Spring - Summer 2017
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President and CEO: Michael Atkinson Publisher: Cheryl Green Vice president of operations: Audrey Webb
UNDER WATER: Editor in Chief Michael Gossie’s favorite place to swim is Saguaro Lake, the fourth reservoir on the Salt River formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam. The lake is off State Route 87, about halfway between Phoenix and the ghost town of Sunflower.
Arizona packs adventures for everyone, every day
M
ore than a decade after moving to Arizona from my native New York, people still ask me what I like the most about living in the Grand Canyon state. My answer is always the same: “I haven’t had to shovel snow once since I moved here.” But if I lived a couple hours north, the yearly snowfall would give my home turf in upstate New York a run for its money. That is what makes Arizona great: Where else can you sunbathe in Scottsdale and have a snowball fight in Flagstaff on the same day? Arizona offers something for everyone, every day. From hiking and biking to shopping and spas, Arizona provides the experiences that create memories that last a lifetime. That’s what Experience AZ is all about. We want to guide you to adventures and experiences that will make your visit to Arizona one you will never forget. Based on votes from our readers, we have listed the five best dining experiences, tours, attractions and places to visit in a variety of categories. Want to know my personal fab five (or more) Arizona adventures? Hiking to the waterfalls of Havasupai. Running and riding at South Mountain on “Silent Sundays.” Relaxing at Briar Patch in Sedona. Getting away for a staycation at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess or The Boulders. And when friends visit, we always dine at Clever Koi near downtown Phoenix. And when I need my fix of comfort food, I always head to Ada’s Fish Fry in Goodyear. So get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. And use Experience AZ to guide you toward a visit that will make you want to come back time after time to keep crossing the must-see hot spots off your Top 5 lists. And when you find a favorite, be sure to vote for it by visiting azbigmedia.com so others can share your amazing memories.
Michael Gossie Editor in chief michael.gossie@azbigmedia.com 2
Vote and learn more at azBIGmedia.com
EDITORIAL Editor in chief: Michael Gossie Associate editors: David McGlothlin | Jesse A. Millard ART Art director: Mike Mertes Graphic designer: Bruce Andersen MARKETING/EVENTS Marketing & events manager: Cristal Rodriguez Marketing coordinator: Kristina Venegas OFFICE Special projects manager: Sara Fregapane Executive assistant: Mayra Rivera Database solutions manager: Cindy Johnson EXPERIENCE ARIZONA | PLAY BALL Director of sales: Jayne Hayden AZRE | ARIZONA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Director of sales: Ann McSherry AZ BUSINESS ANGELS Director of sales: Brit Kezar AZ BUSINESS MAGAZINE Senior account manager: David Harken Account managers: Jennifer Heberlein | April Rice AZ BUSINESS LEADERS Director of sales: Sheri Brown HOME & DESIGN Director of sales: Joe Freedman RANKING ARIZONA Director of sales: Sheri King
Experience AZ Magazine is published twice yearly by AZ BIG Media, 3101 N. Central Ave. Suite 1070, Phoenix, Arizona 85012, (602) 277-6045. The publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a SASE. Single copy price $9.95. Bulk rates available. Copyright 2017 by AZBIGMEDIA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Experience AZ Magazine.
Fall-Winter 2016-2017
CONTENTS Itineraries Chambers of Commerce.............................6 Phoenix........................................................8 Scottsdale..................................................10 Glendale.....................................................12 East Valley..................................................14 Buckeye.....................................................16 Sedona.......................................................18 Flagstaff.....................................................20 Page...........................................................22 Tucson........................................................24 Sierra Vista.................................................26 Travel Tips Get Around.................................................30 Hiking.........................................................32 Accommodations Northern Arizona........................................34 Southern Arizona.......................................36 East Valley..................................................38 Dude Ranches...........................................40 Bed & Breakfast.........................................42 Uniquely Arizona........................................44 Casino Resorts..........................................46 Restaurants Fine Dining.................................................50 Local Favorites...........................................52 Steaks & Chops.........................................54 Mexican......................................................56 American Contemporary...........................58 Italian..........................................................60 Seafood & Sushi........................................62 Specialty Drinks.........................................64
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Adventures Central Arizona Must Do’s.........................66 Southern Arizona Must Do’s......................68 Northern Arizona Must Do’s......................70 Arizona Must Do’s......................................72 Grand Canyon Adventures........................ 74 Places To Cool Off.....................................76 Outdoor Adventures..................................78 Best Places To Kids...................................80 Native American Experiences...................82 Performing Arts/Cultural Centers..............84 Adventures In The Air................................86 Animal Parks..............................................88 Family Fun Spots.......................................90 Arizona Tours.............................................92 River Rafting..............................................94 Trail Riding.................................................96 Lake Activities............................................98 Casinos....................................................100 Sports Attractions....................................102 Auto Attractions.......................................104 Golf Courses............................................106 Beauty & Day Spas..................................108 Wineries................................................... 110 Parks and Monuments............................. 112 Galleries & Museums............................... 114 Jewelers................................................... 116 Shopping Centers.................................... 118
ARIZONA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Apache Junction
Glendale
Phoenix
In the shadow of the majestic Superstition Mountains, the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce represents a diverse group of businesses located in a varied geographic region extending east of the metropolitan Phoenix area in Pinal County.
The Glendale Chamber of Commerce is a private, non profit, membership-driven organization comprised of over 750 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals.
The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has been part of its community since 1888, working with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations helping them stay connected, informed and prosperous.
Grand Canyon
Sedona
The Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce offers information for visitors traveling to the Grand Canyon South Rim and all of Northern Arizona.
This is the best first stop for any visitor to Sedona. The Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau’s well-informed and trained staff and volunteers serve almost 300,000 visitors annually with helpful and free information about Sedona.
Online: ajchamber.com Phone: 480-982-3141 Buckeye
The purpose of the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership, support local businesses and build strong partnerships dedicated to promote business, education and community interests of Buckeye.
Online: buckeyevalleychamber.org Phone: 623-386-2727 Carefree
The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce is committed to the mission and vision of the organization and what that means to the success of its business community as its leads into the future.
Online: carefreecavecreek.org Phone: 480-488-3381 Chandler
The Chandler Chamber of Commerce supports business and the community by providing vital programs and services that attract and retain business while embracing its diversity.
Online: chandlerchamber.com Phone: 480-963-4571 Flagstaff
The Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1891 as the Board of Trade and is the community problem solver that promotes Flagstaff community and its total economy.
Online: flagstaffchamber.com Phone: 928-774-4505 Gilbert
Since 1978, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce proactively serves as the business advocate to strengthen the business climate in Gilbert.
Online: gilbertaz.com Phone: 480-892-0056
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Online: glendaleazchamber.org Phone: 623-937 4754
Online: grandcanyoncvb.org Phone: 844-638-2901 Jerome
It is the goal of the Jerome Chamber of Commerce to provide you with as much information as possible so you can plan your trip to our town. Jerome is open year round and offers visitors a wide variety of activities in which to indulge.
Online: jeromechamber.com Phone: 928-634-2900 Lake Havasu City
The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce is the largest chamber of commerce in northwestern Arizona. Independent of any government funding, we are proud to represent more than 700 businesses and individuals.
Online: havasuchamber.com Phone: 928-855-4115 Mesa
With a history that extends more than 110 years, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce continues to bring top of the line networking opportunities to the community.
Online: mesachamberofcommerce.org Phone: 480-969-1307 Page
The Chamber Page Lake Powell offers a wide range of opportunities to visitors and residents. The Chamber has been serving the area since the 1960s. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or a business owner, you will find something to fit your needs within the chamber directory.
Online: pagechamber.com Phone: 928-645-2741
Online: phoenixchamber.com Phone: 602-495-2195
Online: sedonachamber.com Phone: 928-282-7722 Tempe
For more than a century, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce has built an environment that enhances the economic vitality of our membership and the business community as a whole.
Online: tempechamber.org Phone: 480-967-7891 Tubac
The Tubac Chamber of Commerce business office and visitor information offers insight into Tubac, which features more than 100 eclectic shops and world class galleries situated along meandering streets punctuated by hidden courtyards and sparkling fountains.
Online: tubacaz.com Phone: 520-398-2704 Tucson
The mission of the Tucson Metro Chamber is to promote a strong local economy resulting in business growth, ample employment and improving quality of life for all citizens.
Online: tucsonchamber.org Phone: 520-792-1212 Williams
The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce is a member-focused organization and community partner that fosters a sustainable, healthy and vibrant economic environment through business promotion, advocacy, education and services.
Online: experiencewilliams.com Phone: 928-634-7593
GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL
Desert Rose Steakhouse’s signature is Certified Angus beef, slightly seasoned & seared. We also feature 1/2 lb burgers, lightly seasoned, seared & grilled on an open flame. Looking to stay on the lighter side, try our signature salads or homemade soups. We love craft beers and have a large variety of local brews on tap, signature cocktails from our mixologist, excellent wine list, or try our whiskey or vodka flights. Sunday - Thursday 11am-11pm • Friday - Saturday 11am-12 midnight
6729 N. 57TH DR. GLENDALE AZ 85301 • desertrosesteakhouse.com • 623-937-3004
A DAY IN
PHOENIX
6 a.m. Lux Central Located on the Central Avenue Corridor, this coffeehouse (that also serves dinner and cocktails) is right off a light rail stop and is the place to see all the hipsters who enjoy starting their remote workday “at the office.” Lux has amazing drip coffees, pastries, a variety of seating options (indoor and outdoor) and just hums with people networking. Plus: It isn’t bad people watching.
luxcoffee.com
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8 a.m. Breakfast at La Grande Orange Grocery & Pizzeria
10 a.m. Crack your spine at Changing Hands Bookstore
This might be the best place for people watching in Phoenix. The food is pretty exceptional, too. Pastries, creative breakfasts and gourmet pizzas star at this chic bakery/cafe with a grocery section.
If it’s refreshing for you to see a crowded bookstore, Changing Hands will feed your soul. This large, long-standing bookshop pairs its titles with beer, coffee, snacks and author events without a texting teen in sight.
lagrandeorangegrocery.com
changinghands.com
1 p.m.: Go Old School at The Duce
3 p.m. Take an Arizona brewery tour
8 p.m. Dinner and a show at Crescent Ballroom
The Duce is a retro-chic warehouse that is a hipster paradise. From the crafty and surplus store to the vintage workout classes held in an actual boxing ring to the art deco bar, mason jar cocktails and delicious comfort food from a vintage camper. Play Ping-Pong, old school Scrabble boards or just make your own fun on old workout equipment.
We hope you had a big lunch, because the 5-hour Arizona Brewery Tour is the easiest and most popular way to experience Arizona craft breweries. Whether you are on vacation, at a conference, or a long time Arizonan with a craving to experience new beer, a HOP’on Arizona Brewery Tour is a great way to discover the local craft-brew scene.
Crescent Ballroom is the best music venue for an intimate show with 500 of your best friends. Many of the hottest indie bands have taken the Crescent stage over the years, and its light rail accessibility makes it a popular spot for people who hate parking downtown. The other perk is that if you’re not feeling the band, you can just take a break in the Crescent Lounge, where there’s a low-key neighborhood bar vibe. Crescent also has a limited kitchen that serves the best burritos you’ll find at 9 p.m. in Phoenix.
theducephx.com
azbrew.com
crescentphx.com
SCOTTSDALE
A DAY IN
Scottsdale is the Valley’s lap of luxury. It’s where the stars come to hit the spas and the location of Arizona’s elite shopping centers and fashion hub. You’ll see sparkly convertibles, such as Ferrari car clubs doing a happy hour, or the hottest DJs spinning in the Entertainment District during weekends. Here’s how the Scottsdalians do it:
11 a.m.: Scottsdale Fashion Square
8 a.m.: Breakfast at the Original Pancake House
2 p.m.: spa810
Winner of the James Beard Award and a Scottsdale staple, the Original Pancake House has been voted one of the Top 10 Best Restaurants of Arizona.
originalpancakehouse.com
Scottsdale Fashion Square is the city’s multi-story luxury mall in the middle of town. Shoppers will find Barneys New York, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton and Gucci among hundreds of other retailers of similar upscale caliber.
fashionsquare.com
Take a moment to rejuvenate tired skin or reverse the signs of aging. Indulge in pain free laser hair removal, customized facials, HydraFacial treatments, Micro Pen rejuvenation, skin tightening, VI peel or therapeutic massage treatments.
spa810.com
4 p.m. Happy Hour at Kelly’s at SouthBridge For the best happy hour in Old Town, check out Kelly’s. The restaurant uses the term “social hour,” but it still means half-off appetizers, bruschetta and bottles as well as $4 drafts and wells and $4 discount on cocktails. Social hour is Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. and all-day Sunday.
kellysatsouthbridge.com
7 p.m.: Dinner at Citizen Public House There isn’t a bad thing on Citizen’s menu, but, if we may, the chopped salad is a bit of a local legend.
citizenpublichouse.com
10 p.m.: Night cap at The Beverly
BONUS:
Formerly a stylized speakeasy known as Mabel’s on Main, The Beverly carries that same old-time vibe. More than 100 whiskey options and spirits line the walls and the cocktail menu is extensive as well. Settle up in a booth and get sophisticated — “Mad Men” style.
thebeverly.us
Scottsdale ArtWalk Scottsdale ArtWalk is much like a large, easy-going open house for the Scottsdale Arts District located primarily along Main Street and Marshall Way in Scottsdale’s Downtown. “America’s Original ArtWalk,” this weekly gathering takes place every Thursday evening when member galleries belonging to the Scottsdale Gallery Association (SGA) open their doors to the public and show off the work of the Southwest’s outstanding artists.
scottsdalegalleries.com
Scottsdale Waterfront
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VISIT GLENDALE VISIT
R
elax, rev up and have the time of your life in Glendale. Game time, girl time, family time – a trip to Glendale can truly be the time of your life. We welcome you to use our sunsets, championship moments and unparalleled shopping, dining and entertainment destinations as the stage for your lasting memories. Looking to get your game on? We’ll knock your socks off. Want to submerse yourself in a never-ending wonderland of shops and boutiques? We’ve got you covered there, too. In Glendale, you can have it all. A visit to Glendale will begin a lifelong romance, marked with memories and excitement.
