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Art & Culture
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) collection is truly global, with 10,000 instruments and artifacts. Each exhibit includes high-quality audio/video so guests can see and hear instruments being played in their cultures of origin. Visitors can play instruments in MIM’s Experience Gallery. And MIM’s Music Theater is the best place to attend concerts by world-renowned artists. Another popular MIM attraction is the Artist Gallery, which features iconic instruments from celebrities like John Lennon. Located at Tatum, just off the 101. Call us at 480-478-6000 or visit theMIM.org.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
Visit the winter home, “organic” desert masonry structures, and landscaped spaces created by America’s greatest architect – Frank Lloyd Wright. Scottsdale’s only National Historic Landmark boasts commanding Valley views from the McDowell Mountain foothills situated on a 491-acre desert preserve. Immersive tour experiences of 1-3 hours led by expert guides are available 9am-2pm June-August. (Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.) Located at the intersection of Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd and Cactus Road, reserve your tour at Zerve.com/TaliesinWest or 888-516-0811. For more info, call 602-800-5460 or visit franklloydwright.org.
Heard Museum
For more than 65 years, visitors from across the globe have made it a point to visit the Heard Museum and its word class collection of Native American art. The internationally acclaimed Heard Museum is one of the best places to experience fascination vultures and art of the Native Americans of the Southwest. Visit the Heard Museum, tours offered daily, 602-252-8840 or visit heard.org.
Desert Botanical Garden
Nestled among the landmark red rocks of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden allows you to experience the beauty that is the Sonoran Desert. The Desert Botanical Garden brings together the many wonders of the desert. Discover saguaros, prickly pears, agaves and desert wildflowers along the trails. Enjoy tours, classes, concerts, seasonal exhibits, festivals and unique Garden gifts. Located at 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix. Call us at 480-941-1225 or visit dbg.org.
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Presenting the Old West, the New West and the Next West with its renowned collection of Western art and artifacts. Experience cutting edge contemporary art exhibitions like the annual Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West. Explore historical interpretation via an early Wickenburg street scene, traditional dioramas, ancient regional artifacts and collections of gems and minerals. Enjoy use of the GuidePORT headset system providing narrated tours throughout the buildings and find unique retail items in the museum stores! Located at 21 N. Frontier Street in historic downtown Wickenburg, 928-684-2272 or visit westernmuseum.org.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Scottsdale’s Museum of the West features regularly changing and ongoing exhibits of Western and Native American art and artifacts, entertaining events and informative programs that bring the West’s history and heritage to life. In addition to being a TripAdvisor highly rated attraction, the museum became a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2015, and has been repeatedly named the nation’s “Best Western Museum” (True West magazine, 2018 Readers’ Choice). Located in Old Town Scottsdale, the museum is within easy walking distance of popular restaurants, art galleries and shopping. Call 480-686-9539, or visit scottsdalemuseumwest.org or see us on social media.
Dining & Nightlife
Grimaldi’s
In the world of pizza, Grimaldi’s is an institution. Using only the freshest ingredients, “secret recipe” pizza sauce, homemade mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi’s serves award-winning, hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas, calzones and house made salads and desserts in an upscale yet casual, family-oriented pizzeria. For more information please visit www.grimaldispizzeria.com.
Cholla Prime Steakhouse and Lounge
Cholla Prime Steakhouse and Lounge, located inside Casino Arizona at Salt River, offers an elegant dining experience with a difference. What sets it apart from other steakhouses is the diverse regional southwest menu ranging from seafood to wild game. Each dish is created with one idea in mind – use the freshest products with the highest quality ingredients. Cholla is open Sunday-Thursday 5pm-11pm and Friday and Saturday, 5pm-midnight. For more information or reservations, visit www.casinoarizona.com.
