There’s no better place to kick off your day in Yuma than the Visitor Information Center (VIC). Here, local experts will help you plan your perfect itinerary and answer any questions you may have about the area and its attractions. Check out the large-screen kiosk to map out your day (you can even save it to your phone), grab a few brochures and stop by the souvenir shop for some fun Yuma-themed flair!

Gateway Park is the perfect riverside retreat located at the end of Madison Avenue in the downtown area. Relax on the sandy beach (or let the kids build sand castles), dip your toes in the river, take your boat out on the water, or fish from the dock. The paved pathways are perfect for a bike ride. And don’t forget to pack a picnic for lunch under the shaded ramadas!

Do you dare enter one of the most haunted destinations in the U.S.? Nicknamed the “Hellhole of the West,” the Yuma Territorial Prison Historic State Park once housed over 3,000 inmates. See the cell blocks where they once lived (or died), explore the onsite museum and check out the prison cemetery. If you’re brave enough, check out the eerie Dark Cell, which served as solitary confinement for the most violent prisoners!

Explore Yuma's military history at this 10-acre park, home to five historic buildings from the 1800s. Once a key supply hub for the Southwest, the Yuma Quartermaster Depot offers a glimpse into the past. Visit the storehouse, quartermaster’s office, water reservoir, and the quartermaster’s house, kitchen, and corral. Don’t miss the Yuma Siphon exhibit, where you can learn about the impressive tunnel that runs beneath the Colorado River and provided Yuma irrigation water in 1912!

Feeling lucky? Spend the evening at Cocopah Casino & Resort, where you can play the slots, win big at bingo, or try your hand at Blackjack. In between games, kick back at one of the resort's bars or restaurants and catch some live music. If you're here with the whole family, take advantage of the lazy river at the pool, hit the golf course, or check out the onsite bowling alley.

Spend an hour or two exploring the open-air Arizona Marketplace – with 150 vendors, this is the second-largest swap meet in Arizona. Sample local cuisine, grab unique souvenirs, and enjoy live entertainment like local bands and Wild West shows. Snack on homemade ice cream or kettle corn, then check out handmade jewelry, Indigenous American art, and custom woodwork.

If you love art, drop by the Yuma Art Center, where you'll find 20 art exhibitions spread across four different galleries. Feeling inspired? Sign up for one of the many art classes, from pottery to painting. This center is also home to the Historic Yuma Theatre, a 643-seat venue built in 1912. Catch a live theater performance, classic movie, or tribute concert for bands like Journey and ACDC.

Yuma is a treasure trove of public art, boasting over 100 murals throughout the city. Check out the industrial sculptures on the downtown sidewalks, and snap a selfie next to the "Greetings from Yuma" mural on South Main Street. Just steps away, you'll find a colorful abstract mural adorning the side of the Yuma Art Center. Don't miss the giant mermaid mural a few blocks west on South 4th Avenue—it's a must-see for art enthusiasts!

In the mood for a date? Head over to Martha's Gardens Date Farm, home to 130 acres and 8,000 date palms. Take a tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the farm’s growing practices and harvesting techniques. No trip is complete without a stop by the café for a bacon date shake (it’s a local favorite and the perfect blend of salty and sweet). Before you go, grab some dates for the road. Or, if you’re feeling really sinful, pick up a pecan date roll from the gift shop.

For a morning pick-me-up, stop by Nichim Cafe & Boutique. This cozy, locally-owned coffee shop sources its beans straight from Mexico. Sip on a dirty chai or an organic cold brew while you enjoy fresh breakfast options like avocado toast or a matcha yogurt bowl topped with bananas, blueberries, strawberries, and granola. Their freshly baked empanadas and pan dulce are perfect for a grab-and-go snack.