Arizona Official State Visitors Guide

Arizona

The Grand Canyon State

2008 Official State Visitor’s Guide Complimentary Copy

Welcome to Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park ©HPMG

Dear Traveler, Welcome to the Grand Canyon State! Prepare for an amazing journey through all that Arizona has to offer.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World exists here among our lush desert landscapes, crystalclear waters and breathtaking mountain peaks.

The Honorable From small communities to one of the fastest Janet Napolitano growing cities in the United States, Arizona Governor offers travelers unique experiences packed with State of Arizona hospitality, adventure and stunning sights.

Whether you want to explore the Grand Canyon, relax in top-rated spas and resorts or sleep out under the wideopen skies, I’m sure you will find your heart’s desire in Arizona. The land is steeped in Old West, Native American and Mexican cultures, teaching about heritage rich with traditions.

In my travels around Arizona, I am always amazed to find the wonderful treasures that exist throughout this diverse state. From the northern-most canyons to the sparkling lakes in the west, Arizona is waiting to be discovered.

I look forward to your visit and wish you safe and happy travels.

Yours very truly,

The Honorable Janet Napolitano Governor of Arizona

Dear Traveler,

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Desert Mountain Golf Club, Chiricahua Course

On behalf of the Arizona Office of Tourism, welcome to the Grand Canyon State! Arizona offers every possible vacation wish, and it is truly Margie A. Emmermann a state unlike any other.

Director Let this visitor’s guide be your map as you Arizona Office explore our spectacular mountaintops, cascading of Tourism waterfalls, exclusive shopping and an absolutely (602) 364-3700 unique heritage. arizonaguide.com Discover the culture of Arizona’s past in the petroglyphs in Petrified Forest National Park or lose yourself in beauty as you soar in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon.

Whatever you choose, Arizona’s adventures and experiences are unrivaled.

Whether you come for a day or a week, Arizona will offer you a truly memorable vacation. Head north to relax in a Sedona spa, or south to hear whispers of the past at the Casa Grande ruins. Drive east to visit Fort Apache and then back west to view the world-famous London Bridge in Lake Havasu City. With more than 300 world-class golf courses, top-rated spas and exquisite dining, Arizona guarantees endless possibilities.

With an experience for every traveler and more than 325 days of sunshine, Arizona is sure to be the perfect destination. Come join us!

Sincerely,

San Xavier del Bac Mission HPMG ©

Margie A. Emmermann Director

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1110 West Washington Street, Suite 155 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 364-3700 fax (602) 364-3702 Visit www.arizonaguide.com for information on travel throughout the state.

Visit www.arizonavacationvalues.com for great vacation deals.

project director

Robin Jackalone

design & layout Hennen Publishing

& Marketing Group

art director

editorial

editor

contributors

Tad Smith Miles Media Juliette Reynolds Andrew Collins Debra Utacia Krol Dina Mishev Julian Smith Nora Burba Trulsson Charlie Vascellaro Nancy Yackel

advertising sales Hennen Publishing

& Marketing Group account executives Kathleen Lockhart

Erin Edelstein Taylor Lawson photographers/photo credits

AOT-Arizona Office of Tourism (Todd Brennaman, Geoff Gourley, Steve Minor, Newport 653, David Smith, Jamie Williams/That Girl Productions), FCVB-Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau, GOT-Glendale Office of Tourism, GPCVB-Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, HPMGHennen Publishing & Marketing Group, LHCVB-Lake Havasu Convention & Visitors Bureau, MCVB-Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau, MTCVB-Metro Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, PACT-Prescott Area Coalition for Tourism, SCVB-Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, TCVB-Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau, TGP-www.ThatGirlProductions.com, YVB-Yuma Visitors Bureau The Official State Visitor’s Guide, a publication of the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), is published annually. Every effort is made to ensure the information in this publication is as accurate as possible.

Arizona Official State Visitor’s Guide ©2008 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. about the cover

Monument Valley ©Tom Narwid

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O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

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Table of Contents

Cities & Towns – Arizona, Architecturally

Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West, Reflecting Pond ©AOT

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Park it in Arizona – A Best-in-One-Day Guide to Four of the Nation’s Best National Parks

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Welcome to Arizona

5

Arizona State Map

6

Top Events

136

Smart Traveler - Resources

139

Arizona Mileage Map

Destinations Canyon De Chelly, White House Ruins ©AOT

20

Wild West Adventure

& 40 Phoenix Central Arizona

54 Resource Guide 60 Spas 62 Golf 64 Accommodations 73 RV Parks

Northern Arizona 103 Resource Guide 106 Spas 107 Accommodations 109 Golf 109 RV Parks

& 74 Tucson Southern Arizona

Arizona’s West Coast

Southern Arizona Storm ©AOT

and Heritage – 26 History Crafting Tribal Cultures

82 Resource Guide 86 Spas 87 Golf 87 RV Parks 88 Accommodations

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110

120 Resource Guide 121 Golf 121 RV Parks 121 Accommodations Central 122 North Arizona

128 Resource Guide 134 Golf 134 RV Parks 135 Accommodations Navajo Tribal Lands ©HPMG

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No Calorie Left Behind – A Day in the Life of Arizona’s Culinary Landscape

LON’s Restaurant, Paradise Valley ©AOT

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O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Monument Valley ©AOT

Arizona State Map

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Top Events JANUARY 2008

SCOTTSDALE: FBR Open – The FBR Open is one of Arizona’s largest spectator events and one of the PGA Tour’s top events. This tournament attracts the PGA Tour’s finest golfers to one of the oldest and most revered golf tournaments. It is sponsored by the Thunderbirds, the Special Events Committee of the Phoenix Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

It is played on one of the country’s most picturesque golf courses, the TPC Scottsdale. (602) 870-0163, phoenixopen.com or fbropen.com, January 28-February 3, 2008.

FEBRUARY 2008

SIERRA VISTA: Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering – “Horses and Cattle – The Cowboy’s Life.” The Gathering in Sierra Vista, Arizona continues the tradition of bringing this true Western expression of the Cowboy Way to today’s audiences.

Free Saturday programs include more

Egret ©HPMG

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FBR Open Golf ©HPMG

than 40 musicians, storytellers and musical groups who represent the best of the best from the Western states, many with national recognition. On Saturday, there are walk-in sessions in the afternoon for aspiring artists who want to demonstrate their poetry or music skills. Cochise County youth poetry contest winners perform throughout the three-day event.

Headline performances are on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m. Evening sessions and the Sunday matinee have an admission charge. (520) 249-2511, cowboypoets. com, February 1-3, 2008.

LAKE HAVASU CITY: Winter Blast 19: Light Up the Night – Each winter, the Western Pyrotechnic Association holds its annual convention in Lake Havasu City. Although the convention is attended by its members, the public benefits when the members debut many of the latest technological innovations in their field in a huge show open to the public on Saturday. This free fireworks display rivals Fourth of July shows in major cities around the U.S. Visitors gather at Sara Park to view the spectacular display of fireworks over the Colorado River. (800) 242-8278, westernpyro.org or golakehavasu.com, February 16, 2008.

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MARCH 2008

WICKENBURG: Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West Invitational Show & Sale – The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is the setting for this annual show and sale. Nearly 200 pieces of art by 57 of the West’s top women artists in an exhibition and sale for western women artists which has become the most important in the country. (928) 684-2272, cowgirlupart. com, March 27-May 4, 2008.

APRIL 2008

YUMA: Yuma Birding & Nature Festival – Gather in Yuma where they will be celebrating the rich diversity of birds and wildlife along the lower Colorado River in the heart of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. The festival includes new and exciting seminars and field trips focused on promoting Birding and Watchable Wildlife in Southwest Arizona. Tours along the Colorado River at the Yuma East Wetlands Restoration Project, hiking excursions through local area wildlife refuges, day excursions to Mexico and exciting guest speakers including John Acorn, writer and host of the television series “Acorn, The Nature Nut,” are just a few of the programs the festival has to offer.

(928) 376-0100 or yumabirding.com, April 16-20, 2008.

Check out this selection of annual events that can enrich any visit to Arizona (some folks travel here just to attend these unique gatherings!). For a comprehensive Calendar of Events throughout the year, visit arizonaguide.com and click the What’s Happening tab.

MAY 2008

PRESCOTT: Whiskey Row Marathon – This is one of the toughest marathons in the U.S. The terrain is rugged, the altitude exceeds a mile above sea level and the weather can be severe. The 2008 event marks the 30th anniversary of the Whiskey Row Marathon. Come join runners from all over the country in this prestigious event.

In addition to the marathon, there is also a half-marathon, 10K, 10K race-walk and two-mile fun run. http://prescott ymca.org/whiskeyrowmarathon.htm, May 3, 2008.

JULY 2008

PINETOP/LAKESIDE: White Mountain Native American Art Festival – More than 80 of the Southwest’s finest American Indian artists display and sell their handmade jewelry, paintings, rugs and other authentic Indian artwork at the Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex. All items are handmade, and the artist is present. A select group of artists has the opportunity to display and sell artwork during a pre-show on Friday evening. (928) 367-4290, (800) 573-4031 or pinetoplakesidechamber. com, July 11-13, 2008.

AUGUST 2008

PAYSON: World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo – Championship at its finest. Top cowboys work to rope a calf or steer atop well trained horses, or ride bulls in fractions of a second. The rodeo is PRCA sanctioned and includes all seven events plus PWBR barrel racing and a special event. There are four performances and the long weekend includes an oldfashioned parade and also incorporates several days of “wild west” events.

(928) 474-4515 or (800) 6PAYSON (672-9766) or rimcountrychamber.com, August 15-17, 2008.

Arizona Rodeo ©HPMG

SEPTEMBER 2008

WINDOW ROCK: Navajo Nation Fair – This is the largest Navajo Nation Fair and the world’s largest Indian fair.

Activities include: the largest Indian rodeo, entertainment, parade, exhibits, Indian arts and crafts, food concessions, traditional Navajo singing and dancing, traditional performances by Native Americans from throughout North America, a carnival, inter-tribal pow wow and more! (928) 871-6703 or (928) 871-6478 or navajonationfair.com, September 1-7, 2008.

OCTOBER 2008

FLAGSTAFF: Celebraciónes de la Gente – The Museum of Northern Arizona comes to life for Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, an ancient MesoAmerican holiday held throughout Mexico, Latin America and the Southwestern U.S. Transforming grief into celebration, this ritual pays homage to the lives of lost loved ones by inviting them back to enjoy their favorite music and foods, and to honor their contributions in life. Flagstaff families bring ofrendas (altars) from their homes to share in a courtyard exhibit illuminated by candles and luminarias.

Learn how Day of the Dead traditions evolved and the meaning behind the objects on the ofrendas. This event is created in partnership with the Flagstaff Hispanic pioneers, Nuestras Raices. musnaz.org, October 25-26, 2008.

NOVEMBER 2008

SEDONA: Red Rock Fantasy of Lights – Nestled within the world-renowned red rocks of Sedona at the Los Abrigados Resort, this holiday light festival features

more than one million lights, in more than 30 displays created by families from the Southwest. Each year the exhibits are new as the families compete for the best in the show. Visitors walk through the exhibits and vote for their favorite. Other activities include a variety of kid’s activities, concerts and carriage rides. The festival is open each evening (weather permitting) from 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. (928) 282-1777 or (800) 521-3131 or http://redrockfantasy.com, November 20, 2008-January 1, 2009.

DECEMBER 2008

TUCSON: Tamal & Heritage Festival – A day of local tradition provides live entertainment and great food, with the opportunity to learn about Tucson’s community-based organizations and their causes, at Casino del Sol. Presented by La Estrella de Tucson (The Spanish-language weekly newspaper inserted into Arizona Daily Star). Connoisseurs of tamales can begin preparing their taste buds and stomachs for a fill of this traditional Southwest holiday food.

The event is free to the public from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (520) 838-6793 or http://casinodelsol.ticketforce.com. l

This calendar has been produced to assist you in making travel arrangements. It is for information only and does not constitute a recommendation. Dates for events were correct at time of publication. To confirm dates and for a comprehensive Arizona Calendar of Events, visit arizonaguide.com. ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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Cities and Towns

Arizona, Architecturally

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admit it. I am an architecture geek. An archi-traveler. I’m the

first one to sign up for historic or architectural walking tours in cities and towns I visit. While everyone else visits a museum or attraction for the exhibits within, I’m the one prowling around the exterior, snapping pictures of cool building details. k

BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON Nora’s a metro Phoenix resident who writes about architecture, food and travel for various Arizona-based and Western magazines, including Sunset.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West, Reflecting Pond ©AOT

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Cities and Towns If you’re like me, you’ll find that Arizona offers a wealth of architecture to ponder and explore.

The state, with its varied topography and cultural influences, reads like a crash course in regional architectural history: ancient cliff dwellings, remnants of Spanish missions, Mexican-influenced 19th century adobe row houses, the Victorian exuberance that arrived with the railroad, the revival styles of the early 20th century and the modernism that blossomed with the advent of air conditioning after World War II. As you visit Arizona’s best-loved attractions, you’re likely seeing many examples of architectural periods and styles. Keep your eyes peeled – and pack a camera. I do.

PHOENIX & THE VALLEY OF THE SUN At first glance, metro Phoenix seems like something that sprang up, say, about 1982. Much of the area did actually develop during the last century, but parts of the urban fabric go back – waaay back. Witness Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix, the site of a 1,500-year-old Hohokam village. At the museum, you’ll learn about these progressive farmers and builders and see a ceremonial mound, an excavated ballfield and reproductions of Hohokam houses.

Fast-forward to the early 20th Century, when Maie and Dwight Heard, collectors of Native American art and artifacts, asked architect H.H. Green to build a museum for their collection in Phoenix. The gracious, Spanish Colonial-style Heard Museum has been revamped and expanded numerous times since its 1929 opening (and it now has two satellite locations), but it’s still one of the best places in the country to learn about native cultures.

A few blocks away, you can also get another glimpse of early Phoenix at Heritage Square, a park-like setting dotted with buildings dating from 1881 to 1929, which now house museums, restaurants and shops. Tour Rosson House, a restored 1895 Victorian.

Take a leap into modern Phoenix by visiting some downtown cultural facilities. At Heritage Square, the Arizona Science Center, with its hands-on exhibits, was designed

by New Mexico architect Antoine Predock and is a sculptural ode to Arizona’s canyons, mountains and desert. Up the street, Burton Barr Central Library, designed by Phoenix architect Will Bruder, is a bold statement in copper, glass and concrete. Nearby, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien of New York have updated

the Phoenix Art Museum, which now has a spectacularly contemporary presence on Central Avenue.

Scottsdale has its own architectural pedigree. Get a gander of what the resort mecca was like in the old days at the Scottsdale Historical Museum, located in a red brick school house that dates to 1909.

But Scottsdale’s (and some might argue the state’s) most important slice of architectural history sits in the high desert just below the McDowell Mountains. Here, architect Frank Lloyd Wright established Taliesin West, his architectural community, in 1937.

Tour this National Historic Landmark to see the stone, concrete, wood and glass buildings that rise organically from the desert floor.

Two local architects were certainly influenced by Wright when they recently designed two notable Scottsdale attractions. Will Bruder transformed an old movie house into the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, an edgy, concrete, glass and metal setting for equally edgy art. Philip Weddle channeled Wright’s organic influences with his design of the shady, rammed-earth trailhead structure for the Lost Dog Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Restaurants with Style Sometimes, it’s not enough to have a good meal – your surroundings should be interesting, too. Here are some Arizona restaurants where the architecture holds its own to the food.

Hang out at The Vig in Phoenix’ Arcadia neighborhood for burgers and a very modern, indoor-outdoor ambiance. Like something older? Try The Roosevelt, a 1912 bungalow, revamped with a minimalist interior, which offers fun bar food. In Scottsdale, go both retro and modern with dinner at Trader Vic’s, where pupu platters meet Polynesian artifacts – but the building is all modernist block, rock and glass.

In Flagstaff, try Pasto, housed in a restored storefront, which offers up Italian comfort food and a cozy atmosphere.

Savor local history in Tucson. Barrio Historico’s Cushing Street Bar & Grill, located in an 1860s adobe, is a favorite gathering place for drinks and eclectic dishes. El Charro Cafe serves up Mexican cuisine in its original downtown locale, an 1890s house, built with black volcanic rock. ©

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Trader Vic’s, Hotel Valley Ho

Arizona Biltmore

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ASU Gammage ©TCVB

In Tempe, much architectural action happens in and around Arizona State University. On campus, Old Main, built in 1884, serves as a great photo op for visitors, while circular ASU Gammage, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is the site for touring musicals, plays and more. Nelson Fine Arts Center, designed by Antoine Predock, houses ASU’s art museum, entered through a cooling, subterranean courtyard.

Off campus, stroll the shops and restaurants of downtown Tempe’s Mill Avenue District, where some storefronts date back to the late 1800s. Downtown’s newest attraction is the Tempe Center for the Arts, with its distinctive, peaking roofline, designed by Barton Myers Associates of Los Angeles, in conjunction with Architekton of Tempe. There, look for performances by local arts groups.

Across town, Glendale boasts its own historically significant downtown district, where you can shop for antiques and vintage clothes, or try one of several cozy eateries. At Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area, tour the main house,

Arcosanti, Craft III Exterior ©AOT

packing shed and other buildings of this 19th century farm. Glendale’s architectural crown jewel is the silvery sphere known as the University of Phoenix Stadium, opened in 2006 and designed by New York architect Peter Eisenman. Inspired by the shape of a barrel cactus, the stadium is the site of the 2008 Superbowl.

Want to spend the night somewhere architecturally significant in metro Phoenix? Try the Arizona Biltmore Resort, the grande dame of area resorts, designed in the late 1920s by Albert Chase McArthur, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright’s. In Scottsdale, the recently preserved and updated Hotel Valley Ho is a way-cool example of mid-century hipster style.

PRESCOTT AND CENTRAL ARIZONA As you travel north from Phoenix through Central Arizona, the high desert yields several architectural treasures. Montezuma Castle National Monument is one of several sites in the Verde Valley built by the ancient Sinagua people. Walk the monument’s

paved trails along the creek to see elaborate, multistory cliff dwellings, built of the local limestone.

In Cordes Junction, architect Paolo Soleri’s experimental community, Arcosanti, is meant as an alternative to urban sprawl. Take a tour, or browse the selection of cast-bronze windbells, a signature item. Back in metro Phoenix, you can also visit Soleri’s home base in Paradise Valley, Cosanti, a smaller version of Arcosanti.

Take a walk through Prescott, which is known for its blocks of fanciful Victorian homes and charming cottages, many of which have been lovingly restored. At Sharlot Hall Museum, a few blocks from the courthouse, you meander amidst a collection of period buildings, including an 1864 log cabin.

Spend the night in architectural splendor at Prescott’s Hassayampa Inn, designed in 1927 by the El Paso, Texas firm, Trost & Trost. Ponder the “modern” Mission style of the restored hotel, and be sure to admire the hand-painted beams in the elegant lobby. w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 11

Cities and Towns FLAGSTAFF AND THE GRAND CANYON Flagstaff started out as a rough-andtumble logging and railroad town, not exactly the first place you’d think of for stellar architecture. But the pinescented city at the base of the San Francisco Peaks is a mini treasure trove of architectural gems.

Downtown Flagstaff has undergone a major renaissance in recent years.

Stroll the storefront boutiques, restaurants and hotels, housed in buildings that date to the late 1800s.

Your best architectural bet? Join a downtown Flagstaff walking or train station tour, during which you’ll hear stories about historic people and buildings. The tours leave from the Visitors’ Center, and seasonal offerings include “Haunted Flagstaff.”

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Mars Hill rises above downtown Flagstaff, where, in 1894 astronomer Percival Lowell established Lowell Observatory. The original handcrafted pine observatory is still in use and open for tours today, its dome now moved electronically, rather than with a series of ropes.

Near the campus of Northern Arizona University, tour Riordan Mansion, a grand Arts and Craftsstyle mansion designed in 1904 by Charles Whittlesey, best known as the architect of Grand Canyon’s El Tovar Hotel. The 13,000-square-foot shingle and stone mansion was built for two brothers, who made their fortunes in logging, and their respective families.

Just north of downtown, the Museum of Northern Arizona is

Grand Canyon National Park, Desert View Tower ©HPMG A R I Z O N A O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

filled with exhibits detailing life on the Colorado Plateau. Step back and admire the museum’s stone building, designed in the 1930s by the museum’s founder, Harold S. Colton, who had a background in architecture.

If you’re heading toward the Grand Canyon, stop by the town of Williams, just west of Flagstaff. It’s known for its revived segment of Route 66, with tourist-friendly shops, restaurants and lively bars, set in buildings that date back more than 100 years. Williams is also home to the Grand Canyon Railway, where you can board an old-fashioned train for a chug to the canyon’s South Rim. The Williams depot dates to 1908.

Sure, most people go to the Grand Canyon for the canyon itself, but the South Rim’s architecture is a visual feast as well. The canyon’s soul was best captured by the designs of Mary Colter, official architect for the Fred Harvey Company, the national park’s original official concessionaire.

From the early 1900s to the 1940s, Colter designed and renovated numerous buildings at the canyon, many done in an organic, indigenous style. Her Hopi House gallery was made of stacked stone, echoing ancient Hopi dwellings in Oraibi, Arizona. At the South Rim’s eastern edge, her Watchtower channels cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde and provides spectacular views.

Spend an architectural night at the Grand Canyon at chalet-style El Tovar Hotel or the Southwest-style Bright Angel Lodge. In Williams, try the Red Garter, an 1890s bordello that’s now a B&B. Flagstaff’s The Inn at 410 is a charming bed and breakfast in a Craftsman-style bungalow, dating to 1894.

TUCSON AND TUBAC Tucson and the Tubac area have a rich architectural pedigree. The Spanish explored southern Arizona, establishing presidios and missions during the 17th century. The area was later part of Mexico until the Gadsden Purchase of 1853, when it became a U.S. territory. Scout out the

METRO Light Rail buildings here, and you’ll see those native, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo influences.

Start chronologically by touring Tumacácori National Historical Park, just south of Tubac. Here, you’ll see partial ruins of three Spanish missions established by Father Kino, including Tumacácori itself, constructed by native builders in 1691. Up the road, Tubac Presidio State Historical Park preserves the ramparts of a Spanish presidio, established in 1752 to protect colonists and missionaries. Tubac itself is filled with plenty of photo-worthy adobe buildings, some dating to the 1800s, which now house galleries and boutiques.

One of Arizona’s architectural icons is visible on the highway outside Tucson. The whitewashed walls of San Xavier del Bac, a Spanish mission built in the late 1700s, glow in the sun. The mission, designed in a Spanish baroque style, was also constructed by native craftsmen.

Open to the public, it is still used for masses.

The best way to see the Mexican architectural influence in Arizona is to poke around downtown Tucson’s Barrio Historico and Presidio neighborhoods (and yes, there once was a Spanish presidio here, too), where you’ll see blocks of 19th-century, flush-to-thestreet, whitewashed adobe row houses, now used as private residences, galleries and restaurants.

Time travel to the present by visiting two favorite Tucson attractions, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and Biosphere 2. While you’re strolling the grounds of the outdoor desert museum, duck into the dramatic glass and stone restaurant and gallery complex, designed by Tucson’s Line and Space architectural firm. And, glass – 7,200,000 cubic feet of it – is the primary building material of Biosphere 2, completed in 1991 as a grand environmental experiment. Now a part of the University of Arizona, the enormous terrarium once housed several groups of scientists who tried to live in a self-sustaining system.

Pick up more of Tucson’s architectural vibe by spending the night at the gracious Arizona Inn, built in 1930 by Congresswoman and social activist Isabella Greenway, who had workers match the color of its adobe walls to the hue of her sunburned forehead. You’ll find more contemporary digs at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, where textured block walls link the resort to its spectacular site at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

By the time you come home from your Arizona architecture tour, your camera’s memory card – not to mention your own memory – will be filled to capacity with images of great buildings, old and new. l You’ll find stories on arts and culture, as well as other niche topics, such as astrotourism and archaeology, on the state’s official travel-planning website, arizonaguide.com. Click on the What to Do tab to find out more.

In late 2008, you’ll be able to get around metro Phoenix in a brand new way. As a “green” means to ease pollution and traffic, Arizona’s first light rail system will begin quietly whooshing passengers along a 20-mile route.

The METRO Light Rail route starts in north-central Phoenix, goes through downtown, past Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, into downtown Tempe and the campus of Arizona State University and ends in Mesa. You can get off near numerous attractions, including the Phoenix Art Museum, Chase Field and, in Tempe, the popular Mill Avenue District.

Along the way, check out each station’s public art, created by some 25 local and regional artists, with every installation unique to the neighborhood. The bridge over Tempe Town Lake includes a fiber-optic light system that will light up in millions of color combinations and patterns.

Just want to go for a ride? It takes about 55 minutes, end to end.

Rula Bula, Downtown Tempe ©TCVB w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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Park it inArizona A Best-in-One-Day Guide to Four of the Nation’s Best National Parks

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here’s no question about it. In Arizona, we’d spend as long as we’d like exploring

such scenic marvels as the Grand Canyon or the saguaro cactus-studded landscape surrounding the city of Tucson. But the reality is, sometimes our busy schedules allow us only a day, or just part of a day, to experience a magnificent natural wonder. Where to start with so little time? And how best to organize a short visit to a vast wilderness rife with spectacular outlooks, challenging hikes, fascinating ruins and myriad tour options? k

BY ANDREW COLLINS A former Fodor’s editor, Andrew’s worked as an editor or writer on more than 100 travel books. He loves uncovering the next best thing in travel in Arizona.

Canyon De Chelly, White House Ruins ©AOT

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Park it in Arizona Arizona’s most alluring and scenic settings are administered largely by the National Park Service. All told, you’ll find 25 national parks, monuments, recreation areas and historic sites throughout this rugged land.

Camping in Arizona’s National Parks Obviously, you need parts of at least two days to plan an overnight camping adventure inside one of Arizona’s national parks, but if you have the time, this is an great way to maximize your understanding of each venue. In many parks, campgrounds lie relatively close to scenic overlooks and ancient ruins – there’s something special about waking up amid the riotously colorful badlands of Petrified Forest National Park, or at Mather Campground, where you’re just a short walk from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Most of Arizona’s national parks allow camping, with policies about reservations and facilities varying greatly from property to property. Parks especially known for this activity include Canyon de Chelly, Chiricahua, Grand Canyon, Lake Mead, Organ Pipe Cactus, Petrified Forest and Saguaro. For a full list of national park sites in Arizona, visit www.nps.gov/state/az.

Some of them, such as Fort Bowie National Historic Site in Willcox and Montezuma Castle National Monument in Camp Verde, are relatively compact and truly can be experienced in a day. But most of these properties are best experienced over several days.

With that in mind, here’s a handy primer on how best to experience four of Arizona’s most stunning national parks – the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Petrified Forest and Saguaro – with no more than a day to spare. A quick visit to any of these properties still offers unforgettable photo ops and abundant chances to behold Arizona’s unrivaled natural beauty.

CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT

Comprising a pair of sheer-walled canyons that rise more than 1,100 feet and extend 25 to 35 miles, Canyon de Chelly ranks among the most underrated venues in the national park system. The views, whether from the park rim roads or the valley floor, are simply stupendous, and the monument’s archeological significance cannot be overstated – there are more than 7,000 sites and ruins pertaining to the Ancestral Puebloans who resided here from A.D. 350 to 1300.

The Approach: This approximately 84,000-acre park is in the heart of northeastern Arizona’s Navajo Country, 80 miles north of Interstate 40. It’s a 3.5-hour drive from Flagstaff, and a 5.5-hour drive from Phoenix.

Visitor Center Tips: Check out the informative exhibits about Canyon de Chelly’s ancient cliff-dwelling people before setting out on a drive along the most spectacular of the park’s two scenic roads, South Rim Drive.

Best “Bang for Your Buck” Morning Hike: A rewarding, but somewhat strenuous, 2.5-mile hike off of South Rim Drive, the White House Ruin trail leads down the side of a canyon wall to a fascinating ruin with more than 60 rooms. All other hikes require that you are accompanied by a Navajo guide.

A Lunch to Remember: The cafeteria inside the park’s historic Thunderbird Lodge serves surprisingly tasty steaks and Southwestern fare – the building occupies a restored 1896 adobe trading post.

Offbeat Activity or Attraction: One of the most enjoyable ways to appreciate the canyon is via a horseback ride – these are offered by Totsonii Ranch.

The Perfect Spot to Watch the Sunset: Spider Rock Overlook, at the end of South Rim Drive, offers a stunning vantage point more than 1,000 feet above the canyon.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ©HPMG

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If You Have More Time: With two or three days to explore, you can book an overnight Jeep camping tour through Canyon de Chelly Tours.

Spider Rock, Canyon De Chelly National Monument ©AOT

Grand Canyon National Park ©HPMG

Havasu Falls, Havasupai Indian Reservation, Grand Canyon ©HPMG

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

By all accounts, this is one park that needs no introduction. The Grand Canyon can be summed up with a long list of superlatives – it’s up to 18 miles across and a mile deep, and this massive scar in the earth’s surface extends for nearly 300 miles. You could spend a year here and barely scratch the surface. In a day, however, you can still come away awestruck by the park’s magnificence, and well informed about its history.

The Approach: Dominating northwestern Arizona’s pristine landscape, Grand Canyon National Park has two sections, the North Rim (closed from first heavy snow to mid-May) and the South Rim. If you have just a day, stick with the more accessible South Rim, which is just 60 miles north of Interstate 40, a 90-minute drive from Flagstaff and a 4-hour drive from Phoenix.

Visitor Center Tips: The South Rim has a few visitor centers, but the one you should not miss is the Canyon View Information Plaza, near Mather Point, which you can reach via the free park shuttle bus. This is a clearinghouse for advice and information on the park’s attractions, as well as its geology, flora and fauna.

Best “Bang for Your Buck” Morning Hike: Unless you have several hours, it’s not practical to hike into the canyon.

Instead, amble along the level Rim Trail, anywhere from Bright Angel Lodge to Yavapai Observation Station. You’ll pass the South Rim’s most historic buildings and can walk for as little as 15 minutes or as long as two hours, taking the shuttle bus back to where you started.

A Lunch to Remember: Make a reservation at the historic El Tovar Hotel’s lodge-like dining room, which sits at the edge of the canyon rim and serves first-rate contemporary American and Southwestern fare.

Offbeat Activity or Attraction: Built in 1904 and situated on the canyon rim at the head of the Bright Angel Trail, the Kolb Studio was once home to pioneering photographers Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. Now there’s a terrific bookstore on the upper level, and a gallery with rotating exhibits down below.

The Perfect Spot to Watch the Sunset: It’s hard to beat the sunset view from Hopi Point, reached via the Hermit Road shuttle.

If You Have More Time: With a few days, you could experience some of the park’s signature activities, such as a hike and mule ride into the canyon, where you can overnight at Phantom Ranch. w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 17

Park it in Arizona PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Fossils dating back 225 million years and clusters of rock-hard petrified wood are the draw at this 52,000-acre expanse of brilliantly hued badlands and “painted desert.”

This is a relatively easy park to explore in a day, although a longer visit affords a more thorough understanding of this eerie, dramatic landscape.

The Approach: Interstate 40 cuts right through the property, en route from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Flagstaff. Petrified Forest is just 25 miles east of Holbrook, a 90-minute drive east of Flagstaff and a 90-minute drive south of Canyon de Chelly.

