Do you ever want to get away from it all, yet don't have time to leave the city? When you're at Papago Park it feels like you're in the middle of nowhere, yet you are sitting in between three cities. My favorite thing near sunrise or sunset is driving up to Hunt's Tomb, finding a seat and sitting in a spot that overlooks both the lake and the Phoenix Zoo's savanna exhibit. It's relaxing and reenergizing. If I bring someone here to show them my favorite Valley spot, it means I consider them a good friend.
You can spend days exploring this park. That doesn't include visiting the Phoenix Zoo or Desert Botanical Garden. Just exploring the hiking trails and hills on the golf course side or sitting in the Hole in the Rock can take a lot of time.
Just watch out for the geese. I know they're up to something sneaky and they're mean.