Hotels in Surprise, Arizona

A little about Surprise...

Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The population was 30,848 at the 2000 census. The city population is estimated to be 74,411 according to a 2005 mid-decade census survey, although current growth rates would indicate the city has now attained a population of over 100,000 . As such, it is the second fastest-growing municipality in the greater Phœnix metropolitan area (after Gilbert), and between 1990 and 2000, it was the sixth fastest-growing place among all cities and towns in Arizona.

Surprise Vision

“Surprise defines vibrant Southwest living; a place of educational excellence where community, family, and traditions are built. Surprise is a collection of distinctive neighborhoods with a small town feel and big city amenities.”

For those living in Surprise today, it is hard to imagine that our city of 100,000 people was once a sleepy little farming town encompassing just one square mile. But that’s exactly what Surprise was back in 1938 when it was founded by Homer Ludden, a real estate developer and state legislator. So why did he chose the name Surprise? Ludden named the city after his hometown- Surprise, Nebraska. When Surprise was incorporated in 1960, the city was home to about 1,000 people. Today, not only has the city grown to 76 square miles, but the population now tops 100,000.

Surprise residents embrace the “live, work and play” approach to life. New, clean safe neighborhoods draw thousands of new residents a year to Surprise. Money magazine rates Surprise tops in the nation in job growth since 2000, and a comprehensive economic development plans is attracting better jobs all the time. As for playing in Surprise, the choices seem as abundant as the Arizona sunshine! In 2002, the $48.2 million Surprise Stadium and practice fields opened, serving as the Cactus League Spring Training home for Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. New parks and playing fields are opening regularly in Surprise. At Surprise Center adjacent to the Stadium, residents splash in the pools, waterfalls and slides at the Aquatic Center, or explore Native American art at the Heard Museum West or visit the Regional Library. Also at Surprise Center, a new 25-court Racquet Center with center court seating for 5,000 will make Surprise a nationally acclaimed tennis facility when it open in early 2007. And right next to the tennis facility, Dreamcatcher Park will be an athletic field especially designed to be accessible to all. Young people and adult find dozens of opportunities to join teams and play in leagues year-round. Like the outdoors? You can also hit the links on one of the eight golf courses located within the city. Or hike and bike in the spectacular mountain vistas and clear desert air of the White Tanks Regional Park. But, that’s not all. Surprise is home to great shopping and dining establishments. Of course, you’ll also find medical services at nearby Del E. Webb Hospital and adult-learning courses at Rio Salado Community College. Estrella Mountain Community College offers courses at Willow Canyon High School. K-12 schools are run by the rapidly growing Dysart Unified School District. Residents and city leaders are working together to make Surprise an even better place to live, work and play.

Major transportation improvements are underway, the city is expanding crucial services such as water treatment plants and police and fire facilities, residents are actively engaged in helping amend the Surprise General Plan and develop the Surprise Strategic Vision. Growth that is sensitive the desert environment while integrating transportation, jobs and schools are among the hallmarks of Surprise’s planning outlook.