Visitor Center Tips: If possible, come on the first Wednesday of the month, to partake of one of the free ecology and natural history lectures offered at the park’s Painted Desert Community Complex.

At the visitor center, you can watch an excellent film about how petrified wood comes to be.

Best “Bang for Your Buck” Morning Hike: The onemile Blue Mesa Trail, which is right off the 28-mile park

road, affords hikers a great view of the badlands’ bizarre blue-clay hills, along with ancient fern fossils and petrified wood and logs.

A Lunch to Remember: There’s a basic restaurant at the visitor center, but it’s more interesting to arrive at the park with picnic supplies and dine alfresco at Chinde Point picnic area, overlooking the painted desert.

Offbeat Activity or Attraction: Stop by the restored adobe Painted Desert Inn, which underwent a massive renovation in 2006. The striking former hotel, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the ’30s, is now a museum.

The Perfect Spot to Watch the Sunset: The pullouts along the park road for Chinde Point or, just a bit farther along, Kachina Point.

If You Have More Time: A hike into the park’s wilderness, which only a tiny fraction of visitors ever attempt. A trail from the Painted Desert Inn leads north into the park’s most scenic backcountry, where camping (by permit) is allowed.

The Best Parks for Stimulating Outdoorsy Activities Many visitors to national parks think almost exclusively of exploring these scenic sites on foot or by car, but there are plenty of other ways to experience Arizona’s most beautiful natural wonders, from horseback rides to rafting excursions to bike trips. Here are some favorite sporting activities and some ideal parks for pursuing them.

Bicycling: The park roads and well-maintained trails at Tucson’s Saguaro National Park are perfect for mountain biking.

Horseback Riding: Situated on the floor of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Totsonii Ranch offers wonderfully interesting horseback adventures, lasting from two hours to three days.

Kayaking: Lake Mead National Recreation Area rangers can recommend outfitters who provide kayaking and canoeing tours and rentals.

Whitewater Rafting: There may be no more exhilarating way to behold the grandeur of Grand Canyon National Park than on a guided rafting trip down the roiling Colorado River – numerous companies offer these tours.

For more information, visit arizonaguide.com or www.nps.gov/state/az.

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Rafting Grand Canyon National Park ©AOT

National Sites Worth a Detour SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

The prickly, towering saguaro species of cactus is the focal point of this Southern Arizona park, which covers some 91,000 acres and whose two halves bookend the city of Tucson. These curious, multipronged plants, which can live more than 150 years and grow as tall as 50 feet, dot the park’s landscape, along with teddy-bear cholla, hedgehog and many other varieties of cactus.

A number of Arizona’s national park properties can be easily accessed from major roads and enjoyed even if you only have a couple of hours to poke around. Here are five parks worth a detour.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (at Hwy. 87 and 287, 50 miles southeast of Phoenix) – an ancient Hohokam farming village with an impressive four-story “great house” has been preserved with interpretive exhibits.

The Approach: The park has two distinct sections, the main one on the east side of Tucson, and a second section on the west side. It’s possible to visit both sections in one day, but it makes the most sense to focus on just one. Saguaro’s East Visitor Center is just off Old Spanish Trail, 15 miles east of downtown Tucson. The park’s Red Hills Visitor Center, in the western section of the park, lies 20 miles west of downtown Tucson.

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (off U.S. 191/Hwy. 287, 40 miles north of Interstate 40) – once part of a 160-acre homestead, this is the Navajo Nation’s oldest continuously operating trading post, still a great source of high-quality rugs and crafts.

Visitor Center Tips: Rangers at both visitor centers conduct a wide range of activities, from guided nature strolls to discussions about Saguaro’s unusual flora and fauna, but most of these programs are scheduled for October through April. The Saguaro East Visitor Center is a bit more substantial and has a cool slideshow interpreting life in the surrounding Sonoran Desert.

Sunset Crater National Monument (off U.S. 89, 20 miles northeast of Flagstaff) – explore the remnants of a massive volcano that blew its top roughly a millennium ago and abounds with lava flows and cinders.

Montezuma Castle National Monument (off Interstate 17, midway between Phoenix and Flagstaff) – a 20-room “high-rise” dating back more than 1,000 years tells the story of the indigenous Sinagua culture.

Tumacácori National Historic Park (off Interstate 19, 45 miles south of Tucson) – a preserved collection of Spanish Colonial missions from the 17th century, the imposing adobe foundations are still largely intact.

Best “Bang for Your Buck” Morning Hike: On the park’s east side, you can take a couple of quick hikes along the 8-mile park loop road, Cactus Forest Drive; the quarter-mile Desert Ecology Trail has informative signage. On the west side, take the 0.8-mile Valley View Overlook Trail, off the 6-mile Bajada Loop Drive, for a mesmerizing perspective on the area.

A Lunch to Remember: You’re just outside a city that’s loaded with terrific restaurants and markets, so your best bet is to grab picnic supplies (Tucson has bakeries, such as Beyond Bread, and gourmet sandwich makers, such as Baggin’s), and then enjoy one of the park’s lovely picnic areas (such as Signal Hill in the west section, or Javelina in the east section).

Offbeat Activity or Attraction: Just south of the park’s west section, don’t miss the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, home to a beautiful desert zoo that contains more than 300 animals native to the region.

The Perfect Spot to Watch the Sunset: Stop at one of the pullouts along Cactus Forest Drive – there are a few higher-elevation parking areas that afford open western views of Tucson and the surrounding mountains.

If You Have More Time: Saguaro has a number of rather ambitious trails, especially in the mountainous eastern section. Save one of these challenging hikes, which the park staff can provide guidance on, for when you have more time – the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, which leads to 7,000-foot Tanque Verde Peak, is especially rewarding. l Tumacácori National Historic Park ©AOT

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Wild West Adventure

A

lthough I lived in Arizona for 20 years, it wasn’t until I moved to Baltimore, Maryland,

almost 10 years ago that I started setting my sights on Arizona’s sites.

While Arizona’s Cactus League spring training circuit serves as my primary motivation for returning home every March (I’m a sports writer), I’m fortunate enough to be able to have a new adventure each time I visit. This year, I make a wild west loop that starts and ends in Tucson.

Over the past few years covering baseball, I’ve become increasingly familiar with the city’s authentic Southwestern charm. k

BY CHARLIE VASCELLARO Charlie is a baseball writer who’s written about the Grand Canyon State for Arizona’s AAA Highroads and US Airways magazines.

Southern Arizona ©AOT

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Wild West Adventure Situated among the rolling foothills of Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains, I began my journey with a comfortable stay at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Upon arrival, I walk out on my room’s balcony and immediately begin daydreaming about retiring here permanently while gazing at the homes on the surrounding desert hillside.

Blending in with their surroundings, the Loews Ventana Canyon’s gorgeous grounds include a nature-walk hiking path that climbs the desert hills, forming the resort’s back yard. I enjoy a leisurely stroll on the path the next morning. Located just far enough away from downtown Tucson to be considered off the beaten path, but close enough to be considered convenient, the 15-mile drive from Tucson Electric Park after spring training baseball games provides an ample respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, and I

look forward to returning in time for a view of the sunset from my balcony.

That evening, I dine a few miles away at Vin Tabla, a wine bar and restaurant in the Plaza Colonial shopping square.

I choose glasses of Chateau de Sales Pomerol Bordeaux and Dujin Janin German Pinot Noir from the extensive wine list to pair with a variety of tapas dishes, including assorted pizettes, from a sophisticated and ethnically eclectic menu.

I am joined in Tucson by my traveling companion Leanne, with whom I will venture to the state’s far southeast region on a genuine, “Wild West Adventure.” On the advice of a friendly local, we head towards Bisbee on the Scenic Sonoita Highway (AZ 83), a favorable alternative to the more commonly traveled Interstate 10.

Cruising with the top down on my convertible rental car, the two-hour

drive flies by in majestic splendor.

We stop briefly for a cowboy’s happy hour in Tombstone, and whether or not the cowboys are real – actors and tourists are adorned in period attire and mock gunfights are regularly scheduled on Sundays at 1 p.m. – it’s fun playing along. We plan a return visit on our way back.

A 20-minute drive has us in Bisbee, a little windblown, but feeling nonetheless authentically Western. We check into the John Wayne room (yes the Duke did sleep here) at the 105-yearold Copper Queen hotel, which sits at the center of the artsy, historic mining town. Behind and above the hotel, hillside dwellings sit precariously on rocky slopes; many are accessible only by sloping stairways.

After a relaxed dinner on the patio of the hotel’s Winchester Restaurant, the woman at the front desk regales

Dude Ranch Diction Bronco (BRONG-koh): a wild horse.

Chaps (chaps): loose leather protection worn over trousers, esp. by cowboys, as protection against burs, branches, rope burns, etc., while on horseback.

Dogie (DOH-gee): a motherless calf in herd of cattle (as in “get along little dogie”).

Honda (HON-duh): an eye at one end of a lariat through which the other end is passed to form a lasso.

Lariat (LAR-ee-uht): a long, noosed rope (lasso) used to catch horses, cattle or other livestock.

Muley (MYOO-lee, MOOL-ee): a hornless cow.

Quirt (kwurt): a riding whip consisting of a short, stout stock and a lash of braided leather.

Shindig (SHIN-dig): an elaborate or large dance, party or other celebration.

Stetson (STET-suh-n): trademark used for a hat having a high crown and wide brim.

Tenderfoot (TEN-der-foot): a newcomer to the ranching region of the western U.S.

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Cowboy College ©SCVB

Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

©

Tombstone Actor, Wyatt Earp Days ©AOT

us with ghost stories of the hotel’s haunted past. Afterwards, we make our own ghost hunt through the halls.

When it’s time to retire, I imagine John Wayne sleeping in the same bed we climb into.

In the morning, we check out early, pick up deliciously fresh breakfast burritos at the High Desert Market and Café just up the hill on Bisbee’s Main Street, then head out on the road to the “Land of Sky Islands” at the Chiricahua National Monument.

From Bisbee, we drive along the

Bisbee Main Street ©AOT

Mexican border to Douglas, where we turn north along a relatively barren stretch of Highway 191.

The last stronghold of Geronimo and the Chiricahua Apache during the 1860s and 1870s until the great warrior’s eventual surrender to U.S. troops in 1886, the place still feels haunted by the spirits of its ancestors.

The towers of what native people call “standing up rocks” were born from eruptions of the Turkey Creek Volcano some 27 million years ago.

The tremendous congress of rocks was

sculpted by eons of weathering and erosion that contributes to its life-like nature today.

Like the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley, the Chiricahua mountain range is a unique, awe inspiring, super natural wonder. There are 17 miles of separate trails at various degrees of difficulty winding through designated wilderness areas, accessible on foot or horseback.

We choose the 7.3-mile, Visitor Center to Heart of Rocks and Return trail categorized by the park as a “strenuous hike.” We accept the challenge of the w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 23

Wild West Adventure more than 800-foot incline, and the spectacular views afforded as we climb are well worth the effort.

While Southeastern Arizona’s springtime climate is consistently temperate and perhaps the most pleasant season of the year, at these altitudes, weather conditions can change dramatically. As we make for the Heart of Rocks summit, the temperature drops and clouds form on the horizon. We venture for a while into the most breathtaking rock configurations and formations, but

turn around and head back as the darkening sky encroaches. My advice: pack for any weather and pay attention to nature’s warning signs.

Upon our return to Bisbee, we check into the surprisingly swanky Letson Loft hotel. With eight luxurious and uniquely appointed guest rooms, including two suites, we select room number 5, the only room with a king size bed – and perhaps the most private and romantic accommodations available. Our room is naturally lit from a skylight atop a vaulted ceiling,

and has restored hardwood floors and exposed brick.

After settling in, we have a lively and colorful Mexican dinner at Santiago’s just around the corner.

The margaritas are refreshing and the ceviche appetizer is served in a seemingly bottomless parfait glass.

The chips and salsa are fresh, and the whole meal is superb. It’s real easy falling to sleep this night.

A trip to Bisbee is incomplete without a visit to the now inactive Copper Queen Mine. A guided train

Jerome’s own Lingo Founded in 1876, Jerome was once the fourth largest city in Arizona territory (before statehood) and its population soared to more than 15,000 in the 1920s.

Jerome’s transition from a dusty old mining town to a funky tourist stop is perhaps best exemplified by the ghost town of 450’s biggest claim to fame: Home grown but well-known jam band Major Lingo celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007 and still performs regularly at Paul and Jerry’s Saloon, the Spirit Room and around the state.

Nowadays, Jerome is an eclectic artist community that’s recast

itself as a cool, slightly off-the-beaten path destination. Dramatically sloping streets are lined with an array of art galleries, hand crafted clothing and jewelry shops and a surprising variety of restaurants and saloons. The Asylum restaurant in Jerome’s Grand Hotel was recognized

by Wine Spectator magazine on its list of “top restaurants in the world for wine lovers.”

Conveniently located just 90 miles from Phoenix, and 20 from Sedona, day trips to just about anywhere in the state can be made with relative ease using Jerome as a home base.

Jerome ©HPMG

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Monumental Attraction tour led by former miners burrows through the depths of the mine along some of the more than 2,500 miles of tunnels beneath the town’s surface. At the height of the great gold and copper mining rush of the late 19th century, Bisbee’s mines produced more than eight billion pounds of copper and nearly three million ounces of gold.

As late as 1895, Bisbee was Arizona’s major city, and the largest between San Francisco and St. Louis. The mines closed in 1975 after 100 years of service.

After two days in Bisbee, we hit the road again, heading to the White Stallion Dude Ranch back in Tucson, which provides weeklong packages that include lodging, all meals, a variety of horseback rides and team cattle-penning in the rodeo ring. A friendly summer camp atmosphere permeates the place as guests share in much of the scheduled activities. Buffet meals are enjoyed family style, sitting elbow to elbow with fellow dude ranchers at long tables designed for large groups.

At dinner, proprietor Russell True walks from table to table greeting guests and signing them up for the next day’s horseback rides, asking what time guests would like to ride and at what level of difficulty. We make our plans, and a cowboy balladeer serenades us in the lobby living room and bar after dinner.

In the morning we embark on a slow, desert mountain ride, and all around us a pleasant whiff of creosote fills the air. I am amazed how the horses can traverse the narrow rocky mountain pass. Later, we take riding lessons in the rodeo ring and sign up for the team penning competition that takes place every afternoon. Running at a pretty good gallop, our group of four riders chases a handful of calves the distance of the ring with the object of herding three of them into a pen while being timed. We run through the process about half-a-dozen times, and by the time we’re done, I’m feeling pretty confident about my riding.

To aid muscles unused to such activity, we take advantage of the indoor redwood hot tub. There’s also a big heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, horseshoes and shuffleboard, ping-pong and pool tables in an atmosphere very conducive to making new friends.

The next morning we take a breakfast ride. At the end of the trail, we’re rewarded with cowboy scrambled eggs and potatoes. Coffee is brewed in a tin pot and served in a tin cup. Riding back to the ranch, I know our Wild West adventure is coming to a close, and I’m already feeling a nostalgic longing to return to this place. l You’ll find lots more stories on authentic Arizona experiences, including outdoors, history and Wild West adventures, on arizonaguide.com, the state’s official travel-planning website. Click on the What to Do tab to find out more.

Whereas the Chiricahua Mountain range impresses with its tightly clustered configuration of narrow rock towers without much elbow room between them, Monument Valley’s massive monoliths and mesas command undivided attention as they rise from vast, wideopen spaces.

Situated in the Northeast corner of Arizona, spreading into the Southeast corner of Utah all of which is within the Navajo Indian Reservation, Monument Valley’s out of this world nature feels as if you’ve landed on another planet or that you’ve traveled back to the dawn of Earth. Approaching Monument Valley from either direction on U.S. 191, the only major thoroughfare through the Valley, immediately causes one to ponder life’s larger issues, things like geologic time and man’s place in the universe. Much of Monument Valley can be seen and enjoyed simply by driving along this main road, but for a deeper look, more of the spectacular landscape is hidden behind the larger mesas and can only be accessed by entering the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (for a fee of $5 per person over the age of 9).

The visitor’s center also offers majestic views of some of the most recognizable buttes. To really appreciate Monument Valley, however, traverse the 17-mile Valley Drive dirt road. Go either in your own vehicle (preferably one with 4-wheel drive), or with a Navajo Guide on specially equipped passenger trucks. Jeep rental outfitters are also available at the visitor’s center.

Monument Valley ©HPMG w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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History and Heritage

Crafting Tribal Cultures

F

rom the breathless expanse of the Sonoran Desert, to the

meandering valleys of Central Arizona, to the mesas in Northern Arizona that jut into the wide-open sky, Arizona’s Native artists define their world through their eyes, hearts and hands. Their work speaks of their lands, culture and history while preparing for what the future may hold for their lives and their art. k

BY DEBRA UTACIA KROL Debra’s a Native American journalist, book department editor for Native Peoples Magazine and frequent contributor to Native and mainstream publications across the United States.

Navajo Tribal Lands ©AOT

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History & Heritage WEAVING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Every time I drive Indian Highway 11 from Casa Grande towards Sells, I’m astounded anew by the remarkable beauty of the Sonoran Desert, home to master basketweaver Terrol Dew Johnson of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Johnson continues to stretch his creative wings, delving into photography and architecture.

He’s also acclaimed for helping revive O’odham traditional foods, art and economies with Tohono O’odham Community Action (TOCA), a community development organization (see sidebar). But his heart always calls him home to the O’odham’s rugged, spectacular splash of lands straddling the U.S.-Mexico border.

Evidence of a proud artistic heritage are everywhere here. At gatherings and rodeos across the reservation artists proudly display the tools of their trade: scrapers, knives, awls, sewing needles used to create miniature horsehair baskets, and hands pricked, scraped, calloused and muscled.

Lucky visitors can see O’odham weavers at work and even learn a bit about how they transform yucca, bear grass and needle-sharp barbs of devil’s

claw into magic at TOCA’s office in Sells. Entering the workshop, I spot two travelers seated around a table littered with shavings and splints. The ladies are trying their hand at twining moistened yucca and willow around and through tightly coiled bear grass, encouraged by Johnson and fellow weaver Rhonda Wilson.

I decide to get some lunch, and encounter the “tailgate cafés,” independent food vendors perched beside the main drag. Today’s menu: traditional – and healthy – O’odham fare like ha:l (squash) enchiladas, ciolim (cholla buds) and flavorful tepary beans rolled into a fat tortilla with hunks of diced beef and green chiles, as well as not-so-heart-healthy frybread.

The rugged peaks towering overhead make for dramatic dining. “There’s this little wash that runs beside the Tohono O’odham Cultural Center (where TOCA’s retail store recently relocated), and it’s just beautiful,” says Johnson.

“It looks majestic, with the white puffy clouds overhead and our sacred Baboquivari Peak in the background.” It’s even better after a storm, when the rain has teased out the crisp, pungent aromas of mesquite, creosote and brittlebush,

and fast-blooming cactus flowers snap open, revealing bright hues.

I take another route home, a twohour drive along the nation’s main highway, S.R. 86, east from Sells to Tucson, before turning north towards Phoenix. The road sports even more vistas of towering saguaro, spider-like ocotillo and feathery desert willow trees. I’m tempted to stop at Kitt Peak National Observatory, but decide to save that for the next time I come down to the home of the Desert People, the Tohono O’odham.

THREADS OF CULTURE HOLD TOGETHER NAVAJO RUG WEAVING FAMILY Sierra Teller Ornelas points out her unfinished work “Pinky,” mounted on a small purple loom she’s hauled across the country. The tiny textile, named after a character in the Ms. Pac-Man video game, is currently on display at Heard Museum West in Surprise, where I catch up with a family that weaves its family values into superlative pieces. Sierra, mom Barbara and brother Michael are the fifth and sixth generations of their family to produce art from wools, dyes, looms, hearts and hands.

A Community Heeds the Call In 1996, basketweaver Terrol Dew Johnson and community gardener Tristan Reader founded Tohono O’odham Community Action (TOCA), a non-profit community development organization. TOCA helps local basketweavers market their work and enables them to support themselves and their families on the sprawling Tohono O’odham Reservation in southern Arizona.

TOCA also promotes the return to traditional foods, such as tepary beans, cholla buds and squashes, that both enhance healthy lifestyles among the O’odham and further support local farmers.

TOCA’s mission is based on the O’odham Himdag, or Desert People’s Way, using traditional wisdom to chart a sustainable future for the O’odham People.

The organization runs a community farm south of Sells, which grows traditional crops for distribution to elders and for sale to the public.

Baskets, packaged foods and other items are for sale at its retail shop at the Tohono O’odham Cultural Center in Topawa – and online. For more information, call (520) 383-4966, or visit tocaonline.org. ©

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Tohono O’odham Community Action, Plate by Natelia Antone, Vase by Manuel C Jones

Heard Museum ©AOT

Monument Valley Tribal Park ©AOT

I’ve been able to see Navajo rug weavers in action across the state, from Tucson’s Arizona State Museum to the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, and of course at the Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado. The road to Ganado is one of my favorite drives; I love heading up U.S. 191 through rolling hills clothed in red, pink and brown and spangled with piñon pines, creosote and juniper, dotted with homesteads and traditional hogans (Navajo structures). However, it’s unusual to see three from the same family at one venue, so I choose on this trip for a shorter drive to Surprise.

The Teller Ornelases hail from the Two Grey Hills region of the Navajo Nation, in northeastern Arizona. Each region has its own distinctive textile style, evolved over generations of Navajo, or Diné history. For example, Two Grey Hills rugs are intricately designed; they’re woven with natural sheep wool in hues of black, brown, cream and gray, handspun nearly as small as thread and very smooth to the touch.

Traditional Navajo Hogan ©AOT

The newest generation of weavers reworks ancient art by incorporating new technologies and ideas. “Weaving has always been a contemporary art,” says Sierra.

She and Michael frequently derive inspiration from old 1980s-era video games. “Weaving is all very square,” Sierra adds. “We discovered we could weave any ’80s game because they’re all so pixilated.”

All three Teller Ornelases also craft more traditional rugs. Michael notes that even mistakes can end up becoming part of a pattern, pointing out a Two Grey Hills rug with some shorter-than-usual arms. “You have two choices: take it apart or work it into the design,” Michael says.

Sierra recognizes her role as a link in a chain of weavers stretching back to the origin of the Navajo People.

“Whether we’re a thousand miles away or sitting with my Mom in our living room,” says Sierra, “we are a fraternity of weavers. I see my hands changing into my mom’s, my grandmother’s.”

CARVING A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR YOUNG HOPIS Ryon Polequaptewa is just 27, but he’s already making his mark as a master katsina doll carver, accomplished musician and educator. Just a few years back, however, Polequaptewa teetered on the edge. “I was starting to get into trouble back home,” says Polequaptewa, who hails from the village of Sipaulovi, perched high on the Hopi Reservation’s Second Mesa. “My brother Teyron told me I had to do something.” He gathered some cottonwood and a carver’s knife – and an artist was born.

Sipaulovi is noted for its katsina carvers; even Hopi’s current vicechairman, Todd Honyaoma Sr., another village scion, carves fine dolls.

Two of Honyaoma’s katsina carvings, purchased during my last trip up north, watch over me while at work.

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History & Heritage in Phoenix and started carving.”

Polequaptewa found quick success for his katsina dolls. “I sold some of my first dolls to the Heard Museum’s gift shop.” In April 2006, Polequaptewa was the featured artist at the Heard’s Katsina Doll Marketplace, a great venue to visit with carvers at work.

The artist splits his time between Phoenix, where I’m lunching with him, and Sipaulovi, where he is organizing a

Native Arts

children’s song group. Polequaptewa has also released one album of traditional music and is working on a second.

“They say there are over 300 katsinas,” says Polequaptewa. The first doll a Hopi child receives is the “happy grandmother.”

This doll is painted with natural pigments, as are other traditional katsinas.

Polequaptewa says that the baby learns to talk and speak the Hopi language quickly when he or she plays with the grandmother

doll. Katsinas also manifest certain spirits, such as plants, animals and birds, and are used to teach proper behavior and watch over people. And some of the spirits they manifest help Hopis by bringing precious rain to nurture their crops and sustain the people.

“We try not to disrespect the katsinas,” says Polequaptewa, who like his fellow Hopi artisans is careful to protect aspects of Hopi spirituality.

WHAT IT HAS

FIND OUT MORE

Hopi Cultural Center, Second Mesa

Museum, arts and crafts shop, inn and restaurant. Other attractions are within easy driving distance.

(928) 734-2401 hopiculturalcenter.com

Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado

Artists in residence, owner’s cabin tours, a general store and great prices on rugs, jewelry and other art.

(928) 755-3475 nps.gov/hutr

Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff

Navajo and Hopi Festivals of Arts and Culture, held each summer, feature performances, artist demonstrations and market.

(928) 774-5213 musnaz.org

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Gila River Indian Community

Gift shop features local Native artists; Gila River Artists’ Market is held here. Storytelling and artists’ demonstrations offered in winter.

(602) 225-0100 wildhorsepassresort.com

Tohono O’odham Cultural Center and Museum, Topawa

Museum, cultural center and new home of TOCA’s retail store.

(520) 383-0201

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Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado ©AOT A R I Z O N A O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Ceiling Mural ©Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort

Visitor Etiquette PRESERVING PEE-POSH CULTURE – ONE STITCH AT A TIME Yolanda Hart Stevens and I compare notes on our growing families while she works on an exquisite beaded collar on a bright morning at Phoenix’s Heard Museum. Stevens, Pee-Posh (Maricopa)/Quechan from the Gila River Indian Community, is a renowned beader and dressmaker who creates both traditional and commercial work.

“The colors of the collars identify who we are, as Pee-Posh/Quechan (the People) of the Colorado River,” says Stevens. The delicate beadwork created by several Yuman-speaking tribes in the Southwest, including the Pee-Posh and Quechan, also traditionally denoted the wearer’s family.

Today, beadwork fulfills both personal adornment and ceremonial needs, says Stevens, whose father’s family helped her learn the ancient art. Stevens crafts beaded collars, necklaces, earrings and other items. She also makes the colorful striped dresses worn for both ceremonies and social occasions.

The Pee-Posh live in two areas; Stevens’ people, the Kave Pipa or Western People, reside in the Gila River Indian Community, and their eastern relatives, the Xalychidom Pii-Paash or Upriver People live at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. They originally inhabited land along the Colorado River, but moved east after warring with the Mojave. The PeePosh were welcomed by the Akimel O’odham (Pima), or River People, to live alongside them in peace. Artists like Stevens are an integral part of cultural preservation in these two tribal communities.

Stevens offers classes in beading and sewing in the community, and also heads up the Pee-Posh Project, which instructs children in art and culture.

Her students include her three children and six grandchildren. Stevens demonstrates her work across the Southwest, and is a regular at the Heard Museum Guild’s Indian Fair & Market, the Gila River Artists’ Market in November and Mul-Cha-Tha, Gila River’s tribal fair in early spring.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, just south of Chandler, melds the rich culture and history of the Gila River Indian Community. Intricate murals illustrate Pee-Posh and O’odham traditional life; a river linking the resort to the nearby casino harkens to the tribes’ agricultural past and future. Storytelling is offered each winter at the resort by local tribal members. And Stevens’ work, along with other Pee-Posh and O’odham artwork is offered for sale in the resort’s gift shop.

“I feel very close to the beadwork I do because I was raised with the thought that ‘this is what identifies us as Yuman people’ in this world and the spirit world,” says Stevens, who helps preserve Pee-Posh culture – one stitch at a time. l

Arizona’s tribal communities welcome respectful visitors. While each tribal community has specific regulations, the following guidelines will help you enjoy your stay while honoring the people, lands and culture.

• Respect the privacy of people’s homes.

• Do not enter any sacred area or building without permission.

• Take photos only when regulations permit; ask before taking photographs of people. Never reproduce or use photos commercially without written permission.

• Many communities prohibit sketching, audio and video recording.

• As with any religious observance, visitors should dress and act accordingly during ceremonies; ladies, avoid tank tops or other revealing clothing.

• Don’t ask questions or for an interpretation of the ceremony during dances, or applaud afterwards.

• Do not disturb or remove any artifacts on any reservation. You may be subject to federal and tribal prosecution.

• Stay within designated trails and roads.

• Many tribes restrict or prohibit alcohol possession and/or consumption, and all tribes prohibit drugs.

Hopi Ceremonial Attire ©AOT

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No

Calorie Left Behind A Day in the Life of Arizona’s Culinary Landscape

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have always believed there are two essential types of traveler: those for

whom restaurants are pit stops for refueling between attractions, and those for whom restaurants are attractions. I fall into the latter camp. And on my frequent trips to Arizona, I often find myself designing entire itineraries based around where I’m going to eat. Recently, I journeyed through some of Arizona’s top dining destinations in search of stellar examples of five different meals: breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee break, dinner and midnight snack. k

BY ANDREW COLLINS A former Fodor’s editor, Andrew’s worked as an editor or writer on more than 100 travel books. He loves exploring the horizons of Arizona’s culinary landscape.

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LON’s ©AOT

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No Calorie Left Behind I enlisted the aid of my friend Alison, a fellow writer who, like me, perks up upon hearing the words “road-trip” and “food” mentioned in the same sentence. Here’s my detailed account of our high-calorie, full-flavored jaunt across Arizona, from Bisbee’s rugged copper country to Flagstaff’s pinescented woodlands.

AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK: Bentley’s, in Tucson For our first meal, the afternoon coffee break, I’d selected a place I’ve long been fond of, Bentley’s House of Coffee & Tea, in part because I love the food and java here, but also because I’m impressed with any independent coffeehouse that’s managed to outpace the ubiquitous chains both in quality and popularity.

Inside this cozy, vaguely folk-artthemed café just north of the University of Arizona campus, Alison and I sit down with Joanne Schneider, who opened the place in 1984, long before such establishments had come into vogue. In

fact, Schneider knew next to nothing about running a java joint. “Honestly, I hadn’t even tasted a cappuccino before we opened,” she recalls.

I quench my thirst with an iced chai, and Alison sips a lemon cooler (fresh lemonade with seltzer). A mix of academics, artsy types, professionals and seniors nosh, gab and enjoy the free Wi-Fi while dining on a wide range of delicious foods, most of them made in house. Selections include tabouli salad and hummus, spinach pie and red bean-and-rice burritos. On some nights, Bentley’s has open-mic events and poetry slams, helping further the café’s role as a true community gathering spot.

Schneider convinces us to try Bentley’s signature treat, the iced mocha. “We sell the mocha flavoring by the gallon,” she boasts. “There’s a special ingredient we put in it.”

“Oh, what’s that?” I ask.

“Not telling. You’ll have to kill me to get the recipe,” she says.

We watch a fresh-faced coffee barista pulsing our iced mocha in a blender

and, intrigued by the mystery, Alison gently interrogates him. He refuses to spill the beans, so to speak. We sip our luscious, mildly sweet concoction and ponder the secret additive. Almond flavoring? Raw eggs? Butter? Tarragon?

Realizing we’ve drifted off into the realm of culinary absurdity, we give up, stop annoying the staff with our guesses and quietly savor our delicious elixir.

BREAKFAST: The Bisbee Breakfast Club, in Bisbee We head southeast through the alluringly stark Sonoran Desert to the funky mining town of Bisbee, where we bunk for the night. The next morning, we rise early and drive to nearby Lowell, which is perched precipitously above the famed Lavender Pit copper mine. Here we saunter into an ancient, former Rexall drugstore with high, pressed-tin ceilings, now home to the Bisbee Breakfast Club.