Sahuaro Ranch Historical Area
Things To Do: Shop & Play • Historic Downtown Glendale, one of the country’s 10 best places for shopping. • Westgate Entertainment District • Arrowhead Towne Center, Arrowhead Entertainment District Glendale’s Northern Shopping Corridor • Tanger Outlets Westgate • Cabela’s • Desert Diamond West Valley Casino
Outdoor Adventure Thunderbird Conservation Park – a 1,185acre park in the Hedgpeth Hills dedicated to preserving our native desert environment. The Glendale Habitat Garden located at the Glendale Main Library showcases native Sonoran Desert plants and provides hospitable habitat for plants and wildlife.
Sports & Entertainment Glendale has grown into a true sports destination with Gila River Arena, home of the NHL Coyotes; the University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL Cardinals and the Fiesta Bowl; and Camelback Ranch-Glendale, spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox.
Arts & Culture Glendale Police Museum 6835 N. 57th Dr. (623) 930-3486 VisitGlendale.com
Manistee Ranch 5127 W. Northern Ave. (623) 435-0072 VisitGlendale.com
Sahuaro Ranch Historical Area 9802 N. 59th Ave. (623) 930-4200 VisitGlendale.com
Special Events:
Arizona Doll & Toy Museum 5847 W. Myrtle Ave. (623)939-6186 arizonadollandtoymuseum.com
January Glendale Glitter & Glow
July Summer Band Concerts
FOR MORE INFO
February Glendale Chocolate Affaire Galentines Day
September Teddy Bear Day
Glendale Visitor Center
March Paris in the Spring April Dog Days of Glendale May Mother’s Day Event
October Front Porch Festival November Holiday Open House Glendale Glitters Spectacular Weekend December Glendale Glitters Holiday Weekend
June Summer Band Concerts Summer Scavenger Stroll 12
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Boasting a countless collection of free local, regional and statewide maps, brochures and travel information, the Glendale Visitor Center is the first place to start your journey. 5800 W. Glenn Dr., #140 Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 930-4500 / (877) 800-2601 VisitGlendale.com
Page sponsored by Visit Glendale
A DAY IN THE
EAST VALLEY
Some of the biggest cities in the East Valley are Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler. Within brief driving distances between them, visitors can easily enjoy the best each town has to offer in a single, productive day.
7 a.m.: Hike the Superstition Mountains Formed by volcanic eruptions 30 million years ago, the Superstition Mountains are home to impressive rock walls, jagged hoodoos of rock, and narrow twisting canyons. Ranging in elevation from 2,000 to 6,265 feet, the Superstitions offer many miles of hiking on designated trails.
arizonahikingadventures.com
10 a.m.: See a gunfight at Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse
5 p.m.: Rosa’s Mexican Grill
After a day of activity, head to Rosa’s Mexican Grill, an institution in Mesa for more than 20 years. Rosa’s is beloved for See the roughest, toughest stunt show serving the finest “Baja Style” Mexican food around. These boys are the reason the West in Arizona. Its trophy wall is covered with was wild. Witness gunfights, daring falls and all the antics of Rawhide’s Rough Riders. numerous awards received for its fine food and dining. Don’t miss the chimichanga. rawhide.com
osasgrill.com
1 p.m.: The Farm at Agritopia The Farm at Agritopia is a 15-acre USDA Certified Organic urban farm in the heart of the 166-acre Agritopia community. It hosts more than 100 crops, as well as sheep, chickens and honey bees. While here, visitors can walk the pathways to see the farm in production. The farm also offers tours and U-Picks throughout the growing seasons, information for which is available online.
thefarmatagritopia.com
8 p.m.: Walk through Heritage District While you’re visiting, take a walk through Gilbert’s Heritage District, where history meets entertainment and modern restaurants and breweries are a stone’s throw from any corner.
gilbertaz.gov/departments/economicdevelopment/heritage-district
BONUS: It’s a dog’s life at Cosmo Dog Park This paradise for pooches in Gilbert features a lake for dogs to launch themselves into and four fenced acres along with doggie drinking fountains, wash stations, an obstacle course, tables, benches and walkways.
gilbertaz.gov/cosmo-park
Gilbert’s Heritage District
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VISIT
BUCKEYE
Vietnam Traveling Tribute Wall (November 8 – 12, 2017) Buckeye is honored to pay homage to our servicemen and women who were lost or killed in the Vietnam War. This five day event commemorates their service with an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., Other events include a parade, daily opening and closing ceremonies, guest speakers and the opportunity to honor our heroes and share this moving experience close to home.
Buckeye Marathon December 9, 2017 Join hundreds of runners from over 27 states for the 4th Annual Buckeye Marathon, Half, 10K, 5K, and Obstacle Course. Known for its downhill and fast course (marathoners will drop over 530 feet in elevation from the start to finish), the Boston Marathon qualifier route starts in the community of Sun City Festival before making its way around the beautiful White Tank Mountains and ending at the runway of the Buckeye Municipal Airport. For more information and to register for the Buckeye Marathon visit
buckeyemarathon.com.
South Buckeye Equestrian Center The South Buckeye Equestrian and Events Center in Buckeye is the premier equestrian facility in the valley of the sun. The Center’s massive indoor arena hosts a variety of barrel racing and roping competitions, attracting competitors from around the country. And if you want your own wild west experience you can ride the many miles of trails along the Gila River or learn from professional instructors and trainers. As the sun sets on your memorable day, the Tack Room Saloon offers a variety of food and drink options. Visit southbuckeye.com.
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Skyline Regional Park Buckeye’s Skyline Regional Park is an 8,700 acre mountain preserve located in the southern White Tank Mountains with 16 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The Skyline Regional Park trail system is designed to provide an experience that meets the needs of each user, while also assuring a safe trail experience for all. Trails are of varying lengths and difficulty levels, allowing for a variety of use. Skyline Regional Park also has 7 camping sites, offering amazing views of the surrounding mountains in the southern White Tank Mountains. Each campsite includes a parking stall 50 feet
in length for RV’s and vehicles. For more information visit skylineregionalpark.com.
Gillespie Dam Bridge If you love finding cool and unique treasures hidden in the desert, Buckeye has one of the best kept secrets on old US Route 80. The Gillespie Bridge was open in 1927, and at the time was the longest highway bridge in the state of Arizona. The steel bridge crosses over the Gila River, offering visitors great photography opportunities, fishing and hiking to the ruins of the Gillespie Dam that was destroyed during the flood of 1993.
A DAY IN
SEDONA
Sedona’s beautiful rock formations in varying hues of orange and red is an otherworldly setting known for being a place to find zen and inner light. Here’s the best way to go about that, if we do say so ourselves.
6 a.m.: Sedona Spirit yoga, vortex or hiking tour You know that picture of a woman doing yoga on the peak of a red rock that made you want to visit Sedona? Now you can be her! Sedona Spirit offers customizable tours to sacred sites, for aspiring yogis or just plain old hikes through the red rocks. You can also put your energies to the test and visit vortecies with a guide. Talk about a way to start the day!
yogalife.net
8 a.m.: Slip into Slide Rock This is Mother Nature’s ultimate Slip ‘N’ Slide. Slide Rock State Park is a state park that takes its name from a natural water slide formed by the slippery bed of Oak Creek.
azstateparks.com/Parks/SLRO
10 a.m.: Shop at Tlaquepaque Nestled beneath giant sycamore trees on the banks of beautiful Oak Creek, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is in a class by itself. Tlaquepaque is the most distinctive shopping complex to be found in the Southwest — or just about anywhere else.
tlaq.com
Noon: Lunch at René at Tlaquepaque After working up an appetite shopping, you’ll be regaled by a menu of Continentalinfluenced dishes, like roasted duck with sun-dried cherry sauce, Rocky Mountain rainbow trout and free-range chicken piccatta, crisp salads and elegant appetizers (don’t miss the lobster martini).
renerestaurantsedona.com
2 p.m.: Align your chakras at Amara Resort and Spa Realign your chakras, from your head to your toes. From facials to foot and hand rituals, Amara Resort and Spa’s Mii Amo is prepared to provide the ultimate spa services. The spa’s signature facial is Moon Chasing Sun, which alternates the use of hot and cold stones during a concentrated scalp massage.
amararesort.com/sedona-hotel/spaservices.html 5 p.m.: Dinner at Elote
Everyone who leaves Elote Cafe can be heard saying, “That’s the best meal I’ve had in a long time.” Elote serves the cuisine of Mexico culled from more than 15 years of travels through Mexico by chef Jeff Smedstad. Elote Cafe features local products such as wines from Page Springs Winery, Black Mesa Goat cheese and Sedona/Verde Valley area produce.
elotecafe.com
7 p.m.: Reconnect with nature with wine at L’Auberge de Sedona L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek has the most extensive wine menu in Sedona, so, naturally, you should end your day with a night cap in the forest at the edge of Oak Creek. Catch the sunset through the tree branches and embrace how much life slows down when you’re in Sedona.
lauberge.com/dining
Amara Resort and Spa
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Williams, Arizona has something for everyone. Plan a visit and see why visitors have fallen in love with Williams. ROUTE 66
HIKING
RODEOS
WILDLIFE
ExperienceWilliams.com • (928) 635-4061
A DAY IN
FLAGSTAFF
7 a.m.: Breakfast at Macy’s European Coffeehouse
1 p.m.: Lunch at Satchmo’s BBQ
6 p.m.: Dinner at Beaver Street Brewery
Macy’s is a cozy vegan friendly coffeehouse that serves the best biscuits and gravy, pastries and hot chocolate. The patio is dog-friendly, and the place is always busy (in a good way)!
Satchmo’s is a Cajun and Creole restaurant that has become a local legend. Satchmo’s serves very good local beer, excellent food (try the ribs and Jambalaya) and features the some of the best service in Northern Arizona.
8 a.m.: Wet Beaver Creek’s Bell Trail
3 p.m.: Check into Hotel Monte Vista
8 p.m. Finish the night close to your bed
This popular trail takes between four and six hours, round trip, and is moderately difficult. Most hikers walk just over 3 miles to Bell Crossing (known to locals as “The Crack”), which features a swimming hole, before turning around.
Built in 1926, this classic hotel is a three-minute walk from the Amtrak train station and 1.5 miles from the Lowell Observatory. The hotel is allegedly haunted, and many guests, including the actor John Wayne, have reported encounters with ghosts.
Before facing the ghosts in your room at Monte Vista, visit the Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge, which was the first speakeasy in Flagstaff, welcoming everyone from celebrities and law-breakers to skiers and river runners. During prohibition, the Cocktail Lounge opened and was successfully running a major bootlegging operation in the very same location as today.
macyscoffee.net
satchmosaz.com
hotelmontevista.com
You can watch the chefs create your meal in Beaver Street Brewery’s open kitchen or watch the brewer’s create Beaver Street Brewery’s handcrafted ales and lagers behind the bar.
beaverstreetbrewery.com
BONUS: Shoot for the stars Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, placing it among the oldest observatories in the United States, and was named one of “The World’s 100 Most Important Places” by Time magazine. It was at the Lowell Observatory that the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh.
lowell.edu
Flagstaff Urban Trail
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www.lowell.edu | 1400 W Mars Hill Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 | (928) 774-3358 Find us on Social Media: Facebook.com/LowellObservatory | Twitter: @LowellObs | Instagram: @LowellObservatory
HOME OF PLUTO AND THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE • Daytime Tours • Solar Viewing • Nighttime Telescope Viewing • Science Demonstrations • Interactive Exhibits
An interactive exhibit featuring asteroid detection, classification, and more!
VISIT
PAGE
How to Spend 3 Days in Page, Arizona
Explore canyon country with the family in Northern Arizona By Nora Burba Trulsson
Floating on crystal blue waters. Hiking to views of rust- and ocher-hued rock formations. Trekking through magical canyons. Rafting past silent cliffs. Page is the center of Arizona’s canyon country, a launching point for family adventures from Lake Powell and the Colorado River, to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Navajo Nation. But where do you start? Here’s a three-day itinerary with Page as your base camp, guaranteed to satisfy even the hardest to entertain family member, and to get the most out of a long weekend with loved ones.
