packed with sporting venues, rooftop bars and endless things to do. But you might find yourself wondering, Where do I take a photo with a towering saguaro? Or: Where can I find farm-to-table places? Maybe even: Where will both my kids and I have fun? And that’s when we’d tell you to head to the East Valley. First to Gilbert, if you ask Michelle Streeter, Project Manager of Gilbert’s Office of Economic Development.

Gilbert is no longer “just another Phoenix suburb.” In fact, make the half-hour drive and you’ll discover what Michelle calls a “modern desert urban retreat,” where chef-driven restaurants, boutique shopping and thoughtfully designed gathering places coexist with the town’s agricultural heritage.

“Gilbert is full of hidden gems that surprise first-time visitors,” Michelle explains. “We’re a deep-rooted community that is continuing to expand with new amenities shaping its contemporary identity.”

Where to Go

Epicenter at Agritopia

Perhaps nowhere captures Gilbert’s personality better than Agritopia.

Built around a working farm, the master-planned neighborhood blends homes, gardens and longtime favorite Joe’s Farm Grill with a thriving modern lifestyle. Next door, Epicenter has added another layer of energy, bringing together in-demand restaurants, upscale shopping, wellness studios and gathering spaces into one beautifully thought-out destination.

“They really curated the collection of establishments there to serve visitors and residents alike,” Michelle said. “It’s a vibrant complex that serves as a magnet for everybody.”

Spend an afternoon browsing local shops, sipping coffee at Peixoto Coffee, enjoying brunch at Matt’s Big Breakfast (a historic Phoenix spot now added in Gilbert) or dinner at The Mission before wandering next door through Agritopia’s gardens.

Shop & Dine the Heritage District

Head to Gilbert’s historic Heritage District, where nearly every block invites visitors to linger.

Browse Bookish Shop, a new coffee and book shop with cute trinkets and treasures for book lovers. Discover handcrafted goods at Studio 223 or create your own signature scent at Candle Chemistry before settling in for dinner.

While longtime favorites continue to draw crowds, Michelle encourages visitors to try some of Gilbert’s newest culinary arrivals.

“What you’re seeing come into downtown is a lot of fresh, new concepts that are choosing Gilbert to launch,” she said.

Maeva serves European-inspired cuisine, Sotol Modern Cocktail Kitchen offers the district’s only rooftop dining experience and Sablé Boulangerie has quickly become a destination for its French pastries.

Come October, the Heritage District takes on an entirely different personality.

For six weeks, Harvest in the Heritage District fills downtown with whimsical pumpkins, autumn décor, seasonal art installations and family-friendly events that make it one of the East Valley’s favorite places to celebrate fall.Part farm town, part modern retreat, Gilbert proves there’s plenty worth exploring beyond Phoenix.

Gilbert At a Gance

A Bird-Watcher’s Paradise

The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch packs seven recharge ponds, miles of trails, towering saguaros and more than 300 species of birds into one of Gilbert’s most scenic outdoor escapes.

America’s  Biggest “Town”

Despite a population of nearly 300,000, Gilbert is still officially a town, making it the largest incorporated town in the United States.

An Agrihood Before It Was Cool

Agritopia transformed a family farm into one of Arizona’s best-known agrihoods, blending a USDA-certified organic farm with homes, restaurants, shops and community gathering spaces.

Learn more at discovergilbert.com.