We’re greeted by resolutely cheerful Heather Grimm, who runs the restaurant with her husband, Pat, the

Local Brew What goes better with Arizona’s sometimes spicy, always mouthwatering home-style cooking? Increasingly, as several noteworthy microbreweries around the state have gained recognition in recent years, the answer has become local beer.

Just in the relatively small collegiate city of Flagstaff, you’ll find a critically acclaimed microbrewery, Mogollon Brewing Company, along with a pair of well-regarded brewpubs, Beaver Street Brewery and Flagstaff Brewing. (For the uninitiated, a brewpub is essentially a microbrewery that sells most of its beer at an on-site restaurant, while a microbrewery is any relatively specialized, small-production brewery that sells most of its beer offsite.)

Other AZ microbreweries of note include Oak Creek Brewery and Grill in Sedona, which turns out an award-winning Hefeweizen, and Four Peaks Brewing Company in Tempe, whose English bitter-style 8th Street Ale earns raves from ale aficionados.

As for enticing brewpubs, you’ll find several in metro Phoenix and Tucson, as well as terrific venues in even some of the state’s smaller towns. Check out Electric Brewing Company the next time you’re in Bisbee, or the festive Prescott Brewing Company during your next adventure in charming Prescott. In Arizona, you’re never far from a tap!

Beaver Street Bar, Flagstaff ©FCVB

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Delux Burger

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Delux Burger

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Delux Burger

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man behind the griddle. They exude enthusiasm and dedication, and Pat relies on many years of experience in restaurants throughout the West to come up with a wide array of tasty morning fare. The “B.B.C’s” open only Thursday through Sunday, for breakfast and lunch, a fact well known to their die-hard fans.

The standard menu offers a pleasing roster of tasty morning fare, from hot-buttery cinnamon rolls to spicy huevos rancheros. A favorite with the lunch crowd is the coffee-charred breast of chicken salad served with artichoke fritters. But my eyes focus on the specials board, which describes Belgian waffles chock full of dates and pecans and topped with Myers Rum-flavored whipped cream, and the amusingly named “Bert omelet,” named for a frequent customer and packed with bacon, sausage, ham, Jack and cheddar cheeses and “a little onion for flavor.” Clearly, the specials reveal Pat’s creative spirit. Devotees

Bisbee Breakfast Club

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have been known to drive four hours from Las Cruces, New Mexico, to sample his home-style cooking.

Budgeting for the long haul, we request a relatively healthy breakfast dish. Pat peers up from the sizzling grill. “Eggs Zorba,” he declares. I sneak behind the counter to watch him whisk a couple of eggs and blend them with sauteed red onions, spinach, black olives, tomatoes and tangy feta cheese. It’s a perfect, and surprisingly light, start to our day.

MIDNIGHT SNACK: Delux Burger, in Phoenix I’ve chosen a sleek, post-industrial take on a classic diner for our ideal midnight snack. It’s Delux Burger, and it’s aptly located in Arizona’s nightlife hub, Phoenix. We happen to be visiting our midnight dining choice midday. It’s a gorgeous afternoon, so Alison and I zip through the cool dining room, with its mod LED lighting, and snag a table on the breezy patio. The restaurant’s

young general manager, Robbie Craig, joins us, and I ask him to describe the crowd we would see here at night (Delux is open until 2 a.m.).

“All types - tourists, club kids, staff from other restaurants, you name it,” he says. On this particular afternoon we observe happily munching customers of every ilk, including young kids delighted by Delux’s whimsically plated sweet-potato fries (they arrive in a miniature stainless-steel grocery cart). We order our own basket of fries – half regular, half sweet potato – they’re crisp and fresh, served with both ketchup and a piquant, seasoned mayo. The quality surpasses even the imaginative presentation.

Delux serves what Craig calls “true American food, right to the core,” but with an upscale sensibility. There are grilled-veggie panini sandwiches, beet salads and old-fashioned ice cream floats made with high-grade Thomas Kemper-brand, pure-draft root beer.

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No Calorie Left Behind microbrews. We order the restaurant’s namesake, the Delux Burger. This urbane version of a time-honored comfort food consists of all-natural, grain-fed beef topped with Gruyère and blue cheeses, applewood-smoked bacon, caramelized onions and baby arugula, served on a lightly toasted baguette bun.

Delux’s charismatic owner, Lenny Rosenburg, stops by. The respected restaurateur behind such established Arizona faves as Blue Burrito Grille and 5 & Diner, Rosenburg loves coming up with affordable, accessible and merry restaurant themes. About Delux, he says, “I built this concept around the best hamburger you can buy.” Alison and I agree – the Delux is without peer.

We’re nearly out the door when Craig and Rosenburg usher us into the restaurant’s cool new take-out section, and then to a back office to see blueprints for the stunning new Delux Burger, planned for downtown Scottsdale in March 2008. We look

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obviously – but happily – sated, but Rosenburg catches us eyeing an artful display of cupcakes. We’re zooming up Interstate 17 toward Flagstaff, our hands covered in cream-cheese icing and red-velvetcupcake crumbs.

DINNER: Brix, in Flagstaff Our quest for a memorable Arizona dinner leads us to a relatively new, slightly out-of-the-way, restaurant called Brix. I hadn’t even heard of this place until I saw it anointed on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2007 “Hot List,” alongside just 36 other restaurants in the United States.

We arrive with high expectations, and as we peruse the menu of upmarket, but still reasonably priced, wine and victuals, we begin to understand why food-hounds revere this place. Chef-proprietor Laura Chamberlin and co-restaurateurs Paul and Laura Moir favor sustainable, local ingredients – they buy hormone-

Reds Restaurant at Sedona Rouge

Chef Ron Moler, Sedona Rouge

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free beef from Cedar River Farms south of Tucson, organic produce from McClendon’s Select outside Phoenix, and tangy chèvre from Black Mesa Ranch in Snowflake (“it comes from the happiest goats you’ll ever see in your life,” says Paul).

The results are simply fabulous. We sample a panoply of smaller plates: a selection of creamy and crumbly artisanal cheeses with poached apricots and figs, rare-seared coriander-andchili-crusted ahi tuna with sesame soba noodles, a salad of juicy heirloom tomatoes and micro-basil, pillowy goat-cheese gnocchi in a light fennelsaffron stock. Every flavor combination works perfectly, and to a morsel, every bite tastes blessedly fresh.

I ask soft-spoken co-proprietor Paul Moir if he and his partners debated opening such a sophisticated, discerning operation in an easy-going college town. “We chose Flagstaff specifically because there was a gap in the market – there wasn’t a restaurant here quite like it.”

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Brix Diners ©FCVB

Snack Out of It There were skeptics early on. “Some people told us nobody would care about our using sustainable and local foods,” he says. The incredibly enthusiastic response has thrilled, even surprised, the Brix brain trust, who were happily “caught off guard” by the Condé Nast listing and “still can’t believe how much cheese we move – we go through a ton of it.”

Moir describes Brix’s cuisine as “consistent in its Mediterranean influence – Spanish, Italian, southern French – all fairly light, totally fresh, really quite simple.”

And it’s this pure, almost humble, approach that has one of the country’s finest young restaurants shining as brightly as the stars above Flagstaff.

LUNCH: Reds, in Sedona After a night at the Grand Canyon and an earlymorning stroll overlooking one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, we head back south, detouring through the stunning red-rock landscape of Sedona for lunch at Reds at the swanky and contemporary Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa. Here we’ll sample the modern American specialties of Christopher Smith, a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, affiliated with the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week, Reds feels homey with its cushy leather armchairs, yet unmistakably stylish thanks to a bold red color scheme and a bustling exhibition kitchen. The 74-seat main dining room looks perfectly inviting, but Alison and I grab a seat at the long bar – we’re drawn to a wall of eye-catching red glass, and we figure the amiable bartender can give us the lowdown on Reds’ best dishes.

Without hesitation, he steers us toward the mac-andcheese, which is baked in the brick oven in a heavy iron skillet. This dish dazzles – the tangy aged Vermont cheddar, sweet house-baked ham and kicky roasted jalapeños combine for a hearty but complex take on an American classic. We also nibble on a delicious salad of sharp blue cheese, honey-spiced pecans, shaved red onions, grilled pears and endive.

Alison and I chat gratefully about hotel restaurants of late morphing into certifiable dining destinations with serious culinary chops. Reds, we decide, epitomizes this positive trend toward fantastic hotel dining, and we’re happy to end what has been an amazing food tour with a truly exemplary lunch. l

Sometimes all you need to break up a busy day of museumhopping and park-exploring is a light bite, and in Arizona, you’ll find a number of shops and restaurants specializing in just the perfect snack foods. Here are five first-rate snack purveyors to keep in mind next time you’re yearning for a nibble.

Arizona Jack’s Jerky – What could be more quintessentially Southwestern than a slice of tender, chewy jerky? This Mesa-based outfit produces delicious marinated beef and buffalo jerky.

Cerreta Candy Company – A fixture of historic Glendale, Cerreta makes an unbelievably delicious almond toffee, plus old-fashioned chocolate creams and butter-pecan crisps. Stop by for a 30-minute factory tour Mon. to Fri., at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Cookiez – Along bustling Mill Avenue in Tempe, you’ll find this tiny storefront that doles out big-flavored sweet treats.

Order a handmade ice-cream sandwich, comprising two chewy cookies mashed together with rich ice cream.

Feig’s Kosher Foods – You can’t beat this Tucson grocery for tantalizing deli fare, from hefty corned-beef sandwiches to soul-warming matzoh ball soup.

Hopi Cultural Center – Indian tacos, or frybread, are a Native American staple, and the Hopi Cultural Center on Second Mesa serves some of the best. Try this fried-dough delicacy filled with beans, ground beef and cheese, or as a sweetened dessert, topped with honey.

You’ll find lots of chef and restaurant profiles, as well as information about Arizona-grown foods, on arizonaguide.com, the state’s official travel-planning website. For more information on dining and nightlife experiences, click on the What to Do tab.

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Phoenix and Central Arizona THERE’S A SMALL BRICK ARCH on the patio of Mary Lou Gulley’s landmark home in the foothills of South Mountain. When her father built the quirky house out of

BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON

found objects and recycled materials

during the 1930s and ‘40s, the narrow arch perfectly framed views of the entire city of Phoenix, which was then several miles in the distance. k

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa ©AOT

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Phoenix and Central Arizona

Today, Greater Phoenix, also known as the Valley of the Sun, spills brazenly beyond the neat perimeters of Gulley’s arch. It’s become a vast, diverse Sonoran Desert metropolis in central Arizona of more than 3 million people, some 2,000 square miles and dozens of unique cities and towns.

If you’ve never been here before, you might find this urban region’s sheer size daunting, but the best way to get to know the metro area is to divvy it up into sections, as if framed by that old arch, and to spend time soaking up those very different local atmospheres.

PHOENIX Gulley’s landmark home, now called Mystery Castle and open for public tours, anchors one section of Phoenix, the state’s largest city and its capital. But visitors shouldn’t be too quick to characterize Mystery Castle’s desert funkiness as the typical Phoenix experience.

The city is a huge mix. Try throwing in some worldclass arts, big-league sports, the great outdoors, diverse neighborhoods and sophisticated urban pleasures to get more of the proper Phoenix perspective.

Straddling the banks of Salt River and marked by desert mountains, Phoenix has radiated outward from its downtown core. Get to know Phoenix by exploring its downtown, also known as Copper Square, which has regained its energy in recent years with new cultural, sports, commercial and public facilities taking root.

Most recently, the opening of a downtown campus for Arizona State University is bringing young people to the city’s center, and the new light rail system will make zipping around easier.

Start with downtown museums. Phoenix Art Museum, fresh from a $50 million expansion, now has more room for blockbuster exhibits and its own varied permanent collection. The Heard Museum

You Are Here

US Airways Center, Phoenix ©AOT Shopping, Kierland Commons ©AOT

Tempe Town Lake, Tempe ©HPMG

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spotlights native history, culture and art. Be sure to stop by its shop for some of the best Native American art, textiles, crafts and jewelry in the state. With its hands-on exhibits, Arizona Science Center appeals to both kids and your inner child, while the Phoenix Museum of History tells the tale of the city’s growth. Both of the latter are located at Heritage and Science Park, a square block of historic homes, shops, restaurants and museums.

Look for symphony, ballet, concert and theater performances at downtown’s many venues, then check out the thriving arts scene, with galleries and studios dotting

Phoenix Art Museum Lobby Plaza Waterfall ©AOT

warehouses and storefronts. ‘First Fridays’ is a monthly open-house tour of those art sites, complete with show openings, artist receptions and live entertainment. Cruise the galleries and studios, then stay for dinner at a downtown bistro, pizzeria or wine bar.

Sports fans will find plenty of spectator events in downtown and throughout Phoenix. NBA’s Phoenix Suns hold court at US Airways Center, as do the WNBA Phoenix Mercury and the AFL Arizona Rattlers; a few blocks away, MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks get the hits at Chase continued on page 45

CITY

POPULATION ELEVATION

Apache Junction 33,725 1719’ Avondale 60,255 970’ Buckeye 14,505 869’ Carefree 3,310 2389’ Casa Grande 31,315 1387’ Cave Creek 4,370 2129’ Chandler 220,705 1213’ Coolidge 8,025 1430’ El Mirage 28,310 1145’ Florence 17,105 1490’ Fountain Hills 22,475 1640’ Gila Bend 2,030 736’ Gilbert 164,685 1235’ Glendale 233,330 1154’ Goodyear 35,810 971’ Guadalupe 5,380 1236’ Kearny 2,195 1868’ Litchfield Park 3,920 1033’ Mesa 448,555 1234’ Paradise Valley 14,410 1360’ Peoria 132,300 1148’ Phoenix 1,416,055 1117’ Queen Creek 11,360 1407’ Scottsdale 221,130 1259’ Sun City 41,105 1140’ Sun City West 39,807 1237’ Sun Lakes 12,313 1198’ Superior 3,195 2820’ Surprise 63,960 1178’ Tempe 160,820 1159’ Tolleson 5,445 1017’ Wickenburg 5,970 2060’ Youngtown 3,970 1142’ Golfing, The Boulders ©AOT

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WHAT to buy New Retail Nirvana in Metro Phoenix You’ve played the golf, hit the pool, hiked the desert and explored the culture of metro Phoenix. What more could a vacationing soul want? A little retail therapy, that’s what. Besides longtime favorites, several new shopping experiences have joined the scene.

Head to just-opened SouthBridge, on the south bank of the canal in downtown Scottsdale. You’ll find an eclectic mix of architectural styles, restaurants and shops with nary a national chain in sight.

Ponder cool outdoor furniture at The Porch, fashionista jeans at Moody Blues or European linens at Nestldown.

At nearby Scottsdale Fashion Square, meander to Hub Clothing’s new, expanded digs. You can view yourself from all angles at this edgy, local fashion retailer, all but eliminating the possibility that you might make an unflattering purchase of, say, the latest jeans styles.

Across town, stroll between fountains and fireplaces at the new Tempe Marketplace as you choose between youth-oriented retailers,

familiar national names, restaurants and a movie theater. Not far away, Mesa Riverview attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its Bass Pro Shops, plus a movie theater and familiar mainstream retailers. Drive further southeast to find San Tan Village, a new 3 million-square-foot retail and restaurant destination that’s sprouted in Gilbert. Shop at Dillard’s, the retail anchor, stay for dinner or catch a movie.

In Phoenix, Biltmore Fashion Park, a gracious, flower-filled shopping center, has completed the first phase of an ambitious updating. Right now, look for new shops, a breezier landscape and a bright pedestrian tunnel under Camelback Road that leads to more restaurants and a movie theater.

Too overwhelmed to take it all in yourself? Splurge on the services of Spree! The Art of Shopping. A limo will pick you up for a guided, champagne-infused shopping tour emphasizing local gems.

Bass Pro Shops, Mesa Riverview ©MCVB

Tempe Marketplace, Tempe

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FOODBAR, SouthBridge

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Field, an engineering marvel with its retractable roof. Watch the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park and the Oakland As at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, two of seven spring training facilities in Greater Phoenix.

With plenty of sunny days, you’ll want to be a participant, not just a spectator.

Try hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding at South Mountain Park or the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, vast stretches of undeveloped desert and mountains, interlaced with a network of trails. Go to the summits of Piestewa Peak or Camelback Mountain, two favorite city hiking spots. Give your kids a workout along the winding trails of the rambling Phoenix Zoo. You won’t have to look far for a golf course – more than 200 courses are located in the metro area. Do bring a swimsuit and a tennis racquet – most hotels, not to mention plenty of city parks, offer a chance to practice your backstroke – as well as your backhand.

Prowl the Phoenix neighborhoods beyond downtown. Arcadia, shaded by

Mesa Arts Center ©MCVB

old citrus groves and date palms, offers gourmet dining and a smattering of chic boutiques. The Camelback Corridor is home to numerous restaurants, as well as fashionable shopping. South Mountain hangs on to its agrarian heritage with The Farm at South Mountain, a complex that includes restaurants, a farmer’s market and picnic tables under shady pecan trees.

While you’re in Phoenix, don’t forget you’re in a city, so avail yourself of urban pleasures. Stay at a boutique or historic hotel, or check into a swanky resort. Fill up the expandable pockets in your suitcase with shopping finds.

Get a massage or a decadent facial.

See a play, hear some live blues or jazz, listen to some poetry. continued on page 47

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WHERE to go On the Trail of Fun DAY 1 Downtown Scottsdale. Refuel after a run along the canal with blueberry flapjacks at The Breakfast Club. Ponder the shops of SouthBridge, then troll nearby art galleries. Get oysters at Shell Shock, award-winning chef Nobu Fukuda’s newest venture. Enjoy mojitos and music at e4 in the nightclub district. Overnight at Mondrian Scottsdale.

DAY 2 West Side Sports. Cheer on the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners during spring training in Peoria. Go to Glendale for Coyotes ice hockey at Jobing.com Arena or Cardinals football at University of Phoenix Stadium. No game? Try a guided stadium tour.

Dinner at Haus Murphy’s German Restaurant, where it’s bier, not beer. Nightcap at Westgate City Center.

DAY 3 Downtown Phoenix. Try salami scramble at Matt’s Big Breakfast, then on to Phoenix Art Museum or galleries such as Bentley Projects and Eye Lounge. Time a visit to see art venues by night during monthly First Fridays or March’s Art Detour. Catch alternative theater by Nearly Naked Theater, then grab late dinner on Bar Smith’s rooftop lounge.

DAY 4 Outdoors – for the fit and adventurous. Rock climb Echo Canyon at Camelback Mountain, then hike its main trail. Lunch at The Vig in Phoenix, where hiking boots are welcome. Take a Hummer tour of the desert, then finish your day with beer and burgers at Greasewood Flat in Scottsdale, where you dine on picnic tables under the stars.

The Phoenician

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Going In Style DAY 1 Wine and Dine. Sip Kokopelli Bistro’s Arizona wines in historic downtown Chandler, then browse nearby shops for new wine glasses – or art. Time your visit for March’s West of Western culinary festival in Phoenix or April’s Scottsdale Culinary Festival.

Take a class (by reservation) at Les Gourmettes Cooking School in Phoenix. Relax in Scottsdale at Kazimierz World Wine Bar, sampling wines from, say, Argentina.

DAY 2 Historic Phoenix Neighborhoods. Grab a latté at Copper Star Coffee, then go antiquing along Seventh Avenue. Absorb native culture at the Heard Museum. Tour Rosson House Museum, a restored 19th century residence at Heritage Square. Dine at The Roosevelt, modern minimalism inside a historic bungalow.

DAY 3 Make Like a Mogul. Check into a stellar resort, such as The Phoenician, leaving the world behind. Book a tennis pro for help with your backhand. Rent a poolside cabana for privacy between dips. Balance your chakras at the spa, then dress for dinner at Mary Elaine’s, the most elegant restaurant in town.

DAY 4 Hit The Greens. Play 18 holes at Troon North, golf heaven in north Scottsdale. Spend the afternoon shopping at Scottsdale’s In Celebration of Golf or touring the Ping factory in Phoenix. Get a golf massage at a local spa, then book a romantic “tee-box” dinner for two at The Boulders, where you can dine by candlelight on the green.

Hiking Camelback Mountain ©HPMG

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SCOTTSDALE AND THE NORTHEAST VALLEY Not too long ago, Scottsdale was a sleepy suburb just east of Phoenix, a horse-and-ranch kind of place that was also home to a handful of bohemian artists looking to escape city life.

You need only glance at Scottsdale to see its Western and artist roots, and a closer investigation will reveal a city that has evolved into a sophisticated urban setting that offers everything from the ultimate resort lifestyle to a downtown that’s become an area magnet for shopping and dining, not to mention major nightclubbing.

Stretching some 32 miles north to south, with a population exceeding 230,000, Scottsdale is known for its lavish resorts, which offer everything from golf courses and elaborate pools to spas and award-winning restaurants.

It’s easy to check into a Scottsdale resort and forget the rest of the world, emerging only to, say, take a Jeep tour of the surrounding desert or a hot air balloon flight. But venturing out from these sublime resort confines is also a good thing.

You can start with the outdoors.

Scottsdale’s scenic backdrop is the McDowell Mountains and there, McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails. For a tamer bike ride, pedal Scottsdale’s 12-mile-long greenbelt, where paved paths wind past parks, small lakes and ballfields. Golf, of course, is a given in this city. Try nine holes at a reasonably priced municipal course, or go for broke at a top-rated course set amidst boulders, saguaro cactus and breathtaking views. Play cowboy by joining a trail ride or trying the week-long program at Arizona Cowboy College, where you will learn everything from roping cattle to mending fences. Catch a spring training tan on the grassy lawn of Scottsdale Stadium, March home of the San Francisco Giants.

Time your visit to coincide with Scottsdale’s major events, such as the Barrett-Jackson auto auction in January and the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in February. Also at the

end of January is the fabled FBR Open (formerly the Phoenix Open, now named after its sponsor, Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group, Inc.) golf tournament at Scottsdale’s TPC, known as the biggest, rowdiest event on the PGA circuit.

Explore Scottsdale’s cultural gems, including Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), where mind-bending and -broadening exhibits are the norm, and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, a venue for

concerts, dance and theater. Architecture buffs will want to make a pilgrimage to Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s angular, organic winter home and studio, as well as to Cosanti, in the neighboring community of Paradise Valley, the home and studio of architect/philosopher Paolo Soleri. In north Scottsdale, the Heard Museum North is a compact version of the downtown Phoenix site.

Downtown Scottsdale is certainly where a lot of the action is these days, with numerous retail, hotel and

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To Dine For

New and Notable Some of the best new restaurants in metro Phoenix aren’t about pretentious experiences or tortured presentations.

Instead, the emphasis is on fresh food and a casual setting – so casual you might wind up sitting on a picnic table under the shade of tamarisk trees.

Cool yourself under those shady trees at Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert, where an old farmhouse now puts forth pestotopped burgers and salads made with greens grown a few feet away. Schnepf Farms’ Fresh From The Farm in nearby Queen Creek also offers just-plucked produce and an American-French menu.

RadioMILANO is a Phoenix neighborhood hangout, where you share tables with other diners, Euro-style. In downtown Phoenix, Palatte occupies a 1914 house and serves a French-inspired brunch menu. Try the wild mushroom tart or roasted sweet potato pancakes.

In Scottsdale, FOODBAR at SouthBridge lets you choose food, urban-market style, either to go or to eat in its industrialmeets-comfy setting. Dish is also a hybrid – part gourmet market and part restaurant, where fire-roasted pizzas are a specialty. At Union Wine Bar and Grill, expand your palate by trying a “flight” of wine (three 2oz pours) and seasonally fresh small-plate selections, such as arancini with tomato sauce.

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residential loft projects underway and plenty already completed. Stroll the myriad art galleries that line Main Street and Marshall Way, particularly on Thursday evenings for ArtWalk, when galleries stay open late with special events. Shop for designer fashions, home accessories and even Arizona souvenirs at boutiques and shopping centers within walking distance of one another, then dine on everything from sushi and Mexican to pizzas and Polynesian. After dark, join the velvet-rope throng at nightclubs that range from tikibar casual to celebrity-studded sophisticated. You will have danced all night.

Scottsdale’s neighboring communities in the northeast Valley – Cave Creek, Carefree and Fountain Hills – have their own distinct appeal. To the north, Cave Creek hangs on to its Western ranching heritage through its rustic shops and eateries. Try a guided hike through Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, a lush slice of the usually arid upper Sonoran Desert that was once a working cattle ranch. Adjacent Carefree – named by its master planners to infuse the town with a sense of whimsy – boasts a charming town center marked by a huge sundial, and attractive homes tucked between boulders and on hillsides. Fountain Hills, to the east of Scottsdale, is marked by its 560-foot fountain (visible from afar) and surrounding grassy park. At its doorstep is McDowell Mountain Regional Park, more than 20,000 acres of desert great for picnicking, wildlife

Joe’s Farm Grill, Gilbert

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watching, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. From Fountain Hills, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to Saguaro Lake, a watery paradise for boating and other recreation.

TEMPE AND THE EAST VALLEY On any given weekend, something is going on in Tempe. It might be a football game at Arizona State University, a street festival along historic Mill Avenue or an outdoor concert next to Tempe Town Lake.

Tempe is a city that boasts its historic charms and knows how to put on a good party.

The city sprang up on the south bank of the Salt River in the 1800s, becoming known for its towering flour mills. Its small teacher’s college grew into Arizona State University, one of the largest universities in the country.

Past and present are best seen along Mill Avenue, downtown Tempe’s main artery, where old buildings and historically themed new construction house restaurants, shops, nightclubs, coffee shops, bookstores and movie theaters, making it a great place to while away an afternoon or evening.

Nearby, the university offers art and culture in the form of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gammage Auditorium, where you can catch a touring Broadway production, and the ASU Art Museum, an Antoine Predock-designed gem that doesn’t shy away from controversial exhibits.

Closer to the lake, the Tempe Center for the Arts, an 88,000-square-foot facility, opened in September 2007, with two theaters and a 17-acre arts park.

If you’re outdoorsy, try a quick hike up to the top of Tempe Butte or ‘A’ Mountain as the locals call it, or walk along two-mile long Tempe Town Lake, where you can also rent a pedal boat, kayak or go for an electric-boat cruise. Follow the boys of summer at Tempe Diablo Stadium, home to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Spring Training every March. w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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Nestled in the scenic foothills of the High Sonoran desert, Carefree Resort & Villas provides pure leisure with all the amenities of home. Indulge yourself in the area’s many activities including golf, spa and private excursions. Make your escape to the desert truly Carefree. www.carefree-resort.com/aot 1-877-786-1386

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Just to the east, Mesa may have once endured a rep as a retirement community, but a reemerging downtown district has a distinctly youthful edge to it, with new restaurants and shops in the offing.

The city’s resurgence is anchored by the architecturally spectacular Mesa Arts Center, a venue for plays, concerts and dance performances in one of four theaters. Browse the art gallery or take classes in the art studios. Nearby, there’s Arizona Museum of Natural History, which features dinosaurs, natural history and Arizona history, and the Arizona Museum for Youth, where your junior set can spend hours on interactive exhibits and take-home crafts.

Mesa also serves as a gateway to the gentle rapids of the Salt River.

Cool off by floating downriver in an inner tube rented from Salt River Recreation and to Usery Mountain Regional Park, lush with Sonoran Desert plants and popular with hikers. Diehard Cubs fans will want to soak up the sun at Hohokam Stadium during spring training.

Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek were all once farming communities and now boast neighborhoods of new homes.

Chandler and Gilbert have friendly Main Street-style downtowns with shops and restaurants. Find out more about the former at its Chandler Visitor Center, the McCollough-Price House, a 1938 historic home that now houses historical exhibits and artwork, in addition to visitor information.

It’s near Chandler Fashion Center, home to more than 240 shops and, in true Arizona style, numerous restaurants. Chandler is also the site of the first grass golf course built in Arizona at the state’s original golf resort, the worldclass Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. Queen Creek features Schnepf Farms, a working farm that’s also open to the public for fresh produce and is the site of a number of festivals.

Apache Junction sits at the base of the craggy Superstition Mountains. There, you can hike for miles without seeing a soul or search for the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine. For those who don’t want to wander too far afield, Lost Dutchman State Park offers more contained desert hiking and, winter rains permitting, beautiful spring wildflowers.

Goldfield Ghost Town is good oldfashioned tourist fun, with its saloon, mine tours and train rides. If you are serious about that Lost Dutchman gold mine, Goldfield’s museum exhibits plenty of old ‘X marks the spot’ maps that supposedly lead to the gold. From Apache Junction, it’s just up the road to more watery recreation at Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt lakes.

GLENDALE AND THE WEST VALLEY For a long time, Glendale’s major appeal was its old-fashioned, carefully preserved downtown district, which has become a favorite destination for antiques and collectibles hunters, not to mention a great place for a tea-andsalad lunch.

Picture Perfect Here’s a selection of places to capture great vacation memories: k White Tank Mountain Regional Park’s Waterfall Trail, early morning after a rain. It’s a short, easy hike to this spot where water appears, seemingly by magic, after a good downpour. k Lost Dutchman State Park, late February through March, for desert wildflowers at the base of a craggy mountain.

Abundant fall and winter rain means plentiful wildflowers. k Top of Piestewa Peak. The reward for a vigorous hike uphill is a great view of downtown below. Early morning is best for light and cooler temps. k The LOVE sculpture, Civic Center Mall. Gather your LOVEd ones around Robert Indiana’s iconic sculpture, set on the lawn between the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts and the Civic Center Library. k Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s cactus garden, early morning. Keep walking the main trail and you’ll find even more photogenic spots at this hidden gem of a garden.

Lost Dutchman State Park ©AOT ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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Recently, Glendale, just west of Phoenix, has attracted more than thoughtful antiques aficionados. It’s now the place to be if you want to yell, pump your fists in the air or dance in the aisles. With the opening of the Jobing.com Arena, home to the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, and the University of Phoenix Stadium, where NFL’s Arizona Cardinals roost, Glendale has become a major-league player in sports, as well as a major venue for big-name concerts (Stones, anyone?). Another Glendale coup – the city hosted the 2008 Super Bowl.

Other West Valley communities also serve up the sports and recreation, along with culture. In Surprise, the Surprise Stadium is spring training home to both the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. Its West Valley Art Museum puts the spotlight on local and regional artists, while the Heard Museum West features another view of Native American art and culture.

Peoria, too, has a sports complex where the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners swing in spring. Near Peoria, you’ll also find Lake Pleasant, a great place for boating, sailing, swimming and picnicking.

BEST-Kept Secret Bargain Hunting in the Lap of Luxury During summer, do what locals do – check into a luxurious resort without draining the kids’ college fund. Most resorts offer enticing rates that are often less than half of high-season figures, plus lavish pools, special activities and spa services.

Litchfield Park’s The Wigwam Golf Resort features a history dating to 1918, as well as rubber duck races and “dive-in” movies poolside. At The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, offspring can hit the waterslides while you get a pedicure and sip a margarita at the spa. Boat rides and a 2 1/2-acre water playground are just some of the attractions at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, where golf and lavish gardens also beckon.

Call ahead for rates and packages. (See the listings beginning on p. 64 for contact details, or visit arizonaguide.com.)