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Day One Get your bearings at the Powell Museum & Visitors Center to learn about the natural and cultural history of the surrounding Colorado Plateau. Also, discover how the City of Page sprang up during the construction of Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River. Besides exhibits, the museum has a shop where you can snap up local photography and art prints, educational toys for the kiddos and books about the region. You can also book tours at the museum and visitors center, such as a trek to Antelope Canyon, a magnificent slot canyon with vermillion- and tangerine-colored
walls sculpted into curving, striated forms by water and wind. Since the canyon is on Navajo Nation land, you’ll need to book a tour with a guide to walk through the narrow openings, where shifting beams of light provide many Instagramable moments. Make sure you book early, as tours fill up fast. After the hour and 15-minute canyon tour (make sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to your tour), head to the Horseshoe Bend viewpoint, where the waters curve around in a distinctive horseshoe shape. It’s another Instagram-worthy landmark visible from the cliffs high above the Colorado River. Located just two miles
south of downtown, it’s a short drive and a moderate, kid-friendly, 1.5-mile roundtrip walk to the viewpoint and back. Don’t forget your water bottle! Another must-see for your introduction to the area is the Glen Canyon Dam and its Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Here you’ll learn how Lake Powell, the second-largest manmade lake in the United States, was formed. You can see the dam, river, and lake from designated viewpoints, stop in the bookstore, or take a guided tour of the dam itself. At the end of the day, head out to Lake Powell for a relaxing boat cruise that explores the lake’s deep blue waters and glides along its crenulated lakeshore. Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas has a menu of cruises. If the troops are restless, try a 90-minute boat tour that takes you past the dam into a narrow, water-filled canyon and by sandstone escarpments. Alternatively, try the two-hour dinner cruise, which combines scenery, food, and adult beverages for mom and dad.
Day Two You’ve gotten your feet wet, now let’s dive a little deeper. Those thrilling whitewater rafting trips down the mighty Colorado River might be on everyone’s bucket list…or not. For a calmer, gentler way to experience the river, try a half-day, motorized smooth-water rafting trip with Colorado River Discovery. Listen to river tales as you glide down the winding river past sandy beaches and cliffs streaked with desert minerals. You’ll go all the way down to Horseshoe Bend (be sure to look up; you’ll see people at the viewpoint waving), ending at Lee’s Ferry. Be on the lookout for American Indian petroglyphs, wildlife and, in the spring, wildflowers. Back on land, stretch everyone’s legs with an easy hike on Page’s Rim Trail, a 10-mile, mostly flat loop atop a mesa. You can pick
up the trail at various points, getting killer views of the dam, Vermillion Cliffs, Navajo Mountain and, on the lake, Antelope Island. As the sun begins to slide behind the cliffs, take the family to Into The Grand, Page’s well-known dinner theater that combines Navajo food with native culture. Try a Navajo taco – a disk of fry bread, topped with, say, beef and pinto beans (there are several options), then take in the live performance, which includes music, dance, and song. Most nights, you can see hoop dancing.
Day Three On your last day, get into the backcountry around Page and Lake Powell by booking a half-day Jeep tour with Jeep Lake Powell. The private tour starts at your hotel and winds around the lake and up into the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. There’s also plenty of stops to enjoy hiking, views of otherworldly rock formations, and glimpses of the region’s natural and human history. And, yes, the Jeep ride itself offers thrills. On a warm day, a dip will cool everyone’s
jets after the rumble and bumps of the Jeep tour. The Chains, a popular swimming spot at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, has sandstone ledges that lead into Lake Powell’s refreshing waters. The water is deep here, so make sure everyone in your crew are strong swimmers. Your family’s not alone in enjoying the waters of Lake Powell. It’s also home to bass, crappie, walleye, bluegill and other fish. End your visit with a guided afternoon fishing adventure, so you can take home tasty dinner souvenirs. Choose from several local guide services that offer half-day trips for morning and afternoon. You bring the fishing licenses and the sunscreen, they’ll provide the rest. Thinking about staying longer, or would like to try something else? However much time you have and whatever your interest, make sure to stop by the Powell Museum & Visitors Center for all the info. They’ll make sure you book tours with knowledgeable and accredited outfitters to get your vacation started right. Discover everything Page has to offer and start building your personal itinerary.
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A DAY IN
TUCSON
The thing about Tucson is it’s a large metro that revolves around the University of Arizona. If you see Wildcats — noted for their blue and red college gear — don’t be alarmed. It’s just part of Tucson’s community spirit. Here’s how, as Wildcats would say, you “bear down” in southern Arizona.
7 a.m.: Breakfast at Frank’s This isn’t classy dining by any stretch of the hungry spectrum, but, boy, does Frank’s have the best breakfast in town! All the staples for a breakfast joint are on the menu with a southern Arizona kick.
franksrestaurant.com
8:30 a.m.: Summit Mt. Lemmon for Ski Valley If you’re looking to hit the slopes for a few hours, give Ski Valley, at the top of Mt. Lemmon, a try. It’s a bit less flashy and beginner-friendly (and has quite a few tree-covered runs) than what you’ll find in northern Arizona, but the rentals are lowcost and the drive up is beautiful.
skithelemmon.com
Noon: Lunch at Baja Cafe of Tucson
6 p.m. Dinner at Maynard’s Market and Kitchen
After working up an appetite on the slopes, descend upon Baja Cafe for a refueling meal. This mom-and-pop restaurant blends American comfort food with the Southwestern flair that Tucson is known for. We always find ourselves craving Baja’s from-scratch pancakes or the mouthwatering Wildcat Benedict.
One of the best burgers in Tucson, a wine flight and live music are nice ways to end a long day of sightseeing. Chef Jared Scott has made quite a name for himself in American fusion and shouldn’t be overlooked while everyone’s fussing about the Phoenix foodie scene.
bajacafetucson.com
2 p.m.: Visit Kitt Peak National Observatory Kitt Peak built 7,000 feet above Tucson has the largest collection of radio and optical telescopes in the world. The observatory was constructed in the ‘60s but remains a beloved site for aspiring and serious stargazers.
noao.edu/kpno
4 p.m.: Day drinking at The Buffet
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9 p.m. Catch a show at Hotel Congress Hotel Congress is a charming 40-room hotel built in the early 1900s that has a leading reputation for Club Congress. The club won the title of best margarita at the Tucson Culinary Festival, and Esquire named it one of the top bars in America. The Hotel Congress area is also the goto spot for concerts in Tucson with its neighbor, the Rialto Theatre, where you can catch most of the popular touring bands that don’t make it up to Phoenix (or the occasional band that plays both cities).
Check out Tucson’s oldest dive bar with playfully graffitied walls offering pub grub, pool and free shuffleboard. But go during the hotelcongress.com day because ... well, just go during the day.
thebuffetbar.com
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A DAY IN
SIERRA VISTA
To many, Sierra Vista is best known as a global leader in military intelligence as well as a bustling hub for cybersecurity research, workforce development, testing and certification. But, beyond serving a hub that protects us – not to mention our computers and smart phones – Sierra Vista is one of Arizona’s best-kept tourism secrets. At the base of the 9,400-foot Huachuca Mountains, Sierra Vista enjoys bright, sunny days and starstudded nights. Sierra Vista’s 4,600-foot elevation makes it a cool respite from summer’s hot climates and a delightful escape from winter’s chill. Learn more at visitsierravista.com.
10 a.m.: Fairbank Once one of the largest cities in the West, today Fairbank in greater-Sierra Vista is among the best-preserved ghost towns in the country. There is a daily self-guided tour available, and the fully restored oneroom schoolhouse serves as a museum and gift shop on weekends.
11:30 a.m.: The German Café Extensive and tasty Teutonic spread in the heart of Sierra Vista.
1 p.m.: Fort Huachuca’s National Historic District
If you dig history, you’re in luck! You’ll find two major museums nearby for an 8 a.m.: Ramsey Canyon Preserve opportunity to steep yourself in Arizona’s The 280-acre preserve offers amazing hiking colorful past, including the Fort Huachuca options – a best bet is Hamburg Trail – and Military Intelligence Soldier Heritage serves as a haven for over 170 varieties of Learning Center, which gives tribute to birds, including 14 species of hummingbirds. military intelligence beginning with our Guided walks are offered March through nation’s birth. November; birding high season takes place from April through September.
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3:30 p.m.: San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area With nearly 40 miles of riparian vegetation, this 56,000-acre area is teeming with plant and animal life. Visitors can hike solo or choose from regularly scheduled bird, interpretive, and river walks led by docents from the San Pedro House.
6 p.m.: Pizzeria Mimosa Enjoy locally sourced ingredients, handmade cheese, authentic Italian fare, and Neapolitan pizza prepared in a woodfired oven.
8 p.m.: Stargaze Amateur astronomers will find a host of stargazing opportunities because of Sierra Vista’s dark sky ordinances and vast, unlit county lands, which help reduce astronomy photolight pollution, making the stars shine even brighter. In total there are 16 observatories in the area and a telescope available to borrow from the Library.
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TRAVEL TIPS
GET AROUND
You’re in Arizona. Now what?
Uber
Apache Cab
Phoenix has aggressively pursued public transportation options to help residents and tourists get around the city with ease and good timing. However, since you’re new to the city, there are a few things you need to know.
Phoenicians are increasingly using the Uber ridesharing app to get around the city. All you have to do is download the app to your phone and enter payment information that will automatically pay your driver at the end of the trip. An added bonus is that fee estimates are provided via the app before you even request a ride. This takes the element of surprise out of your ride. Drivers are also incentivized to be good stewards because patrons can rank their drivers after a trip concludes.
If you’re set on taking a cab, do so with a clean conscience. Apache Cab uses a fleet of Prii (the official plural form of Prius) and guarantees a happy ride, but it’s also an award-winning local business.
Light Rail The Valley Metro light rail connects the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to downtown Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix. Frequency between trains changes by time of day. Monday through Thursday, rails run between 4 a.m. and midnight. On Friday and Saturday, the trains run nearly 24 hours. On Sundays, trains stop around 2 a.m. Tickets: $2 one-way, $4 all day; Purchase them at kiosks at station platforms and present the ticket to rail security if they board your car.
To reserve: Download the Uber app
GRID Bike Share Program
Those neon green bikes aren’t just meant to brighten the streetscape around Phoenix. They’re bikes you can rent and ride around downtown in lieu of driving or taking the rail. There are 500 bikes at 50 locations Tip: If you have a ticket for an event downtown, around the city. The fee is $5 per hour for such as a basketball game, you can ride the rail non-members. for free to and from the event. To find a nearby station and schedules: Download Ridekick app
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Tip: If you’re worried a bike won’t be available, you can reserve one up to 15 minutes prior to pickup via the SoBi app. To reserve: Download the SoBi app
To reserve: 480-777-9777
Silvercar Want to travel in style? Silvercar is a car rental company that makes life easy. You’ll always get a classy silver Audi A4. No surprises or convincing your significant other that the red mustang really isn’t worth the extra $40 per day. All Silvercar rentals automatically come with GPS, Wi-Fi and satellite radio. To reserve: Download the Silvercar app
On foot If you’re flaunting your pedestrian prowess by hitting the sidewalks of Phoenix, look for the unnaturally cheerful Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors. They’re usually in flourescent T-shirts and are wearing an “Ask Me” button. This isn’t a trick. These ambassadors are volunteers of Downtown Phoenix Partnership and are more than happy to help lost travelers or to suggest things to do. Think of it as Siri in human form.
TRAVEL TIPS
HIKING
Worst Case Scenarios: Hiking Arizona Hitting the trails in Arizona is primarily a safe and rewarding activity. However, there are a few tips and tricks that out-oftowners should brief themselves on before lacing up their boots.
The buzzards won’t start circling you unless you’re hours or days away from civilization and antivenom, which we doubt is the case. So, if you have cell service, call 911. If not, try to find someone who can take you to the nearest hospital. Don’t feed the javelinas! Those furry pig-looking guys you see Here’s what you do now: Keep breathing. sniffing around the trails are not wild pigs If you panic, your heart is going to pump at all. They’re javelinas. They love food, blood faster. Let it bleed for about 30 but you should never feed one. Javelinas, seconds and then bandage the wound especially those with large tusks, can do without cleaning it (this can help medical serious harm to humans. If their ears professionals figure out what kind of are down and they’re growling, they may venom is in your body, if any). Keep the charge at you. If you encounter one, try to affected area as immoble as possible. scare it off with loud noises. Don’t be afraid Movement gets your blood flowing, which to get really loud. You’re more likely to spreads venom. However, you may need to encounter a javelina when hiking at dusk move a little to get to a car or medical help. or in shaded areas. That’s a worthy use of blood flow. If you’re in pain, though, breathe through it. Don’t grab for the flask. That, too, will disperse Snake! the venom more quickly. If it’s coiled, has seen you and, if applicable, is rattling its tail, move away as quickly as possible. Do this with caution. You don’t want to trip during your getaway. Snakes don’t always strike from a coiled position, but it’s usually a sign of aggravation. If the snake seems nonchalant to your existence and is just working its way across the trail, you can choose to wait for it to pass.
It bit me! Move away from the snake as quickly as possible to avoid a second attack. Now: Don’t panic. Don’t suck the wound. Don’t rip your shirt off to make a tourniquet. Don’t break out the snake bite kit. Just breathe.
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What happened to the trail? Do I cross this stream? Look for a cairn. Cairns are stacks of rocks used for directing hikers along paths that are difficult to navigate. Sometimes they’re made by other hikers, and are subtle stacks, but other times they’re larger and contained in metal netting by park rangers to ensure hikers they’re on the right path. These are most commonly seen when you need to cross a wash or stream. Tips:
Bring (and drink) water You filled your Camelback? Awesome. Now pack a waterbottle, too. Bring lots of water, even when you’re hiking on a chilly morning. It’s important to stay hydrated in Arizona.
