Fun Things to Do in the Area

“Phoenix” was named by an English traveler who visited America many years ago, and claimed to have a vision while walking through modern-day Arizona. As he traversed the ruins of an ancient Hohokam Indian village, he perceived a great city growing up from the dust of that village much like the mythological Phoenix, an Egyptian bird said to have risen from its own ashes. In modern Phoenix, this vision manifests itself as a major metropolitan area covering 400 square miles, and offering a plethora of activities to appeal to every person and every interest. Bring the family and stay for a vacation you won’t forget! The many offerings of this “Valley of the Sun” include:

Phoenix Zoo-The Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,200 animals. It offers an exciting array of animal exhibits, unique special events and outdoor recreational activities for everyone. Located at 455 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. (602) 273-1341.

Desert Botanical Garden-The Desert Botanical Garden has one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. It is one of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. Here you will find 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, there is no finer place to enjoy desert beauty than the Desert Botanical Garden. Located at 1201 North Galvin Parkway in Papago Park in Phoenix. (480) 941-1225.

Arizona Outdoor Fun-This tour company is a one-stop shop for outdoor recreation fun. The company will pick you up in Phoenix and take you almost anywhere in the state to use ATV’s, jet skis, wakeboats, pontoons, kayaks, fishing boats, dirt bikes and much more. Pick up available from the hotel. (602) 400-2445

Arizona Center-Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the Arizona Center is an open-air oasis of dining, shopping, ponds and gardens in a unique urban setting. Close to Bank One Ballpark, America West Arena and the Herberger Theater, the Arizona Center is the place to be in downtown Phoenix. Located at 400 East Van Buren Street in Phoenix. (602) 271-4000.

Climb Piestewa Peak-Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak, is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. The elevation of Piestewa Peak is 2,608 feet. Hikers of all levels can get a great workout climbing this mountain, and get a great view of the city when they get to the top. If you decide to hike the Summit Trail though, you won’t be alone. According to the City of Phoenix, it is one of the most heavily used trails in the nation with 4,000 to 10,000 hikers per week. Located at 2701 East Squaw Peak Drive, near 24th Street and Lincoln in Phoenix. (602) 262-7901.

Fighter Combat International-Fly with real military fighter pilots in a real aircraft. Located at 5865 South Sossaman Road in Mesa. (866) FLY-HARD.

Unicorn Balloon Company-Experience the beauty of the desert landscape and the rugged peaks of the Arizona mountains, as well as intimate views of wildlife in the desert below, on a Unicorn balloon ride. Complimentary champagne, juice and muffins are a continuing tradition, and your balloon trip concludes with the traditional champagne toast and the gift of a flight certificate. Located in Scottsdale. (800) 755-0935.

Gondola Ride at the Hyatt Regency Resort at Gainey Ranch-Be whisked away on a gondola ride. Your gondolier will serenade you with sweet Italian love ballads, as the water below playfully laps at the underside of the gondola. Located at 7500 East Doubletree Ranch Road in Scottsdale. (480) 991-3388.

Koli Equestrian Center-Ride horseback on ancient tribal land with this unique equestrian experience. Truly an adventure back in time, Koli offers an array of options for a Western adventure. Located at 5594 West Wild Horse Pass Boulevard in Chandler. (602) 225-0100.

Scottsdale Art Walk-There are more than 100 art galleries in Scottsdale. You can enjoy Scottsdale ArtWalks every Thursday evening. There are different exhibits and special events each week. Casual and eclectic, it’s a great time to visit the galleries and learn about featured artists. Located on Main Street between Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard in Scottsdale. (480) 990-3939.

Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse-Rawhide has got to be the best place to take kids, of all ages, that want to be cowboys and cowgirls. At Rawhide you can experience gunfights, stunt shows, stagecoach rides, desert train rides, enjoy the petting ranch, bull riding, gold panning, camel rides, see a working blacksmith, shop in western shops, play games and go horseback riding. Located at 5700 West North Loop Road, Chandler. 480-502-5600

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West-Nestled in the foothills of the rugged McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the spectacular Sonoran Desert, lies a sprawling 600-acre complex called Taliesin West. It was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. The buildings and the landscape at Taliesin West compliment each other. They coexist in perfect harmonyÑform and color, beauty and grace, nature and science are all blended. Located at 12621 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale. (480) 860-8810.

Grand Canyon Railway-The historic Grand Canyon Railway provides rail service between its depot in Williams and the depot at Grand Canyon Village inside Grand Canyon National Park. Travel to and from the Canyon in meticulously restored coaches dating back to the late 1800’s. Located at 233 North Grand Canyon Boulevard in Williams, Az. (800) THE-TRAIN.

Visit a Spa

If you like to be pampered like a movie star and relax in a luxurious setting, these are the places for you:

Tocaloma Spa at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort-The Tocaloma Spa located in the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort was recently named among the top 10 spas in Arizona for its outstanding service. This intimate spa promises an experience that will soothe, heal and beautify your mind, body and spirit. Treatments include a hot stone massage, Hungarian Moor Mud body treatment and a Sedona Purification that uses minerals and clay from the Arizona desert to nourish the skin. Located at the Pointe

Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.-Alvadora Spa at the Royal Palms Resort- Whether this is a first-time spa experience or if you are already an enthusiast, Alvadora Spa at the Royal Palms Resort provides an array of services that indulge the senses. Discover unique signature treatments including the Lavender and Aloe Quench, Orange Blossom Body Buff, Citrus Grove Facial and more. Or enjoy Acqua Dolce, the spa’s signature Villa for two, which provides several water therapies including a Watsu pool for special in-water massages. Experience the nurturing essences of the Mediterranean offered in tempting choices that soothe the spirit, rejuvenate the body and enrich the mind. Located at 5200 East Camelback Road in Phoenix. (602) 840-3610.

Arizona Biltmore Spa at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa Ð The Arizona Biltmore Spa is more than just a relaxing destination. It is an intoxicating journey that provides an escape from all aspects of daily life. Some treatments are drawn from the wisdom of ancient cultures Ð from medieval China to the native tribes of the Sonoran Desert. Others rely on the contemporary approaches of the French, the Swedish and Pacific Islanders. But all rely on only the most natural of elements and ingredients in addressing your physical, mental and spiritual health. Located at 2400 East Missouri Avenue in Phoenix. (602) 955-6600.

Visit a Phoenix Museum

Arts and cultural activities abound in Phoenix with more than 20 museums in the metro area and numerous performing arts groups including:

Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum-This museum commemorates the mining industry that helped build the state. Arizona is the nation’s number one mining state with the largest value of non-fuel mineral production in the country. The Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum can trace its origins back to the first Arizona Fair, which took place in November, 1884! The mineral display was said to “overshadow all else.” The collection, already one of the finest in the world, has been growing and improving since that time. Over 3,000 minerals, rocks, fossils and mining artifacts are on exhibit. Highlighting the collection are the colorful minerals from Arizona’s copper mines. Located at 1502 West Washington Street in Phoenix. (602) 255-3791.

Arizona Science Center- Originally conceived by the Junior League of Phoenix in 1980, the Arizona Science Center has grown tremendously through the years to its current facilities that include more than 140,000 square-feet of gallery space containing more than 300 hands-on exhibits, an IMAX Theater seating 285, the multi-media Dorrance Planetarium seating 200, a suite of classrooms, and amenities including a gift shop and cafeteria. Located at 600 East Washington Street in Phoenix. (602) 716-2000.

Heard Museum- The foremost showcase of Native American art and culture in the United States, the Heard Museum reveals the cultures of tribes in the region through exhibits, demonstrations, live performances and displays the work of contemporary Native American artists. Located at 2301 North Central Avenue in Phoenix. (602) 252-8848.

Golf in the Valley of the Sun

With close to 370 golf courses, the greater Phoenix area makes a legitimate claim to being the golf capital of the world. You could actually play a different course every day of the year and still have a few left to visit. These picturesque golf courses helped earn the area the title of “Golf Capital of the World” from the National Golf Foundation. Scottsdale is at the epicenter of the Valley’s golf map, and traveling golfers will be delighted to find one of the most impressive arrays of high-end daily fee and resort courses in the world.

Phoenix is home to some of Arizona’s most venerable, traditional resorts, including the Camelback Inn, and the Phoenician is a championship course surrounded by a canyon, a desert and an oasis. Want to play where the locals play? Head over to the Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa, a very popular course, indeed.

In Scottsdale there are many resort courses to take advantage of. Troon North, Grayhawk, Wildfire, Kierland and the Boulders all provide championship golf, as well as luxury accommodations, while properties like We-Ko-Pa, Sun Ridge Canyon and Eagle Mountain stand alone as must-play courses.

Shopping

There are many wonderful shopping centers in the Phoenix area. Two of them are truly extraordinary; the Biltmore Fashion Park at the intersection of 24th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix, and the Fashion Square Mall at Camelback Road and Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale.

Both of these shopping centers offer a broad array of stores selling high-quality merchandise at reasonable prices. Among the anchor stores found in these locations are Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s Dillard’s, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom.

Those who prefer doing their shopping at an outlet mall will love Arizona Mills located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and West Baseline Road in Tempe. Among the stores to be found there include Nordstrom Rack, Off-Fifth, Armani Exchange, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Tahari, Kenneth Cole, Burberry and Versace.