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150 Ways to Enjoy the Sonoran Desert Lifestyle CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Tortilla Flat Highway 88 | Tortilla Flat | 480-984-1776 Tortilla Flat started out as a stage stop in 1904 and neither fire nor flood has been able to close this historic stop along the Historic Apache Trail. Mosey down the boardwalk and visit the Superstition Saloon. www.tortillaflataz.com Tovrea Castle 5041 E. Van Buren St | Phoenix | 602-256-3221 Tovrea Castle was built on 44 acres in central Phoenix between 1928-1930 by Alessio Carraro, who also added a spectacular desert garden now known as the Carraro Cactus Garden. http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/tovrea.html
Desert Botanical Gardens Holiday Luminaria The Valley’s most melodius holiday event comes to life at the Desert Botanical Gardens with more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaria bags and 10 musical groups performing nightly. Luminaria offers guests a choice of 22 nights in December, including dates between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Wrigley Mansion Club 2501 E. Telawa Trail | Phoenix | 602-955-4079 Built in 1932 by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., The Mansion sits atop a 100 foot knoll and with its extensive art collection, maintains a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional location for social gatherings of all sizes and corporate events, large or small. www.wrigleymansionclub.com
PARKS AND GARDENS Apache Trail and Superstition Mountains Highway 88 One of the most popular day trips from the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Follow the footsteps that Native Americans and prospectors took more than 100 years ago. www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/apache_trail
David Rogers’ Big Bugs sculptures will be on display throughout the Garden nightly. These 11 enormous, whimsical bugs are sure to create quite a buzz this holiday season.
Arizona State Parks 1300 W. Washington St. | Phoenix | 602-542-4174 or 800-285-3703 From awe-inspiring desert vistas to pine-scented forests, there is something for everyone at Arizona state parks. www.azstateparks.com
Enjoy traditional acoustic mariachi music with Mariachi Pasión, world music with Traveler, and Native American flute with Ken Duncan. There will be a variety of jazz, southern jazz and funky jazz by groups like The Sugar Thieves, Sonoran Jazz Project and Valley favorites The Reed Family. The sounds of the season will be presented by The Dickens Carolers, Spanish guitarists Domingo DeGrazia & Beth Daunis, and the Handbell Ensemble. Pick & Holler will present a fun Appalachian tribute.
Desert Botanical Gardens 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. | Phoenix | 480-941-1225 Amid the red buttes of Papago Park is one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. Showcases 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Don’t miss the musical evenings of the holiday Las Noches de las Luminarias. www.dbg.org
It is recommended that you purchase meal tickets in advance or you may purchase at the Admissions Box Office.
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 7301 E. Indian Bend | Scottsdale | 480-312-2312 Train rides throughout the park, model trains, historic exhibits, superb picnic and playground facilities. www.therailroadpark.com
For information, go to www.dbg.org/ events-exhibitions/las-noches-de-lasluminarias
Fountain Hills Botanical Garden Fountain Hills Boulevard The Fountain Hills Botanical Garden was founded by Jane Haynes in 1975 as a wildlife preserve and garden. The Garden is 8 acres with elevation from 1696 to 1800 feet. Dozens of desert plants can be seen along the half mile trail. www.fh.az.gov/botanical-garden.aspx
Japanese Friendship Garden 1125 N. 3rd Ave. | Phoenix | 602-256-3204 Authentic, urban 3.5-acre Japanese Stroll Garden with tea garden and tea house, stone footbridges, lanterns, more than 50 varieties of plants. www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org 44 | SonoranLifestyle.com