Apply sunscreen You can still wake up with a nice lobster-y hue after being outside on a cloudy day. UV rays aren’t disabled by fluffy clouds, unfortunately. What you need: SPF 30 or higher (grab chapstick with SPF, too). Apply your sunscreen while indoors and on dry skin. Then, reapply every two hours. If you’re sweating a lot, you may want to reapply hourly.
Know your limits If you’re not usually an active person, heading out on a 14-mile roundtrip hike is probably going to hurt the next day. Save yourself injury and self-loathing by picking a slightly shorter hike. It’s important to research elevation changes and how rigorous a trail is.
TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS NORTHERN ARIZONA L’Auberge de Sedona
Enchantment Resort
Surround yourself with towering red rocks and the babbling bank of Oak Creek within one of the 87 luxury guest rooms and cottages on this 11-acre resort. The resort just underwent a $25 million refurbishment that included a new outdoor pool, yoga classes and stargazing sessions.
This resort combines luxury with rugged grandeur inspired by Native American culture. The adobe casitastyle accommodations offer world-class comforts amid the Sedona red rocks.
lauberge.com
Amara Resort & Spa Set against a superb backdrop of redrock buttes and steps from the banks of Oak Creek, this hotel offers breathtaking views. It’s also just a block from downtown Sedona’s shopping and restaurants.
amararesort.com
Jerome, Arizona
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enchantmentresort.com
Jerome Grand Hotel The Jerome Grand Hotel was originally constructed in 1926 under the name United Verde Hospital. After the hospital became a hotel, many alleged hauntings began to occur and is now popular among traveling ghost hunters.
jeromegrandhotel.com
Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort Twin Arrows, located east of Flagstaff, is northern Arizona’s premier casino resort destination, offering luxury amenities and best-in-class gaming.
twinarrows.com
TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS SOUTHERN ARIZONA Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Loews features 398 guest rooms, four restaurants and lounges, eight tennis courts, two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses, fitness trails, swimming pools and a full-service spa.
Distinguished from all other Tucson resorts by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine and Forbes Travel Guide, this hotel blends into the surrounding Sonoran Desert and Tortolita Mountain. About 30 minutes outside of downtown Tucson, this hotel offers four restaurants, a golf course, hiking and a destination spa.
loewshotels.com
Miraval Resort & Spa The Miraval experience includes fresh locally sourced ingredients to make flavorful food, growth and development activities that make the heart pump, fabulous spa services that ignite the senses and an unrivaled team of wellbeing specialists to help make positive and lasting change in your life.
miravalresorts.com
Loews Ventana Canyon
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ritzcarlton.com
Westward Look Resort Set high in the foothills overlooking Tucson and warmed by an abundance of desert sunshine, Westward Look Resort is a rejuvenating resort environment inspired by the beauty of its pristine natural surroundings.
westwardlook.com
Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort The Conquistador’s newly renovated pool, new poolside cabanas and outdoor fire pits deliver the ultimate indoor/outdoor resort experiences with dramatic views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.Â
hiltonelconquistador.com
TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS EAST VALLEY Boulders Resort & Spa
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The newly-renovated Boulders Resort is a high-end resort with two golf courses on 1,300 acres in the Sonoran Desert foothills north of Scottsdale. It’s a peaceful paradise that is designed for a blissful adult getaway.
The warm, Southwestern-inspired rooms come with private balconies or terraces and some feature fireplaces or whirlpool tubs. This upscale resort is 1.3 miles from the TPC Scottsdale golf club, which hosts the PGA’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort
Hotel Valley Ho
theboulders.com
Built in 1912, the historic Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort was one of the first hotels in Chandler and the newly renovated hotel provides contemporary comforts amid a rustic setting. The hotel boasts the first golf course created in the state and a host of distinctive amenities.
sanmarcosresort.com
scottsdaleprincess.com
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa This modern upscale hotel in the Sonoran Desert offers amenities that include five restaurants and a lounge, a spa, a golf course, five outdoor pools, a fitness center, a business center and a conference center with 40 meeting rooms.
jwdesertridge.com
We hope you packed your chiffon robe for your stay at Hotel Valley Ho. The midcentury modern abode just outside of Old Town Scottsdale is a fabulous hang for people who love sitting poolside in fashionable hats while bathing in the vintage feel of the property.
hotelvalleyho.com
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
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TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS DUDE RANCHES Bumble Bee Ranch Adventures
Rancho de la Osa
Tombstone Monument Ranch
Horseback riding, cattle drives, nature hikes and Western dinners. Guided history-filled tours through Bumble Bee Creek, into the mountains and through the scenic Sonoran Desert. Guest accommodations are available.
This intimate 300-year-old property is one of the last great haciendas in America. Established as a guest ranch in 1924, Rancho De La Osa’s history has been lovingly preserved in the beautiful buildings that rest comfortably in the rolling grasslands of the high Sonoran Desert.
Tombstone’s only Dude Ranch. Located 3 miles outside the world’s most iconic western town. The ranch is surrounded by spectacular scenery coupled with a neverending history of famous cowboys, Apache Indians and silver mining.
bumblebeeranch.com
Rancho de los Caballeros Rancho de los Caballeros is Arizona’s premier guest ranch, where you can sense the thrill of a desert trail ride or challenge yourself to a round of golf at Los Caballeros Golf Club.
ranchodeloscaballeros.com
ranchodelaosa.com
tombstonemonumentranch.com
Tanque Verde Ranch Tanque Verde Ranch, founded in 1868 and located on 640 acres east of Tucson, offers horseback riding, tennis, guided hiking, mountain biking, nature walks, weekly breakfast rides and outdoor BBQs. All included in the nightly rate.
tanqueverderanch.com
Tanque Verde Ranch
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YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW Rancho de la Osa lies close to the US/ Mexico border, but it is in the United States. It wasn’t always so. The ranch property is part of the original three million acre land grant given by the King of Spain to the Ortiz brothers of Mexico in 1812. When the Gadsden Purchase was signed in 1854 settling the border dispute between Mexico and the United States, the ranch fell within US boundaries where it has remained until today.
TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS BED AND BREAKFAST
Boots & Saddles Boots & Saddles, Sedona Bed and Breakfast, was awarded the TripAdvisor. com Traveler’s Choice Award for the last nine years and labeled as the best Bed and Breakfast in the U.S.
oldwestbb.com
Briar Patch Inn Stay in one of the 19 cottages nestled in Oak Creek Canyon and enjoy a peaceful, natural setting. Located three miles from shopping, dining and great views of the Sedona sunset.
briarpatchinn.com Sedona Views
Not all B&Bs have to be renovated historic cottages. Sedona Views is located in a multi-level contemporary house on a hill with stunning views of the red rocks. Each room has a private patio and entrance. Though residents will feel isolated among nature, the home is a short drive to downtown Sedona.
sedonaviewsbb.com
The Canyon Wren Looking for a cabin for two where you and your significant other can comfortably retreat after a day of hiking or shopping for crystals? The Canyon Wren cabins are settled right along Oak Creek Canyon, surrounded by sycamores, hammocks, private patios and grassy lawns.
canyonwrencabins.com
The Vineyards Bed & Breakfast If the weeping willows outside are any indication, the recently opened Vineyards is a romantic, secluded getaway overlooking Arizona’s wine country. The proprietors, who found the location on Craigslist, of all places, pride themselves on Midwest hospitality and a solid homemade breakfast.
thevineyardsbandb.com
Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona
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TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS UNIQUELY ARIZONA Hassayampa Inn
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
Since 1927, when writers and artists were drawn to the stunning landscapes of the Southwest, the Hassayampa Inn has been the “Grand Jewel of Prescott,” a fashionable resort for the well-heeled. Georgia O’Keeffe stayed there. So did D.H. Lawrence, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Tom Mix and Will Rogers.
An Arizona landmark since its opening on Feb. 23, 1929, when it was crowned The Jewel of the Desert.
hassayampainn.com Hermosa Inn
In-room fireplaces, secluded patios, hand-painted Mexican tile, swimming pool, Jacuzzis and Lon’s at the Hermosa restaurant are among the beautiful perks patrons will find in the haciendalike accommodations.
arizonabiltmore.com La Posada
Rated as one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay” by Condé Nast Traveler Gold List in 2009, this hotel is the Last Great Railroad Hotel built in 1929 by the Santa Fe Railway for the Fred Harvey Company. It offers guests three gardens (Sunken, Rose and Potager), a wedding terrace and the fabulous Turquoise Restaurant.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa Set on 53 acres on Camelback Mountain, this boutique resort is about four miles from Old Town Scottsdale, offers spectacular views of Paradise Valley and the mountains beyond.
sanctuaryoncamelback.com
laposada.org
hermosainn.com
Hermosa Inn
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TOP 5 | ACCOMMODATIONS CASINO RESORTS Casino Del Sol Resort
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center
casinodelsol.com
Arizona’s premier Native American-owned luxury resort boasts 500 culturally themed rooms, 36-hole Troon North Golf Club, the Aji spa, four pools, a 111-foot waterslide, Koli Equestrian Center, a 100,000-squarefoot casino and Rawhide, an 1880s Western town theme park.
Located off Route 87 on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Reservation, this refined casino and resort offers a pair of 18-hole golf courses, a 24-hour casino and a day spa, fitness center, a sprawling outdoor pool and seven restaurants.
Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment Tucson
Talking Stick Resort
Mediterranean architecture surrounds the gaming space, featuring 1,000 nickel, quarter, $1, $5 and multi-denominational slot machines. The $100 million resort, with luxury rooms and suites, has two new restaurants, a spa and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
Desert Diamond’s casino floor is packed with the hottest slot machines and table games. Hungry? Your cravings are covered. Dancing? Monsoon Nightclub is there. When it’s all over, you can chill out in the hotel room.
ddcaz.com
wildhorsepassresort.com
A distinct resort and entertainment destination in Scottsdale, Talking Stick Resort offers luxuries such as a rejuvenating open-air spa, eight worldclass restaurants, 10 entertainment lounges, a lively 240,000-square-foot gaming floor and two pools.
talkingstickresort.com
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa
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wekoparesortandconferencecenter.com
What’s on the menu is only the start. Dine in style at the Valley’s culinary jewel on the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort. With world-class entrées and wines, live entertainment and unparalleled views of the McDowell Mountains, your TSR night is certain to be memorable.
2016 Best of Award of Excellence – Wine Spectator
INSIDE TALKING STICK RESORT
101 & TALKING STICK WAY | SCOTTSDALE | 480.850.8606 | TALKINGSTICKRESORT.COM Online reservations available. Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
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TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS FINE DINING Coup Des Tartes
Razz’s Restaurant
Talavera at Four Seasons
Coup Des Tartes is a charming, 21-yearold, French bistro-style restaurant reminiscent of Paris’ Roaring ‘20s. Coup Des Tartes has always been known for intimate fine dining, but now also features outdoor dining on its expansive brick patio, surrounded by lush greenery.
With his engaging smile and culinary wizardry, Chef Razz Kamnitzer is the charismatic soul of this hip restaurant who transports diners to the energetic experience of big-city dining. Dine at the island kitchen with a host of regular guests and chat with Razz as he and his team flambé, sauté and slice it up.
Talavera introduces a modern take on the classic steakhouse, with unique steak and seafood pairings, artistic, seasonally inspired desserts, and a range of specialty sides, accompaniments and starters. Lively ambiance is matched by an upscale casual approach to dining, with a range of menu choices fit for every occasion.
nicetartes.com
LON’s at The Hermosa Originally built in the 1930s by cowboy artist Lon Megargee as his home and art studio, LON’s at the Hermosa is the Four Diamond culinary centerpiece of The Hermosa Inn. LON’s bold and contemporary techniques are complemented by age-old cooking methods and a garden-to-table philosophy.
lons.com
Talavera at Four Seasons
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razzsrestaurant.com
T. Cook’s at Royal Palms Resort Seasonal, artful Mediterranean-inspired cooking by Executive Chef Todd Allison tucked inside Royal Palms Resort and Spa. T. Cook’s culinary philosophy of magnifying the purity of fresh, seasonal ingredients is a celebration of its treasured legacy.
tcooksphoenix.com
talaverarestaurant.com
Big Game Big Steak Prime Time
Donovan’s welcomes sports fans to Arizona Donovan’s offers 100% Prime USDA beef, fresh market seafood, an award-winning wine list and an unforgettable dining experience for your family, friends and associates. From intimate occasions to groups of up to 120, Donovan’s is the place to celebrate.
Complimentary valet parking Complimentary transportation for up to 14 guests (based on availability)
3101 East Camelback ◆ 602-955-3666 Dinner served Monday-Saturday 5 p.m., Martini Hour 4 p.m.
donovanssteakhouse.com
TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS LOCAL FAVORITES
Sierra Bonita Don & Charlie’s
Pizzeria Bianco
Sumo Maya
Since 1981 Don & Charlie’s has been serving prime steaks, baby back ribs, prime rib and fresh fish and many other entrees that are indicative to the owners’ Chicago roots. A go-to spot for sports fans, Don & Charlie’s also enjoys showing off its collection of sports memorabilia.
Chef Chris Bianco started making artisinal pizzas in the back of a grocery store in the ‘80s. Now, he has multiple restaurant locations in Phoenix and Tucson, and won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Southwest in 2003. Best known for his pizzas, it’s hard to go wrong with anything from his kitchen.