Oregano’s Pizza Bistro
Oregano’s is a Chicago style pizza bistro serving award-winning thin crust, stuffed and pan pizza, pastas, huge salads, tasty specialty drinks, patio dining, big band music, and our renown dessert, ‘The Original Pizza Cookie’. Catering is available at several locations. A 15th location is opening soon in the West Valley! Stores open at 11am and are open 7 days a week. In honor of Lawrence Gibbilini, please enjoy yourself! Locations in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tucson, Flagstaff, and soon in Goodyear! www.oreganos.com
Rawhide Western Town
Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse has earned an award-winning reputation as Arizona’s family steakhouse. Enjoy mouth watering BBQ Baby Back Ribs, The Gunslinger’s Filet Mignon and more served up to live music and line dancing in our Steakhouse & Saloon. Enjoy the town and all that Rawhide has to offer, from the world renowned Steakhouse & Saloon, unique shops, stunt shows, live entertainment and attractions. We look forward to welcoming you to our 1880’s western frontier town. Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse 5700 W. North Loop Road Chandler, AZ 85226 480.502.5600 or visit www.rawhide.com.
Attractions
Bearizona
Nestled among the peaceful pines of Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest, Bearizona Wildlife Park provides serenity for travelers and its animal residents alike. From the comfort of your own vehicle, you can watch as a wolf crosses the road and greets another pack member with a playfully submissive posture. Black bears climb trees and bison graze under the cool ponderosa canopy. The memorable journey through the park is ripe with photo opportunities of North American wildlife. Just off I-40, Exit 165 in Williams, AZ. Call 928-635-2289 or visit our website bearizona.com.
Biosphere 2- University of Arizona
Come experience Biosphere 2 for yourself and find out why Time Life Books just named it one of the 50 must-see wonders of the world! Tours take you inside the world’s largest living science center dedicated to exploring future life on our planet. Beneath 6,500 panes of glass live a rainforest, coastal fog desert, marsh, savannah, million-gallon ocean and much more. Just 90 minutes south of Phoenix and 20 minutes north of Tucson, take a trip to where science lives! Guided tours daily. Call us at 520-838-6200 or visit B2science.org.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
If an authentic African safari sounds like the ultimate adventure, then head to Camp Verde, AZ, for an unforgettable visit to Out of Africa Wildlife Park. Here you will experience a natural wildlife habitat where owners Dean and Prayeri Harrison have adopted a very unique, respectful way of interacting with hundreds of wild-by-nature animals. And, with exciting shows like Tiger Splash and Wonders of Wildlife, Out of Africa is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Open daily 9:30 – 5:00. Located 3 miles west of I-17 on SR-260 (exit 287), you’ll experience a full day’s adventure. For more information call, 928-567-2840 or visit our website outofafricapark.com.
Verde Canyon Railroad
Verde Canyon Railroad is a Southwestern adventure that takes passengers on a ride through Arizona’s backcountry, an area only accessible from the comfort of this train, offering uncommon views of a wildly-wonderful red-rock canyon. The four-hour excursion can be experience in first-class featuring living room-style seating or coach-class with historic Pullman-style seating on each side of a center aisle. All cars are climate-controlled, ADA compliant and have restrooms. Verde Canyon Railroad is the only excursion train in the Southwest which offers every guest two seats for the price of one: inside viewing through large panoramic windows and 360-degree views from open-air viewing cars attached to each coach. As the train passes through a grand canyon, both vantages celebrate incomparable scenery, high-desert flora and fauna, historic trestles, dramatic geology, unusual rock formations and passage through a century-old 680-foot tunnel. Throughout the journey the captivating history of the Verde Canyon and the Railroad unfolds with narration interlaced with a wide genre of popular railroad tunes. 800-823-0402 or visit verdecanyonrr.com
Sports
Spectator Sports
Phoenix and surrounding cities are filled with some of the best games in town. In the Spring, you can soak up the sun while taking in a baseball game during our Cactus League Spring Training. Arizona is also home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, The Phoenix Suns, the Arizona Cardinals and the Phoenix Coyotes. No matter your favorite sport, we have it all.
Apache Stronghold Golf Course
The Apache Stronghold Golf Course offers high desert golfing at its finest. Designed by award-winning architect Tom Doak, the Stronghold has earned the honor of being named the Number One Public Golf Course in Arizona by Golf Week magazine. Take in the natural beauty of the Southwest desert as you enjoy the challenge offered by the Stronghold. Call 1-800 272-2438, option 5, for tee times.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
“It’s the Greatest Show on Grass!“ Join us for lot’s of gold and plenty of fun. See your favorite champions and today’s biggest stars at the 2011 Waste Management Phoenix Open January 31 – February 6, at the TPC Scottsdale, www.WMPHOENIXOPEN.com.
