Carefree town, near Phoenix

The geology as you enter Carefree is awesome. In the morning, the light hits the granite boulders and creates shadows, revealing their gorgeously cute shapes. You feel like you've entered a Flintstones backdrop. As you drive to Carefree along the Carefree Highway, you will be mesmerized. Choose a time other than the middle of the day, because you see the boulders better when there are some shadows.

The town of Carefree lives up to its name. It is small and charming, and even the streets are called Ho Hum Road, Why Worry Lane, and Easy Street. In the center of town is a main strip (8 Sundial Circle) where, on Friday mornings (except during summer), there is a street market with a live one-man band. At night it's fun to walk through the lovely Spanish Village which is filled with lights. Venues Cafe is a nice place to eat with attractive decor.
Behind the main strip of stores is a cute Spanish village, a coffee shop, and two more cafes.
Also in downtown Carefree, across from world's largest sundial is a gorgeous fountain. Out of it comes a wall of glassy water that you walk under. The lights add to the pleasing effect. Here there is a small splash pad for kids. Further on there's a large slide for kids that looks like a huge gila monster. What fun!
A short drive down the road from downtown Carefree is a lovely outdoor development called El Pedregal Marketplace. The designer traveled to Africa to get his ideas and modeled the area after an African open-air marketplace.
There is a cute bakery owned by a European family, along the road between Carefree and Cave Creek, called Carefree Coffee Roastery. They have delicious strawberry-filled croissants. Their baked goods aren't displayed in a display case, but are described on a menu board and you can order them at the counter. Enjoy the modern European decor.
While in the area, check out the cactus-filled town of Cave Creek, and especially at night, don't miss out on the fun outdoor scene at Smokehouse and Pour House Restaurant, where there are pretty lights strung in paloverde trees, and the sound of dueling pianos wafting in the air.

Directions

The Carefree Sundial, which is the main area, is located at 8 Sundial Circle, Carefree AZ 85377.
From Hwy 17, take the Carefree Hwy, and head east. At the very end you come to a T, at Tom Darrington Dr. To get to the sundial, turn left on Tom Darrington, right on Ho Road, and right on Hum Road. Yes, I'm not kidding!

Click on map for interactive view