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale

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Both Goodyear, started by the tire folks in Ohio, and Avondale, home to Phoenix International Raceway and two NASCAR races each year, are nestled in the shadows of the Sierra Estrella Mountains and share the 19,000-acre Estrella Mountain Regional Mountain Park. The park has 32 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, a rodeo arena and a golf course.

In Buckeye’s back yard is the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, a desert delight of trails, picnicking, petroglyphs and even a seasonal waterfall. And if hiking in the great outdoors is not your thing, try Litchfield Park, built around a world-renowned, five-diamond resort and spa complete with three championship golf courses – an oasis of green in the desert.

BEYOND PHOENIX: WICKENBURG AND FLORENCE On the outskirts of Phoenix, Wickenburg and Florence offer a slower pace and a small-town vibe.

If you’re hankerin’ for a Western experience, Wickenburg, northwest of Phoenix, is known for its guest ranches, where you can check in and check out the horseback riding activities. If you stay at a guest ranch, try your hand at a ‘dudeo,’ an amateur rodeo event. Daytrippers will like the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, a great repository of Western and Cowboy art, and a visit to The Nature Conservatory’s Hassayampa River Preserve, a kind of ‘upscale resort’ for native, migratory and water birds.

Southeast of Phoenix, Florence boasts a treasure trove of historic adobe buildings dating to the mid-1800s.

Stroll the streets, and you’ll swear you’re in a different century. McFarland State Historic Park preserves an 1878 courthouse and the archives of Ernest W. McFarland, a well-known Arizona politician. The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, just outside Florence, is a prehistoric archaeological site, a place where ancient farmers once dwelled. l w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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RESOURCE GUIDE NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS Ak-Chin Indian Community A casino, a hotel and the Him-Dak Eco Museum; south of Phoenix. 42507 W. Peters and Nall Rd., Maricopa, AZ 85239, (520) 568-1000, ak-chin.nsn.us Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Offers a wealth of cultural activities for business and leisure travelers, including an awardwinning Radisson Resort, championship golf, western adventures, and the valley’s most pristine and unspoiled desert vistas; straddles the Verde River east of Scottsdale. P.O. Box 17779, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269, (480) 816-7108, ftmcdowelldestination.com Gila River Indian Community The HuHugum Heritage Center and Museum, Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Aji Spa, three championship golf courses, Firebird International Raceway and Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, Rawhide 1880s Old West Town & Steakhouse, Koli Equestrian Center and Trail Rides; conveniently located off I-10 freeway at Wild Horse Pass Blvd., south of Phoenix. P.O. Box 97, Sacaton, AZ 85247, (520) 562-6120, gilarivertourism.com

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community A museum, golf course, shopping centers, restaurants, movie theater, smoke shops, trap and skeet facility and two gaming facilities. 10005 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85256, (480) 850-8056, srpmic-nsn.gov

PUBLIC LANDS For more information, visit nps.gov or az.blm.gov.

NATIONAL PARKS, NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES, NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREAS Casa Grande Ruins NM A four-story Hohokam Indian ruin occupied from 900 to 1450 A.D. 1100 Ruins Dr., Coolidge, AZ 85228, (520) 723-3172 Sonoran Desert NM Huge saguaro forests, incredible Sonoran Desert biodiversity and abundant prehistoric sites. BLM, 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027, (623) 580-5500

NATIONAL FORESTS Tonto NF 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006, (602) 225-5200

STATE PARKS For more information, visit azstateparks.com Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park One of the world’s largest collections of arid-region plants (cactus, flowers, plants.) Picnic areas and group programs.

Hwy. 60, Superior, AZ, (520) 689-2723 Lost Dutchman State Park Tent/RV/ group camping, picnic areas, access to the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area, nature programming, group tour opportunities. West of Phoenix in Apache Junction, AZ, (480) 982-4485 McFarland State Historic Park Historic park documenting history of Governor Ernest McFarland, GI Bill.

Courthouse and history of the town of Florence, AZ, (520) 868-5216 continued on page 56

Don’t Know Much About History Museum Musings The best part about visiting Apache Junction’s Superstition Mountain Museum is pondering its collection of crudely drawn treasure maps, some a century old, each bearing an X that marks the supposed spot of the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine, said to be hidden in the folds of the nearby mountains.

Visiting a local history museum is a great way to learn about a community, including its legends and quirks. Besides the Superstition museum, central Arizona boasts numerous repositories of the past.

In Tempe, Arizona Historical Society Museum lets you see what it was like to live in a World War II Japanese internment camp, or you can experience the Wallace and Ladmo Show, a local kids’ TV program that aired for 35 years.

Across town, trace the city’s phenomenal growth at Phoenix Museum of History, housed in an architecturally modern building.

Located in an old brick schoolhouse, Scottsdale Historical Museum tells the tale of the city’s history and that of Chaplain Winfield Scott, its founder. In Wickenburg, Desert Caballeros Western Museum not only features Western art, but historical dioramas and period rooms as well.

Arizona Historical Society Museum, Tempe ©TCVB

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RESOURCE GUIDE VISITOR SERVICES Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce 12020 S. Warner-Elliott Loop, Ste. 111, Phoenix, AZ 85044 (480) 753-7676 ahwatukeechamber.com Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce 567 W. Apache Trl., P.O. Box 1747 Apache Junction, AZ 85220 (480) 982-3141 apachejunctioncoc.com Arizona Public Lands Information Center 1 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 417-9300 az_plic@blm.gov, az_blm.gov Avondale 11465 W. Civic Center Dr. Avondale, AZ 85323 (623) 478-3000, avondale.org Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce 508 E. Monroe, Buckeye, AZ 85326 (623) 386-2727, (877) 850-2600

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Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 734, Carefree, AZ 85377 (480) 488-3381 carefree-cavecreek.com City of Chandler 215 E. Buffalo, MS416, Chandler, AZ 85225, (480) 782-3037, (888) ONE-CITY (663-2489), visitchandler.com Coolidge Chamber of Commerce 320 W. Central Ave., P.O. Box 943 Coolidge, AZ 85228 (520) 723-3009, coolidgeaz.org Copper Basin Chamber of Commerce 355 Alden Rd., P.O. Box 206 Kearny, AZ 85237, (520) 363-7607 copperbasinaz.com El Mirage 12145 N.W. Grand Ave., El Mirage, AZ 85335, (623) 972-8116, cityofelmirage.org Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 17598, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269 (480) 837-1654, fountainhillschamber.com

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Gilbert Chamber of Commerce 202 N. Gilbert Rd., P.O. Box 527 Gilbert, AZ 85299-0527 (480) 892-0056, gilbertaz.com Glendale Office of Tourism & Visitor Center 5800 W. Glenn Dr., Ste. 140 Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 930-4500, (877) 800-2601 visitglendale.com Goodyear 190 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 932-3910, goodyearaz.gov Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce 575 N. Marshall St. Casa Grande, AZ 85222-5246 (520) 836-2125, (800) 916-1515 casagrandechamber.org Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce 291 N. Bailey St., P.O. Box 929 Florence, AZ 85232 (520) 868-9433, (800) 437-9433 florenceaz.org continued on page 58

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RESOURCE GUIDE Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau One Arizona Center 400 E. Van Buren St., Ste. 600 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 254-6500, (866) 705-4813 visitphoenix.com/az Litchfield Park 214 W. Wigwam Blvd.

Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 (623) 935-5033, litchfield-park.org Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau 120 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201 (480) 827-4700, (800) 283-6372 visitmesa.com Peoria Chamber of Commerce 8355 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 P.O. Box 70, Peoria, AZ 85380 (623) 979-3601, peoriachamber.com Pinal County Visitor Center 330 Butte, P.O. Box 967, Florence, AZ 85232, (800) 557-4331, co.pinal.az.us/visitor Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau 4343 N. Scottsdale Rd., Ste. 170 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 421-1004, scottsdalecvb.com

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Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce 289 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338 (623) 932-2260, southwestvalleychamber.org Serves the communities of Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Tolleson.

Sun City 16824 N. 99th Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351 (623) 977-5000, suncityaz.org Sun City West 13823 Camino del Sol Sun City West, AZ 85375 (623) 583-1000, suncitywest.org Superior Chamber of Commerce 230 Main St., P.O. Box 95, Superior, AZ 85273, (520) 689-0200, superior-arizona.com Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce 12801 W. Bell Rd., Ste. 14 Surprise, AZ 85374 (623) 583-0692, northwestvalley.com Serves the communities of Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise, El Mirage and Youngtown.

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Statue on Main Street, Downtown Scottsdale ©AOT

Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau 51 W. 3rd St., Ste.105, Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 894-8158, (800) 283-6734 tempecvb.com Tolleson 9555 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson, AZ 85353 (623) 936-7111, tollesonaz.org Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce 216 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390 (928) 684-5479, (800) 942-5242 outwickenburgway.com Youngtown 12030 Clubhouse Sq., Youngtown, AZ 85363, (623) 933-8286, youngtownaz.org

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SPAS Agave, The Arizona Spa at The Westin Kierland (480) 624-1500, kierlandresort.com Luxurious, full-service spa with treatment rooms, salon, studio for movement classes, weight training, cardio workouts, juice/ smoothie bar, whirlpool, sauna, steam, locker room and more. Utilizing traditional native treatments handed down from Arizona’s many cultures of healing, Agave, The Arizona Spa is a heavenly retreat designed to rejuvenate and renew the mind, body and spirit.

Aji Spa at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort (602) 385-5759, ajibrochure.com Aji, meaning “sanctuary,” is one of Arizona’s only Native American spas and features indigenous treatments based on ancient legends of the Pima and Maricopa Indians. Indulge the spirit in this desert oasis.

Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort (866) 579-3637, (602) 977-6400 alvadora.com Reconnect within the serenity of an intimate spa that indulges the senses with natural, therapeutic treatments utilizing the benefits of the herbs, minerals and oils indigenous to the Mediterranean.

Amansala Spa/Salon at Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center (800) 528-0295, (480) 596-7555 thescottsdaleresort.com A rejuvenating oasis of relaxing and therapeutic massages, aromatic body wraps, European skin care treatments and personal salon services awaits you at Amansala Spa/Salon.

Amethyst Spa & Boutique at Radisson Fort McDowell Resort (800) 715-0328, (480) 789-5335 radisson.com/ftmcdowellaz A variety of spa services, complete hair and nail salon and fitness center. Open daily. Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino, Scottsdale. Appointments & information: (480) 789-5335.

Arizona Biltmore Spa at Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa (800) 950-0086, (602) 381-7632 arizonabiltmore.com Arizona Biltmore Spa is dedicated to the art of wellness. Each exotic treatment is a chance to discover a faraway land or culture.

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Aji Spa, at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort

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Arizona Grand Spa at Arizona Grand Resort (877) 800-4888, (602) 431-6484 arizonagrandspa.com From Lavender Milk Massage to signature Sedona Mud treatments, the spa provides therapeutic services that rejuvenate and reduce stress, helping you attain the ultimate balance.

The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician (800) 843-2392, (480) 423-2452 thephoenician.com A 22,000-sq.-ft. sanctuary at The

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Phoenician, the Centre for Well-Being offers a peaceful Meditation Atrium, the finest spa treatments, fitness and wellness programs, beauty salon and boutique.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa (602) 943-8200, reddoorspas.com Relax and enjoy wellness and renewal during your next stay at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel. Red Door Spa by Elizabeth Arden offers an exclusive 15% discount on spa services to registered guests of the Sheraton Crescent Hotel.

Eurasia Spa at Scottsdale Resort & Athletic Club (866) 733-9565, (480) 922-8855 eurasiaspa.com Indulge in the award-winning signature treatments like the Green and White Tea Sundance Body Facial or Sound of Peaceful Healing. Couple and spa suites available.

Golden Door® Spa at The Boulders Resort (800) 553-1717, (480) 595-3500 theboulders.com Embraced by nature and inspired by design, the spa has a relaxed atmosphere that encourages moments for meditation, self-reflection and rejuvenating treatments against the stunning desert backdrop.

The Lamar Everyday Spa (877) 377-3235, (480) 945-7066 thelamar.com Arizona’s largest privately owned resort-style spa, The Lamar is a local group favorite.

14,000 sq. ft. including 40 treatment rooms, sauna, steam, pool, hydro and 2,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Day packages from $120.

Montelucia Spa at Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa (480) 627-3200, montelucia.com The Spa at Montelucia is a masterpiece in rejuvenating works of art, with 23 treatment rooms, spa boutique, fitness studio, juice bar and rooftop pool.

The Red Door Spa at The Wigwam Resort (623) 535-4967, wigwamresort.com The Red Door Spa features luxurious ambiance designed to mirror the resort’s classic look. Offerings include signature services and the exclusive Wigwam Warm Water Ritual.

The Salon & Day Spa at The Scottsdale Plaza Resort (800) 832-2025, (480) 951-5150 scottsdaleplaza.com Overlooking Mummy Mountain, spa-goers can relax in the essence of the desert with a relaxing massage or a rejuvenating facial.

Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Resort (800) 245-2051, (480) 948-2100 sanctuaryaz.com The intimate Sanctuary Spa offers Asianinspired treatments in twelve indoor-outdoor treatment rooms, along with a relaxing meditation garden, watsu pool, movement studio and fitness center.

Spa Avania at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort (480) 483-5558, spaavania.com Carved out of the serene beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert comes Spa Avania, the first complete spa experience choreographed to the science of time and the body’s natural daily rhythms and requirements.

Spa Botanica at Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa (480) 518-8099, renaissanceglendale.com Relax and unwind with a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage and body treatment.

Designed specifically for each guest.

The Spa at Camelback Inn (800) 922-2635, (480) 596-7040 camelbackspa.com Visit the Spa at Camelback Inn to indulge in the offerings of a full-service destination spa, and experience the ambiance and magic of the Sonoran Desert.

The Spa at Carefree Resort & Villas (888) 488-9034, (480) 488-5300 carefree-resort.com Boutique spa with six treatment rooms.

Themed treatments and services including a hot stone massage. Reservations required.

The Spa at CopperWynd Resort & Club (877) 707-7760, (480) 333-1835 copperwynd.com Boutique spa and nail salon. Customized spa packages and signature treatments.

Tocaloma Spa & Salon at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort (602) 375-4645, tocalomaspa.com Recently named among the top ten spas in Arizona, Tocaloma pampers guests with aesthetic services, massage therapy, manicures, pedicures, complete hair services and body treatments.

Tocasierra Spa & Salon at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort (602) 906-3820, tocasierraspa.com Tocasierra Spa, Salon and Fitness offers the latest in exercise equipment, aerobic classes and personal training, as well as beauty treatments, services and therapies.

Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (800) 908-9540, (480) 585-2732 willowstream.com Guests from around the world come to experience the activities and indulgences available at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess including, Willow Stream – The Spa at Fairmont. This 44,000-sq.-ft. retreat is where awe-inspiring surroundings and nature’s tranquility combine for rejuvenation. ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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San Marcos Golf Course

Arizona Biltmore Country Club Semi- (800) 950-0086 • (602) 955-9655 • arizonabiltmore.com Phoenix 36 71 6400 70.3 123 Private • • • • • Arizona Golf Resort (800) 528-8282 • (480) 832-3202 • azgolfresort.com Mesa 18 - - - - Public • • • • • Arizona Grand Golf Course (877) 800-4888 • (602) 431-6480 • arizonagrandresort.com Phoenix 18 71 6336 68.8 124 Public • • • • Arizona Traditions Golf Club (800) 796-4451 • (623) 584-4000 • arizonatraditionsgolfclub.com Surprise 18 72 6155 68.7 115 Public • • • • • ASU Karsten Golf Course (480) 921-8070 • asukarsten.com Tempe 18 72 7057 74.1 132 Public • • • • • Bear Creek Golf Complex (480) 883-8200 • bearcreekgolfcomplex.com Chandler 36 71 6832 72.1 120 Public • • • • The Boulders Club Semi- (800) 553-1717 • (480) 488-9028 • theboulders.com/atvg Carefree 36 72 6811 72.6 137 Private • • • • • Camelback Golf Club (480) 596-7050 • camelbackinn.com Scottsdale 36 - - - - Public • • • Desert Canyon Golf Club (480) 837-1173 • desertcanyongolf.com Fountain Hills 18 71 6489 69.9 125 Public • • • • • Desert Sands Golf Course (480) 832-0210 • desertsandsgc.com Mesa 18 65 4029 59.8 88 Public • • • • The Duke at Rancho El Dorado (480) 844-1100 • thedukegolf.com Maricopa 18 72 7011 72.4 120 Public • • • • • Eagle's Nest Golf Club Semi(623) 935-6750 • freerobsondvd.com/226 Goodyear 18 72 6790 72.6 130 Private • • • • Francisco Grande Resort and Golf Club (877) 251-3710 • (520) 381-8200 • franciscograndegolf.com Casa Grande 18 72 7010 73.0 124 Public • • • • • Golf Digest Schools (800) 243-6121 • golfdigestschool.com Scottsdale - - - - - - Hillcrest Golf Club (623) 584-1500 • hillcrestgolfclub.com Sun City West 18 72 7002 72.7 126 Public • • • • • John Jacobs Golf Schools (800) 472-5007 • jacobsgolf.com Scottsdale - - - - - The Kierland Golf Club (480) 624-1600 • kierlandresort.com Scottsdale 27 36 3539 72.5 128 Public • • • • • Legacy Golf Resort (888) 828-FORE • (602) 305-5550 • legacygolfresort.com Phoenix 18 71 6908 72.1 128 Public • • • • • Legend Trail Golf Club (480) 488-5300 • legendtrailgc.com Scottsdale 18 72 6800 72.3 138 Public • • • • • Links at Queen Creek (800) 796-4459 • (480) 987-1910 • linksqueencreekgolfclub.com Queen Creek 18 72 5901 67.1 113 Public • • • • Lone Tree Golf Club (480) 219-0831 • lonetreegolf18.com Chandler 18 71 7001 72.2 123 Public • • • • Longbow Golf Club (480) 807-5400 • longbowgolf.com Mesa 18 71 7003 72.2 129 Public • • • • • Lookout Mountain Golf Club at Tapatio Cliffs Semi- (602) 866-6356 • pointegolf.com Phoenix 18 71 6617 70.1 131 Private • • • • • Los Caballeros Golf Club Semi(800) 684-5030 • (928) 684-2704 • loscaballerosgolf.com Wickenburg 18 72 7100 73.0 135 Private • • • • • McCormick Ranch Golf Club (480) 948-0260 • mccormickranchgolf.com Scottsdale 36 72 7187 74.4 135 Public • • • • • Millenium Golf Packages (800) 243-1332 • (480) 948-5050 Scottsdale 36 72 - - - - • • • Mission Royale Golf Club (800) 796-4460 • (520) 876-5335 • missionroyalegolfclub.com Casa Grande 18 72 6633 71.1 122 Public • • • • •

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Adv. Booking Policy Golf Shop Bar/Lounge Restaurant

Dress Code

Public/Semi Pvt.

Slope

Rating

Yardage

Par

Number of Holes

Location

Phoenix and Central Arizona

Golf

Adv. Booking Policy Golf Shop Bar/Lounge Restaurant

Dress Code

Public/Semi Pvt.

Slope

Rating

Yardage

Par

Number of Holes

Location

The Phoenician Golf Club ©

Golf Mountain Shadows Golf Club (800) 796-4453 • (480) 905-8999 Paradise Valley 18 56 3066 57.5 96 Public • • • • • mountainshadowsgolfclub.com Ocotillo Golf Resort (888) 624-8899 • (480) 917-6660 • ocotillogolf.com Chandler 27 72 7016 72.2 133 Public • • • • • Painted Mountain Golf Club (480) 832-0156 • paintedmountaingolf.com Mesa 18 70 6021 67.2 104 Public • • • • • Palm Valley (800) 475-2978 • (623) 935-2500 • palmvalleygolf.com Goodyear 36 72 7015 73.4 133 Public • • The Phoenician Golf Club Semi(800) 888-8234 • (480) 423-2450 • thephoenician.com Scottsdale 27 70 6310 70.3 130 Private • • • • • Rancho Manana Golf Club (480) 488-0398 • ranchomanana.com Cave Creek 18 70 6016 66.7 128 Public • • • • • Raven Golf Club at Verrado (623) 388-3000 • ravenatverrado.com Buckeye 18 72 7258 73.8 132 Public • • • • • Robson Ranch Golf Club Semi(520) 426-3333 • freerobsondvd.com/226 Casa Grande 18 72 6845 72.0 120 Private • • • • • San Marcos Golf Course Semi(877) 766-3386 • (480) 963-3358 • sanmarcosresort.com Chandler 18 72 6626 70.7 122 Private • • • • • Sanctuary Golf Course at WestWorld

(480) 502-8200 • sanctuarygolf.com Scottsdale 18 71 6624 71.2 139 Public • • • • • Scottsdale Golf and Lodging (888) 368-9171 • (480) 837-4284 • scottsdalegolf.com Scottsdale - - - - - - Scottsdale Golf Group, Inc. (480) 991-8587 • scottsdalegolfgroup.com Scottsdale - - - - - Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club (800) 796-4403 • (480) 778-0100 Scottsdale 18 72 6057 68.0 116 Public • • • • • scottsdalesilveradogolfclub.com Starfire at Scottsdale Country Club (800) 785-4421 • (480) 948-6000 • starfiregolfclub.com Scottsdale 27 72 6335 68.9 123 Public • • • • • Sundance Golf Club (800) 796-4458 • (623) 328-0400 • sundancegolfaz.com Buckeye 18 72 6818 72.0 125 Public • • • • • SunRidge Canyon (480) 837-5100 • sunridgecanyongolf.com Fountain Hills 18 71 6823 72.6 142 Public • • • • • TPC Scottsdale (888) 400-4001 • (480) 585-4334 • tpc.com/scottsdale Scottsdale 36 71 7216 74.6 138 Public • • • • • Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia (623) 328-5100 • trilogygolfclub.com Peoria 18 72 7259 73.9 134 Public • • • • • Tuscany Falls Golf Club Semi(623) 536-2491 • freerobsondvd.com/226 Goodyear 18 72 6640 71.0 126 Private • • • • Villa de Paz Golf Club (623) 877-1172 • villadepazgolf.com Phoenix 18 71 6641 70.1 123 Public • • • • We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (866) 660-7700 • (480) 836-9000 • wekopa.com Fountain Hills 36 72 7225 73.0 136 Public • • • • • Whirlwind Golf Club (480) 940-1500 • whirlwindgolf.com Chandler 36 72 7218 73.4 132 Public • • • • The Wigwam Golf Club (623) 935-9414 • wigwamresort.com Litchfield Park 54 72 7430 74.5 135 Public • • • •

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STATEWIDE Active Resort Properties Management Group, LLC. (800) 478-3864 • (480) 396-3233 • azactiveresorts.com varies varies Resort Arizona Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns arizona-bed-breakfast.com varies varies B&B • • CAREFREE The Boulders Resort & Golden Door® Spa (800) 553-1717 • (480) 488-9009 • theboulders.com/ATVG 215 199-1,999 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Carefree Resort & Villas (888) 488-9034 • (480) 488-5300 • carefree-resort.com 382 100-1,200 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • CASA GRANDE Holiday Inn (520) 426-3500 • holidayinn.com/casagrande 176 69-149 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Robson Ranch Resort Community Luxury (800) 770-7044 • (520) 426-3300 • freerobsondvd.com/226 - - Homes • • • • • • CAVE CREEK Villas of Cave Creek (480) 595-1200 • (480) 595-1034 25 139-299 • Resort • • • • • • CHANDLER Comfort Inn Chandler (800) 424-6423 • (480) 705-8882 70 - • Hotel • • • • • • Crowne Plaza® San Marcos Golf Resort (877) 766-3386 • (480) 812-0900 • sanmarcosresort.com 295 89-599 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa (888) 218-8989 • (602) 225-0100 • wildhorsepassresort.com 500 109-475 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Windmill Suites at Chandler Fashion Center (800) 547-4747 • (480) 812-9600 • windmillinns.com 127 69-145 • Hotel • • • • • • FOUNTAIN HILLS CopperWynd Resort & Club (877) 707-7760 • (480) 333-1900 • copperwynd.com 40 229-429 Resort • • • • • • • • • • Holiday Inn (480) 837-6565 • holidayinn.com/fountainhills 104 89-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Inn at Eagle Mountain (800) 992-8083 • (480) 816-3000 • innateaglemountain.com 42 79-350 • Resort • • • • • • GLENDALE Comfort Suites Glendale (623) 271-9005 • comfortsuites.com/hotel/az296 100 119-279 • Hotel • • • • • • • Hampton Inn & Suites Glendale/Westgate (623) 271-7771 • phoenixglendalesuites.hamptoninn.com 149 - • Hotel • • • • • • Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa (623) 937-3700 • renaissanceglendale.com 320 129-350 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • GOODYEAR America’s Best Value Inn & Suites (888) 315-2378 • (623) 932-9191 • americasbestvalueinn.com 160 65-200 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Comfort Suites Goodyear (623) 266-2884 • comfortsuites.com/hotel/az246 84 119-279 • Hotel • • • • • • • Indian Springs Ranch Bed & Breakfast (888) 426-6644 • (623) 932-3257 • indianspringsranch.com 4 95-140 • B&B • • • • PebbleCreek Resort Community Luxury (800) 795-4663 • (623) 935-6700 • freerobsondvd.com/226 - - Homes • • • • • • LITCHFIELD PARK The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa (800) 327-0396 • (623) 935-3811 • wigwamresort.com 331 229-569 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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CopperWynd Resort & Club ©

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Phoenix and Central Arizona

Accommodations

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©

MESA Arizona Golf Resort & Conference Center (800) 528-8282 • (480) 832-3202 • azgolfresort.com 187 99-219 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • Best Western Dobson Ranch Inn (800) 528-1356 • (480) 831-7000 • dobsonranchinn.com 213 70-180 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Best Western Mesa Inn (480) 964-8000 • bestwestern.com/mesainn 99 59-350 • Hotel • • • • • • Hampton Inn Phoenix/Mesa (480) 926-3600 • phoenixmesa.hamptoninn.com 115 - • Hotel • • • • • • Phoenix Marriott Mesa (888) 236-2427 • (480) 898-8300 • marriott.com/phxmm 275 89-249 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Residence Inn by Marriott Mesa/Phoenix (800) 331-3131 • (480) 610-0100 • marriott.com/phxrm 117 124-249 • Hotel • • • • • • Windemere Hotel and Conference Center (800) 888-3561 • (480) 985-3600 • resortmesa.com 114 59-199 • Hotel • • • • • • PARADISE VALLEY Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa (480) 627-3200 • montelucia.com 293 225-675 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa (800) 245-2051 • (480) 948-2100 • sanctuaryaz.com 98 340-4000 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • PEORIA Ramada Hotel & Convention Center (800) 572-9295 • (623) 979-7200 100 89-239 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • PHOENIX Airport Sleep Inn Phoenix (800) 631-3054 • (480) 967-7100 • airportsleepinn.com 105 59-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa (800) 950-0086 • (602) 955-6600 • arizonabiltmore.com 739 99-495 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • • Arizona Grand Resort (877) 800-4888 • (602) 438-9000 • arizonagrandresort.com 640 - • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Best Western Airport Inn (800) 528-8199 • bestwestern.com/airportinnphoenix 117 79-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Best Western Bell Hotel (877) 263-1290 • (602) 993-8300 • bestwesternbellhotel.com 100 - • Hotel • • • • • Best Western InnSuites Hotel & Suites Biltmore-Phoenix (800) 752-2204 • (602) 997-6285 • bwsuite.com 104 69-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Comfort Inn Phoenix North (602) 866-2089 • choicehotels.com/hotel/az050 151 59-549 • Hotel • • • • • Country Inn & Suites by Carlson - Deer Valley (800) 456-4000 • (623) 879-9000 • countryinns.com/deervalleyaz 126 99-259 • Hotel • • • • • • Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix West/Avondale (623) 271-7660 • courtyardphoenixavondale.com 127 - Hotel • • • • • • Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport (602) 273-7778 • crowneplaza.com/phx-airport 299 89-269 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • Doubletree Guest Suites (800) 800-3098 • (602) 225-0500 • doubletree.com 242 89-289 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Embassy Suites Phoenix Airport at 24th Street (800) EMBASSY • (602) 957-1910 182 89-289 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • phoenix24thstreet.embsuites.com Embassy Suites Phoenix Airport at 44th Street (800) EMBASSY • (602) 244-8800 229 - • Hotel • • • • • • • • • embassysuites.com Embassy Suites Phoenix Biltmore (800) EMBASSY • (602) 955-3992 232 109-400 Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • phoenixbiltmore.embassysuites.com

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Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Phoenix and Central Arizona

Accommodations

continued on page 68

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Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

PHOENIX Embassy Suites Phoenix North (800) 362-2779 • (602) 375-1777 • embassysuites.com 314 89-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • Grace Inn-Phoenix (800) 843-6010 • (480) 893-3000 • graceinn.com 160 79-135 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Hampton Inn Phoenix Airport North (877) 777-3210 • (602) 267-0606 106 89-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • phoenixairportnorth.hamptoninn.com Hampton Inn - Phoenix/Midtown (800) HAMPTON • (602) 200-0990 99 89-239 • Hotel • • • • • • hamptoninn.com/hi/phoenix-midtown Hampton Inn Phoenix I-10 West (800) HAMPTON • (602) 484-7000 • hamptoninnphoenix.com 122 69-169 • Hotel • • • • • • Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix/Midtown (602) 279-9811 • phoenixmidtown.gardeninn.com 156 79-229 Hotel • • • • • • • Hilton Phoenix Airport (800) HILTONS • (480) 894-1600 • phoenixairport.hilton.com 257 - • Hotel • • • • • • • • Hilton Suites Phoenix (800) HILTONS • (602) 222-1111 • phoenixsuites.hilton.com 226 99-309 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • Holiday Inn-Midtown Phoenix (866) 543-9999 • (602) 595-4444 • holidayinn-boutique.com 136 169-399 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • • Hotel San Carlos (866) 253-4121 • (602) 253-4121 • hotelsancarlos.com 121 99-259 • Hotel • • • • • Hyatt Place Phoenix North (800) 833-1516 • (602) 997-8800 • hyattplace.com 127 99-329 • Hotel • • • • • • • • JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa (800) 835-6206 • (480) 293-5000 • jwdesertridgeresort.com 950 209-459 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Legacy Golf Resort (888) 828-FORE • (602) 305-5500 • legacygolfresort.com 328 99-299 Resort • • • • • • • • • • Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort (800) 947-9784 • (602) 997-2626 • pointehilton.com 563 99-379 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort (800) 947-9784 • (602) 866-7500 • pointehilton.com 585 99-379 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • • Radisson Hotel Phoenix City Center (800) 333-3333 • (602) 604-4900 160 82-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • radisson.com/phoenixaz_citycenter Radisson Phoenix Airport (800) 333-3333 • (602) 437-8400 159 - Hotel • • • • • • • • radisson.com/phoenixaz_airport Ramada Plaza Hotel Phoenix at Metrocenter (866) 610-6217 • (602) 866-7000 • ramadaplazaphx.com 174 59-499 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Airport (800) 331-3131 • (602) 273-9220 • marriott.com/phxra 200 89-329 • Hotel • • • • • • • • The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix (800) 241-3333 • (602) 468-0700 • ritzcarlton.com 281 129-499 Hotel • • • • • • • • • • Royal Palms Resort and Spa (800) 672-6011 • (602) 840-3610 • royalpalmsresortandspa.com 119 199-3000 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • Sheraton Crescent Hotel Phoenix (800) 423-4126 • (602) 943-8200 • sheratoncrescent.com 342 89-295 Hotel • • • • • • • • • Sleep Inn Phoenix North (800) 927-6058 • (602) 504-1200 • choicehotels.com/hotel/az140 61 59-500 • Hotel • • • • • • • SCOTTSDALE Arizona Trails Travel Services (888) 799-4284 • (480) 837-4284 • arizonatrails.com - All types Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa (800) 24-CAMEL • (480) 948-1700 • camelbackinn.com 453 varies Resort • • • • • • • • • •