Casinos
Outdoor Recreation
Arizona Rafting by Wilderness Aware
Open March through May during the spring snowmelt. Join us for a whitewater rafting adventure on the Salt River near Phoenix. This is the best river rafting available between California and Colorado! Raft for just a short ½ or full day trip…or experience the grandeur on the Slat River Wilderness Area on a two to five-day expedition. All meals and camping equipment are provided as well as professional guides and freshly prepared meals. This is world class whitewater rafting in the White Mountains, not the tubing trip normally associated with the Salt River in Phoenix. No previous experience required. We have twice named “Company of the Year” and are highly ranked on Trip Advisor in Scottsdale. Call us at 1-800-231-7238 or visit SaltRiverRaftingArizona.com
Arizona State Parks
Many of Arizona’s State Parks preserve fascinating bits of history or provide chances to hike, splash and fish, or protect vital wildlife habitat. Take some time to visit these beautiful and historic parks. In Sedona, slip into the famous Oak Creek water slide at Slide Rock or take a hike at Red Rock to see the majesty that is Cathedral Rock. If you’re heading south Kartchner Caverns is a must see. Stand in a “living” cave that breathes out cool air and enjoy the improvisations of stone formations. For park maps, driving directions, and photographs visit www.AZStateParks.com.
Dolly Steamboat Tours
Enjoy a relaxing cruise on one of Arizona’s most beautiful desert lakes! Experience the splendor of the canyons, wildlife, and unique desert plants in their natural habitat. Dolly Steamboat Tours provide an entertaining and educational experience for explorers of all ages. Located at the east end of Apache Junction, turn north on Hwy 88 (Apache Trail). Paved Roads all the way. Twilight dinner cruise, for more information call, 480-827-9144 or visit www.dollysteamboat.com.
Forever Resorts’ Mormon Lake Lodge
Discover Mormon Lake Lodge, a 300 acres retreat amidst Ponderosa pines within the Coconino National Forest. Explore miles of forest trails by horseback riding, renting a mountain bike or ATV. Experience the solitude of nature by hiking or fishing at a nearby lake. Relax in a cozy cabin or campground and savor meals grilled in the famed open-pit Steakhouse with live music in the Saloon. For a well deserved retreat, call 928-354-2227 or visit www.MormonLakeLodge.com.
Hot Air Expeditions
The Sonroan Desert is one of the foremost hot air ballooning areas in the entire world. Float low over the top of the desert to see the wildlife that is out for the day. Then go high to get a great view of the entire valley. Upon landing you are greeted with the traditional flutes of champagne followed by a sit down breakfast in the desert. FAA Certified, Insured, Uniformed. You’ll have memories that last a lifetime. Call now for reservations 480-502-6999, 800-831-7610 or visit www.HotAirExpeditions.com.
Shopping
Outlets at Casa Grande
Outlets at Casa Grande offers Great Savings, Great Brands & Great Shopping at stores like Gap Outlet, Levi’s Outlet, Guess Factory Store, Reebok, Kitchen Collection and Oshkosh B’gosh and many others. Outlets would like to give back this season, spend $75 or more and receive a gift choice from a different store each week, free gift wrapping and weekly shopping spree give a-ways. Located just off I-10 at exit 198, between Phoenix and Tucson. 2300 E. Tanger Dr. Casa Grand. Call 520-836-9663 or visit our website at www.OutletsatCasaGrande.com.
Spa & Wellness
The Spa at Camelback Inn
The Spa at Camelback Inn invites you to relish the moments of balance and tranquility offered in our quiet haven. Guests experience one-of-a-kind spa treatments inspired by the techniques and nature-based ingredients of indigenous Native American cultures. For more information, visit www.camelbackspa.com.
Golden Door Spa at The Boulders Resort
Restore your body and mind through the art of massage, therapy baths and refreshing treatments. Set among the rolling Sonoran Desert Foothills and acres of ancient sun-splashed terrain, The Golden Door is your ticket to peace of mind and body. For information, visit www.theboulders.com/golden_door_spa.
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