The minds behind Sumo Maya in Scottsdale have done a delicious job deconstructing traditional Mexican and Japanese dishes and re-imagining them to make them their own. Everything is served tapas style, which gives diners an opportunity to sample a wide variety of dishes and flavors.
Macayo’s
Sierra Bonita
With a focus on community involvement and fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen grows its own farm-fresh chiles, blends them into delicious signature recipes and delivers each meal with unmatched hospitality. You will taste the 70 years of tradition in every dish.
You know a restaurant is pure Arizona when late Gov. Rose Mofford ate dinner there nearly every day for eight years after it opened. Sierra Bonita take a Southwestern menu and puts new and inventive twists on those menu items to create a perfect blend of Mexican, Native American and cowboy cultures.
donandcharlies.com
macayo.com
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pizzeriabianco.com
sierrabonitagrill.com
sumomaya.com
TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS STEAKS AND CHOPS Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge offers one of Scottsdale’s best fine-dining experiences in an intimate, upscale environment. Its menu includes crab stuffed prawns, strawberry fields salad, elk tenderloin and New York steak.
casinoarizona.com
Desert Rose Steakhouse Capitalizing on the boom of backyardstyle restaurants and bars, Desert Rose Steakhouse is housed with Desert Rose Pizza & Gastro Pub and Desert Rose Cigar Lounge & Club in a hip renovated Glendale welding facility offering the best steaks and prime rib in the West Valley.
desertrosesteakhouse.com
Donovan’s Steak & Chop House
The Stockyards
Donovan’s sets the standard of fine dining excellence. A classic steakhouse. A stylish, lively atmosphere. USDA Prime Steaks reign supreme. Mouth-watering steakhouse fare. A depth of wine variety that has earned the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.
In 1947, The Stockyards, Arizona’s Original Steakhouse, opened its doors for the first time with a menu focused solely on its historical past: beef. Staying true to its heritage, The Stockyards’ menu continues to feature only the finest corn-fed, aged steaks and prime rib.
donovanssteakhouse.com
stockyardssteakhouse.com
Eddie Merlot’s Wet-aged, prime-grade beef (including a bone-in Wagyu New York strip, an exclusive cut sourced from golfer Greg Norman’s ranch in Australia) is the cattle call of this luxurious and contemporary Scottsdale outpost of the high-roller Indiana-based steakhouse chain. eddiemerlots.com
Cholla Prime Steakhouse & Lounge
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TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS MEXICAN FOOD Barrio Cafe
Elote
Macayo’s
Established in 2002 by partners Wendy Gruber and Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Cafe was a dream come true for the duo. The neighborhood eatery is now everywhere, from Terminal 4 at the airport, to various Valley “barrios” such as Scottsdale and Phoenix. Chef Silvana serves authentic southern Mexican meals, prepped with a subtle French twist at times. Get the pomegrante guacamole, which is prepared table-side.
Chef Jeff Smedstad prepares food inspired by 15 years of visiting Mexican markets south of the border. The menu is a classically trained chef’s love letter to corn and other staples of Mexican cuisine. The Sedona restaurant doesn’t take reservations and only serves dinner beginning at 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
With a focus on community involvement and fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine, Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen grows its own farm-fresh chiles, blends them into delicious signature recipes and delivers each meal with unmatched hospitality. You will taste the 70 years of tradition in every dish.
barriocafe.com
elotecafe.com
La Hacienda at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval is where Mexican cuisine takes on a whole new meaning as vibrant flavors and ingredients combine the bold taste of classic Mexican food with timeless European cooking techniques in a lighter, healthier way. Popular choices include varieties of guacamole, ceviche, lobster tacos, filet de parilla, churros, flaming coffees and 240 selections of tequila.
scottsdaleprincess.com/dining/ la-hacienda
macayo.com
Tia Shorty’s Tina Padilla, or Tia Shorty, has always had a passion for preparing fine, authentic Mexican food. Growing up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Tina was taught how to cook rich and flavorful dishes from her grandmother and now she shares those authentic flavors with guests at her Scottsdale restaurant.
tiashortys.com
BEST TORTILLAS Carolina’s It might not be in the best neighborhood or have the most elegant interiors, but it’s worth the risk and the trip to taste Carolina’s flour tortilla — a large, delicately thin and slightly chewy slice of perfection that makes the ideal wrap for the restaurant’s amazing burritos.
carolinasmex.com
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GUACAMOLE del BARRIO
Served all day and prepared table-side during dinner
COCHINITA PIBIL
SIX COURSE TASTING MENU AND MEXICAN-WINE PAIRING
CH EF S ILVAN A S ALC I DO-E S PAR ZA
O N LY IN PHOENIX
Our acclaimed pork is marinated in achiote and sour orange, wrapped in a banana leaf and slow roasted over night, topped with pickled red onion and Yucatán-style pico de gallo
CHILES en NOGADA
A roasted poblano pepper filled with chicken, apple, pear, dried apricot and pecans, in a delicate almond cream sauce, finished with the colors of the flag: cilantro, queso fresco and pomegranate seeds
CHURROS RELLENOS de CAJETA de CABRA
Our acclaimed churros filled with goat’s milk caramel, served with vanilla bean ice cream, and topped with mas caramel y candied pecans
2814 N 16th St • 602.636.0240 E 5 TIM ARD E ES B JAM INEE NOM
1301 Grand Ave Reservations 602.252.2777
HEADED OUT OF TOWN? Visit Barrio Cafe at Terminal 4, Concourse D of Sky Harbor International Airport
TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY Windsor
Paul Martin’s American Grill
Gertrude’s
Tucked into its namesake historic Phoenix neighborhood, Windsor is a neighborhood bar and restaurant with a backyard-style patio that serves global comfort food and retro cocktails in one of the most hip, romantic restaurants in Central Phoenix.
Paul Martin’s timeless interior design and floor plans, combined with its well-trained and gracious staff, creates an atmosphere that is both inviting and comfortable and offers a classic American restaurant with a California twist that serves fresh, locally sourced seasonal food, prepared from scratch.
paulmartinsamericangrill.com
It’s not often that one gets to sit in the middle of the world’s finest collection of arid-land plants from deserts around the world, watching quail walking through the flowerbeds just inches away and enjoy a feast fit for a foodie. Gertrude’s at the Desert Botanical Garden allows diners to do just that.
Quiessence at The Farm at South Mountain
elements
windsoraz.com
Market-driven American cooking stars at this high-end, romantic destination set in a historic home. The flavors of Arizona terroir shine through Quiessence’s dishes, all prepared with a contemporary spin on traditional and classic culinary techniques.
qatthefarm.com
gertrudesrestaurant.net
From its extraordinary views of Paradise Valley, this award-winning array of farmfresh American Cuisine with Asian accents presented by Food Network star and Chef Beau MacMillan features innovative seasonal menus incorporating local, organic produce, sustainable seafood and hormone-free meat.
sanctuaryoncamelback.com/dining/ elements
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Hayden Rd
l v in
Van Buren St
Washington St
Rural Rd
Mill Ave
Priest Rd
S 44th St
University Dr
Pk
wy .
Scottsdale Rd
PAPAGO PARK
ZOO
Ga
64th St
52nd St
McDowell Rd
N 44th St
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TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS ITALIAN Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano
Franco’s Italian Caffe
Casa Mia
The dining room has an element of mystique, a magical aura that will take your breath away upon entering. The authentic and delicious Italian fare and homemade pastas that headline this romantic restaurant with villa-themed decor and grotto make you feel like you’ve been transported to Rome.
After a brief hiatus, Franco Fazzuoli and Chef Steve Martin are impressing Italian cuisine seekers at a new Franco’s Italian Caffe location in Old Town Scottsdale.
In Italian, Casa Mia means “my home.” And just like at home, Casa Mia’s food is made to meet an Italian family’s standards of taste. All of Casa Mia’s ingredients are of the finest quality, from homemade pastas, organic produce and organic grass-fed beef.
dahlanddiluca.com
Mora Italian Elevated Italian pastas, wood-fired pizzas and hearty mains star at this stylish Italian osteria. You’ll feel right at home at Mora Italian, where chef Scott Conant’s inspired cooking sets the scene for a remarkable meal in Phoenix’s bustling Seventh Street Stretch. moraitalian.com
francosscottsdale.com Marcellino’s
Chef Marcellino Verzino has brought a taste of authentic Italy to Old Town Scottsdale. Patrons may notice there is no salt or pepper on the tables at Marcellino’s, due to the fact that he believes in the perfection of flavor from the kitchen. Many of the seasonal offerings are also grown on Verzino’s personal farm in Arizona or in the herb garden just outside the restaurant.
marcellinoristorante.com
casamiascottsdale.com
BEST BRUSCHETTA Postino Originally located in a renovated post office, Postino now has four locations in the Valley and one in Denver. With an impressive wine list, the second-biggest draw to the cafe is its bruschetta boards (they can be served on gluten-free bread). Prosciutto with figs and mascarpone is one of the favorites, but patrons can order up to four different topping types on one board.
postinowinecafe.com
Oregano’s
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TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS SEAFOOD & SUSHI Mastro’s Ocean Club
Salt Cellar
Ada’s Fish Fry
Mastro’s Ocean Club combines world-class service and seafood-focused cuisine in an elegant and energetic atmosphere. The restaurant’s menu features an impressive array of fresh upscale seafood, including favorites such as the three-tiered iced Seafood Tower, bone-in filet, lobster mashed potatoes and a one-of-a-kind warm butter cake.
While Salt Cellar’s speciality is seafood — baked, broiled, sauteed, deep-fried, steamed and sliced — prepared to exceed expectations, it’s the funky atmopshere — the dining rooms, bar and kitchen are underground — that makes Salt Cellar a must-visit restaurant.
A hidden gem in the West Valley, the batter on Ada’s Fish Fry’s signature haddock is light and perfect. But if fried food is not your thing, the grilled and panseared seafood dishes pack just as much deliciousness. Don’t miss the Hush Puppies and calimari.
mastrosrestaurants.com
BEST FISH TACOS Joyride Taco House This Central Phoenix hot spot offers elevated Mexican street eats, drinks and patio seating in a hip, colorful setting. The crispy fish tacos are as good as any in Southern California. Joyride also has a Gilbert location.
Stingray Sushi Stingray is a luxe, modern sushi lounge that combines the artful creation of sushi, Japanese fare and savory libations by offering inventive cocktails and Latininfused Japanese dishes. Stingray has locations in Scottsdale Quarter, Phoenix, and Chandler.
stingraysushi.com
adasfishfry.com
Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant Bluewater is casual, fun, owner-operated and offers a kid’s menu, oyster bar, patio dining and a full bar with a wine list and happy hour.
bluewatergrill.com
joyridetacohouse.com
Stingray Sushi
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TOP 5 | RESTAURANTS SPECIALTY DRINKS Avanti
Clever Koi
Okra Cookhouse and Cocktails
Go old school with refined Italian cuisine that is turned out in a modern, whitetablecloth setting. To completment your Italian meal, don’t miss one of Avanti’s signature martinis. Are the martinis good? Fuhgettaboutit!!
This Asian-American fusion restaurant is one of the greatest additions to the Phoenix foodie scene. It is also a haven for those seeking good tiki drinks. Don’t miss the Sour Times cocktail, which is a vibrant and deep shade of purple that gives way to a thin, pale pink hat of foam.
Put a little South in your mouth with Okra Cookhouse & Cocktails in the heart of central Phoenix. Savor authentic Southernstyle eats with an Italian twist. But don’t leave without trying Okra Cookhouse and Cocktails’ boozy, spicy take on the Orange Julius. The bar calls it the Julius Freezerband it might be the most fun cocktail in the Valley.
avanti-az.com
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour B&T’s motto is “drink better,” and it’s hard not to at this relaxed cocktail lounge. Beware: As unpretentious as the parlour may be, you may accidentally leave a bit more of a cocktail snob than when you left. You can thank the creative, 16-page menu for that. Try a sharable drink like the Duck Bath Punch, a tiny ceramic tub filled with tea-laced booze and cucumber bubbles.
thecleverkoi.com Four Peaks
okraaz.com
Four Peaks is the original and most beloved craft beer company in Arizona. Brewing since 1996 out of an old creamery, patrons can now visit the brick brewery to enjoy pub fare and the freshest suds from the tap.
fourpeaks.com
bitterandtwistedaz.com
Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour
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TOP 5 | MUST
DO CENTRAL ARIZONA
Desert Botanical Gardens The Desert Botanical Gardens features a variety of desert plant life and offers education programs for students and adults. Alongside touring the grounds are numerous lectures and art events throughout the year.
Mystery Castle
The Mystery Castle was built by Boyce Luther Gulley before his death in 1945, but his daughter lived here for decades afterwards. The castle is made largely of stone and other odd pieces that were recycled into use. The house has all kinds of whimsical features and inlaid pieces. dbg.org Although most people would not consider it a castle or a masterpiece, it is definitely a First Friday First Friday is a monthly art walk from 6 to one of a kind building. mymysterycastle.com 10 p.m. By starting at the Phoenix Public Library, located south of McDowell Road Salt River Tubing on Central Avenue, participants can pick Enjoy a floating picnic and experience up a First Friday brochure, which includes the natural wonders of the Salt River in the member galleries, their locations and beautiful Tonto National Forest near Mesa. the best shuttle bus route. artlinkphoenix.com You may choose two, three and five-hour trips that include float time and shuttle bus Taliesin West ride, weather and water flow permitting. Visit a national historical landmark saltrivertubing.com constructed in the 1930s and designed after the surrounding desert. The school features architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright.