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Phoenix and Central Arizona

Accommodations

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SCOTTSDALE Chaparral Suites Resort (800) 528-1456 • (480) 949-1414 • chaparralsuites.com Courtyard by Marriott - Scottsdale/Mayo (800) 321-2211 • (480) 860-4000 • marriott.com/phxmy Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort (800) HILTONS • (480) 947-5400 • paradisevalley.doubletree.com Embassy Suites Stonecreek Golf Resort (602) 765-5800 The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (800) 441-1414 • (480) 585-4848 • fairmont.com/scottsdale Gainey Suites Hotel (800) 970-4666 • (480) 922-6969 • gaineysuiteshotel.com Hampton Inn Scottsdale (877) 776-6464 • (480) 443-3233 • scottsdaleshea.hamptoninn.com Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center (480) 515-4944 • scottsdalenorth.stayhgi.com Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town (480) 481-0400 • scottsdale.gardeninn.com Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas (800) HILTONS • (480) 948-7750 • scottsdaleresort.hilton.com Hospitality Suite Resort (800) 445-5115 • (480) 949-5115 • hospitalitysuites.com Hotel Indigo Scottsdale (866) 2INDIGO • (480) 941-9400 • scottsdalehiphotel.com Hotel Scottsdale (866) 394-3911 • thehotelscottsdale.com Hotel Valley Ho (866) 882-4484 • (480) 248-2000 • hotelvalleyho.com Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town (888) HYATTHP • (480) 423-9944 • hyattplace.com Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch (480) 444-1234 • scottsdale.hyatt.com The Inn at Pima (800) 344-0262 • (480) 948-3800 • zmchotels.com Millennium Resort Scottsdale McCormick Ranch (800) 243-1332 • (480) 948-5050 • millenniumhotels.com/golf Mondrian (800) 504-0370 • (480) 308-1100 • mondrianscottsdale.com The Phoenician (800) 888-8234 • (480) 941-8200 • thephoenician.com Radisson Fort McDowell Resort (800) 715-0328 • (480) 789-5300 • radisson.com/ftmcdowellaz Resort Suites Scottsdale (888) 222-1059 • (480) 585-1234 • resortsuites.com Scottsdale Camelback Resort (800) 891-8585 • (480) 947-3300 • scottsdalecamelback.com The Scottsdale Links Resort (877) 444-8044 • (928) 282-1271 • scottsdalelinks.com Scottsdale Luxury Suites (888) 990-1326 • (480) 419-6975 • luxurysuites.com The Scottsdale Marriott Suites Old Town (800) 228-9290 • (480) 945-1550 • marriott.com/phxst The Scottsdale Plaza Resort (800) 832-2025 • (480) 948-5000 • scottsdaleplaza.com

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The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Price Range ($) 119-239

Senior Discount

Number of Rooms

Phoenix and Central Arizona

311

Accommodations

124

• Resort • • • • • • • • • • • •

-

Hotel • • • • • • •

385

79-339

• Resort • • • • • • • • • • •

270

89-269 Hotel • • • • • • • • •

651

159-3800 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • •

162

119-439

• Hotel • • • • • • •

130

69-699

• Hotel • • • • • • •

122

- Hotel • • • • • • • •

199

99-259

• Hotel • • • • • •

185

99-359

• Resort • • • • • • • • • •

210

59-139

•

126

99-299

• Hotel • • • • • • • •

218

79-249 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • •

194

159-359

• Resort • • • • • • • • • • •

127

99-399

• Hotel • • • • • • •

490

Hotel • • • • • • • • •

359+ Resort • • • • • • • • • • • •

121

59-499

• Hotel • • • • • •

175

varies

• Resort • • • • • • • • • • • •

194

135-395 Resort • • • • • • • • •

647

405-725 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • •

246

99-309

428

269-339 Resort • • • • • • • • •

111

110-330 Resort • • • • • • •

228

100-350 Resort • • • • • •

250

99-499 Resort • • • • • • • •

251

129-379

404

• Resort • • • • • • • • • • •

• Hotel • • • • • • • • •

- Resort • • • • • • • • • •

continued on page 72

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SCOTTSDALE Scottsdale Resort & Athletic Club (866) 733-9565 • (480) 344-0600 scottsdaleresortandathleticclub.com 85 - • Resort • • • • • • • • • • Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center (866) 669-7135 • scottsdaleresortgetaway.com 326 99-399 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • The Scottsdale Villa Mirage (877) 444-8044 • (928) 282-1271 • arizonatourismcenter.com 225 100-350 Resort • • • • • • • Sheraton Desert Oasis (866) 207-8599 • (480) 515-5888 • starwoodvillarental.com 300 379-679 • Resort • • • • • • • Specialty Lodging Luxury (800) 781-0471 • (480) 429-3844 • specialtylodging.com 100 99-2000 Homes • • • The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (800) 354-5892 • (480) 624-1000 • kierlandresort.com 732 - Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • The Westin Kierland Villas (480) 624-1700 • starwoodvillarentals.com 298 269-549 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Wingate by Wyndham Scottsdale (800) 228-1000 • (480) 922-6500 • scottsdalewingate.com 117 79-259 • Hotel • • • • • • • SUN CITY/SUN CITY WEST Best Western Inn & Suites (800) 253-2168 • (623) 933-8211 96 69-159 • Hotel • • • • • • Windmill Suites at Sun City West (800) 547-4747 • (623) 583-0133 • windmillinns.com 127 59-119 • Hotel • • • • • • TEMPE A Valley O’ the Sun Bed & Breakfast (866) 941-1281 • (480) 941-1281 2 50-65 • B&B • Best Western Tempe by the Mall (800) 822-4334 • (480) 820-7500 • bestwesterntempe.com 158 69-129 • Hotel • • • • • • Comfort Inn & Suites ASU (888) 966-7202 • (480) 966-7202 • comfortinntempe.com 72 69-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Embassy Suites Phoenix - Tempe (800) EMBASSY • (480) 897-7444 • embassysuitestempe.com 224 99-299 Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • Four Points by Sheraton Tempe (800) 553-1826 • (480) 968-3451 185 99-209 Hotel • • • • • • • • • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (480) 831-9800 • hiexpress.com/tempeaz 128 109-259 • Hotel • • • • • • • Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix Airport (888) HYATT-HP • (480) 804-9544 • hyattplace.com 123 - • Hotel • • • • • • • • InnSuites Hotel & Suites Tempe (888) 2TEMPE7 • (480) 897-7900 • innsuites.com 170 59-149 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • Quality Inn Phoenix Airport/Tempe (480) 967-3000 • qualityinntempe.com 100 69-169 Hotel • • • • • • Ramada Limited Tempe University (800) 2-RAMADA • (480) 736-1700 • ramada.com 58 50-150 • Hotel • • • • • Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel Tempe (800) 346-3049 • (480) 967-6600 • sheraton.com/phoenixairport 210 89-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • Tempe Mission Palms Hotel (800) 547-8705 • (480) 894-1400 • missionpalms.com 303 109-399 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • • WICKENBURG Los Viajeros Inn (800) 915-9795 • (928) 684-7099 • wickenburglodging.com 57 68-90 • Hotel • • • Rancho De Los Caballeros Guest (800) 684-5030 • (928) 684-5484 • sunc.com 79 400-616 Ranch • • • • • • • • • • • •

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Tempe Mission Palms Hotel ©

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Phoenix and Central Arizona

Accommodations

Senior Adult Park Park Models for Rent Pet Friendly Laundry Swimming Pool Organized Activities Internet Access Golf on Site Tennis on Site Restaurant Exercise Facilities Handicap Accessible Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Recreational Facilities

Number of Spaces

Location

Biking Superstition Mountains ©AOT

RV Parks Apache Palms RV Park (480) 966-7399 • apachepalmsrvpark.com Cal-Am RV Resorts (888) 940-8989 • cal-am.com Campground Buena Tierra (888) 520-8360 • (520) 836-3500 • campgroundbuenatierra.com

Tempe Gold Canyon, Surprise, Mesa Casa Grande

80 • • • • • 8000+ • • • • • • • • • • • • • 150 • •

• • • •

•

Desert Sands RV Park (623) 869-8186 • desertsandsrv.com

Phoenix

70 • • • •

Desert’s Edge RV Village (623) 587-0940 • desertsedgerv.com

Phoenix

211 • • • • • • •

Eagle View RV Resort (480) 836-5310 • eagleviewrvresort.com Equity Lifestyle Properties & Encore RV Resorts (877) 362-6736 • (602) 674-5690 • rvonthego.com

Fort McDowell

150 • • • • •

• • • •

Phoenix, Casa Grande, Show Low

1000+

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fiesta Grande RV Resort (877) 362-6736 • (520) 836-7222 • rvonthego.com

Casa Grande

767

• • • • • • • • • • •

Good Life RV Resort (800) 999-4990 • (480) 832-4990 • goodliferv.com

Mesa

1156

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Leaf Verde RV Resort (623) 386-3132 • leafverde.com MacGavins Queen Valley RV Resort (877) 337-2757 • (520) 463-2300 • queenvalleyrvresort.com

Buckeye

385 • • • • • •

•

Queen Valley

-

• • • • • • • • • •

Mesa Spirit RV Resort (877) 924-6709 • (480) 832-1770 • mesaspirit.com

Mesa

1800

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Monte Vista Village Resort (800) 435-7128 • (480) 833-2223 • rvonthego.com

Mesa

832

Orangewood Shadows RV Resort (800) 826-0909 • (480) 832-9080 • orangewoodshadows.com

• • • • • • • • • • •

Mesa

474

• •

Paradise RV Resort (877) 362-6736 • (623) 977-0344 • rvonthego.com

Sun City

950

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Phoenix Metro RV Park (877) 582-0390 • (623) 582-0390 • phoenixmetrorvpark.com

Phoenix

310

• • • • • • • • • •

Sundance 1 RV Resort (888) 332-5335 • (520) 426-9662 • sundance1rv.com

• • • • • • • •

Casa Grande

711

• • • • • • • • • • •

Towerpoint RV Resort (800) 444-4996 • (480) 832-4996 • towerpointresort.com

Mesa

1112

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Valley of the Sun RV (623) 334-1977

Peoria

Viewpoint RV, Golf & Tennis Resort (877) 362-6736 • (480) 373-8700 • rvonthego.com

Mesa

73 • • • • • 1937

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Tucson and Southern

Arizona

REPLETE WITH NATURAL WONDERS, history and culture, Southern Arizona

BY NANCY YACKEL

has been romancing visitors with its Old West charm for decades. k

Aravaipa Canyon Preserve ©AOT

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Tucson and Southern Arizona

You Are Here

Kartchner Caverns State Park ©AOT

Tucson’s Barrio Neighborhood ©AOT

Organ Pipe formation at Chiricahua National Monument ©HPMG

Mount Lemmon ©TGP

A kaleidoscope of images awaits discovery in Southern Arizona – sycamores shading canyon streams, forested sky islands, giant saguaros, fluttering hummingbirds, rolling ranch lands, tidy vineyards and the wonders of underground caverns. From the Old West of Tombstone to Tucson’s urban vitality, this is a land filled with contrasts.

TUCSON Framed by mountain ranges, the state’s second largest city lies in a high desert valley. Steeped in tradition yet radiating the youthful energy of a university town, Tucson bridges past and future. A strong foundation of cultural and historical diversity supports a growing modern metropolis.

The Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block exemplifies the melding of past and present: Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Western heritages. In addition to the contemporary main structure, the complex embraces five distinctive homes built between the 1850s and 1907. La Casa Cordova, one of Tucson’s oldest buildings, is the seasonal home for El Nacimiento – a traditional Mexican nativity scene exhibition. The museum’s collections include Art of the American West, pre-Columbian works and Spanish colonial folk art.

Looking for sunshine? You’ll find it in Tucson 350 days a year. Resorts cater to guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation – whether that comes with a daily 18 holes of championship golf, luxurious spa treatments, active recreation or quiet meditation.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains and desert, worldclass facilities and service ensure an energizing escape.

The University of Arizona (UofA) adds academic complexities and vibrancy to the city’s character. On campus, you’ll find a number of worthwhile destinations – don’t be surprised if you spend an entire day.

The Center for Creative Photography houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections – including the archives of Ansel Adams. Stop at the UofA Museum of Art where the collections range from European Renaissance to Pablo Picasso and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Flandrau Science Center offers hands-on exhibits, planetarium and laser shows and observatory viewing of the night sky. In the same facility, the UofA Mineral Museum proves all that glitters isn’t gold, but what they have may be even more intriguing.

The Arizona State Museum, a Smithsonian Institute affiliate, holds large Native American and Mexican

anthropological collections. A permanent exhibit, Paths of Life, focuses not only on the origins, history and artifacts of 10 Southwest American Indian cultures but also examines their life today.

Just outside the University’s Main Gate, the Arizona Historical Society Museum provides excellent orientation to important influences you’ll observe as you explore the region.

A lively arts and music scene and Southwestern cuisine – a fusion of local and international influences – further testify to Tucson’s diverse cultural collage.

AROUND TUCSON Within a half-hour of leaving downtown Tucson you can be a registered dude at the White Stallion Ranch. Trail rides through the Tucson Mountains and adjoining Saguaro National Park may make you think you’ve stepped into a favorite Western movie. Traditional Western guest experiences blend perfectly with modern comfort and amenities at this working cattle ranch. Also try Tanque Verde Ranch, east of Tucson, named one of the Top Ten Family Vacation destinations by the Travel Channel, or the Cowgirl Camp, one of the authentic experiences offered at the Lazy K Bar Guest Ranch.

Saguaro National Park flanks the city to the east and west; both districts encompass the striking Sonoran Desert landscape. Giant saguaro (pronounced suh-WAH-ro) cacti thrust their pleated

BEST-Kept Secret San Pedro House, east of Sierra Vista, is the starting point for tours to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

Habitat along the San Pedro River supports 100 species of breeding and 250 species of migratory birds, as well as mammals, reptiles and amphibians. A network of trails, picnic facilities, guided walks and a gift shop well stocked with related book titles serve visitors.

Field Trip at the San Pedro River ©AOT ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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Tucson and Southern Arizona

To Dine For Celebrate Sundays with an elegant brunch in the Old World charm of Tucson’s Arizona Inn. Entrées are accompanied by breakfast pastries, soup, salad and fresh fruit and dessert.

At El Charro Cafe in Tucson, the country’s oldest Mexican restaurant operated by the same family, try the house specialty Carne Seca. Taste buds explode with traditional Sonoran and innovative Tucson-style cuisine.

Janos’ eclectic menu brings tastes from around the world to Tucson diners. French technique, fresh local products and seasonal influences come together in memorable, avant garde dishes.

Start the day with hints of Southwestern flavor – breakfast on the patio at Tohono Chul Park Tea Room, also in Tucson.

Or, cap a stroll through the gardens of this urban oasis with lunch or afternoon tea.

Adobe Southwestern Cuisine adds new excitement to the town of Sierra Vista’s dining options. Dishes reflect influences from Latin America, Cuba and Native Americans.

Historic Stables Restaurant at the Tubac Golf Resort overlooks the 18th hole. From Frangelico French toast to chipotle spiked caesar salad and cornhusk halibut en papillote, the chef crafts a hole-in-one.

To make a day (or two) of it, explore the Salsa Trail, made up of restaurants in Graham County, including the towns of Safford, Thatcher and Solomon. You’ll find a selection of family-owned eateries featuring outstanding enchiladas, menudo, huevos rancheros and burritos, among other Southwestern delicacies, and, of course salsa. For a trail map, see the Graham County Chamber of Commerce website: visitgrahamcounty.com, or call (888) 837-1841.

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Salsa Trail ©AOT A R I Z O N A O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

columns and outstretched arms into the desert sky. Slow growers, the first arm doesn’t appear until the plant is 40-75 years old. When you see a 40-foot saguaro, know it has stood on that spot for about 150 years.

No two are alike; the number of arms varies from two to more than 20. Look for tops that have spread into broad fans; these cristate saguaro are uncommon.

Drive the six-mile gravel Bajada Loop in the Tucson Mountain (Saguaro West) District to see dense stands of the namesake cacti and to view petroglyphs – rock art probably left by the Hohokam people 1,000 years ago.

The Rincon Mountain (Saguaro East) District is larger and offers more varied terrain. Mica Mountain peaks at 8,666 feet. Saguaro and other desert plants give way to grassland, oak woodland and pine forest at higher elevations. From the visitor center, the paved eight-mile Cactus Forest Drive accesses picnic areas, and interpretive and hiking trails.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum promotes insight into the complexities of the surrounding ecosystems. More botanical garden and zoo than museum, two miles of trails lead through the mostly outdoor facility. Exhibits are living, not static, displays of more than 330 animal and 1,200 plant species.

Three attractions in the area lead from Old Hollywood and airplanes to a sanctuary grounded in the more distant past.

Old Tucson Studios has been the setting for hundreds of movies and television episodes. This Western theme park entertains with gunfights, stunts, musical revues and guided movie-history tours.

Aviation aficionados find Pima Air and Space Museum a dreamland of planes and helicopters.

There’s even a Presidential plane on the tour. Trace the history of flight among one of the largest aircraft collections in the world. A satellite facility, the Titan Missile Museum, chronicles the Cold War era. The deactivated Titan II and launch silo are the only such facilities remaining and are open to the public.

San Xavier del Bac Mission stands as an exquisite work of art and faith. Known as the White Dove of the Desert, the architecture blends Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance influences. The church is an active parish, with daily mass, serving primarily the Tohono O’odham tribal members. Step inside to appreciate the glittering high altar, frescoes, carvings and statuary. A video shown in the museum details the extensive conservation and restoration work of the interior.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park lies southeast of Tucson in the Rincon Mountains. During tours of the dry limestone caverns – always a comfortable 70 degrees Fahrenheit – you’ll hear tales of train robberies, jail breaks and hidden treasure. Could there still be gold stashed in the underground labyrinths? La Posta Quemada Ranch in the park offers trail rides, picnic and camping grounds and a museum.

Don’t Know Much About History De Anza Trail Follow the 1776 route of Juan Bautista de Anza II as he led expeditions from Sonora to San Francisco Bay. Tumacácori National Historical Park protects three Spanish Colonial missions including Mission San Jose de Tumacácori established in 1691. A 4.5-mile trail crisscrosses the Santa Cruz River to the Tubac Presidio. De Anza served as commander of the presidio before setting off to establish the overland ground route.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park recalls the days of a garrisoned cavalry and colonists. Anza Days, held the third weekend of October each year, celebrates this history with colorful pageantry including a horseback ride from mission to presidio. Re-enactors in period costume assume the roles of de Anza, soldiers and members of the expedition. The public is welcome to join the procession as it makes its way along the route.

Further north, visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission blending Moorish, Byzantine and Mexican Renaissance architecture. The beautiful “White Dove of the Desert” remains an active church of the Tohono O’odham Indians.

Don’t miss the amazing restoration of the ornate interior artwork.

Continue de Anza’s journey through Tucson’s Santa Cruz River Park. The riverside trail is popular with hikers, joggers, cyclists and equestrians. Or, relax with a picnic in the shade of mesquite trees.

Ha:san Bak: Saguaro Harvest Celebration occurs in late June at Colossal Cave Mountain Park. The Tohono O’odham people traditionally harvest the ripe red saguaro fruit for use during the Rain Ceremony. A long picking pole is made by lashing dried saguaro ribs together and near the top, a branch of greasewood forms a “t.” During the celebration, Tohono O’odham lead participants in handson harvesting and preparation of the fruit into jams, jellies and syrups. The fruit is so naturally sweet no sugar is added. Following Native American practice, nothing goes to waste; the thousands of tiny black seeds are ground into flour for porridge.

A favorite recreation area, Sabino Canyon climbs into the Santa Catalina foothills. Narrated tram tours carry passengers up the narrow road, with nine stone bridges crossing Sabino Creek. Make the roundtrip by tram, stop for a picnic – or hike down.

Whether you have an hour or a day, trails at Sabino Canyon are a prime location for a hike. Want to learn more?

The bookstore at the visitor center

offers a wide selection of titles covering regional culture, history and nature.

Geographic contrasts are dramatic along the winding 26-mile drive up the Catalina Highway. Desert quickly gives way to aspen and pine forest.

Near the 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon summit, you’ll find the United States’ southernmost ski area. The chair lift, open year round, carries passengers to panoramic views.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA Established in 1958 as the U.S.’s first national observatory and boasting the world’s largest concentration of optical telescopes, Kitt Peak National Observatory is about 56 miles southwest of Tucson. Guided and self-guided daytime tours are rewarding, but nighttime dinner and stargazing tours are really stellar.

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park recognizes Tubac’s role from Spanish Colonial frontier to Arizona’s largest town in 1860. On Sunday afternoons, October through March, Los Tubaquenos Living History program interprets the lives of Tubac families

San Xavier del Bac Mission ©AOT

in the mid-1700s. You’ll see weavers and craftsmen, sample foods and learn about local medicinal plants.

More than 90 businesses line the streets and lanes of present day Tubac. Galleries, working studios, gift shops and restaurants call for a day of browsing, lunching and shopping. Hundreds of artists and musicians present their art during the popular Tubac Festival of the Arts held in early February.

Tumacácori National Historical Park protects the remains of the first mission church in Arizona, San José de Tumacácori. The story of Jesuit priest Father Kino and the O’odham peoples unfolds as you tour the grounds.

During Juan Bautista de Anza Days, mass is held in the church followed by a procession, on horseback and foot, following the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail to Tubac.

Nogales is a popular border crossing to the United States’ neighbor to the south, especially for daytrippers.

You’ll find it easiest to park your car and walk across to the shops and restaurants clustered near the border. ww w.ari zonaguide.com • 79

Tucson and Southern Arizona

WHAT to buy Art abounds throughout Southern Arizona.

Culture, history and landscape inspire creative expression. A broad spectrum of media ranges from delicate glass to bronze sculpture, contemporary paints to traditional Native American weavings.

Bisbee hums with an active community of artists. The historic downtown thrives with galleries, studios and artist co-ops exhibiting creations elegant to eclectic. Buyers fascinated with process as well as results find ARTventure’s “Walk in an Artist’s Shoes for a Day” an intriguing experience (be sure to book in advance). The Annual Art Auction in March offers a collection from the city’s finest artisans.

Tubac is a shoppers’ mecca year ’round, reaching a peak each February when the streets fill with the Tubac Festival of the Arts. The juried event showcases hundreds of artists from around the country, and features works from imaginative whimsy to realistic landscape.

More than 100 Tucson artists welcome browsers and buyers during the annual Tucson Open Studio Tour in November, a time to connect creator with original works. In addition to the multitude of galleries, shoppers shouldn’t overlook museum gift shops. Tucson Museum of Art, Tohono Chul Park, Center for Creative Photography and Arizona State Museum are just a few that offer unique pieces for sale in addition to exhibits.

Nogales is also the beginning of the Exhibits at the Fort Huachuca Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road. Historical Museum and the Army The route travels along rolling hills Intelligence Museum relate imporand grasslands between the Santa tant Southwestern military stories, Rita and Patagonia Mountains. The including the 10th Cavalry unit towns of Patagonia, Sonoita and known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

Elgin are home to vineyards and South of Sierra Vista, giant sycawineries. Altitudes near 5,000 feet, mores shade the Arizona Folklore sunny days, cool nights and low Preserve. Dolan Ellis, an original humidity create a microclimate New Christy Minstrel, has served hospitable to grape vines. Robert as Arizona’s Official State Balladeer Parker of The Wine Advocate has for 41 years. Ellis travels the proclaimed, “Callaghan Vineyards state, researching fact, myth and must be one of the best-kept wine legend. His repertoire of original secrets in America.” Tasting rooms songs entertains with humor and welcome guests to uncover (uncork?) sensitivity. Weekend matinee shows their own favorites. feature guest artists or one of Ellis’ Fort Huachuca grew from an 20 themed programs celebrating isolated U.S. Cavalry camp in 1877 Arizona’s heritage, culture, people, to an important military installation. events and scenic attractions.

The National Historic Landmark in Perhaps nowhere does fact and Sierra Vista remains an active base legend reflect the Wild West as much and is headquarters to U.S. Army as in Tombstone. A good place to Intelligence Center and School. start your tour is the Tombstone 80 • A R I Z O N A O F F I C I A L S T A T E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Downtown Bisbee ©HPMG

Courthouse State Historic Park.

Exhibits depict ranching and mining life, as well as the famous shootout between the Earp brothers and the Clanton gang at the OK Corral. Ride the dusty streets in a stagecoach or wagon, pose for pictures with locals attired in period clothing, watch reenactments of the famous gunfight and stop by the Boothill Graveyard during your encounter with the West of yesteryear.

Bisbee was Queen of the Copper Camps in the late 1880s. Since mining ceased, the town has grown into a diverse and respected artistic community. Well-preserved Victorian-era buildings serve as galleries and studios. Underground and open pit mine tours, the Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum and walking and Jeep/van tours, recall the days when copper was queen.

The realities of Southwestern

ranching at the turn of the 20th century come alive at the John Slaughter Ranch east of Douglas. A former Texas Ranger, Slaughter served as Cochise County sheriff with a tough policy towards lawbreakers. He was labeled by one writer as: “The meanest good guy who ever lived.” Portions of Slaughter’s vast 65,000-acre San Bernardino Ranch are preserved as a National Wildlife Refuge.

Rarely will you find underground wonders such as those discovered at Kartchner Caverns State Park. The cave is still growing, one water drop at a time, as mineral deposits create fascinating formations. Extraordinary environmental efforts protect this rare, wet limestone cavern. Called “speleothems,” the decorative forms have been in the works for 200,000 years, building up travertine layers of calcite. Guided tours lead to a world of soda straw stalactites, brushite moonmilk, shields, totems, helictites and Arizona’s tallest and most massive column, Kubla Khan. Besides joining a cave tour, plan time with the interactive displays in the Discovery Center and a walk in the Hummingbird Garden.

Globe and Miami embody Arizona’s history and culture with locations in the heart of copper mining country. The two downtown areas offer outstanding examples of the architecture of territorial days, with cottages lining hillsides.

Unique shops, Native American Indian archaeological parks and proximity to Tonto National Forest make the GlobeMiami area a great day out from nearby large cities, such as Tucson.

Near present-day Globe, you’ll find the remains of a 300-room pueblo inhabited by the Salado Indians from 1225-1400 A. D. BeshBa-Gowah Archaeological Park preserves remaining portions of the pueblo. Peek inside reconstructed rooms to view furnishings and utensils used for everyday needs and climb ladders to examine secondlevel spaces. An ethno-botanical garden demonstrates the Salado’s use of native plants.

Relics of the past or contemporary indulgences – Tucson and Southern Arizona promise rich discoveries. l ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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Tucson and Southern Arizona

RESOURCE GUIDE NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS Pascua Yaqui Tribe Operates two casinos with restaurants, an amphitheater featuring world-class entertainment year round, a cultural center, Del Sol Marketplace and convenience store. All visitors are welcome to the tribal Lenten and Easter ceremonies.

For more information, call (800) 5PASCUA, or visit pascuayaqui-nsn.gov.

Tohono O’odham Nation The new Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum, San Xavier del Bac Mission, Kitt Peak National Observatory, an arts and crafts plaza and three casinos. P.O. Box 761, Sells, AZ 85634, (520) 383-2028, desertdiamond.com

PUBLIC LANDS For more information, visit nps.gov or az.blm.gov.

NATIONAL PARKS, NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES, NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREAS Chiricahua NM Spires and oddly shaped rocks, including the Totem Pole. 13063 E. Bonita Canyon Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643, (520) 824-3560

Coronado National Memorial Marks the first major European exploration of Arizona. 4101 E. Montezuma Canyon Rd., Hereford, AZ 85615, (520) 366-5515 Fort Bowie NHS The remains of a frontier Army fort. c/o Superintendent, Chiricahua NM, P.O. Box 158, Bowie, AZ 85605, (520) 847-2500 Gila Box Riparian National Conservation Area More than 20,000 acres with four perennial waterways.

Camping, birding, hiking, floating, back country drives. BLM, 711 14th Ave., Safford, AZ 85546, (928) 348-4400 Ironwood Forest NM Ironwood tree forests, 5,000 years of prehistoric habitation. BLM, 12661 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85748, (520) 258-7200 Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Historic ranch house set amidst rolling hills and grasslands. Camping, birding, picnicking. BLM, 12661 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85748, (520) 258-7200 Organ Pipe Cactus NM Protects organ pipe cactus, found only in this 330,000-acre monument. 10 Organ Pipe Dr., Ajo, AZ 85321, (520) 387-6849

Picture Perfect

Get shots for your vacation album here:

k Saguaro National Park East District, near sunset. Drive the 8-mile loop road for colorful westward shots and outstanding saguaro backlit by the setting sun. k Sandhill Cranes at White Water Draw, one to two hours before sunset. About 20,000 cranes winter in the playa southwest of McNeal. Trails lead to advantageous sites for photos as wave after wave of birds returns to the wetlands in late afternoon. k Bisbee Overlook from AZ80 Pullout. When entering Bisbee from the north on AZ80, stop at the scenic viewpoint on the left. Below lies the labyrinth of historic Bisbee, filling canyons and scaling hills. k Period-clad citizens of Tombstone. Streets and attractions are filled with Tombstone residents in period dress of the “Old West” – gunslingers to ladies in red. They willingly pose for photos.

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon, Tombstone ©AOT

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Saguaro NP Thick stands of 30- and 40-foot-tall saguaros. Hiking, biking, riding and camping. 3693 S. Old Spanish Trl., Tucson, AZ 85730, (520) 733-5153 San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area Forty-mile riparian corridor lining the San Pedro River. Birding, picnicking, nature hikes, historic sites.

BLM, 1763 Paseo San Luis, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635, (520) 439-6400 Tumacácori NHP A 17th-century Spanish mission. P.O. Box 67, Tumacácori, AZ 85640, (520) 398-2341 continued on page 84

CITY Ajo Arizona City Benson Bisbee Bowie Catalina Clifton Douglas Duncan Eloy Globe Green Valley Hayden Huachuca City Mammoth Marana Miami Morenci Nogales Oracle Oro Valley Patagonia Pima Safford Sahuarita Saint David San Manuel Sells Sierra Vista South Tucson Superior Thatcher Tombstone Tucson Willcox Winkelman

POPULATION ELEVATION 3,911 1747’ 4,694 1512’ 4,785 3576’ 6,390 5300’ 1,780 3737’ 7,182 3120’ 2,505 3468’ 16,740 4004’ 810 3645’ 10,535 1562’ 7,505 3509’ 28,000 2900’ 860 2064’ 1,830 4393’ 1,750 2399’ 23,520 1995’ 1,960 3411’ 1,882 4838’ 21,375 3857’ 3,814 4513’ 38,280 2520’ 905 4057’ 2,075 2848’ 9,440 2906’ 9,715 2702’ 1,744 3706’ 4,683 3516’ 2,799 2379’ 42,805 4623’ 5,580 2438’ 3,195 2888’ 4,465 2930’ 1,595 4540’ 521,605 2437’ 3,875 4167’ 450 1928’

Tucson and Southern Arizona

RESOURCE GUIDE NATIONAL FORESTS Coronado NF 300 W. Congress, Tucson, AZ 85701, (520) 388-8300 SELECTED BLM WILDERNESS AREAS Baboquivari Peak A dominant skyline feature for miles around.

