Unique Ways to Spend The Day in AZ

editor’spage

UniqueWAYS To Spend the Day in AZ

Whether you’re celebrating with family or adventuring with friends, why not take advantage of the lovely Arizona weather and all the amazing things there are to do here. If you’re short on ideas, here are a few of our best!

Take a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions

UP, UP AND AWAY Get away from it all with a sunrise flight above the Sonoran Desert. The unobstructed views are breathtaking, the flora and fauna below are stunning, and the feeling of flight is a oneof-a-kind experience. At Hot Air Expeditions, you’ll be treated to a gourmet breakfast in the desert and a ceremonial celebration upon landing — what an amazing way to make memories!

TEA FOR TWO If antique tea rooms appeal, Carefree’s English Rose Tea Room is a special treat. This little bit of Great Britain boasts delightful macaroons and a cardboard cutout of the Queen for a photo opp. The Spicery in Our 1895 Home in Glendale is a charming restaurant set in multiple rooms of — you guessed it — an 1895 home. Tables are elegantly set in each room for you to enjoy high tea, including scones with lemon curd and chantilly cream, finger sandwiches, and bitesized desserts (reservations are required).

TAKE A SCENIC BOAT TOUR Cruising one of Arizona’s beautiful lakes on a sightseeing tour is a smooth way to while away the hours. Try a 90-minute excursion aboard the Desert Belle for a fully narrated cruise on Saguaro Lake where you’ll learn about the exotic Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls and dramatic desert vistas that surround you. Two bathrooms, a shipboard snackbar, and an air conditioned cabin add to your comfort. On Canyon Lake, the Dolly Steamboat cruises the secluded inner waterways to give passengers a unique look at Arizona wildlife and the surrounding scenery. Twilight dinner cruises allow for a sunset dinner with special ambiance.

SEARCH FOR A SOUVENIR If you’re looking for something truly distinctive, consider checking out a few shopping destinations off the beaten path. For instance, Tlaquepaque Art and Shopping Village in Sedona provides an eclectic collection of artistic shops to endlessly browse. In Scottsdale, check out the unique resale shopping boutique, High Society, which boasts brand name bargains and other upscale second-hand finds. Complete with designer clothing and unique accessories, you’re sure to find a treasure to bring home. Sami Fine Jewelry in Fountain Hills features an American Gem Collection of US mined gemstone designs — specifically amethyst, peridot and garnet from Arizona. If Native American and southwestern pieces are the style you desire, Gilbert Ortega Gallery is sure to please. With authentic turquoise and silver jewelry as well as an impressive array of Native American art, decor and furniture, that will remind you of your trip to the desert.

MOSEY THROUGH A MUSEUM Arizona’s museums offer a lovely outing for travelers. The internationally recognized Heard Museum is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian work and showcases the beauty of both traditional and contemporary art. Western Spirit: Scottsdale Museum of the West allows for exploration of the history, art, and rich cultural heritage of the west, including Hopi pottery masterworks, an incredible array of cowboy life artifacts, and two stories of incredible exhibits. Wickenburg’s Desert Caballeros Western Museum, focuses on world class art and historical exhibitions that tell the story of the explorers, miners, cowboys and others who lived and worked in the American West. For music lovers, the Musical Instrument Museum is a supreme opportunity that will absolutely provide a memorable museum experience. Rated among the top 20 museums of any genre, MIM is the only museum in the world that specializes in global musical instruments!

Courtesy of Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West

GO ON AN OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE Stellar Adventures on the outskirts of the Valley allows not only ATV, UTV and Hummer tours through the desert, they also have tons of choices to completely personalize your ride. For instance, you can ride with a guide or drive yourself, you can customize or add on to your adventure with hiking, biking, shooting, stargazing, night vision and more! Another plus, FREE photos of your thrill ride are included with daytime adventures. In Sedona, Pink Jeep Tours has ready-made action and excitement waiting for you. Their exhilarating Broken Arrow Tour and their dramatic Diamond Gulch Adventure will bring you to the edge on exciting trails through gorgeous red rock country. If you’d rather relax and stick to the paved path, you can have an experienced guide show you all of Arizona’s most beautiful nooks and crannies on a customized personal tour with Arizona Scenic Tours.

Stellar Adventures

GO WITH THE FLOW South By Southwest is a river touring company that will help you create a special waterway trek. Whether you want to tackle the Salt River or the Verde River with a guide, or just have a pro equip you with the proper gear before shoving you off, South by Southwest will help you plan a solid voyage. If the adrenaline rush of roaring rapids is what really floats your boat, consider the Hulapai River Runners, Native American guides who will bring you whitewater rafting on the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Pink Jeep Adventure Tours

DUE NORTH For a relaxing outdoorsy experience, a trip to high country might be in order. Head up to the Ponderosa Pine forests of North Central Arizona for fishing, hiking, and camping in the cool temps. If you find yourself in the White Mountains, Hon-Dah Resort and Casino offers gaming, concerts, and an RV park as an alternative to their resort accommodations. The added elevation and surrounding pines are a welcome change of pace.

ZIP ZIP HOORAY! If the rush of a zipline stirs the pulse and checks off a bucketlist item, there are several great options here in Arizona. The Predator Zipline at Out of Africa Wildlife Park brings the added dimension of dangling over wild animal habitats on your zipline trip. Also packed with heart-racing thrills is the Skyline Zipline at Grand Canyon West which boasts ‘quad ziplines,’ allowing multiple people to zip along together as a group.

TAKE TO THE SPA A classic choice is to treat mom to a day of pampering. We’ve got some great suggestions when it comes to planning a luxurious spa day. Spa Lamar in Scottsdale offers massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and a full service hair salon as well as a yoga studio and sauna & steam room. If you’d like to relax among the red rocks, the Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa offers first class massage, esthetic services, and wellness & intuitive discoveries.

ENCORE! Performing arts buffs will enjoy the many theatrical options Arizona offers. For those who love to laugh, try a night out at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy. See our Performing Arts listings on page 52 for selections such as Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria with professional dinner showings of audience-favorite musicals like Guys and Dolls and The Addams Family. Phoenix Theatre is the largest producing regional theatre in the area and offers over 400 performances on mutiple stages each year such as upcoming productions of Once and Spamilton. AZ

ArizonaKEY.com