BEST NEW COFFEE SHOP Open 24 hours a day, The Grand Central Coffee Company wears many hats as a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, live music venue and more. The hip hangout is located at Central Avenue and McKinley Street, near the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus and next to the Westward Ho.
grandcentralcoffeecompany.com
franklloydwright.org
Taliesin West
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Skeg Tas (Good Day!) Experience the heritage of hospitality of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. We invite you to relax, shop, dine, play and stay with us at Talking Stick, a Cultural and Entertainment Destination. Just 10 minutes from Mesa and 5 minutes from downtown Scottsdale.
TalkingStickArizona.com | 480.362.2700 Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Scottsdale, Arizona Like our Facebook page Talking Stick Destination
Follow us on Instagram @TalkingStickDestination
TOP 5 | MUST
DO SOUTHERN ARIZONA
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Old Tucson Studios
Tombstone
Discovered in 1974, these caverns recently opened to the public and feature stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. The park includes guided cave tours, a discovery center, interactive displays, gift shops, 62 camping sites, hiking and walking trails.
Passing through the gates of a western frontier town, visitors from around the globe are transported back to a time when fearless men with six shooters ruled the Old West and the setting for the more than 300 movies and television productions filmed at the location since 1939.
The name Tombstone creates images of gunfights and dusty streets, whiskey and Faro games, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and a plethora of old Western movie scenes. Tombstone has been called “The Town Too Tough to Die.�
azstateparks.com/parks/KACA
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oldtucson.com
cityoftombstone.com
BIRD’S-EYE VIEW The 280-acre Ramsey Canyon Preserve offers amazing hiking options – a best bet is Hamburg Trail – and serves as a haven for over 170 varieties of birds, including 14 species of hummingbirds. Guided walks are offered March through November; birding high season takes place from April through September.
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Titan Missile Museum
Kitt Peak National Observatory supports the most diverse collection of astronomical observatories on Earth for nighttime optical and infrared astronomy and daytime study of the sun.
Once one of America’s most top secret places, this National Historic Landmark site and one-of-a-kind museum gives visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war. Tour the underground missile site. See the 3-ton blast doors, the 8-foot thick silo walls, and an actual Titan II missile in the launch duct. Visit the launch control center, experience a simulated launch and more.
noao.edu/kpno
titanmissilemuseum.org
Kartchner Caverns State Park
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TOP 5 | MUST
DO NORTHERN ARIZONA
Havasu Falls
Lowell Observatory
Verde Canyon Railroad
The waterfalls in the Grand Canyon are known for their natural pools and high calcium carbonate concentration in the water, which creates a vivid blue-green color and forms the natural travertine dams that occur in various places near the falls.
Lowell Observatory hosts 85,000 visitors per year at their Steele Visitors Center, who take guided daytime tours and view various wonders of the night sky through the Clark Telescope and other telescopes. In 2011, the observatory was named one of “The World’s 100 Most Important Places” by Time magazine.
A mix of old fashioned style and modern comfort, the Verde Canyon railroad is a relaxing 20-mile journey through 100 years of history in meticulously refurbished train cars. You and your family will feel like you’ve been transported to a simpler, more leisurely time before all the distractions and annoyances of our modern world.
havasupai-nsn.gov Hoover Dam
The Bureau of Reclamation started conducting tours through the Hoover Dam in 1937. Today, close to 1 million visitors a year take the tour and millions more drive across the dam. Hoover Dam is the highest concrete dam in the U.S.
usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam
lowell.edu
Meteor Crater Meteor Crater is the breath-taking result of a collision between a piece of an asteroid traveling at 26,000 mph and planet Earth approximately 50,000 years ago.
meteorcrater.com
verdecanyonrr.com
A PIECE OF HISTORY London Bridge In 1962, the 130-year-old London Bridge was discovered to be sinking into the Thames. In 1968, the bridge was put up for auction and Robert P. McCulloch was the winning bidder. He spent $7 million to move the bridge to Lake Havasu City.
golakehavasu.com
Meteor Crater
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TOP 5 | MUST
DO ARIZONA
A Day in the West
Grand Canyon Railway
Lava River Cave
Start your adventure with a 4x4 Jeep tour through the beautiful high desert surrounding Sedona, then saddle-up for a scenic one-hour horseback ride on a 45,000-acre working cattle ranch.
Take an unforgettable ride on one of Grand Canyon Railway’s lovingly restored cars and hear folklore and tales from a crew that is still bewitched by its spectacular surroundings. Be entertained by authentic characters and musicians who bring the Old West to life.
This mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The cave is as cool as 42 degrees even in summer, and you may even find some ice inside.
adayinthewest.com
Arizona Raft Adventures With an emphasis on adventure, education and fun, whitewater rafting on the Colorado River allows you to see places you have never seen before, do things you’ve never done before, and awake every morning to beauty so breathtaking the images will last a lifetime.
azraft.com
thetrain.com
fs.usda.gov
Petrified Forest National Park History speaks volumes as you take in the spectacular scenery in the land where the surroundings have aged for 225 million years, turning wood into stone. The park is located in Northeast Arizona and features one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood.
nps.gov/pefo
GHOST TOWN Once one of the largest cities in the West, today Fairbank in greater-Sierra Vista is among the best-preserved ghost towns in the country. There is a daily self-guided tour available, and the fully restored one-room schoolhouse serves as a museum and gift shop on weekends.
ghosttownaz.info
Grand Canyon Railway
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES GRAND CANYON Grand Canyon by Air
Grand Canyon Skywalk
Grand Canyon Trail Rides
Sedona-based Enchantment Resort’s “Grand Canyon by Air” adventure package takes guests on a once-in-a-lifetime experience where they will embark on a breathtaking flight from Sedona to the Grand Canyon and soar over one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The Grand Canyon Skywalk at Grand Canyon West extends 70 feet beyond the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, allowing visitors to gaze nearly 4,000 feet to the canyon floor, a height far exceeding those of the world’s largest skyscrapers.
The half-day mule trip descends 2,300 feet down the North Kaibab Trail to the Supai Tunnel. Wranglers take riders of all levels into the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon every day.
enchantmentresort.com
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grandcanyonwest.com
canyonrides.com
Grand Canyon Whitewater
The Grand Hotel
Grand Canyon Whitewater rafting trips give you the opportunity to be in one of the most spectacular places on Earth. Whitewater rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is beyond your imagination and gives you a chance to experience the true spirit of the Canyon.
The Grand Hotel is one of the premier Grand Canyon hotels, with the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park just one mile away, and the South Rim of the Canyon just a short car ride away. The warm and spacious lobby is reminiscent of a mountain lodge with exposed timbers and stone, a large flagstone fireplace and cozy seating areas.
grandcanyonwhitewater.com
grandcanyongrandhotel.com
BIG SCREEN The Grand Canyon Movie in IMAX opens with the beginning of man’s fragile kinship with the twisting 277-mile Grand Canyon in Arizona, then moves the audience through time with brief glimpses at the stone pages of human history.
explorethecanyon.com
Grand Canyon
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES PLACES TO COOL OFF
ARIZONA BEACH Big Surf America’s original wave pool with 2.5 million gallons of water, Big Surf’s Waikiki Beach is the place to be on a hot summer day. Don’t miss Big Surf’s Hurricane Slides, where you can plunge down either of the three body slides for one of the biggest thrills in Arizona.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hauled in 830 tons of white sand from Florida for its 9,000-squarefoot Sunset Beach surrounding the pool. It’s the same pricey sand that’s used in the bunkers at TPC Scottsdale, the resort’s golf course and home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
fairmont.com/scottsdale
Golfland-Sunsplash is separated into two separate parks. Golfland operates year-round and features miniature golf courses, an arcade, a pizza restaurant, a go-cart track and bumper boats. Sunsplash operates in the summer and features 29 water-based attractions.
golfland.com/mesa
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Slide Rock State Park takes its name from a natural water slide formed by the slippery bed of Oak Creek. Tall red rock formations that are typical of the region also surround the park, which contains a 43-acre working apple farm.
azstateparks.com/parks/slro
bigsurffun.com
Golfland Sunsplash
Slide Rock
Havasu Falls The vibrant blue water contrast against the striking red rocks of the Grand Canyon walls as Havasu Falls plunges nearly 100 feet into a wide pool of blue-green waters. This, the most striking waterfall in the Grand Canyon, sports a wide sandy beach and plenty of shady cottonwood trees to relax by.
havasupai-nsn.gov
Wet ’n’ Wild Phoenix Wet ’n’ Wild Phoenix is situated on approximately 35 acres, making it the largest theme park in the state. The water park features more than 30 exhilarating attractions for families and thrill seekers alike.
wetnwildphoenix.com
Havasu Creek
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES OUTDOOR Flagstaff Extreme
Havasu Canyon trail
Pink Jeep Tours
This is for daredevils only. Adults and kids can test their ability to overcome obstacles — among the treetops — at Flagstaff Extreme.
One of the most incredible outdoor adventures in the world — whether you decide to hike, ride a horse, or take a helicopter to the falls — the strenuous 8-mile trip between Hualapai Hilltop and the water forces you to earn the spectacular views of the five waterfalls of Havasu Canyon are a nearly impossible blue-green shade that even Crayola couldn’t hope to match.
Take two- to five-hour tours through Sedona and the Grand Canyon, exploring ancient ruins, notable rock formations, or even pair your off-roading tour with horseback riding with a combo tour.
flagstaffextreme.com Soul Ride
Prescott is a hub for mountain biking, and Soul Ride offers tours ranging from beginner to advance levels of riding. Soul Ride also offers bike rentals for tourists or riders who don’t have the right equipment. Instructors even offer a boulder yoga class for an extra fee.
soulride.bike
waterfallsofthegrandcanyon.com
pinkjeeptourssedona.com Verde Hot Springs
A hike, a crisp dip in the Verde River and a comforting float in the Verde Hot Springs are three of the best ways to spend a day trip to Payson. The remains of a former hot springs resort, there are still many pools available just after a brief hike near the Verde River. As a fair warning, there may be nudists.
paysonrimcountry.com/MountainRecreation/Other-Points-of-Interest/ Verde-Hot-Springs
NIGHT THRILLS Whether it is date night or familynight out, come explore the Desert Botanical Garden in a whole new way. Flashlight Tours are sensory adventures to see, hear and feel how Arizona’s desert nights shimmer.
dbg.org
Granite Dells
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Discover an Arizona Treasure
D E S E R T B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N
Nestled amid the landmark red rocks of Papago Park, the Garden is here to help you enjoy the beauty of the desert and care about it. Discover saguaros, prickly pears, agaves and desert wildflowers. Enjoy tours, workshops, concerts, seasonal exhibits and festivals. For our full event listing, visit dbg.org/events Dine at Gertrude’s, the Garden’s restaurant and find unique gifts and items at the Garden Shop.
Socialize with us at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 480 941.1225 | dbg.org
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES BEST PLACES TO TAKE KIDS
Arizona Science Center One of the best ways to learn about the world around you is to pay a visit to the Arizona Science Center, where there are interactive exhibits, a planetarium and an IMAX theater to encourage the learning process. On the first Friday of every month, adults are invited to explore the museum after hours and kids-free.
azscience.org
Butterfly Wonderland Walk through a rainforest ecosystem and the largest butterfly conservatory in the country, where thousands of butterflies and exotic moths freely flutter between flowers and trees. Occasionally, a butterfly or two will land on an unsuspecting visitor. Tip: Wear bright colors
butterflywonderland.com Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s was around long before the current hipster arcade bar trend started booming. Dave & Buster’s offers great games, food and TVs for gamers and sports fans of all ages. Be sure to check out Dave & Buster’s special events.
daveandbusters.com
LEGOLAND Discovery Center The 60,000-square-foot attraction is designed for families with children ages 3 to 10 and features a Lego brick pool, building classes, a Lego ride, party rooms for birthdays and a 4-D cinema. It is described as a “highly interactive and educational two- to three-hour experience.”
UNIQUELY ARIZONA Tour the entire world in a manner of speaking at Biosphere 2, a research facility owned by the University of Arizona. Biosphere 2 recreates all biosystems that are contained on the planet, such as the rainforest.
b2science.org
legolanddiscoverycenter.com/arizona Main Event Entertainment
Gravity ropes, laser tag, karaoke, bowling, rock climbing, mini golf and video games are among the highlights of this one-stop entertainment hub.
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Great Arizona Puppet Theater
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES NATIVE AMERICAN EXPERIENCES
Hubbell Trading Post Feel the old wooden floor give slightly and squeak beneath your feet as you enter the oldest, continuously operating trading post on the Navajo Nation. As your eyes adjust to the dim lighting of the “bullpen,” you might catch a trader negotiating a deal with a Native American artist for their art.
nps.gov/hutr
Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise Come visit the largest Indian Reservation in the United States. The Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise owns and operates three properties in the heart of Indian Country — Quality Inn Navajo Nation, Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital and the Navajo Travel Center.
explorenavajo.com
Pueblo Grande Museum A fully accessible 2/3-mile trail takes you through a prehistoric Hohokam archaeological village site with a partially excavated platform mound, ballcourt, and replicated prehistoric houses. There are three galleries to visit while at the museum, including a children’s hands-on gallery to help kids learn about the science of archaeology.
pueblogrande.org
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Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
One mile southwest of Globe stands the ruins of the ancient Salado people who occupied the site nearly 800 years ago. The partially restored ruins, along with the adjacent museum provide a fascinating glimpse at the lifestyle of the people who occupied this region more than two centuries before Columbus discovered the “New World.”