Redfield Canyon Steep-walled riparian canyon within the Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area which has seven perennial streams. Jackson Cabin Road provides back county access.

STATE PARKS For more information, visit azstateparks.com Catalina State Park Wildflowers in the spring, hiking, horseback riding and corrals, RV/tent/group campgrounds, nature programs, all with scenic views of the Catalina Mountains. 11570 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson, AZ, (520) 628-5798 Kartchner Caverns State Park One of the world’s most pristine underground caverns with cave tours offered daily.

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Expansive Discovery Center with children’s exhibits, movies, outdoor hiking trails, hummingbird garden, amphitheater, nature programming. RV/tent/group camping and group ramada/stage facilities. Just 9 miles south of Benson, AZ, (520) 586-2283.

Oracle State Park An environmental education center and a wildlife refuge with hiking, picnic areas, historic home, wildlife viewing, nature programming for children and schools. Group ramadas, special programs. 3820 Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, (520) 896-2425 Patagonia Lake State Park Fishing, RV/tent/group camping, hiking, birding, pontoon tours, wildlife viewing, skiing, boat rentals. Sonoita Creek trail access.

Special programming for group tours. 400 Patagonia Lake Rd., Patagonia, AZ, (520) 287-6965 Picacho Peak State Park Year-round RV/tent/group camping, picnic areas, hiking, nature trails, spectacular views from top of peak, wet years produce Mexican poppy wildflower displays, Civil War re-enactment in March. Picacho, AZ, (520) 466-3183

O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Roper Lake State Park Outdoor rock natural hot tub, excellent fishing, great birding, RV/tent/group camping, hiking, camping cabins. Dankworth Village trail interprets southeastern Arizona’s Native American history. Just south of Safford, AZ, (928) 428-6760 Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park The 1882 Cochise County Courthouse offers a museum of Tombstone’s real frontier history and true stories of the OK Corral, silver mining and Earp family. Tombstone, AZ, (520) 457-3311 Tubac Presidio State Historic Park Spanish fort built in 1752 is now an archaeological site and extensive museum with living history program providing special food preparations. Group tour areas outside and inside. Tubac, AZ, (520) 398-2252

VISITOR SERVICES Ajo District Chamber of Commerce 400 Taladro St., Ajo, AZ 85321 (520) 387-7742, ajochamber.com Arizona City Chamber of Commerce 13640 Sunland Gin Rd., Ste. 106, P.O. Box 5, Arizona City, AZ 85223, (520) 466-5141 arizonacitychamber.org Benson Visitor Center 249 E. 4th St., Benson, AZ 85602 (520) 586-4293, cityofbenson.com Bisbee Visitor Center 2 Copper Queen Plaza P.O. Box 1642, Bisbee, AZ 85603 (520) 432-3554, (877) 224-7233 discoverbisbee.com Douglas Visitor Center 345 E. 16th St., Douglas, AZ 85607 (520) 364-2478, (888) 315-9999 douglasaz.gov Eloy Chamber of Commerce 305 N. Stuart Blvd., Eloy, AZ 85231 (520) 466-3411, eloychamber.com Gila Bend Chamber of Commerce 644 W. Pima, P.O. Box A, Gila Bend, AZ 85337, (928) 683-2002 Graham County Chamber of Commerce 1111 Thatcher Blvd., Safford, AZ 85546 (928) 428-2511, (888) 837-1841 visitgrahamcounty.com continued on page 86

WHERE to go On the Trail DAY 1 From Tucson, drive the scenic highway up Catalina Mountain and take a hike along one of the numerous trails. In season, ski the country’s southernmost slopes. In late afternoon, don hard hats and lights for a rugged Wild Cave Tour at Colossal Cave. If you go on a Saturday, experience the Ladder Tour there, followed by a buffet dinner.

DAY 2 Step into the Old West with a stagecoach ride and visits to Boot Hill and OK Corral in Tombstone. Switch gears to the natural world of more than 400 plant and 170 bird species at the nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon south of Sierra Vista – a hummingbird haven. Overnight at Ramsey Canyon Inn B&B adjacent to the Conservancy.

DAY 3 Drive to Bisbee. Tour the Smithsonian-affiliated Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum before heading underground for a tour of the Queen Mine. Explore the downtown streets of Bisbee – an eclectic mix of history, art, antiques and boutiques. Overnight in a historic hotel or bed and breakfast.

DAY 4 Head to Arizona Horseback Experience in Sonoita to join a three-hour trail ride to the Sonoita Winery for tastings and lunch. Overnight at one of the B&Bs in the rolling grasslands surrounding Patagonia, Sonoita and Elgin.

King Canyon Trail, Saguaro National Park ©HPMG

Going in Style DAY 1 On Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., take the “Walk with a Keeper” behind-the-scenes tour at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for an orientation to the desert environment. Lunch on regional Southwestern cuisine at the museum’s Ocotillo Café, open seasonally from the end of December through the end of April.

After check-in at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, pick up a GPS receiver from the concierge desk. Spend the late afternoon hiking and exploring in the Tucson Mountains. Dinner at the resort’s Primo Restaurant.

DAY 2 Join a guided sunrise hike followed by a massage and selected spa treatments at Hashani Day Spa at the resort. Or, opt for a day on the links; three nine-hole courses weave through desert and mountainside with stunning views of Tucson.

DAY 3 Drive to Tubac for “Lunch with the Chef” cooking class at Tubac Culinary School. Afterwards, shop the art and sculpture galleries of Tubac. Overnight in luxury at Tubac Golf Resort on the historic Otero Ranch.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park

©

DAY 4 Tour award-winning wineries of the Sonoita/Elgin region. Visit Steve Getzwiller’s Nizhoni Ranch Gallery (by appointment) to shop for the finest in historic and contemporary Navajo textiles. Return to Tucson for the night at Westin La Paloma Resort. w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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RESOURCE GUIDE Greater Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce 1360 N. Broad St., Globe, AZ 85501 (928) 425-4495, (800) 804-5623 globemiamichamber.com Green Valley Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center 270 W. Continental, Ste. 100 Green Valley, AZ 85614 (520) 625-7575, (800) 858-5872 greenvalleychamber.com Greenlee County Chamber of Commerce 100 N. Coronado Blvd.

Clifton, AZ 85533 (928) 865-3313 Marana Chamber of Commerce 13881 N. Casa Grande Hwy. Marana, AZ 85653 (520) 682-4314, maranachamber.com Nogales/Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce 123 W. Kino Park Way, Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 287-3685, nogaleschamber.com Pearce-Sunsites Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 308, Pearce, AZ 85625 (520) 826-3535, pearcesunsiteschamber.org

Sierra Vista Convention & Visitors Bureau Mailing address: 1011 N. Coronado Dr., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 Physical address: 3020 E. Tacoma St., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 417-6960, (800) 288-3861 visitsierravista.com Sonoita-Elgin Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 607, Sonoita, AZ 85637 (520) 455-5498, sonoitaelginchamber.org Tombstone Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 995, Tombstone, AZ 85638 (520) 457-9317, (888) 457-3929 tombstone.org Tubac Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1866, Tubac, AZ 85646 (520) 398-2704, tubacaz.com Tucson (Metropolitan) Convention & Visitors Bureau 100 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 624-1817, (800) 638-8350 visittucson.org Willcox Chamber of Commerce 1500 N. Circle I Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643 (520) 384-2272, (800) 200-2272 willcoxchamber.com Downtown Tubac ©HPMG

SPAS Hashani Spa at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa (520) 791-6117, hashanispa.com Experience the ancient healing techniques and traditions of the indigenous desert people in a luxurious, relaxing environment when you spend a day at the Hashani Spa. Red Door Spa by Elizabeth Arden at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa (520) 742-7866 Full-service salon and spa which offers total indulgence for an hour, half a day, or all day. Escape through the Red Door.

Sonoran Spa at Westward Look Resort (800) 722-2500, (520) 917-2467 westwardlook.com Discover the healing powers of the desert. The Sonoran Spa at Westward Look Resort offers a variety of unique treatments certain to rejuvenate and invigorate.

Sonoran Spa at Westward Look Resort

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The Spa at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (800) 234-5117, (520) 529-7830 loewshotels.com A place to relax, to heal and to grow. The Spa at Loews helps you to find beauty and balance – both inside and out.

The Spa at Omni Tucson National Resort & Villas (520) 575-7559, omnitucsonnational.com Tucson’s only Mobil Four Star-rated resort spa. Discover this new spa experience unveiling late 2008 with 16 treatment rooms, salon, fitness center, saunas and spa suites.

The Spa at Tubac Golf Resort & Spa (800) 848-7893, (520) 398-3545 tubacgolfresort.com The Hacienda-style spa offers 4,000 square feet of luxurious treatments: massage, specialty, body treatments, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures. Relax and rejuvenate.

Adv. Booking Policy Golf Shop Bar/Lounge Restaurant

Dress Code

Public/Semi Pvt.

Slope

Rating

Yardage

Par

Number of Holes

Location

Rio Rico Country Club ©

Golf Arizona Trails Golf Vacations (888) 799-4284 • (480) 837-4284 • arizonatrails.com Tucson - - - - - - La Paloma Country Club (520) 299-1500 • lapalomacc.com Tucson 27 36 3463 72.3 144

SemiPrivate • • • • •

Mountainview Golf Club (520) 818-1100 • freerobsondvd.com/226 Tucson 18 72 6728 71.3 127

Semi- Private • • • • •

Quail Creek Golf Club (520) 625-0133 • freerobsondvd.com/226 Green Valley 18 72 7005 72.8 132

SemiPrivate • • • • •

Rio Rico Country Club (800) 288-4746 • (520) 281-8567 • esplendor-resort.com Rio Rico 18 72 7118 73.0 132 Public • • • • SaddleBrooke Ranch Golf Course (520) 818-6403 • freerobsondvd.com/226 Tucson 18 72 6418 69.9 124

Semi- Private • • •

San Ignacio Inn & Golf Resort (888) 450-5444 • (520) 393-5700 • innatsanignacio.com

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6704

72.0

135

Public

Starr Pass Golf Club (800) 503-2898 • (520) 670-0400 • starrpass.com Tucson 27 72

Green Valley

36

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7008

74.8

144

Public

• • •

Tubac Golf Resort (800) 848-7893 • (520) 398-2021 • tubacgolfresort.com Tubac 27 72 6870 71.7 131

Public

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Tucson National-Catalina & Sonoran Course (520) 877-2309 • tucsonnational.com

Public

• • • • •

Location

Saguaro cactus silhouette ©HPMG

Ventana Golf Courses, Mountain and Canyon, Managed by Troon (800) 234-5117 • (520) 577-4015 • loewshotel.com Tucson 36

72

6610

71.9

134

Semi72 6819 72.6 140 Private • • • • •

Senior Adult Park Park Models for Rent Pet Friendly Laundry Swimming Pool Organized Activities Internet Access Golf on Site Tennis on Site Restaurant Exercise Facilities Handicap Accessible Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Recreational Facilities

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Number of Spaces

Tucson

RV Parks Mountain View RV Park (520) 456-2115 • mountainviewrvpark.com Huachuca City 97 • • • • • • Pato Blanco Lakes RV Park (520) 586-8966 • patoblancolakes.com Benson 105 • • • • • • • • • • • San Pedro Resort Community (877) 235-9100 • (520) 586-9546 • sanpedrorv.com Benson 133 • • • • • • • • • • • Voyager RV Resort (800) 424-9191 • (520) 574-5000 • voyagerrv.com

Tucson

1576

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Hilton Tucson El Conquistador ©

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Tucson and Southern Arizona

Accommodations

REGIONWIDE A List of Bed and Breakfasts listbb.com varies - B&B AMADO Amado Territory Inn Bed & Breakfast (888) 398-8684 • (520) 398-8684 • amado_territory_inn.com 15 100-145 • B&B • • • • • BENSON Holiday Inn Express (888) 263-2283 • (520) 586-8800 • bensonaz.hiexpress.com 62 99-159 Hotel • • • • • BISBEE Letson Loft Hotel (877) 432-3210 • (520) 432-3210 • letsonlofthotel.com 8 120-185 • Hotel • • • DRAGOON Triangle T Guest Ranch Guest (866) 586-7533 • (520) 586-7533 • triangletguestranch.com 8 99-500 Ranch • • • • • • GLOBE Noftsger Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast (877) 780-2479 • (928) 425-2260 • noftsgerhillinn.com 6 90-115 B&B • • GREEN VALLEY Inn at San Ignacio (888) 450-5444 • (520) 393-5700 • innatsanignacio.com 86 79-199 • Resort • • • • • Quail Creek Resort Community Luxury (888) 648-0332 • (520) 648-0332 • freerobsondvd.com/226 - - Homes • • • • • • Wyndham Canoa Ranch Resort (888) 430-2474 • (520) 382-0450 • wyndham.com 92 124-399 Resort • • • • • • • • • • NOGALES Hacienda Corona de Guevavi (888) 287-6502 • (520) 287-6503 • haciendacorona.com 8 175-225 B&B • • • • • • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (877) 232-3630 • (520) 281-0123 • hiexpress.com/nogalesaz 99 109-229 Hotel • • • • • • • PEARCE Sunglow Ranch Guest (866) SUNGLOW • (520) 824-3334 • sunglowranch.com 9 182-357 Ranch • • • • PORTAL Portal Peak Lodge, Store & Cafe (520) 558-2223 • portalpeaklodge.com 16 65-125 Hotel • • • RIO RICO Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico (800) 288-4746 • (520) 281-1901 • esplendor-resort.com 179 - Hotel • • • • • • • SIERRA VISTA America's Best Value Inn (888) 315-2378 • (520) 459-5380 • innworks.com/sierravista 52 55-75 • Hotel • • • • • • TOMBSTONE The Historic Downtown Larian Motel (520) 457-2272 • tombstonemotels.com 14 65-85 • Motel • • TUBAC Tubac Golf Resort & Spa (800) 848-7893 • (520) 398-2211 • tubacgolfresort.com 98 109-349 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • • TUCSON America's Best Value Inn (866) 224-5960 • (520) 884-5800 • bvitucson.com 99 44-129 • Hotel • • • Best Western InnSuites Hotel & Suites (800) 554-4535 • (520) 297-8111 • innsuites.com 159 69-129 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • • Best Western Royal Sun Inn & Suites (800) 545-8858 • (520) 622-8871 • bwroyalsun.com 79 79-149 • Hotel • • • • • • Comfort Suites at Sabino Canyon (866) 890-1399 • (520) 298-2300 • tucsoncs.com 90 159 • Hotel • • • • • • Elkhorn Ranch Guest (520) 822-1040 • guestranches.com/elkhorn 20 1198/wk Ranch • • • • • Embassy Suites Tucson Paloma Village (800) 362-2779 • (520) 352-4000 119 99-399 Hotel • • • • • • • tucsonpalomavillage.embassysuites.com

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Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

White Stallion Ranch ©

Accommodations Executive Inn & Suites of Tucson (800) 255-3371 • (520) 791-7551 • executiveinntucson.com 128 65-149 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Fairfield Inn by Marriott at Tucson Airport (800) 224-0023 • (520) 295-8800 • fairfieldinntucsonairport.com 86 59-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • Four Points by Sheraton Tucson University Plaza (520) 327-7341 • fourpoints.com/tucsonuniversityplaza 150 69-249 Hotel • • • • • • Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort Guest (800) 728-6514 • (520) 299-1501 • haciendadelsol.com 30 99-495 Ranch • • • • • • Hampton Inn Tucson Airport (520) 918-9000 • hamptoninn.com 126 89-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • Hilton Tucson East (800) HILTONS • (520) 721-5600 • hiltontucsoneast.com 233 179-279 • Hotel • • • • • • • Hilton Tucson El Conquistador, Golf & Tennis Resort (800) HILTONS • (520) 544-5000 • hiltonelconquistador.com 428 89-249 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • • Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Tucson Airport North (800) 465-4329 • (520) 746-1161 • hitucsonairport.com 300+ 89-179 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Hotel Congress (800) 722-8848 • (520) 622-8848 • hotelcongress.com 40 69-119 • Hotel • • • • • Hyatt Place Tucson Airport (888) 492-8847 • (520) 295-0405 • hyattplace.com 120 109-149 • Hotel • • • • • • • • InnSuites Tucson City Center Suite Hotel (800) 842-4242 • (520) 622-3000 • innsuites.com 268 89-149 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa (520) 792-3500 • jwmarriottstarrpass.com 575 varies Resort • • • • • • • • • • Lodge on the Desert (800) 456-5634 • (520) 325-3366 • lodgeonthedesert.com 35 90-310 Hotel • • • • • Loews Ventana Canyon Resort (800) 234-5117 • (520) 529-2020 • loewshotels.com 398 165-3,000 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • • Omni Tucson National Resort & Villas (800) THE-OMNI • (520) 297-2271 • omnitucsonnational.com 279 109-499 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Palo Verde Inn & Suites (800) 997-5470 • (520) 294-5250 • starboundinn.com 173 59-119 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • Quality Inn Tucson (520) 623-7792 • inntucson.com 136 59-159 Hotel • • • • • • • • Radisson Suites Hotel Tucson Airport (866) 403-5206 • (520) 573-0700 • radisson.com/tucsonaz 204 89-229 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • Ramada Inn & Suites Foothills (888) 546-9629 • (520) 886-9595 • ramadafoothillstucson.com 115 64-169 • Hotel • • • • • • • Ramada Limited (866) 622-6491 • (520) 622-6491 • tucsonramadalimited.com 132 65-150 • Hotel • • • • Rancho de la Osa Guest Ranch Guest (800) 872-6240 • (520) 823-4257 • ranchodelaosa.com 20 290-500 Ranch • • • • • • SaddleBrooke Ranch Resort Community Luxury freerobsondvd.com/226 - - Homes • SaddleBrooke Resort Community Luxury (800) 733-4050 • (520) 825-3030 • freerobsondvd.com/226 - - Homes • • • • • • Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites (800) 257-7275 • (520) 323-6262 • sheraton.com/tucson 216 69-269 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • Tanque Verde Ranch Guest (800) 234-3833 • (520) 296-6275 • tanqueverderanch.com 75 240-1,100 Ranch • • • • • • • • The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa (800) WESTIN-1 • (520) 742-6000 • westinlapalomaresort.com 487 - Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • Westward Look Resort (800) 722-2500 • (520) 297-1151 • westwardlook.com 244 159+ Resort • • • • • • • • • White Stallion Ranch Guest (888) 977-2624 • (520) 297-0252 • wsranch.com 45 112-257 Ranch • • • • • • • • • • • Windmill Suites at St. Philip’s Plaza (800) 547-4747 • (520) 577-0007 • windmillinns.com 122 70-120 • Hotel • • • • •

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O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Grand Canyon National Park ©AOT

NORTHERN Arizona

NORTHERN ARIZONA HAS ONE OF THE GREATEST assets in the Natural World and one of its Seven Wonders: The Grand Canyon. Sure, no visit here is complete without a

BY DINA MISHEV

trip to the Canyon – that would be like going to

Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Champs Élysées – but know that Northern Arizona is so much more. k

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Northern Arizona

You Are Here

Canyon de Chelly ©HPMG

Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff ©AOT Surfing the wake at Lake Powell ©HPMG

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O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Red Rock Crossing, Sedona ©HPMG

This region is home to a ski resort, still-thriving, millenniumold Indian communities, diners that haven’t changed since the hey-day of Route 66, and a town where the Pony Express still makes deliveries, one day a year at least.

GRAND CANYON Saying that words don’t do this 277-mile long, one-mile deep wonder justice isn’t lip service.

It is the truth. There just aren’t enough superlatives… and, even if there were, Edward Abbey himself couldn’t arrange them in any way so as to create the same overwhelming sense of awe you feel when standing at, say, Plateau Point. On the Bright Angel Trail near the canyon’s bottom, Plateau Point has you staring, undoubtedly with mouth agape and eyes wide, through 1.8-plus billion years of geology out at the Colorado River and up at the imposing North Rim. Pictures can’t really do the Grand Canyon justice either. Even if you drive the 122 miles roundtrip, all on dirt roads, from the North Rim to Toroweap Overlook, perched 3,000 feet above the Colorado River and without argument one of the canyon’s most spectacular viewpoints, and snap hundreds of photos, you’ll still find yourself looking at them later and explaining to friends and family that, “I just couldn’t capture it all.”

But the Grand Canyon’s inability to be recreated in either word or art only adds to its appeal. The 5 million people who come here to experience it every year prove this. It isn’t that the canyon needs to be seen to be believed, but rather that it needs to be seen to be sensed. And there are almost as many different ways to sense and experience the canyon as there are feelings it evokes: by foot, bike, car, bus, mule, raft, hot air balloon, plane, train, helicopter and horse. ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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The most basic tour of the canyon – and the one enjoyed by most visitors – is by car and bus around the South Rim. Open all year, the South Rim features most of the canyon’s easily accessible overlooks and trails, as well as several full-service restaurants, hotels and shops. Mather Point is the overlook providing the first glimpse of the Grand Canyon when driving in from the south. The West Rim Drive, from Grand Canyon Village to Hermits Rest, affords motorists, bicyclists and sightseers amazing vantages of the Bright Angel Trail, the Colorado River, the old copper and uranium Orphan Mine and the Abyss’ 3,000-foot drop. Once at Hermits Rest – designed by architect Mary Colter to resemble a place a hermit might like – grab something to drink and peruse the gift shop.

To explore – literally – the depths of the canyon, you’ll have to trade car, bus and bike for foot, be it your own or those of a sure-footed

mule. The easy (i.e. paved) Rim Trail from Maricopa Point to Yavapai Observation Station offers one of the best sunset vistas in the park.

Both the Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails will take you all the way down to the Colorado, where, if you booked well in advance, you can enjoy a night at Phantom Ranch, the only lodging on the canyon’s floor. A trip to the bottom of the canyon, be it hiking or on a mule, is best outside of the hot summer months of July and August, when temperatures at Phantom Ranch can reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the South Rim is the Grand Canyon’s most popular area to visit for a reason – mainly the easy access and the fact it is open year ’round – the North Rim is equally spectacular.

Although only 10 miles as the crow flies from the South Rim, motorists must drive 215 miles to get from one to the other. The lack of crowds – this side sees only about one-tenth of the visitors the South Rim gets –

and the 1,500-foot-higher vistas are worth it, though.

Due to its higher elevation and the resulting winter weather that can blanket the area with between four and 10 feet of snow, the North Rim is only open from mid-May until late October. On this side, the drive of choice is the Cape Royal Scenic Drive. There are plenty of hikes on the North Rim too, as well as mule rides along the rim and down into the canyon.

If you can’t decide between the North and South rims, split the difference and raft right down the middle. Outfitter-led trips on the Colorado River last from one day to three weeks. Those who have floated the river often say it is the best adventure of their lives.

A newer addition to the canyon brings unique viewpoints as well as cultural experiences. Grand Canyon West, on the tribal lands of the Hualapai and operated since 1988, continued on page 96

Don’t Know Much About History A Walk in the Sky

Skywalk, Hualapai Tribal Reservation, Grand Canyon West ©HPMG

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The Hualapai have been in the news lately because of the Grand Canyon Skywalk – a glass-floored suspension bridge extending 70 feet out over the rim of the canyon on their tribal lands. Their relationship with the Grand Canyon goes back much further, though. Along with the Havasupai, Hopi and Paiute, the Hualapai have been the “Keepers of the Canyon,” living on and off of the lands around the Grand Canyon for generations. The nearly one million-acre Hualapai Reservation was established in 1883.

While most of today’s “Keepers of the Canyon” live modern lives in modern homes, the Hualapai celebrate, and share, traditional ways of Indian life in The Indian Village, adjacent to the Skywalk on their reservation at Grand Canyon West.

To make the village, members of the Hualapai tribe and members from three other tribes constructed authentic traditional dwellings using materials from their respective tribal reservations. Each structure includes a display explaining the tribes’ traditional ways of life. In the center of everything is a 250-seat amphitheater for daily presentations and performances. The Hualapai have been offering tours of the southwest rim of the Grand Canyon since 1988.

Grand Canyon Skywalk: (877) 716-9378, www.grandcanyonskywalk.com.

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Northern Arizona

has what might be two of the best canyon views – from Guano Point and Eagle Point. Recently the Hualapai have worked with other Arizona tribes to create an authentic Indian Village. The village actually includes five smaller villages that depict the lives of the Hualapai, as well as those of three other Arizona tribes through displays and recreated dwellings.

THE ARIZONA STRIP West and north of the Colorado River – itself one of the state’s great attractions – this region has millions of acres of forests, desert grasslands, canyons and mountains. There are petroglyphs, historic Mormon sites and national monuments… as well as crystal-clear skies, more open space than you could cover in a lifetime and diverse geology.

Nowhere will you feel more removed from the hustle and bustle of

everyday life than in one of the several wilderness areas such as Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness, the Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness or the Paiute Wilderness. Since the Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness plays host to exponentially more animals than it does humans, it doesn’t even have any established trails; hikers can still enjoy bushwhacking though its canyons and a Joshua tree forest, though. The Paiute Wilderness offers a wide variety of scenery – from desert at 2,400 feet to pine and fir forests on the flanks of the 8,012-foot high Mount Bangs – as well as trails reaching much of it. The Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness is a major landmark of the western Grand Canyon and offers ample wildlife viewing. There are several marked trails to explore.

The Arizona Strip has been inspiring awe in people for eons; petroglyph and

historic sites attest to its popularity among Indians and pioneers. The Nampaweap Petroglyph Site has thousands of pictures pecked into boulders by Paiute and Ancestral Puebloan Indians. At the Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site, more than 500 designs have been discovered.

Archeologists believe many of them have ceremonial or calendar functions.

At Pipe Spring National Monument, an early Mormon cattle ranch is preserved as it was in the 1870s, shortly after its first few buildings were erected. Ahead of the Mormons, ancestors to modern-day Paiutes used this spring before the first European had even landed on North American shores. The Pipe Spring National Monument-Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum, which is right at the monument, does an excellent job of explaining the histories of all the people who relied on the spring here for life.

Picture Perfect k At Wupatki National Monument a picture isn’t worth 1,000 words but rather 1,000 years. Hundreds of Sinagua ruins, some approaching 1,000 years old, dot the desert landscape. Don’t miss a shot of the pueblo built on top of a boulder. k Show friends back home Arizona isn’t all canyons and desert with pics of Sunset Crater, where lava flows and cinders look as if the volcano just exploded yesterday (today’s lava landscape was actually shaped sometime between 1040 and 1100). The one-mile Lava Flow Trail takes you right through the alien backdrop. k A more accessible, mellower relative of the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon is about more than exposed rock strata.

It’s also chock full of some of the world’s most picturesque fishing and swimming holes.

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument ©HPMG

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Even though this area’s early settlers probably didn’t have too much free time to wonder at the natural beauty, you should make sure to. At the purplish Vermilion Cliffs, see if you can spot any of the endangered California condors that call this 3,000-foot-tall sheer escarpment home. Just beyond Vermilion Cliffs, but still included in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, are Paria Canyon and Coyote Buttes.

There are few hiking experiences that can compare to a four- to six-day hike down the 38 miles of Paria Canyon’s sculpted rock walls. You’ll recognize Coyote Buttes immediately; they are among the state’s most unique and photographed natural features.

While Mother Nature has certainly worked her creative magic in this area, man has a rather impressive achievement here as well: Glen Canyon Dam. It is not so much the dam itself that is impressive, but rather the body of water it created, Lake Powell. Lake Powell is the secondlargest man-made lake in the country and covers 160,000 acres. It has 96 named tributary canyons flowing into it, as well as dozens of smaller, unnamed canyons. It accounts for 13 percent of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. You’ll need a lifetime to explore all this, but a few days on a boat – whether fishing, pleasure or house – is a good introduction. If you don’t have your own boat, a number of area marinas rent them. It is also possible to explore the lake via kayak or canoe. For some truly unique sights, try scuba diving.

Lake Powell isn’t just about the water though. The lake has 1,960 miles of shoreline, more than the entire West Coast of the U.S. A mile-and-ahalf hike (depending on water levels) will take you to Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world. To appreciate its size, consider this: the U.S. Capitol Dome could fit under this bridge’s nearly 300-foot-tall arch.

FOUR CORNERS There is no doubt about it, this is Indian country. Today, about 10,000 Hopi Indians live in Hopiland, where w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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To Dine For Haute cuisine and down-home fare Just because the land here is wild, doesn’t mean the food is. Northern Arizona chefs can create menus every bit as refined as their big-city contemporaries, and there are plenty of down-home restaurants to choose from as well.

Don’t just take my word for it though. See for yourself at these restaurants, where refined fare doesn’t necessarily mean a rarified atmosphere.

Only food as good as that on the menu at L’Auberge de Sedona – butter-and-honey-roasted forestière mushroom on flaked baklava, elk rack with baby turnips, Easter egg radish, barley risotto and cherry gastrique – could lure potential diners in from the nearby picturesque banks of Oak Creek.

Further east, the Turquoise Room at La Posada in Winslow has an ever-changing menu of regional, contemporary, Southwestern fare, but chef John Sharpe insists on one constant: only the freshest ingredients will do. Sharpe gets the goods from Verde Valley, Chino Valley and Glendale growers.

On the off chance you’re tired of hard-to-pronounce mushrooms and gourmet fare, head for MartAnne’s in Flagstaff. About as far from “refined” as you can get, this tiny, technicolor burrito joint serves up huge portions of the best burritos, chiliqueles and huevos rancheros. The only problem here is deciding between red and green sauce.

The Turquoise Room at La Posada, Winslow

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the tribe has lived for more than 1,500 years. The Navajo Nation, physically and by population (200,000) the largest reservation in the country, fills the northeastern quadrant of the state. Visitors are welcomed on both reservations – although photography, videography and sound recording are forbidden in Hopiland – and guides are available to introduce you to the two cultures.

Interested in Indian history? Both reservations have that as well. In the Navajo Nation, Navajo National Monument encompasses three ruins last occupied 700 years ago. Keet Seel (Navajo for “broken pottery”) is the best-preserved cliff dwelling in the Southwest. The 16-mile roundtrip hike is challenging, but rewarding, especially since the only way to get there is with one of the monument’s trained guides. (Reservations must be made in advance.) Betatakin is a much more easily accessible ruin, visible even from the monument’s visitor center. While advance reservations are not required to get to Betatakin, the number of visitors allowed there is limited; it works on a first-come, first-served basis. In Hopiland, many aspects of pueblo culture remain, and there are many Hopi who still follow ancient customs.

Two Hopi villages are the oldest known continuously inhabited villages on the continent. One of them, Walpi, on First Mesa, offers guided tours.

The ruins at Monument Valley are set into a background of otherworldly rock formations – towering buttes, jagged spires and undulating dunes – that have appeared in numerous movies, television shows and commercials. Most recently, they provided a dramatic backdrop for the opening scenes in the movie Vertical Limit. There is a 17-mile, self-guided driving tour. At the visitor center, you can also hire guides to take you to lesser-known areas of the valley where you can see hogans (traditional homes), petroglyphs and cliff dwellings.

