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South Mountain Park vs Mystery Castle

Both are rated very highly by professional reviewers writing for major publications. Overall, South Mountain Park is the choice of most professionals compared to Mystery Castle. South Mountain Park is ranked #11 in Phoenix with approval from 4 reviews like Fodor's, Travel + Leisure and Michelin Guide.

South Mountain Park
South Mountain Park
7 / 10
10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"This desert wonderland, the world's largest city park (almost 17,000 acres), offers a wilderness of mountain-desert trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders." Full review
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"This 16,000-acre expanse may be the largest municipal park in the country, but you won’t find any softball fields or grassy concert venues here." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
1 Star
"Once a Hohokam hunting ground, later a mining camp and a Depression-era work camp, this municipal park offers impressive city views from Dobbins Lookout and 58 trails for hiking, biking and riding across its 25sq mi." Full review
Afar Magazine Afar Magazine
"South Mountain is one of those natural phenomena... not to be missed in the cooler times of year." Full review
Mystery Castle
Mystery Castle
8 / 10
800 East Mineral Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"At the foot of South Mountain lies a curious dwelling built from desert rocks by Boyce Gulley, who came to Arizona to cure his tuberculosis." Full review
Lonely Planet Lonely Planet
"Equal parts Mexican hacienda, Native American cliff dwelling and psychedelic sand castle, the 18-room Mystery Castle was constructed in the 1930s and ’40s by Boyce Luther Gulley." Full review
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Call ahead to make sure it’s open at all.
Afar Magazine Afar Magazine
"A visit to the castle is one that’s truly unmatched, and leaves you in awe of the precious sentiment that went into its construction." Full review
Where Where
"An 8,000-square-foot folk architecture castle in the foothills of South Mountain, with 18 rooms, 13 fireplaces and scores of there’s-a-story-here antiques, craftworks and found objects." Full review
Atlas Obscura Atlas Obscura
"A self-built castle made by a mysterious man. " Full review
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