The SRPMIC operates two casinos on its land under the Casino Arizona brand name. It also operates Salt River Fields at Talking Stick — home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies — the first Major League Baseball spring training facility to be built on Indian land.
globeaz.gov/visitors/besh-ba-gowah
srpmic-nsn.gov
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES PERFORMING ARTS/CULTURAL CENTERS Hale Centre Theatre Hale Centre Theatre is a 110-seat theaterin-the-round putting on family-friendly shows throughout the year.
haletheatrearizona.com Herberger Theater
Herberger Theater is home to Actors Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, and Center Dance Ensemble. Approximately 175,000 patrons visit the Herberger annually.
herbergertheater.org
Mesa Arts Center This unique, architecturally stunning, international award winning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa is home to four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios that host concerts, performing arts, events, art activities, music, dance, shows, comedy and more.
mesaartscenter.com
Herberger Theater
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Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts showcases a diverse season of dance, music, theater and film from around the world. More than 1,000 indoor and outdoor performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are presented and hosted at the Center each year.
scottsdaleperformingarts.org
Orpheum Theatre After 12 years, $14 million and an incredible amount of perseverance, the historic Orpheum Theatre has been renovated for “adaptive reuse.� The Orpheum Theater hosts a great variety of first class productions, drawing thousands of people to a vibrant downtown venue.
orpheum-theater.com
TRAVEL THE WORLD THROUGH MUSIC AT PHOENIX’S #1 ATTRACTION
Ranked in the Top 20 Museums in the United States —2016 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award MIM is the world’s only global musical instrument museum, with more than 6,500 musical instruments and objects on display. Using state-of-the-art audio and video, MIM offers visitors of all ages the chance to see, hear, and touch the instruments behind the world’s soundtrack.
Open Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | 480.478.6000 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES IN THE AIR
INSIDE AND IN THE AIR Ever wondered what it was like to fly? iFly recently opened its first indoor skydiving operation in Arizona and guests get to enter a 14-foot wide wind tunnel with an International Bodyflight Association-certified instructor and be propelled into the air for 60 seconds.
iflyworld.com/phoenix
Sedona Air Tours Choose from several different tour options that allow guests to see great places and parts of the mountains surrounding Sedona and the Grand Canyon that you’d never be able to see by hiking or taking a jeep tour.
Hot Air Expeditions As you gently leave the Earth, you’ll be amazed at how light the balloon feels. During the flight you have an unobstructed 360-degree view to take excellent photographs of the Arizona mountains and desert.
sedonaairtours.com
hotairexpeditions.com
Maverick Helicopters Maverick Helicopters offers a list of unique air tours for every attraction seeker. It has helicopter tours that will take you deep into the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.
maverickhelicopter.com
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Skydive Arizona Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters Since 1965, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters has been showing guests the majesty of the Grand Canyon.
papillon.com
Home to the world’s largest drop zone, Skydive Arizona is the best way to fall in style. Tandem and solo jumps available. For those who just aren’t ready to jump, SkyVenture offers an indoor skyduving experience within a wind tunnel.
skydiveaz.com
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES ANIMAL PARKS Bearizona
Phoenix Zoo
Reid Park Zoo
Drive through the habitats of this wildlife park, where bears, wolves, bison and other animals walk up to vehicles as if they’re part of the scenery. It’s interactive and great for kids.
Home to more than 1,400 animals, including komodo dragons, the Phoenix Zoo features a 2.5-mile walking path on which to visit with each animal.
The Reid Park Zoo features more than 500 animals and consists of four zones that are organized by the types of habitats and animals they house — the Adaptation Zone, the South America zone, the African Animals zone, Expedition Tanzania and a large aviary named Flight Connection hosts dozens of species of birds from Australia, Africa and Asia.
bearizona.com
Out of Africa Take an aerial safari — a two and a half hour zipline tour — at Out of Africa, a wildlife park that is home to tigers, lions, giraffes and other animals native to Africa. The park also offers a bush safari and other creative ways to elevate the zoo experience.
phoenixzoo.org
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium Wildlife World Zoo takes pride in its exotic animals, including kangaroos, rare white alligators, a flightless emu and white rhinos.
reidparkzoo.org
wildlifeworld.com
outofafricapark.com
MAKING A SPLASH Forget that you’re in the middle of a desert and swim with Dolphins in Dolphinaris, one of the world’s best dolphinariums. Dolphinaris makes your dream of swimming with the dolphins come true.
dolphinaris.com
Wildlife World Zoo
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Out of Africa
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES FAMILY FUN SPOTS Children’s Museum of Phoenix
OdySea Aquarium
Castles N’ Coasters
Designed for children up to the age of 10, this is the kind of museum where visitors are encouraged to touch everything. With more than 300 things to experience, our personal favorite is The Climber. It’s an interactive structure that hangs above the atrium and is fun for kids to explore.
The largest aquarium in the Southwest United States, OdySea holds more than 2 million gallons of water and is home to more than 30,000 animals and 500 different species in 50 exhibits. The aquarium offers an educational, interactive and entertaining experiences for guests of all ages.
The approximately 10-acre park features four outdoor 18-hole miniature golf courses, several rides and an indoor video game arcade.
childrensmuseumofphoenix.org Flip Dunk Sports
Are your travel companions the type who like to “bounce off the walls”? Stop by for an open jump session at Arizona’s indoor trampoline gym. Put some extra bounce in your basketball, dodgeball or bungee game with special trampolines, too!
odyseaaquarium.com
castlesncoasters.com
Titan Missile Museum Near Tucson is a former top-secret location, now a National Historic Landmark known as Complex 571-7, the only remaining Titan II missile site of 54 across the U.S. that stood ready during the Cold War from 1963 to 1987. Take a one-hour guided tour that is offered daily.
titanmissilemuseum.org.
flipdunksports.com
OdySea
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES ARIZONA TOURS Arizona Outdoor Fun
Pink Jeep Tours
Taste It Tours
Arizona Outdoor Fun offers everything you’d possibly need for outdoor recreational fun, including affordable ATV rentals, jet ski rentals, sport quads, motorcycle rentals and more. Its sightseeing tours include ATV tours and jeep tours of the historic and scenic Arizona desert.
For more than 50 years, Pink Jeep Tours have thrilled visitors and residents with rides over the majestic Red Rocks of Sedona. With multiple tours to choose from, this is a must for the whole family.
The Scottsdale and Phoenix tours takes you inside the restaurants that have shaped the Valley’s culinary culture and show you what it is, where it’s going and how great it tastes. Taste for yourself why Phoenix’s food scene is one of the hottest in the country.
arizonaoutdoorfun.com
Arizona Hummer Tours
pinkjeeptours.com/sedona Stellar Adventures
tasteittours.com
Get ready to explore the unique Sonoran Desert as you go deep into the desert where you will experience the thrill of navigating through seasonal creeks, sandy washes, rocky slopes and flat desert trails pn guided ATV tours and UTV tours.
An adventure with Arizona Hummer Tours allows you to experience breathtaking vistas as you tour ghost towns and Native American ruins. All the while, your guide will stellaradventures.com share extensive knowledge of desert wildlife, flora and fauna and history of the area.
azhummertours.com
GOING UNDERGROUND Don a mining lantern, hat and slicker and ride the train deep into the mine and experience the life of the miners as Queen Mine Tour guides tell you how miners toiled in the subterranean tunnels. Tours last about one hour and are offered five times a day, seven days a week.
queenminetour.com
Pink Jeep Tours
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES RIVER RAFTING Arizona Raft Adventures
Arizona River Runners
With an emphasis on adventure, education and fun, whitewater rafting on the Colorado River allows you to see places you have never seen before, do things you’ve never done before, and awake every morning to beauty so breathtaking the images will last a lifetime.
Since 1970, Arizona River Runners has provided complete Grand Canyon whitewater rafting trips on the Colorado River.
azraft.com
Salt River Rafting
raftarizona.com
Colorado River Discovery Colorado River Discovery offers smoothwater float trips perfect for the entire family (ages 4 years and older).
Salt River Rafting offers guided whitewater raftthecanyon.com raft trips in Arizona’s spectacular Upper Salt River Canyon March through May.
raftingsaltriver.com
Yuma River Tours Offers a variety of jet boat tours, including day trips with stops at historic sites, student field trips, canoe trips, photography and birding trips, or custom charters. For a relaxing cruise, take a lunch or dinner cruise aboard the Colorado King sternwheeler.
yumarivertours.com
Glen Canyon
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES TRAIL RIDING Bumble Bee Ranch Adventures
Ponderosa Stables
Horseback riding, cattle drives, nature hikes and Western dinners. Guided history-filled tours through Bumble Bee Creek, into the mountains and through the scenic Sonoran Desert. Guest accommodations are available.
Horseback riding is the ideal way to view the beautiful South Mountain Park. Enjoy the peace and quiet as you meander along the vast system of trails. Please bring water and wear closed toe shoes.
bumblebeeranch.com
M Diamond Ranch A working cattle ranch with cowboys who take you on trail rides and cookouts. The M Diamond Ranch provides the only horseback rides permitted by the Coconino National Forest in the Red Rock Ranger District and is the only working ranch in Sedona that is open to guests.
sedonahorsebackrides.com MTM Ranch
At MTM Ranch, amateur and long-time horse enthusiasts will be thrilled with their specially chosen trail ride mount. The age and fitness of MTM Ranch’s horses allows them go where many can’t.
mtmranch.com
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arizona-horses.com
Tanque Verde Ranch Tanque Verde Ranch offers trail-riding adventures on horseback, mountain bike and on foot. With experienced guides to explore the Saguaro National Park and Rincon Mountains, you will experience the flora, fauna and wildlife of the ranch’s beautiful desert location. All ranch activities are included in the rate.
tanqueverderanch.com
TAKE THE KIDS Cave Creek Trail Rides’ horses are gentle and experienced and family friendly. These are safe horseback rides that are perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike.
cavecreektrailrides.com
Tanque Verde Ranch
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES LAKE ACTIVITIES Bartlett Lake Marina
Bluewater Jet Boat Tours
Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas
Located in the heart of the Tonto National Forest, just 45 minutes north of downtown Phoenix, Bartlett Lake Marina offers fishing, boating and watersports; it’s a wonderful location for a weekend getaway with the family.
Enjoy breathtaking views as the tour travels up the Colorado River through the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. You’ll see places like Devils Elbow, interesting rock formations and 3,500-year-old Indian petroglyphs.
Take a boat tour, a dinner cruise or rent a powerboat for a little exploring or to have a picnic with your family on a secluded beach — Lake Powell Resort has it all.
bartlettlake.com
coloradoriverjetboattours.com Dolly Steamboat
The Dolly Steamboat is a family owned and operated business for more than 25 years, continuing a tradition of cruising since 1925 starting with the SS Geronimo.
dollysteamboat.com
lakepowell.com
Roosevelt Lake Marina It’s the largest lake in Central Arizona, consisting of 112 miles of shoreline and 22,000 acres of surface water — Roosevelt Lake. Head to the lake to water ski, fish, boat or camp.
rlmaz.com
Lake Powell
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ARIZONA'S WORLD CLASS CRUISE
CANYON LAKE, ARIZONA There's a different kind of adventure waiting for you aboard a steamboat. See an Arizona rich in history, lore and legends. Cruise the secluded inner waterways of the “Junior Grand Canyon” on a Nature Cruise or Twilight Dinner Cruise. Bring your camera and binoculars! (480) 827-9144 - www.dollysteamboat.com
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES CASINOS BlueWater Resort & Casino
Casino Arizona at Salt River
Casino Del Sol
BlueWater’s list of amenities include everything from live concerts and wakeboarding, to an 18-hole golf course and indoor water slide. BlueWater is Arizona’s only riverside casino and resort.
This casino offers more than 100,000 square feet devoted to gaming and entertainment. Amenities include 52 table games, 1,026 slot machines, keno, a highlimit lounge and a world-class showroom. Guests seeking food and refreshments can enjoy one of the facility’s five lounges and four restaurants.
Mediterranean architecture surrounds the gaming space, featuring 1,000 nickel, quarter, $1, $5 and multi-denominational slot machines. The $100 million resort, with luxury rooms and suites, two new restaurants, a spa and 20,000 square feet of meeting space.
bluewaterfun.com
casinoarizona.com
Desert Diamond Feeling lucky? Swing by Desert Diamond in Tucson for keno, slots, table games and bingo 24/7. Desert Diamond has its own nightclub, too, and a variety of restaurants.
ddcaz.com
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casinodelsol.com
Fort Mcdowell Casino Fort McDowell Casino offers some of the finest, most exciting gaming in the Southwest. Slots, keno, bingo, poker, blackjack, and lunar bingo, which takes the traditional game to thrilling new heights.
fortmcdowellcasino.com
TOP 5 | ADVENTURES SPORTS ATTRACTIONS Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Diamondbacks
Phoenix Rising FC
Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals look to rebound in 2017 after missing the playoffs last year with a 7-8-1 regular season. The Cardinals’ 2017 schedule features home games against Dallas, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants.
The Diamondbacks have the lowest Fan Cost Index ($132.10) in Major League Baseball for the 10th consecutive season. All-You-Can-Eat Seats are available starting at $37 and include unlimited access to ballpark traditions such as hot dogs, chips, popcorn, peanuts, water and Pepsi soft drinks in a special section on the Insight Diamond Level.