Also in the Navajo Nation, Canyon de Chelly National Monument has ancient ruins dating back 1,000 years, natural beauty and modern Navajo towns.

Because Canyon de Chelly is so unique and there are many present-day Navajo living traditional lives there, visitor access is restricted. Unless you hire a Navajo guide, the only place you can go within the monument is the White House Ruin, a must-be-seen-to-be-believed structure built by the Ancestral Puebloans around 1200 A.D. into a giant cave in the sheer canyon walls. With a guide, nearly the whole monument is accessible: you can explore modern villages, as well as additional ruins and petroglyphs to your heart’s content.

THE SOUTH OF THE NORTH The land just south of the Grand Canyon is every bit as wild and diverse as elsewhere in this region, and it has the usual attractions that generally come with cities. Most of Northern Arizona’s population is concentrated around Flagstaff and Sedona, with

WHAT to buy Katsinas and Silver and Jewels, Oh My! With an oasis of Indian markets and trading posts seeming to pop up every few miles in Northern Arizona, here’s some information to help ensure you get what you want… and that you know what you’re getting.

Katsinas are often called dolls but they are the supernatural beings believed to live in the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff. And, while most tribes do have figure-carving traditions, true katsina dolls belong to the Hopi and Zuni.

Hopi and Zuni katsinas will always be carved from cottonwood root. They were, and still are, used to teach children about their religion. Estimates for the number of katsinas in Hopi mythology range from 250 to more than 400.

In Hopi culture, the word “katsina” describes the spiritual beings that perform ceremonial dances. The Hopi call the carvings “tihu,” but most refer to the dolls as katsinas also. However it is most appropriate to call the carvings katsina dolls Equally intriguing is the jewelry created in this region.

Native American-inspired jewelry can be found nearly anywhere nowadays, but you’ll get a better deal and have a wider selection if you buy while you’re in Arizona. While prehistoric Indians in this area mined turquoise and turned it into jewelry – primarily as hanging ornaments – it wasn’t until the 1850s or 1860s that area tribes learned silversmithing.

Silversmithing came first to the Navajo from the Spanish.

The Navajo then passed the skill on to the Zuni and Hopi.

Because of this trickle-down effect, the jewelry of the 19th century was generally Navajo in style. As time went on however, different styles did develop: Zuni jewelry exhibited channel inlays while Hopi jewelry incorporated katsina symbols and animal and clan motifs.

Today’s silversmiths freely cross tribal design boundaries and oftentimes throw in some innovations of their own.

Carved wooden figure ©HPMG

the smaller-but-service-rich Williams (30 miles east of Flagstaff) acting as the official “Gateway to the Grand Canyon.” Mornings in this area can be spent hiking, climbing, golfing or fishing, while afternoons and evenings are for cosmopolitan pleasures such as gallery-hopping, fine dining and lush treatments at full-service spas.

Williams, with a population of just over 3,000 residents and close to five million annual visitors, might be the real “biggest little city in the world.”

The city welcomes the majority of the visitors headed to the Grand Canyon and serves as the departure point for the

fabled Grand Canyon Railway. Spend some time wandering around Williams Depot, exploring the brick-sidewalk downtown or waxing nostalgic over what was the very last section of Route 66 bypassed by Interstate 40. (Route 66 served Williams from November 1926 until October 1984, when the nearby stretch of I-40 opened.)

Just east down that Interstate is Flagstaff, home of Northern Arizona University. A lively and hip-yet-historic town, Flagstaff is home to the Museum of Northern Arizona, several breweries, an observatory, miles of hiking and biking trails and a ski resort. Don’t

miss the popular Flagstaff Arboretum, home to one of the largest collections of high-country wildflowers in the United States.

The Lowell Observatory, on top of aptly named Mars Hill and just west of downtown, is one of the oldest observatories in the Southwest and is where founder Percival Lowell studied Mars and predicated the existence and location of Pluto. Be sure to check out the new Lowell Space Theater, where you can learn about the universe while experiencing the sensation of flying through space. While there are daytime tours, the chance to peer through the w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 99

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observatory’s 24-inch telescope at night is more exciting. Skies are often clearer in winter than summer.

For views of a more terrestrial nature, try the ski lift at Arizona Snowbowl on the San Francisco Peaks, which runs up to 11,500 feet. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see much above you upon disembarking; you’re on the highest peak in the state.

Back at a lower elevation, the jury is still out on whether it’s the drive from Flag (as the locals call it) to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon or Sedona itself that is more picturesque. Oak Creek Canyon’s overlooks and rest stops are popular with drivers who need to stop and take a closer look at the towering walls and clear-flowing creek. (There’s also some pretty good fly-fishing and rock climbing in the canyon.)

Sedona’s red rock country has long both inspired and been a subject for artists of all sorts.

In fact, it is rumored there are more aspiring artists per capita in Sedona than anywhere else in the country. There are also hundreds of professional artists working in every imaginable medium – from oil paint to guitars – represented in Sedona’s dozens of art galleries.

For a “gallery” that is a piece of art itself, head to Tlaquepaque, an über-showcase with 40 stores, galleries and restaurants designed to resemble a Mexican village. Named after a famous arts-and-crafts area outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, its maze of alleys and courtyards are worthy of a visit even if you’re not planning to buy anything. To escape the bustle of this fairytale art village, and of Sedona in general, try something totally Sedona: a vortex tour with a guide from the area’s growing New Age population. A vortex is an invisible source of electromagnetic energy Sedona’s psychics and spiritual healers claim they can tap into.

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East of Sedona and Flagstaff is Petrified Forest National Park. En route, stop at Meteor Crater, where astronauts have trained for missions to space; Winslow, made famous in the Eagles song, “Take It Easy” and Holbrook, that town mentioned way back at the beginning of this article where the Hashknife Pony Express begins its 200-mile ride to Scottsdale here once a year (usually in January).

The group will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ride in 2008.

At Petrified Forest National Park, see remnants of age-old trees scattered about. They are the most extensive petrified woods in the United States. A 27-mile scenic drive winds its way through much of the land dotted with the stone stumps as well as portions of the Painted Desert, where minerals dissolved in sandstone and clay soils make the landscape a palette of pastels.

Perhaps the Grand Canyon’s title as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World should be extended to the entirety of Northern Arizona. l

BEST-Kept Secret Antelope Point Marina On the southern shores of Lake Powell, about seven miles from Page, is Antelope Point Marina, comprised in part of a stunning floating platform (the largest of its type in the world) that’s the jumping off point for all types of water-based fun.

Rent a personal watercraft, a ski boat or a houseboat to enjoy a day (or more) at this world-class lakeside destination.

In the evening, admire the structure’s architecture, built to harmonize with the Navajo tribe’s aesthetic, while dining at Ja’ di’ tooh, the lake’s only on-the-water restaurant and lounge. For more information on water recreation opportunities, visit arizonaguide.com.

Antelope Point Marina

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WHERE to go On the Trail DAY 1 Since your feet are going to get more than enough work tomorrow, take the train today. Hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams for a 65-mile trip to the park’s South Rim, where you’ll spend the night at El Tovar Hotel (reservations required). Tomorrow’s a long day, so try to go to bed early. And eat a big dinner in the lodge’s dining room.

DAY 2 Less than one percent of the millions who visit the Grand Canyon ever see it from the bottom. Take the road less traveled – the South Kaibab Trail – down to the Colorado River. You’ll find a bed waiting for you at Phantom Ranch, the only lodging and dining facility on the canyon floor (be sure to book well in advance).

DAY 3 Dig into a hearty breakfast at Phantom and head back up to the top. Rather than repeat yesterday’s steps, opt for the slightly longer but more shaded Bright Angel Trail. Make sure to eat and drink plenty on the trip up.

DAY 4 Loosen up from yesterday’s excursion with some mountain biking in Flagstaff, home to hundreds of miles of trails. Energize with a brew from Late For the Train coffee shop before heading to Absolute Bikes for a ride recommendation. Overnight at the historic, downtown Hotel Monte Vista.

Going in Style

Paria Canyon ©HPMG

DAY 1 Some save the best for last, but you’re going to start with the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the Southwest, Antelope Canyon. A Navajo Tribal Park, Antelope Canyon has two sections, Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope. You can visit both, but know that footing is trickier, and there are lots of stairs to climb, in Lower Antelope. Check into Lake Powell Resort at Wahweap Marina for the next three nights.

DAY 2 The second-largest man-made lake in the country, you could spend weeks exploring Lake Powell, which is the centerpiece of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Squeeze as much into three days as possible, starting with the 7 ½-hour boat and hiking tour to Rainbow Bridge from Wahweap. Two hundred ninety feet tall and spanning 275 feet, Rainbow Bridge is the world’s largest natural bridge.

DAY 3 Rent a kayak and explore some of the secluded coves and beaches around Wahweap Marina.

Grand Canyon Railway

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DAY 4 Get your land legs back after two days spent on the water with an easy one-mile hike to Hanging Garden, an unexpected, mesa-top oasis hidden high above the Colorado River and Lake Powell.

RESOURCE GUIDE NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS Havasupai Tribe Hiking, camping and world-famous waterfalls; in the Grand Canyon, near the West Rim. P.O. Box 10, Supai, AZ 86435, (928) 448-2928 Hopi Tribe Ancient dwellings of Walpi and Old Oraibi, internationally acclaimed arts and crafts and the Hopi Cultural Center and Museum; northeastern Arizona. P.O. Box 123, Kykotsmovi, AZ 86039, (928) 734-3100, hopibiz.com Hualapai Tribe World-famous skywalk, scenic views of the Grand Canyon by foot, car and helicopter; prime big-game habitat; and whitewater rafting on 37 miles of the west rim of the Grand Canyon. P.O. Box 359, Peach Springs, AZ 86434, (888) 255-9550, destinationgrandcanyon.com Kaibab-Paiute Tribe Kanab Creek, Pipe Spring National Monument, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Visitor Center and Museum, big game hunting, hiking and beautiful scenery; west of Fredonia. HC 65, Box 2, Fredonia, AZ 86022, (928) 643-7245 Navajo Nation Antelope Point Marina, Antelope Canyon, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Discover Navajo Museum, Four Corners Navajo Tribal Monument, Navajo

Cultural Museum (Kayenta), world-famous Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Navajo Nation Council Chambers, Navajo National Monument, Navajo Nation Museum, Navajo Nation Zoo and Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site; in northeastern Arizona.

Navajo Tourism Department, P.O. Box 663, Window Rock, AZ 86515, (928) 810-8504, discovernavajo.com San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe A small, newly recognized tribe of approximately 250 members that currently does not have its own reservation. P.O. Box 1989, Tuba City, AZ 86045, (928) 283-4583 Zuni Tribe Located southeast of Holbrook, the reservation straddles the state line with New Mexico. This area currently does not offer tourism attractions in Arizona. For more information visit the Zuni Tourism Office at 1239 State Highway 53 in New Mexico, P.O. Box 339, Zuni, NM 87327, (505) 782-7000, experiencezuni.com

PUBLIC LANDS For more information, visit nps.gov or az.blm.gov.

NATIONAL PARKS, NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES, NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREAS

Canyon de Chelly NM Many wellpreserved Ancestral Puebloan ruins and 1,000-foot sandstone canyon walls. P.O. Box 588, Chinle, AZ 86503, (928) 674-5500 Glen Canyon NRA More than 1.2 million acres of fishing, boating, hiking and camping. P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040, (928) 608-6404 Grand Canyon NP One of the largest canyons in the world. Scenery, hiking, rafting, mule rides. P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023, (928) 638-7888 Grand Canyon-Parashant NM Geologic features, more than 11,000 years of human history. BLM, 345 E. Riverside Dr., St. George, UT 84790, (435) 688-3200 Hubbell Trading Post NHS The oldest continuously operating trading post in the U.S. P.O. Box 150, Ganado, AZ 86505, (928) 755-3475 Lake Mead NRA 1.5 million acres of fishing, boating, hiking and camping. 601 Nevada Hwy., Boulder City, NV 89005, (702) 293-8907 Navajo NM Contains Keet Seel, the largest and best-preserved Kayenta Pueblo ruin in Arizona. HC 71, Box 3, Tonalea, AZ 86044, (928) 672-2700

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RESOURCE GUIDE Petrified Forest NP (set within the Painted Desert) Fields of petrified logs.

Box 2217, Petrified Forest NP, AZ 86028, (928) 524-6228 Pipe Spring NM The remains of a Mormon cattle ranch from the late 19th century. HC 65, Box 5, Fredonia, AZ 86022, (928) 643-7105 Sunset Crater NM From a volcanic eruption dated to A.D. 1065. Route 3 Box 149, Flagstaff, AZ 86002, (928) 526-0502 Vermilion Cliffs NM Spectacular 3,000-foot cliffs, Buckskin Gulch, a popular “narrows” canyon and endangered California condors. BLM, 345 E. Riverside Dr., St. George, UT 84790, (435) 688-3200

CITY

POPULATION ELEVATION

Ash Fork 470 5186’ Cameron 978 4197’ Chinle 5,418 5506’ Chloride N/A 4009’ Colorado City 4,110 5039’ Dolan Springs 1,921 3497’ Flagstaff 61,270 6879’ Fort Defiance 4,061 6836’ Fredonia 1,105 4671’ Ganado 1,505 6386’ Grand Canyon 1,460 6860’ Holbrook 5,430 5083’ Hotevilla 767 6343’ Joseph City 1,465 5280’ Kayenta 5,132 5641’ Keams Canyon 260 6198’ Kykotsmovi Village 776 5687’ Lupton 1,000 5686’ Many Farms 1,552 5304’ Meadview 2,000 3040’ Page 7,090 4281’ Peach Springs 600 4797’ Round Rock 600 5350’ Second Mesa 814 5703’ Sedona 10,900 4500’ Seligman 469 5240’ Supai 561 3195’ Teec Nos Pos 799 5213’ Tsaile 1,078 7172’ Tuba City 8,864 4936’ Tusayan 562 6606’ Tuweep N/A 5180’ Valle N/A 6002’ Williams 2,940 6754’ Window Rock 3,059 6840’ Winslow 9,635 4855’

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Walnut Canyon NM Hundreds of Sinagua Indian cliff dwellings. Walnut Canyon Road, #3, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, (928) 526-3367 Wupatki NM One of the largest Pueblo Indian ruins in northern Arizona, containing an amphitheater.

HC 33, Box 444A, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, (928) 679-2365

NATIONAL FORESTS Coconino NF 1824 S. Thompson St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004, (928) 527-3600 Kaibab NF 800 S. 6th St., Williams, AZ 86046, (928) 635-8200 SELECTED BLM WILDERNESS AREAS Kanab Creek A rugged tributary of the Grand Canyon, with wildlife, solitude and excellent backcountry camping.

STATE PARKS For more information, visit azstateparks.com Homolovi Ruins State Park Hopi Indian ruins built between A.D. 1200 and 1425. Interpreting Hopi Trail and culture.

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Signed and authenticated Native American art and artists. Special programs, RV/tent/ group camping. Large visitor center just north of Winslow, AZ, (928) 289-4106 Lyman Lake State Park Large lake with camping cabins/yurts/tent/RV/group areas. Special event indoor facilities for groups, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, boating, permanent slalom ski course. Just south of St. Johns, AZ, (928) 337-4441 Red Rock State Park Nature preserve, environmental education center, many interpretive programs, theater, group tour ramadas and programs and large grassy picnic areas. Just south of Sedona, AZ, (928) 282-6907 Riordan Mansion State Historic Park “Arts and Crafts” architecturally unique 100-year-old historic mansion interpreting history of Flagstaff’s lumber economy. Special event and group tour opportunities. 409 Riordan Rd., Flagstaff, AZ, (928) 779-4395 Slide Rock State Park Smooth red sandstone water chutes, deep swimming pools, picnic areas, photo opportunities in winter and hiking year ’round. Hwy. 89A, Sedona, AZ, (928) 282-3034 continued on page 106

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RESOURCE GUIDE VISITOR SERVICES Ash Fork Visitor Center P.O. Box 494, Ash Fork, AZ 86320 (928) 637-0204 Chloride Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 268, Chloride, Arizona 86431 (928) 565-2204, chloridearizona.com Flagstaff Visitor Center One E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 774-9541, (800) 842-7293 flagstaffarizona.org Fredonia Chamber of Commerce 190 W. Johnson, P.O. Box 547 Fredonia, AZ 86022, (928) 643-7241 Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 3007, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 (928) 638-2901, (888) 472-2696 grandcanyonchamber.com

Holbrook Chamber of Commerce 100 E. Arizona St., Old Court House Holbrook, AZ 86025, (928) 524-6558, (800) 524-2459, ci.holbrook.az.us Hualapai Tribe Grand Canyon Resort Corp.

P.O. Box 359, Peach Springs, AZ 86434 (928) 769-2590 Page-Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce 644 N. Navajo Dr. Dam Plaza, P.O. Box 727, Page, AZ 86040 (928) 645-2741, (888) 261-7243 pagelakepowellchamber.org Painted Cliffs Welcome Center I-40 West, Exit 359, P.O. Box 411 Lupton, AZ 86508, (928) 688-2448

Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 478, Sedona, AZ 86336 (928) 282-7722, (800) 288-7336 visitsedona.com Valle Chamber of Commerce 755 Mustang Way, Valle-Williams, AZ 86046, (928) 635-1000 Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber Of Commerce 200 W. Railroad Ave., Williams, AZ 86046 (928) 635-1418, williamschamber.com Winslow Chamber of Commerce 300 W. North Park Rd., Winslow, AZ 86047 (928) 289-2434, winslowarizona.org

SPAS SEDONA

Spa at L’Auberge

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Amara Spa at Amara Resort & Spa (866) 455-6610, (928) 282-4828, amararesort.com One of five Elemis Spas in the United States. With roots in Bali and Indonesia, our treatments reflect the beauty, spirit and traditions of Sedona.

Briar Patch Inn Spa at Briar Patch Inn (888) 809-3030, (928) 282-2342, briarpatchinn.com Offers a variety of spa services specializing in facials and body wraps. In house aesthetician has more than 35 years of experience.

Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa (877) 273-3762, (928) 284-6975 hiltonsedonaspa.com Luxuriate and pamper yourself in this spacious 20,000-square-foot spa therapy center. The fully equipped facility features a wide array of world-class spa treatments, lap pool and therapy spa, exercise opportunities and offerings to soothe mind and body – all in the unforgettable setting of Red Rock Sedona.

Mii amo, a Destination Spa at Enchantment (888) 749-2137, (928) 203-8500, miiamo.com Ranked by Travel + Leisure readers as the world’s #1 destination spa, Mii amo offers 3-,4- and 7-night all-inclusive programs or “journeys.”

Spa at L’Auberge (800) 420-1693, laubergespa.com Surrounded by lush natural beauty, Spa at L’Auberge is an intimate retreat. Experience a tranquil treatment in the spa, a private airy creekside cabana or the romantic setting of your own cottage.

Sumptuous spa cuisine is also available.

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Radisson Woodlands Hotel ©

Accommodations CHINLE Best Western Canyon de Chelly Inn (800) 327-0354 • (928) 674-5875 • canyondechelly.com 104 100+ Hotel • • • • • Holiday Inn Chinle (866) 305-5449 • (928) 674-5000 • holidayinn.com 108 up to 104 Hotel • • • • • FLAGSTAFF Americas Best Value Inn (928) 774-1443 46 39-59 Hotel • • • • Arizona Snowbowl’s Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins (800) 472-3599 • (928) 774-0729 • arizonasnowbowl.com 25 65-115 • Lodge • • Best Western Pony Soldier Inn & Suites (800) 356-4143 • (928) 526-2388 75 55-130 Hotel • • • • Comfort Inn I-17/I-40 (928) 774-2225 • choicehotels.com 83 79-159 • Hotel • • • • • • Days Inn West (928) 774-5221 • daysinn.com 120 59-89 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Embassy Suites Flagstaff (928) 774-4333 • flagstaff.embassysuites.com 119 139-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Hampton Inn & Suites (800) HAMPTON • (928) 913-0900 • flagstaffsuites.hamptoninn.com 126 99-179 • Hotel • • • • • • The Inn at 410 Bed and Breakfast (800) 774-2008 • (928) 774-0088 • inn410.com 10 165-300 B&B • • • • • InnSuites Hotel & Suites Flagstaff (800) 898-9124 • (928) 774-7356 • innsuites.com 111 59-139 • Hotel • • • • • • • Little America Hotel & Resort (800) 352-4386 • (928) 779-7918 • littleamerica.com 247 99-189 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • Mormon Lake Lodge (928) 345-2227 • mormonlakelodge.com 53 50-175 Lodge • • • • • Quality Inn (866) 520-7111 • (928) 226-7111 • choicehotels.com 121 69-139 • Hotel • • • • • Quality Inn I-40 & I-17 (800) 4CHOICE • (928) 774-8771 • choicehotels.com 96 49-159 • Hotel • • • • • Radisson Woodlands Hotel Flagstaff (800) 333-3333 • (928) 773-8888 • radisson.com/flagstaffaz 183 89-169 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • Residence Inn By Marriott (800) 331-3131 • (928) 526-5555 • marriott.com/flgri 102 89-169 • Hotel • • • • • • • Travelodge Flagstaff (928) 779-6944 • flagstafftravelodge.com 100 35-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Travelodge Grand Canyon (928) 526-1399 • flagstafftravelodge.com 87 35-150 • Hotel • • • • • • • GRAND CANYON Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn (800) 622-6966 • (928) 638-2681 • grandcanyonsquire.com 250 75-195 • Resort • • • • • • Grand Canyon National Park Lodges (888) 297-2757 • (928) 638-2631 • grandcanyonlodges.com 907 60-375 Hotel • • • • • • Grand Canyon Red Feather Lodge (800) 538-2345 • (928) 638-2414 • redfeatherlodge.com 215 69-179 • Hotel • • • • • • The Grand Hotel (888) 634-7263 • (928) 638-3333 • grandcanyongrandhotel.com 121 89-249 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • GRAND CANYON WEST Hualapai Ranch Tranquility Package Guest (877) 716-9318 • (702) 878-9378 • destinationgrandcanyon.com 20 130 • Ranch • • HOLBROOK Americas Best Value Inn (928) 524-6216 • americasbestvalueinn.com 60 40-60 • Hotel • • • Best Western Adobe Inn (877) 524-3948 • (928) 524-3948 • bestwestern.com/adobeinn 54 60-80 • Hotel • • • • Best Western Arizonian Inn (877) 280-7300 • (928) 524-2611 • bestwestern.com/arizonian 70 78-98 • Hotel • • • • • Super 8 Motel (800) 800-8000 • (928) 524-2871 • super8.com 75 45-99 • Motel • • • • • ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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L’Auberge de Sedona

KAYENTA/MONUMENT VALLEY Best Western Wetherill Inn (928) 697-3231 • bestwestern.com 54 110 • Hotel • • • Goulding's Lodge & Tours (800) 874-0902 • (435) 727-3231 • gouldings.com 62 79-185 Resort • • • • • • • • Holiday Inn Kayenta (866) 306-5458 • (928) 697-3221 • holidayinn.com 163 up to 144 Hotel • • • • • MARBLE CANYON Marble Canyon Lodge (800) 726-1789 • (928) 355-2225 • marblecanyonlodge.com 50 45-135 Hotel • • • • PAGE/LAKE POWELL Best Western at Lake Powell (888) 794-2888 • (928) 645-5988 • innatlakepowell.com 132 69-199 • Hotel • • • • • • • Courtyard by Marriott Page (800) 321-2211 • (928) 645-5000 • marriottcourtyardpage.com 153 up to 149 Hotel • • • • • Lake Powell Days Inn & Suites (877) 525-3769 • (928) 645-2800 • daysinn.net 82 59-189 • Hotel • • • • • • Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas (800) 528-6154 • (928) 645-2433 • lakepowell.com 348 123-245 Resort • • • • • • • • • Quality Inn Lake Powell (866) 645-8851 • (928) 645-8851 • explorenavajo.com 129 55-100 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • PEACH SPRINGS Grand Canyon Caverns and Inn (928) 422-4565 • grandcanyoncaverns.com 48 75-125 • Motel • • • • • • • • • Hualapai Lodge (888) 255-9550 • (928) 769-2230 • destinationgrandcanyon.com 60 99 • Hotel • • • • • SEDONA Alma de Sedona Inn (800) 923-2282 • (928) 282-2737 • almadesedona.com 12 189-305 B&B • • • • • Amara Resort and Spa (866) 455-6610 • (928) 282-4828 • amararesort.com 100 150-500 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • Best Western Arroyo Roble Hotel & Creekside Villas (800) 773-3662 • (928) 282-4001 • bestwesternsedona.com 65 129-399 • Resort • • • • • • • Best Western Inn of Sedona (800) 292-6344 • (928) 282-3072 • innofsedona.com 110 110-250 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Briar Patch Inn (888) 809-3030 • (928) 282-2342 • briarpatchinn.com 18 199-395 B&B • • • Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast Inn of Sedona (800) 453-1166 • (928) 284-1226 • canyonvilla.com 11 199-349 • B&B • • • • The Canyon Wren - Cabins for Two (800) 437-9736 • (928) 282-6900 • canyonwrencabins.com 4 155-175 Cabins • • El Portal (800) 313-0017 • (928) 203-9405 • elportalsedona.com 12 199-500 B&B • • • • Enchantment Resort (800) 826-4180 • (928) 282-2900 • enchantmentresort.com 220 350-1625 Resort • • • • • • • • • • Hilton Sedona Resort & Spa (877) 273-3762 • (928) 284-4040 • hiltonsedona.com 219 119-299 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • • • The Inn on Oak Creek (800) 499-7896 • (928) 282-7896 • innonoakcreek.com 11 200-295 Lodge • • Junipine Resort (800) 742-7463 • (928) 282-3375 • junipine.com 42 150-295 • Resort • • • Kokopelli Suites (928) 204-1146 • kokopellisuites.com 46 189-249 Hotel • • • • • • • Las Posadas of Sedona (888) 284-5288 • (928) 284-5288 • lasposadasofsedona.com 20 229-499 • B&B • • • • L'Auberge de Sedona (800) 581-0217 • (928) 282-1661 • lauberge.com 56 195-800 Lodge • • • • • • • Orchards Inn of Sedona (800) 682-3181 • (928) 282-2405 • orchardsinn.com 41 119-279 Hotel • • • • Radisson Poco Diablo Resort (928) 282-7333 • radisson.com/sedonaaz 136 169-299 • Resort • • • • • • • • • • •

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©

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Northern Arizona

Accommodations

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

La Posada Hotel ©

Accommodations

Adv. Booking Policy Golf Shop Bar/Lounge Restaurant

Dress Code

Public/Semi Pvt.

Slope

Rating

Yardage

Par

Number of Holes

©

Location

Sedona Golf Resort

The Ridge on Sedona Golf Resort (877) 444-8044 • (928) 282-1271 • arizonatourismcenter.com 236 100-350 Resort • • • • • • • Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa (866) 312-4111 • (928) 203-4111 • sedonarouge.com 77 219-350 Resort • • • • • • • • • • • Sedona Springs Resort (866) 4MY-VACATION • (928) 204-3400 • 8664myvacation.com 40 125-300 Resort • • The Sedona Summit Resort (877) 444-8044 • (928) 282-1271 • arizonatourismcenter.com 417 100-350 Resort • • • • • • • Villas at Poco Diablo (866) 4MY-VACATION • (928) 204-3300 • 8664myvacation.com 33 135-155 Resort • Villas of Sedona (866) 4MY-VACATION • (928) 204-3400 • 8664myvacation.com 40 175-250 Resort • • TUBA CITY Quality Inn Navajo Nation (800) 644-8383 • (928) 283-4545 • explorenavajo.com 80 78-133 • Hotel • • • • • • WILLIAMS Canyon Motel & RV Park Motel (800) 482-3955 • (928) 635-9371 • thecanyonmotel.com 23 26-110 • RV Park • • • • • Grand Canyon Railway Hotel (800) 843-8724 • (928) 635-4010 • thetrain.com 297 99-279 • Hotel • • • • • • WINDOW ROCK Navajoland Inn & Suites and Denny’s (928) 871-5690 • navajoland-innsuites.com 73 59-89 • Hotel • • • • • • • Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital (800) 662-6189 • (928) 871-4108 • explorenavajo.com 56 67-107 • Hotel • • • • • WINSLOW La Posada Hotel (928) 289-4366 • laposada.org 37 99-175 Hotel • • • • •

Golf Public

Sedona

18

Public

70.6

128

• •

71

6646

Senior Adult Park Park Models for Rent Pet Friendly Laundry Swimming Pool Organized Activities Internet Access Golf on Site Tennis on Site Restaurant Exercise Facilities Handicap Accessible Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Recreational Facilities

9

Number of Spaces

Sedona

Location

Grand Canyon National Park ©HPMG

Radisson Poco Diablo Resort Executive Golf Course (928) 282-7333 • radisson.com/sedonaaz Sedona Golf Resort (877) 733-9888 • (928) 284-9355 • sedonagolfresort.com

• • • • •

RV Parks Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn (928) 422-4565 • grandcanyoncaverns.com Grand Canyon Railway RV Park (800) 843-8724 • (928) 635-4010 • thetrain.com J&H RV Park (928) 526-1829 • flagstaffrvparks.com Rancho Sedona RV Park (888) 641-4261 • (928) 282-7255 • ranchosedona.com

Peach Springs

50 • • • •

• •

Williams

124 • • • • •

• • • • •

Flagstaff

50 • •

Sedona

•

• • • •

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Arizona’s

West Coast ARIZONA’S WEST COAST, bracketed by

BY JULIAN SMITH

the Colorado River and rugged desert mountain ranges, offers enough watersports, Wild West history and outdoor activities to more than make up for its lack of big cities and canyons. k

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Imperial Sand Dunes ©HPMG

Arizona’s West Coast

To Dine For Find down home cookin’ in casual restaurants in most communities in the region. River towns such as Lake Havasu and Bullhead City offer more opportunities for formal dining.

Look for down-to-earth dining in places like Grand Canyon West Ranch in Meadview, or try Angelina’s Italian Kitchen in Lake Havasu City. Angelina’s is a small, out of the way place with great Italian selections, good vegetarian entrées and homemade bread. Bullhead City has Iguanas Mexican River Cantina, which has a deck overlooking the water and serves tasty margaritas.

Kingman features more than 70 eateries that range from chicken/burger/pizza outlets to specialty places like Grandpa’s Kitchen, the Jumpin’ Java Café and Mad Dog’s Doghouse.

Options from the upscale end of the dining experience may be found near Lake Havasu’s London Bridge, the Island Mall adjacent to English Village. Try Shugrue’s for a special evening out.

In Yuma, in the southern part of the region, find delightful diner (and former dance hall) Chretin’s Mexican Food, where tables fill fast. Locals and tourists alike flock there for homemade food, with shredded beef items among the favorites. Garden Café is an upscale American restaurant with a patio, where great potato salad, Waldorf salad and quiches grace the menu.

The café also serves one of the best breakfasts (and Sunday brunches) in town.

English Village, Lake Havasu ©HPMG

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The miraculous sight of water streaming through the Mojave Desert is everywhere in this undiscovered part of the state. Wildlife refuges and wilderness areas offer countless ways to get away from it all – just remember to bring plenty of water – and if your tastes run in more urbane directions, there are plenty of museums, shops, galleries and historic sites to pass the time. From London Bridge to Indian reservations, outstanding golf to stately saguaros, Arizona’s westernmost slice is practically a world of its own.

