Gilbert is a suburb of Phoenix and home to over 250,000 Arizonians. It gives locals easy access to the city without losing its small-town charm. Covering about 76 square miles, Gilbert has grown fast over the last several decades. With an annual growth of about 13%, Gilbert is an evolving community and considered one of the best places to live in the country.

Established in 1902, the area where Gilbert now sits was first used for the Arizona Eastern Railway. A grocery store arrived in 1910, and the city's first post office opened in 1912. Gilbert developed as a farming community and was once known as the "Hay Capital of the World." Today, as a part of the metro Phoenix area, Gilbert's economy is quite diverse.

Part of Gilbert's charm is the host of historic buildings scattered throughout the city. Some of these are pre-WWI, including the elementary school and the Attaway Phelps-Blakely Building. Enjoy Joe's Real BBQ at the famous Tone Building and visit Gilbert's first jailhouse, built in 1918.

With a lot of new investment, Gilbert has completed several community improvement projects in the past few years. One of these places is the Gilbert Regional Park, where visitors can explore the 17-foot tall playground, cool off on the splash pad, or relax in the shade. Desert Sky Park is another excellent place to fish and relax or get in on a pick-up game on one of the park's sports fields. Of course, don't forget about Cosmo Dog Park - your four-legged friend's dream come true.

An evening out is best spent in the Heritage District, which combines history and entertainment. Lined with breweries and modern restaurants, there's something great to try any time of day. Start the weekend with breakfast at Snooze, get lunch at Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles, or relax for dinner at Culinary Dropout. The Heritage District is also home to Art Intersection. This gallery features several exhibits and offers courses, including photography. Catch a drama, musical, or comedy at Hale Centre Theatre. Hale Centre pulls back the curtain for professional youth productions almost every weekend.

With blistering hot summers, shade is a necessity for enjoying the fresh air. Fortunately, mesquite, willows, and "wait-a-minutes" grow well in Gilbert yards. Keeping trees healthy can be tricky, and no one wants to spend Saturday hauling out the ladder and trimming trees. Instead of watching YouTube tutorials and crossing your fingers, let the professionals at LawnStarter help. LawnStarter is the area's premier provider of tree care services. We help you manage everything from routine pruning to emergency removal. All you have to do is download the app, enter your ZIP code, and set your preferences. LawnStarter will take care of the rest, and you'll have time to practice for Gilbert Days. Get ready to stake your claim in the barrel race!