The 2017 season expects to be an exciting one as the sensational soccer team signed Guadalajara’s all-time leading scorer Omar Bravo, former English National Team player Shaun Wright-Phillips and former Chelsea and Ivory Coast International player Didier Drogba.
azcardinals.com
Phoenix Mercury The Mercury are looking to once again become WNBA champions in 2017. The Mercury are led by 6-8 center Brittney Griner, who is the first WNBA player to dunk twice in one game, and superstar Diana Taurasi.
wnba.com/mercury
phxrisingfc.com
dbacks.mlb.com
Arizona Rattlers Since the Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers were established in 1992, the team has won 10 division titles and have played in nine ArenaBowl Championship games, winning championships in 1994, 1997, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Watch the action-packed Rattlers try to win the title again in 2017.
azrattlers.com
Chase Field
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES AUTO ATTRACTIONS Bondurant School of High Performance Driving Channel champion racecar driver Bob Bondurant while learning tricks and honing skills to make you a better driver. Take a late model GM car out on a 1.6-mile racetrack with a professionally trained staff that will help you accomplish your driving goals.
bondurant.com
K1 Speed Go-kart racers can experience a professionally designed track at K1 Speed, as well as karts that go up to 45 mph.
k1speed.com
Octane Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway
The self-proclaimed largest indoor racetrack in America, Octane Racing features two quarter-mile tracks and gokarts that drive up to 45 mph.
NASCAR races heat up in the fall. When this track isn’t being used for races, fans can camp their RV in ZOOMTOWN, USA at the raceway. PIR is currently undergoing a $178 million facelift that will provide race lovers with a high-quality, leadingedge fan experience.
octaneraceway.com
Penske Racing Museum The Penske Racing Museum showcases an amazing collection of cars, trophies and racing memorabilia that chronicles the career of one of the most successful dynasties in all of sports. Penske Racing has more than 40 years of racing with more than 300 major race victories.
phoenixraceway.com
penskeracingmuseum.com
Phoenix International Raceway
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES GOLF Grayhawk Golf Club
McCormick Ranch Golf Club
The Boulders
Since opening in 1994, Grayhawk has become one of Arizona’s most celebrated daily-fee golf clubs, mostly because of Grayhawk’s two exceptional 18-hole golf courses – Talon and Raptor. Both have hosted high-profile events such as the Frys. com Open (2007-2009).
McCormick Ranch features two unique courses that are tour tested and amateur approved. The Palm and Pine Courses have breathtaking views of Camelback and McDowell Mountain, and combine wellmanicured resort golf course layouts with pockets of desert infusion.
Legacy Golf Club
Talking Stick Golf Club
The Boulders Resort & Spa was named “Best Golf Resort in the Southwest” by Golf Digest magazine. The Boulders features a 6,811 yard, par 72, championship North Course and a 6,726 yard, par 71 championship South Course, both designed by Jay Morrish. The courses are considered the most demanding in the Southwest.
Legacy Golf Club was voted No. 1 public course in Phoenix and is the site of the Golf Channel Academy. The 18-hole, par-71 golf course was designed by Gary Panks. The Sierra Vista House, which marks the 1st tee, was visited on occasion in the early 1900’s by Theodore Roosevelt and Pancho Villa.
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, together as a design team, created the magic of Talking Stick. Located on and owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the north and south courses provide a serene yet challenging day of play.
grayhawkgolf.com
golflegacyresort.com
mccormickranchgolf.com
talkingstickgolfclub.com
bouldersclub.com
JUST FOR KIDS Enjoy golf? Passionate about soccer? If you answered yes to both those questions, you might love playing FootGolf at The Wigwam.
wigwamgolf.com/foot-golf
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES BEAUTY AND DAY SPAS Alvadora Spa At The Royal Palms Resort & Spa
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
Old World ambiance melds with contemporary amenities, including a fitness center, massage therapy, pools, golf, biking and nearby hiking trails.
royalpalmshotel.com/phoenix-spasalvadora.php
Indulge in signature experiences like the Sanctuary Luxury Facial, Sumatra Coconut Body Ritual, and In Harmony Massage, or choose from an extensive list of offerings that can be tailored to fit your own personal well-being.
Mind, Body & Soul — Prescott Arizona Day Spa
The Spa at Camelback Inn
This is a retreat where men and women can escape the rigors of daily stress and, most importantly, to replenish the spirit. Mind, Body & Soul is a three-time winner of Best Day Spa in Arizona.
prescottazdayspa.com
sanctuaryoncamelback.com/spa-fitness
Well & Being The Fairmont Princess’ Well & Being spa is about living life well. Wrap your worries up and away with aerial hammock yoga, stop to smell the roses with a customizable aromatherapy massage or try one of many other energizing and enlightening services, such as accupunture, scrubs and wraps, offered at this AAA Five diamond resort.
fairmont.com/scottsdale/spa
With a variety of massages, facials, body treatments, packages and specials available, including farm-to-treatmenttable experiences, the Spa at Camelback Inn allows you to experience complete rejuvenation and relaxation.
camelbackspa.com
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES WINERIES
Alcantara Vineyards Alcantara Vineyards, the first winery on the Verde River, is one of the largest vineyards in central and northern Arizona. Make it a day trip from the Phoenix or Scottsdale area. Check out the Arizona winery tours and tasting with an outstanding selection of wines, made right here in Arizona. The winery’s vineyards have more than 19,000 vines and offers 12 varietals.
alcantaravineyard.com
Arizona Stronghold Vineyards Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, the top producer of high-quality wines in Arizona, was formed in 2007 by vintner Eric Glomski and musician Maynard James Keenan to put Arizona on the fine wine map. For $9 per person, Stronghold’s knowledgeable staff will guide you through a tasting of five wines. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the Arizona Stronghold portfolio of wines.
azstronghold.com
Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards Maynard James Keenan, made famous as the vocalist of rock band Tool, and vintner Eric Glomski embarked into winemaking in the desert conditions of Arizona’s Verde Valley. Their story is documented in the film “Blood Into Wine” and the success they’ve seen in the decade since its inception.
caduceus.org
Dos Cabezas Wineworks Dos Cabezas WineWorks is a family owned and operated winery that challenges the perception that Arizona does not produce exceptional wines. Dos Cabezas WineWorks has been producing wines in Arizona since 1995. Its wine has been enjoyed at the White House, earned critical acclaim and grabbed international attention.
doscabezaswinery.com Page Springs
Page Springs is a family owned vineyard and winery tucked into the volcanic landscape overlooking pristine Oak Creek. Page Springs Cellars offers Rhone style wines and $5 tastings.
pagespringscellars.com
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES PARKS AND MONUMENTS
CONSERVING NATURE With nearly 40 miles of riparian vegetation, the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area is a 56,000-acre area teeming with plant and animal life. Visitors can hike solo or choose from regularly scheduled bird, interpretive, and river walks led by docents from the San Pedro House.
Montezuma Castle Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument The monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of plants of the Sonoran Desert, including the organ pipe cactus, a large cactus rarely found in the U.S.
nps.gov/orpi Montezuma Castle National Monument This monument is an enduring legacy of the prehistoric Sinagua. The 20-room stone, timber and adobe dwelling is 80 percent intact, making it one of the bestpreserved cliff dwellings in the U.S.
nps.gov/moca
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Monument Valley This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet, framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing scenery that is simply spellbinding.
navajonationparks.org/htm/ monumentvalley.htm
Petrified Forest National Park History speaks volumes as you take in the spectacular scenery in the land where the surroundings have aged for 225 million years, turning wood into stone. The park is located in Northeast Arizona and features one of the world’s largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood.
nps.gov/pefo
South Mountain At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park/Preserve is the largest municipal park in the country. South Mountain features some of the most popular urban hiking and biking trails in the city and horseback riding.
phoenix.gov/parks/trails/locations/ south-mountain
Take me out... TO THE PARKS!
Arizona State Parks & Trails is celebrating its 60th Anniversary! As part of our diamond celebration, we’re asking people to say “Take me out to the parks” for any of our incredible outdoor recreation and educational opportunities. To find your closest park, visit us at AZStateParks.com or call 1-877-MY-PARKS.
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TOP 5 | ADVENTURES GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS Heard Museum
Phoenix Art Museum
Experience the myriad cultures and art of American Indians in 10 world-class exhibit galleries, plus enjoy sculpture courtyards, superb dining and shopping for uniquely Southwestern gifts and art.
The Southwest’s premier destination for world-class visual arts, features popular exhibitions and a collection of more than 18,000 works. The museum has free general admission on the first Friday of the month and Wednesdays between 3 and 9 p.m. Don’t miss the Firefly Room or the work of Arizona transplant Philip C. Curtis, whose work has its own room in the museum.
heard.org
Musical Instrument Museum Be prepared to spend more time than you anticipated at this multi-level museum for music and culture lovers. At the first global musical instrument museum, nearly 300 exhibits immerse visitors in the sights and sounds of the world’s instruments. There are also rotating popular culture and celebrity exhibits.
mim.org
phxart.org
HIGH-FLYING DISPLAYS Pima Air & Space Museum is celebrating its 41st anniversary as one of the largest air and space museums in the world and the largest non-government funded aviation museum.
pimaair.org
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Scottsdale Museum Of Contemporary Art SMoCA is an educational institution dedicated to presenting exhibitions on contemporary and modern art, architecture and design.
smoca.org
Scottsdale Museum of the West Located on the former site of the Loloma Transit Station, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West celebrates the art, history, culture and unique stories of the 19 states comprising the American West.
scottsdalemuseumwest.org
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
American Indian Art and History | Special Events | Shopping & Dining 2301 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 | 602.252.8840 | heard.org Mario Martinez, (Pascua Yaqui), detail of “Sonoran Desert: Yaqui Home,” 2005, Gift of Joy and Howard Berlin.
TOP 5 | SHOPPING JEWELERS E.D. Marshall Jewelers
Jewelry By Gauthier
London Gold
Providing clients with Arizona’s largest selection of high-end gems since 1981, E.D. Marshall Jewelers produces original fine jewelry designs with a focus on craftsmanship.
Over the past 24 years, Scott Gauthier has become one of the most renowned and recognized high-end jewelry designers in the country. His unrivaled work favors a clean and modern aesthetic, accented with some of the world’s most precious and rare gemstones.
Regardless of your jewelry interests, customers find than they are always satisfied at London Gold, which prides itself on providing affordable luxury at prices always better than a sale. London Gold has direct access to the finest diamonds, so your choices are virtually unlimited.
edmarshalljewelers.com Hamra Jewelers
Hamra features an exquisite selection of platinum, gold and gemstone designs in earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings from such renowned artists as Jack Kelege, Charles Krypell, Roberto Coin, Aaron Basha, Penny Preville, Jude Frances, Simon G., Tacori, Michael B., Scott Kay and David Yurman.
hamra.com
jewelrybygauthier.com
londongold.com
Sami Fine Jewelers Voted one of “America’s Top 5 Cool Jewelry Stores,” Sami has been designing jewelry for more than 40 years. Discriminating jewelry buyers around the country have sought out original Sami designs. This certified gemologist works with diamonds and exotic gemstones from around the world.
samifinejewelry.com
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TOP 5 | SHOPPING CENTERS Biltmore Fashion Park
Scottsdale Fashion Square
Tempe Marketplace
The original luxury shopping destination in Phoenix is a newly polished classic. Think: Saks, Ralph Lauren, Escada, Apple and more. A delicious collection of restaurants, including True Food Kitchen and The Capital Grille, let you order up levels of flavorful virtue. Also, try a few local luxury businesses in Biltmore’s Union, where you can find clothes, food, crafts and furniture made by Arizonans.
Scottsdale Fashion Square is a diamond in the desert, with more than 225 retailers including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Barneys New York. It’s the ultimate shopping destination for fashionistas.
This open-air marketplace features a movie theater, a variety of restaurants, shops and activities for families as well as adults looking for a night out. Shoppers can even catch the occasional, free outdoor concert on the weekends. Notable retailers include Target, Old Navy, Ulta and Barnes & Noble.
shopbiltmore.com
Desert Ridge Marketplace Desert Ridge Marketplace delivers the ultimate shopping experience in a distinctive outdoor setting. The center’s 1.2 million square feet of retail space is home to more than 100 retailers and restaurants and bursts with color, energy and fun, creating a one-of-a-kind lifestyle destination you’ll want to come back to again and again.
fashionsquare.com
Scottsdale Quarter
tempemarketplace.com
Scottsdale Quarter is an open-air center where the vibe of the city meets the serenity of the desert. The hip, urban destination sits on 28 acres and restaurants, specialty and fashion retailers include Sephora, Pottery Barn, iPic Theaters, NIKE, Dominick’s Steakhouse, H&M, Apple and True Food Kitchen.
scottsdalequarter.com
shopdesertridge.com
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AZ TOTEM ART
Custom Bird Feeders and Totems made from repurposed architectural materials
aztotemart.com By Appointment Only • 602.677.5999
A MILLION GALLONS OF WATER YET YOU’LL FLOAT ON AIR.
Even in the shallow water, your feet won’t touch the ground. Engage with dolphins in the water. Or interact with them from land. Learn about these amazing animals. Be inspired to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. Make new friendships that go deep.
Reserve your dolphin experience now: DolphinarisAZ.com | 1-800-92-DOLPHIN
101 & Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale