Ringing in the New Year in Arizona

editor’spage: RINGING in the New Year in Arizona

It is officially 2019. It may only be January, but you’ve already done something wonderful by choosing to visit Arizona during this lovely time of year. Plenty of outdoor adventures await, and you can take advantage of Arizona’s quite varied climates.

As is common with each new year, you may be thinking about some exciting new adventures you’d like to experience in 2019. Well look no further than this, because our exhilarating state offers plenty of bucket-list possibilities. Here are a few of our favorites...

1. See the Grand Canyon

2019 is the Grand Canyon National Park’s 100th anniversary (see page 64 for more about the Grand Canyon), so it’s only fitting that you should take an opportunity to see this amazing natural wonder. There are plenty of ways to visit the canyon (by train, by mule, by river, on foot...) but our favorite is when someone else is doing the driving and is willing to share their knowledge about the majestic sights. Pink Jeep Tours (back cover) provides a Grand Canyon Tour Experience, and Arizona Scenic Tours (pg. 48) provides customized tours to perfectly match your itinerary. DUKOUT Adventure Brokers (story on pg. 68) can combine multiple activities into one fully organized tour that even incorporates meals, wine tastings and other special excursions in one price, setting you free from the distraction of pulling out a wallet.

2. Embark on a New Adventure

If you didn’t have your fill of adrenaline rushes in 2018, it might be time to try some rugged exploring. Arizona offers 35 State Parks to choose from where visitors will surely find a challenging trail to forge. If you need a little guidance, Wild Bunch Desert Guides can help you hit the bike paths, and if motorized exploration is more your speed, then Stellar Adventures (pg. 49) has a thrilling ATV or UTV excursion waiting for you. If the direction you’re thinking of is more vertical, you can go upwards with Hot Air Expeditions (coupon on page 47). Many people’s bucket lists include a ride in a hot air balloon, and Hot Air Expeditions’ trips include a delicious brunch with morning flights and gourmet appetizers & champagne in the desert after evening ascensions.

3. Spend More Time With Friends and Family

A popular entry on most lists of New Year’s resolutions is often to spend more time with family. A visit to Arizona is a wonderful place to to fulfill that worthy goal, with plenty of engaging and entertaining ways to spend time together. A few ideas to try: a scenic drive down the famous and nostalgic Route 66 and a stop along the way in Williams, AZ (see story on page 84) will bring you back to a simpler time. Another relaxing way to spend time with friends and loved ones is to book a relaxing cruise on one of the boats that glide along the calm waters of Arizona’s beautiful lakes. Two popular choices are the Dolly Steamboat (pg. 50), which has been cruising the secluded inner waterways of spectacular Canyon Lake since 1925; and the lovely Desert Belle, a double decker boat with two bathrooms and a snack bar that has been cruising the waters of Saguaro Lake for over fifty years (coupon on pg. 47). We’ve found boat cruises to be a wonderful way to see the majestic flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert from a relaxing vantage point (no rugged hiking boots needed) that family members of all ages can thoroughly enjoy.

4. Get Back to Nature

Arizona has many delightful ways to enjoy the natural surroundings. All of our suggestions, in fact, involve getting out of doors. And why not? Arizona in January boasts ideal weather for outside activities. The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is Arizona’s oldest botanical garden, and a wonderful place to take a stroll along paths carved beautifully through foliage of many kinds — both mature trees and aridland plants (coupon on page 21). Carefree, AZ offers a lovely walk-around garden that is free to visitors. Carefree Desert Gardens is one of two public botanical gardens in the state, and is open every day for self guided tours through 4 acres of fascinating desert plants (story on page 80).

5. Let Loose and Go Wild

If your bucket list includes doing something daring, you might be interested in ziplining directly over wild animals with Predator Zipline. If you would rather skip the zip and just view the animals in their habitats, Arizona is home to many wildlife viewing opportunities. The Phoenix Zoo (pg. 6) is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the country, with 2.5 miles of walking paths and 3,000+ animals on exhibit. An added bonus is that the Phoenix Zoo allows visitors to bring their own food in, saving on the dining tab for families on a budget. West of Metro Phoenix, visitors will find Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park which houses Arizona’s largest collection of exotic and endangered animals with a petting zoo, daily shows and carnival style rides (coupon on page 77). If you love the option of walking or driving through a wildlife park, Bearizona in Williams, AZ is a must-see (pg. 87). You’ll have the opportunity to stroll the walkaround areas, drive right up to a herd of bison, or watch the bears rolling around in play if you go on Bearizona’s Wild Ride Bus tour. Just 90 minutes North of Phoenix in Camp Verde, AZ, you’ll find Out of Africa Wildlife Park (coupon on page 61), a unique opportunity to see wild-by-nature animals in an African Bush Safari setting. Not a zoo, or a drive through park, Out of Africa strives for a relaxed and expansive feel where people can witness the natural behavior of many animals. The animals are not trained to perform, but visitors will definitely witness a show when handlers bring the big cats out for a romp in the pool during the daily Tiger Splash. Finally, if an aquatic encounter is what floats your boat, then you’ll surely want to visit Dolphinaris in Scottsdale (pg. 50), where you can choose between a land encounter, a water encounter, or a fully submerged (swimming with the dolphin) Deluxe Encounter.

Whatever the nature of your favorite bucket-list activity, Arizona is a great place to turn those “I will experience...” resolutions into realities and make some lasting memories in 2019.

ArizonaKEY.com