NORTHERN WEST COAST If there’s one city that can lay claim to being the nucleus of Arizona’s stretch of Old Route 66, it’s Kingman. Part of the longest remaining stretch of the classic road-trip route runs right through the heart of town, where the Historic Route 66 Museum in the distinctive Powerhouse Visitor Center commemorates the road’s history from wagon road to Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath and beyond. More than 60 historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places include the 1899 Hotel Beale and the 1909 Brunswick Hotel. Enjoy views of the town and the surrounding mountains from the 3.2-mile Camp Beale Loop trail in the Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area.

If things get too hot, take a break from the desert in the Hualapai Mountain Park south of town, where hiking trails wind through cool forests up to 8,240 feet.

Elk and mule deer roam here among the ponderosa pines and aspens.

Head toward the river to reach Bullhead City, which began as a construction camp for the Davis Dam that formed 67-mile Lake Mohave just upstream. The city was named after a rock formation that’s since been covered by the lake, and it has become a hotspot for recreation on and off the water. Lake Mohave is part of the vast Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Lake Mead itself, the largest manmade reservoir in the country, reaches up the Colorado River for 110 miles behind gigantic Hoover Dam, an astounding engineering feat completed in 1936. Both lakes are understandably popular with boaters and watersports enthusiasts. Rent a houseboat to explore the far reaches of either lake, or take a kayak or canoe trip through Black Canyon, the stretch of the river below the Hoover Dam. Sheer rock walls, natural hot springs and a “sauna cave” make this an exceptional day or overnight trip.

LAKE HAVASU CITY One of the livelier cities on the lower Colorado River, Lake Havasu City takes its name from the 45-milelong lake next door. With 450 miles of shoreline, Lake Havasu attracts boaters and other water-lovers from throughout the Southwest, particularly in the summer and when nearby colleges are on spring break. Hire continued on page 114

You Are Here

Lighthouse at Lake Havasu ©YCVB Hoover Dam ©HPMG

Jet Skiers on Colorado River ©AOT

St. Thomas Mission Bell Tower ©HPMG

Arizona’s West Coast

a boat or Jet Ski to hit the water on your own, or take a lake tour aboard a paddle-wheeler or a jet boat. Another option is to just relax along the shore at Lake Havasu State Park, with swimming beaches, picnic facilities and an interpretive botanical garden.

The city’s most famous landmark is London Bridge (yes, it once really was for sale!), which was bought for $2.5 million in 1967, shipped across the Atlantic and reassembled here piece by piece. Instead of sinking into the Thames, the regal old bridge is now the centerpiece of London Bridge Days in October. Don’t miss the 16 miniature lighthouses (with more planned), replicas of famous lighthouses around the U.S., which have been built along the shores of Lake Havasu in recent years as aids to navigation – and interesting architectural features. Learn more

about the bridge, Parker Dam, mining and the local Chemehuevi tribe at the Lake Havasu Museum of History.

The lowest nine miles of the Bill Williams River, which empties into the Colorado south of Lake Havasu, are preserved within the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge.

Migratory birds such as vermillion flycatchers, summer tanagers and yellow warblers love to break up their journey amid the increasingly rare riverside habitat of cattail marshes and cottonwood-willow forests. Bring a canoe to paddle the river estuary or a pair of binoculars to spot some of the hundreds of bird species found here.

Another great place to spot local fauna is the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, protecting 30 miles along the Colorado River from Needles, CA to Lake Havasu

City. Keep an eye out for desert bighorn sheep, cormorants, grebes and herons. One of the best outdoor excursions in western Arizona is the one-day canoe trip through Topock Gorge, lined by rocky cliffs.

PARKER The next major aquatic hotspot down the river is Parker, a town etched from the Colorado River Indian Reservation in 1908 by the Arizona and California Railroad. The town celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2008 with a variety of special events, including the annual Best In the Desert Off Road Races in January and the annual Bluegrass Festival in March.

The dam that forms Lake Moovalya, 15 miles north of town, is the deepest in the world; engineers had to dig 235 feet down to hit bedrock, so only the top third of the dam is visible. continued on page 116

BEST-Kept Secret If it’s wide-open space you seek, the White Cliffs Wagon Trail Path is a seldom-visited part of Historic Route 66.

Wagon tracks lead from Stockton Hill Mines to the smelter and railroad, the foundation of the early town. Feeling like

reconnecting with the built environment? Take a self-guided walking tour of Historic Downtown Kingman, which features 60 historic buildings on the National Register. Walking tour maps are available at the Powerhouse Visitor Center.

Route 66 Gas Station ©HPMG

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Picture Perfect k In town and in the hills surrounding Oatman are colonies of wild burros, direct descendants of the pack animals used by gold miners. Local shops sell carrots and film so you can feed and photograph these beasts of burden. k Other photogenic animals – from lions and tigers to purebred wolves – can be found and filmed at Keepers of the Wild Animal Park, a wild animal sanctuary, off Route 66 at mile marker 87. k The Lower Colorado River waters that wind through sloughs in Yuma offer up other opportunities for imagery, especially the major bird habitat found in the more than 25,000-acre Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Migrating flocks compete with resident waterfowl and shorebirds, and close-ups are possible from canoes rented at Martinez Lake Marina.

Oatman burro ©AOT

Kayaking, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge ©HPMG

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The stretch between Parker and the dam, called the “Parker Strip,” is a lively slice of river lined with parks, RV resorts and restaurants. The water teems with boats, Jet-skiers, waterskiers and tubers from Easter through Labor Day, and annual events include summer regattas and the Great Western Tube Float in June.

The residents of the Colorado River Indian Reservation – which includes members of the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Navajo and Hopi tribes – live in modern homes and work primarily in agriculture, recreation and governmental jobs. You can learn about their distinct traditions, all united by the life-giving waters of the river, at the Colorado River Indian

Tribal Museum. Full of handsome tribal crafts, the museum is best known for its extravagant display of Chemehuevi baskets. (Some crafts are also for sale.) Come in October for the Native American Days Celebration and in December for the All Indian Rodeo. The ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve protects 250 acres of aquatic habitats and native fauna such as cottonwoods and mesquite. Remembrances of a recent nature can be experienced at the Poston Memorial Monument in Poston, a memorial to the thousands of Japanese-Americans interred after the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II. The concrete monument is a 30-foot tall pillar surrounded by 12 posts, making it a working sundial.

The Tribe also operates the BlueWater Resort and Casino with a marina.

QUARTZSITE At the intersection of Interstate 10 and Hwy. 95, Quartzsite is a small, unassuming town that transforms completely every winter with the arrival of tens of thousands of rockhounds and snowbirds (RV drivers who head south in the cold months). A wealth of minerals found nearby – from agate to gold to, yes, quartz – has made this place a paradise for mineral lovers. It started as an important stagecoach stop between Prescott and Ehrenburg in the late 19th century, and you can experience this rugged history today at the Tyson’s Well Stage Stop Museum. The adobe building saw use from 1866 onward, and has since been transformed into a museum full of pioneer artifacts and minerals.

Northeast of Quartzsite spread the 664,300 acres of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, an arid haven for

WHAT to buy Check out the Indian jewelry, gifts and souvenirs offered by vendors at the Mine Shaft Market in Chloride.

The town attracts more than 20,000 visitors each year, and holds an alltown yard sale the first Saturday in May and October. Lots of bargains on antiques and collectibles are available.

Philatelists will want to buy a stamp and postmark a card because the Chloride Post Office, in operation since 1893, is one of the oldest working post offices in Arizona.

Kingman sports a variety of antiques stores, and has two shops devoted to Route 66 memorabilia – the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and the Route 66 Gifts and Souvenir Shop.

Nearly a dozen Kingman locations offer the symbol of southwest chic – turquoise jewelry.

Turquoise Jewelry on Pottery ©AOT

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desert bighorn sheep and Arizona’s only native species of palm. The discovery of gold in 1896 spurred the laying of numerous mining claims, some of which are still active.

YUMA Yuma, located near the best natural crossing on the lower Colorado River, is one of Arizona’s chief agricultural cities – thanks in part to its yearround growing season. Close to the river, mountains and the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds, it’s a great base to explore this corner of the state.

You’ll find galleries and shops along Main Street, as well as the Yuma Art Center, with four fine art galleries and theatrical productions held in the renovated Yuma Historic Theater, dating to 1913.

An army supply depot built in the 1860s to help protect the river crossing is today part of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park. Original adobe buildings hold old maps, telegraph equipment and antique trucks, while a 1907 steam locomotive and passenger car sit outside. Back in the Wild West years, anyone who ran afoul of the law – and plenty did here – could end up in what is now the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. As you explore the old cellblocks, in use from 1876-1909, remember that summer temperatures could hit 120 degrees Fahrenheit – and if you escaped, where would you go? (The place was actually considered a model prison, with a library and school for inmates.) The outlaw era lives on in the name of the local high school’s sports teams: the Yuma Criminals.

Northeast of Yuma, you’ll find the Castle Dome Mining District, now an open-air museum, which contains one of the largest silver-galena deposits in the world. Here you can roam among original and rebuilt buildings and soak in the atmosphere of mining life on the frontier. (Don’t miss the 1890s Levis jeans found preserved in a mineshaft, on display in the museum.) Take the half-mile hike up Palm Canyon to find California fan palms rustling in the brilliant sun. continued on page 119 ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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WHERE to go Going in Style DAY 1 Check out one of the three fishing docks at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge in Parker. Or, rent a houseboat and fish in the coves of Lake Havasu.

DAY 2 Take a tour through the town of Gold Road, taking in the aura of the gold rush as you pass ruins of houses and vacant mine shafts.

DAY 3 Head to Bullhead City to check out the history at this former mining camp. Visit Hardyville Pioneer Cemetery and the Colorado River Indian Tribes’ Museum in Parker, which tells the region’s story from the time of ancient Native American inhabitants to the present.

DAY 4 Back to Lake Havasu City to discover birdwatching’s well-kept secret of 343 species in the largest remaining riparian habitat on the Lower Colorado River at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. Or see the West at its best by saddling up. Horseback rides and cattle drives at the Oatman Stables cross trails once used by Mohave warriors.

Blue Herons Mating ©AOT

On the Trail DAYS 1-2 Plan an overnight stay in Yuma to rest up between two days of activity. There are few places where you can travel cool river waters while viewing natural desert wonders. Yuma is just such a place because although a river doesn’t quite run through it, the mighty Colorado is right next to the city. This section of the river offers historical tours by jet boat and river adventures via the Colorado King paddleboat. Both launch from Fisher’s Landing.

DAY 3 Head north and rent a canoe at Martinez Lake Marina adjacent to Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, where you can explore some of the more than 25,000 acres of backwaters. The refuge is home to a variety of wildlife, from bobcats to bighorn sheep.

DAY 4 Further north of Yuma is a proverbial sleepy desert town, Quartzsite. The town gets more than 4 million visitors during, and on either side of, the gem and mineral shows for which the town is famous. There is a spectacular selection for rockhounds, and if you visit in show season (November through February), bring your own overnight lodging (motels are few).

Colorado King Paddleboat ©HPMG

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Don’t Know Much About History More than 100,000 tourists from around the world visit Kingman’s Powerhouse Visitors Center each year, stopping at the Route 66 Roadside Attraction for brochures from the Tourist Information Center. Others like to visit the Route 66 Museum or the Carlos Elmer Photo Gallery that are part of the center. The 100-yearold powerhouse used to provide electric power to area mines until Hoover Dam and hydroelectric power spelled its end.

Kingman is proud of native son Andy Devine, a character actor star in the movie The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

His history and Hollywood memorabilia are housed in the Mohave Museum of History and Arts. Dedicated to preserving the heritage of Northwestern Arizona, museum displays include photographs, maps and historical documents.

Kayaking near the Hoover Dam ©HPMG

Saguaros grow among the rough peaks of the 7,640-acre Muggins Mountains Wilderness, 25 miles east of Yuma. It’s an untamed, vividly colored area created by ancient volcanoes, perfect for those who want to experience the Mojave Desert raw and unadorned. Just keep Muggins Peak (1,424 ft), the most prominent feature, in view as you explore backcountry trails and dry washes. To get there, take Interstate 8 east to the Ligurta exit, follow Dome Valley Road north and head east (right) on County 7th Street past the Dome Valley Transfer Station. Rangers recommend parking at the kiosk and walking so you don’t have to drive your car on unpaved roads.

Some 1,000 tribe members live on the 6,500-acre Cocopah Indian Reservation south of Yuma. With an agricultural tradition that centers on the river and the desert, the tribe operates a casino, resort and conference center, and a museum and cultural center, and also has two 18-hole golf courses. l ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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Arizona’s West Coast

RESOURCE GUIDE NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS Cocopah Indian Tribe A casino, a resort and conference center, a convenience store and gas station, a golf course, an RV and golf resort and the Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center; located within miles of two major Ports of Entry on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Yuma International Airport and California; in Somerton south of Yuma. County 15th and Ave. G, Somerton, AZ 85350, (928) 627-1992 or (928) 627-2102, cocopah.com Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Ninety miles of Colorado River shoreline containing a nature preserve, several historic sites, a museum, a riverside casino/resort and ample water sports opportunities; near Parker. 11300 Resort Dr., Parker, AZ 85344, (928) 669-7037, critonline.com Fort Mojave Indian Tribe River sports, camping, nearby mountains, museum, golf course, RV park and two casinos; south of Bullhead City. 500 Merriman Ave., Needles, CA 92363, (760) 629-4591 Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe A casino, a museum and easy access to Mexico; near Yuma. P.O. Box 1899, Yuma, AZ 85366, (760) 572-0661

STATE PARKS For more information, visit azstateparks.com Alamo Lake State Park Large lake, fishing, swimming, water skiing, RV/tent/ group camping, wildlife viewing. Wenden, AZ, (928) 669-2088 Buckskin Mountain State Park Fishing, RV/tent/group camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, boating, water skiing, inner-tube rental, cabanas, beaches, nature programs. Hwy. 95, Parker, AZ, (928) 667-3231 Cattail Cove State Park Colorado River access for boaters, fishing, RV/tent/group camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, special programs. Hwy. 95 south of Lake Havasu, AZ, (928) 855-1223 Lake Havasu State Park Colorado River boat launch access, fishing, RV/tent/group camping, hiking, birding, water skiing.

Special event outdoor venues. Just north of Lake Havasu City, AZ, (928) 855-2784 Yuma Crossing State Historic Park Colorado River crossing preserving five centuries of the Spanish explorers, colonists, gold miners, military and Native American

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Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park ©YCVB

history. Picnic areas, grassy outdoor group amphitheater, special event areas. 201 N. 4th Ave., Yuma, AZ, (928) 329-0471 Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park Arizona’s most notorious prison at the turn of the 20th century for the likes of criminals such as Pearl Hart.

Special programs, picnic tables, group tour areas. 100 N. Prison Hill Rd., Yuma, AZ, (928) 783-4771

VISITOR SERVICES Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce 1251 Hwy. 95, Bullhead City, AZ 86429 (928) 754-4121, (800) 987-7457 bullheadchamber.com Dolan Springs Chamber of Commerce 16154 N. Pierce Ferry Rd. P.O. Box 274, Dolan Springs, AZ 86441 (928) 767-4473 dolanspringschamber.com/Main Golden Valley Chamber of Commerce 3395 N. Verde Rd. Golden Valley, AZ 86413 (928) 565-3311 goldenvalleychamber.com Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau 314 London Bridge Rd. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 (928) 453-3444, (800) 2HAVASU (242-8278), golakehavasu.com McMullen Valley Chamber of Commerce 66710 Hwy. 60, P.O. Box 700 Salome, AZ 85348 (928) 859-3846 Serves the communities of Salome, Wenden, Alamo Lake area.

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Mohave Valley Chamber of Commerce 5630 Hwy. 95, Ste. 5, Ft. Mohave, AZ 86427 (928) 768-2777, mohavevalleychamber.com Oatman/Goldroad Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 423, Oatman, AZ 86433 (928) 768-6222, oatmangoldroad.com Parker Area Chamber of Commerce 1217 California Ave., Parker, AZ 85344 (928) 669-2174 parkerareachamberofcommerce.com Powerhouse Visitor Center 120 W. Andy Devine Ave. P. O. Box 1150, Kingman, AZ 86402 (928) 753-6106, (866) 427-RT66 kingmantourism.org Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 85, Quartzsite, AZ 85346 (928) 927-5600, quartzsitechamber.com Yuma Visitors Bureau 377 S. Main St., Ste. 102, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928) 783-0071, (800) 293-0071 visityuma.com

CITY

POPULATION ELEVATION

Aguila Bouse Bullhead City Chloride Dateland Dolan Springs Ehrenberg Kingman Lake Havasu City Oatman Parker Quartzsite Salome San Luis Somerton Tonopah Wellton Wenden Yuma

200 2160’ 635 700’ 37,325 540’ 352 4100’ 646 535’ 1,867 3300’ 1,386 288’ 25,860 3345’ 46,400 602’ 150 2700’ 3,280 1642’ 3,550 1353’ 1,690 1877’ 21,180 131’ 8,855 103’ 1,809 1490’ 1,900 256’ 603 1890’ 86,070 137’

Adv. Booking Policy Golf Shop Bar/Lounge Restaurant

Dress Code

Public/Semi Pvt.

Slope

Par 30

Rating

Number of Holes 9

Yardage

Location

Golf Yuma ©HPMG

Lake Havasu City

Golf 1567

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Senior Adult Park Park Models for Rent Pet Friendly Laundry Swimming Pool Organized Activities Internet Access Golf on Site Tennis on Site Restaurant Exercise Facilities Handicap Accessible Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Recreational Facilities

Number of Spaces

Location

Water Skiing the Colorado ©HPMG

Bridgewater Links (800) 624-7939 • (928) 855-4777 • londonbridgeresort.com

RV Parks Arizona West RV Resort (866) 726-1481 • (928) 726-1481 • azwestrv.com

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Caravan Oasis (800) 348-1480 • (928) 342-1480 • caravanoasisresort.com Yuma - • • • • • • • • • •

Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

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London Bridge, Lake Havasu ©HPMG

Shangri-La RV Resort (877) 742-6474 • (928) 342-9123 • shangrilarv.com Yuma 302 • • • • • • • • •

Accommodations KINGMAN Best Western Kings Inn & Suites (928) 753-6101

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London Bridge Resort (800) 624-7939 • (928) 855-0888 • londonbridgeresort.com

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PARKER BlueWater Resort & Casino Resort/ (888) 243-3360 • (928) 669-7000 • bluewaterfun.com 200 49-299 • Casino • • • • • • YUCCA Stagecoach Trails Guest Ranch Guest (866) 444-4471 • (928) 727-8270 • stagecoachtrailsranch.com 14 100-160 Ranch • • • • • YUMA Best Western InnSuites (800) 922-2034 • (928) 783-8341 • bwsuite.com

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Quality Inn Airport (800) 835-1132 • (928) 726-4721 • choicehotels.com/hotel/az197

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North Central Arizona

IT WAS GOLD THAT FIRST BROUGHT CROWDS here in the 1860s. Today, treasures of different sorts call people

BY DINA MISHEV

to Arizona’s North Central region: varying

landscapes, historic small towns, ancient Indian ruins, eclectic dining and shopping. k

Peavine Trail Bicyclist, Prescott ©PACT

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To Dine For Spice and Variety on the Menu Eating in North Central Arizona is as varied as the region’s topography. Take a break from Jerome’s galleries by stepping into Gisele’s for a montecao (a powdery, cinnamon-topped pseudo-sugar cookie that is a classic French treat) made from a century-old recipe and baked from scratch daily.

Lest Gisele’s lull you into a reverie, twenty minutes away in Cottonwood, the Blazin’ M Ranch proves the Wild West is still alive and well with nightly chuckwagon dinners and cowboy songs and poetry.

For a wild experience of an entirely different sort, try the Fossil Creek Creamery in Strawberry, where you can not only sample goat milk fudge and cheese, but play with the goats and sometimes even help with milking.

If you leave Strawberry with your sweet tooth unsatisfied, make for Mackey’s Grill in Payson for a slice of award-winning Ranch House Pie. Enjoy food of a different sort – actually drink – back in Prescott at the Prescott Brewing Company.

They’re known for several award-winning brews; don’t miss the Frambozen Xxplosion when it’s on the menu.

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Shopping Jerome ©HPMG A R I Z O N A O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

North Central Arizona is full of surprises, be it Alpine’s Cowboy Poets Gathering (in August) or finding prickly pear BBQ pork tenderloin in a town once dubbed the “wickedest town in America” by the New York Post. Sure, there’s the Grand Canyon to the north and Phoenix to the south that get most of the attention, but, for those who take the time to get out and explore this area, there’s plenty to discover.

A CAPITOL AREA Culture and art and history, oh my! This collection of valleys has it all, including the former Territorial Capital of Prescott. The area’s pioneer history starts in 1863 when explorers discovered gold in the nearby mountains. Thousands of gold-hungry miners followed and, a year later Arizona was made a territory. Prescott – pronounced “press-kit” by locals – was made the territorial capital and was the most important city for much of the rest of the 19th century. With plenty of residents who had struck it rich with gold and wealthy merchants who gave them plenty of opportunities to spend their money, Prescott was a beacon of civility in an area of lawlessness. Jerome, less than an hour away on today’s roads, was about as uncivilized a place as you could get. A copper-mining town, it was the place christened “the wickedest town in America” by the folks back East. When the mines went bust in 1953, Jerome became a virtual ghost town overnight, the population dropping to 100 from a high of 15,000 in the early 1920s.

Visiting Jerome today though, you can see it is anything but a ghost town. Artists and other creative types began arriving in the 1960s and 1970s. Today Jerome has a population of more than 500 and one of the highest numbers of artists per capita of any U.S. town. It also has one of the most improbable locations of any town in the U.S., improbably clinging to the side of Cleopatra Hill. The grade of the town is so steep that mine blasts in the 1930s caused an entire block – including the town’s jail – to break loose and slide down to the next level. The town spans more than 1,500 vertical feet and the view from the top of town is incredible: on clear days you can see more than 50 miles, all the way to Sedona and the San Francisco Peaks.

Pioneering Europeans aren’t the only people to leave their marks on this area of Arizona. The Verde Valley was home to the Hohokam people as long ago as 600 A.D. The Sinagua arrived later. Montezuma Castle National Monument and Montezuma Well are both Sinagua ruins. (Despite the implication of the name, these ruins have nothing to do with the Aztec ruler Montezuma.) Montezuma Castle is the more impressive of the two, with two stone pueblos. Montezuma Well, a natural spring, has ruins from both the Hohokam and Sinagua people that date back nearly 1,000 years. continued on page 126

You Are Here

Fishing in the White Mountains ©HPMG

Montezuma’s Castle National Monument ©HPMG

Mogollon Rim ©HPMG Cabin near Prescott PACT ©

North Central Arizona

RIM COUNTRY Just because you might have trouble pronouncing Mogollon Rim (it’s MUG-ee-on, by the way), doesn’t mean you should shy away from enjoying the area it cuts though.

Stretching 200 miles from just southwest of Flagstaff to the White Mountains, the rim is a 2,000-foot gash that defines the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau in Arizona.

Lands below this escarpment are usually 4,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation, while the rim rises up to 7,000. Due to the difference in

altitude from its top and bottom, the rim serves as a natural floristic and faunal boundary, allowing for very different plant and animal life in a short distance. It’s also a great heat barrier come summer. It’s no wonder Arizona 87 to Payson was nicknamed the “Beeline Highway,” for all the Phoenix residents who drive here to enjoy the cooler weather.

Payson, where the sheer rim walls tower just to the north, is the heart of this area. It’s also the almost exact geographical center of the state. While Payson’s Rim Country Museum is certainly worth a stop to learn about all the residents this area has had, Mother Nature really rules here.

The Tonto National Forest includes almost all of the towns in this region, as well as the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Gold

miner David Gowan was the first white man to see the Tonto Natural Bridge, the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, in 1877 when he was trying to escape a posse of pursuing Apaches. Standing 183 feet high and 150 feet across at its widest point, the bridge continues to grow, thanks to still-flowing mineral springs.

Both the Waterfall and Gowan Loop trails provide excellent vistas.

Inspired by these short hikes at the state park? The 51-mile Highline Trail allows mountain bikers, hikers and horsemen to wander and weave their way just beneath the Mogollon Rim. Although used primarily for recreation today, the trail was actually built in the late 1880s to link the homesteads and ranches in the shadow of the rim. Steep and rocky in parts, the trail allows for both extended backpacking trips and shorter day hikes.

Don’t Know Much About History Structurally Sound Destinations Prescott might have once been unique among Arizona towns because all its buildings were reportedly constructed from wood – and we’re talking early in the town’s history, around 1865 – but a 1900 fire took that particular notoriety away. Determined for the town to live on, residents and businesses quickly rebuilt. Many of these second-generation structures exist today, and many (500, to be exact) are on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2006, this abundance of historic buildings led Prescott to be named one of a “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Several of Prescott’s significant historic places sit on the grounds of Sharlot Hall Museum: Fort Misery, the oldest log structure associated with the Territory of Arizona; Bashford House, a shining example of the Victorian architecture popular there in the late 1800s; and the Governor’s “Mansion,” a grandiose log cabin home to the first territorial governor.

Prescott doesn’t have the monopoly on historic homes though. At Jerome State Historic Park, wander through the Douglas Mansion, a local landmark since it was built in 1916. Although James Douglas was most proud of the fact his home was made of adobe bricks constructed on site, today the main floor display of a 3D model of Jerome, complete with the tunnels beneath it, is a bigger draw.

Prescott Courthouse Statue ©PACT

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WHITE MOUNTAINS Red rocks, cactus and desert might be the first things that come to mind when imagining Arizona, but the state actually has more mountains than Switzerland and more forest than Minnesota. Surprised? Most of Arizona’s mountains and forests happen to be in this eastern portion of the state. With several peaks soaring more than 11,000 feet into the sky, the White Mountains are the secondhighest range in the state. They are included in the 2 million acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

The mountains and forests make this area equally popular – but for very different reasons – in both summer and winter.

Summer in the White Mountains, where there are towns sitting at 8,000 feet, means temperatures a good 20 degrees cooler than in the lower parts of the state. Expect pleasant hiking and biking weather in the Whites; there are more than 900 miles of hiking trails

in the surrounding national forest.

The milder temperatures allow for canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and even sailing. Wintertime means snow.

Arizona’s busiest ski resort, Sunrise Park Resort, is here, as are miles of groomed cross-country trails, areas for snowmobiling and opportunities for snowshoeing. There are even frozen lakes perfect for ice fishing. Average snowfall is between 250 and 300 inches per year.

While few places in the country offer the breadth of outdoor activities that can be found in the White Mountains, exploring and skiing aren’t the only things to do here. At Casa Malpais Archeological Park & Museum, in Springerville, explore ruins dating from 1250 A.D. The Casa Malpais pueblo, which was occupied until around 1400, is unique in that its structures were built in conjunction with existing caves. Most pueblos, such as the nearby 200-room Kinishba Ruins, aren’t so integrated into the

land. The 1,000-year-old Kinishba is worth a visit though, if only to say you’ve followed in the footsteps of Coronado, who visited here when he passed through the area in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola. The Fort Apache Cultural Center & Museum, on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, offers tours of these ruins – self-guided and with a guide.

The center also has exhibits on Apache culture, including a recreated Apache Village and rotating art shows.

Ponder ruins of an entirely different sort at the Springerville Volcanic Field. The country’s third largest volcanic field (behind volcanic fields in California and outside of Flagstaff), the Springerville field covers an area bigger than the state of Rhode Island and has more than 400 dead volcanic cones. If you’re tired from all the hiking or skiing, you don’t even need to get out of your car to enjoy the funky landscape: Highway 60 runs right through it for about 30 miles. l

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WHAT to buy

RESOURCE GUIDE

Wine-Not?

NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS

When the best American wines are poured at formal White House events, they’re not always from California. Or Oregon. Or Washington. Sometimes they’re from Arizona. Three presidents have thought the state’s wines worthy of sharing with world leaders. A recent Wall Street © Alcantara Winery Journal article about lesserknown wine destinations included a blind tasting that had Arizona wines topping nearly every category, and beating out the California ringers. While Arizona’s boutique wineries can now ship throughout the country, why not pick up a few bottles in person at one of the tasting rooms in the North Central Region. (If you can’t make it to the wineries themselves, look for these names at any area wine shop.)

The 20-acre Granite Creek Vineyards in Chino Valley bottles Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Zinfandel. All wines are organic. Granite Creek’s tasting room is open every weekend, and the vineyard is a most excellent picnic spot. Eat, sip wine and enjoy the flock of bright blue peacocks that have free range of the place.

In Cornville, Javelina Leap Winery is waiting for its own vines to mature but in the meantime crafts a substantial Zinfandel from grapes grown in Paso Robles. Its tasting room and shop are open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Just down the road, Page Springs Cellars specializes in grapes from the Rhone region. Page Springs also sells a wine, Caduceus, made by Maynard James Keenan (the lead singer of the rock band Tool), since Keenan doesn’t have his own tasting room.

Alcantara Winery, on the banks of the Verde River, has a 2005 Chardonnay the Wall Street Journal tasters couldn’t stop raving about. Their 9,500 vines produce grapes for other varietals as well: White Merlot, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cabernet Pheffer. By 2010, Alcantara plans to have a bed and breakfast, bistro and on-grounds artisans.

For a complete list of Arizona wineries, including others in this area, go to arizonawine.org/vineyards.html.

Page Springs Cellars

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San Carlos Apache Tribe A cultural center, extensive fishing and world-class hunting, whitewater rafting, hiking, golf, a hotel and a casino. P.O. Box 0, San Carlos, AZ 85550, (928) 475-7800, ext. 3278 Tonto Apache Tribe A hotel, casino, gas station and convenience store on State Highway 87 near Payson and a hotel in Payson. Tonto-Apache Reservation #30, Payson, AZ 85541, (928) 474-5000 White Mountain Apache Tribe The White Mountains, abundant fishing and worldclass Boone and Crocker record elk hunts, white-water rafting, hiking, skiing, historic sites, a cultural center and museum, a hotel and a casino; eastern Arizona. P.O. Box 710, Fort Apache, AZ 85926, (928) 338-1230, wmat.nsn.us Yavapai-Apache Nation Offers a casino, a hotel and a conference center; near Camp Verde. Just off Interstate 17, exit 289, at 555 Middle Verde Rd., Camp Verde, AZ 86322, (928) 567-1006, yavapai-apache.org Yavapai-Prescott Tribe A shopping center, two casinos and a hotel; adjacent to the city of Prescott. 530 E. Merritt St., Prescott, AZ 86301, (928) 445-8790

PUBLIC LANDS For more information, visit nps.gov or az.blm.gov.

NATIONAL PARKS, NATIONAL MONUMENTS, NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES, NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREAS Agua Fria NM At least 450 prehistoric sites occupied between A.D. 1250 and 1450.

BLM, 21605 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027, (623) 580-5500 Montezuma Castle NM Five-story Sinagua Indian cliff dwelling used in the late 1300s. P.O. Box 219, Camp Verde, AZ 86322, (928) 567-3322 Tonto NM Two well-preserved Hohokam Indian ruins that visitors can walk around in. H.C. 02, Box 4602, Roosevelt, AZ 85545, (928) 467-2241 Tuzigoot NM A 110-room Sinagua Indian ruin in the fertile Verde Valley, abandoned around A.D. 1400. P.O. Box 219, Camp Verde, AZ 86322, (928) 634-5564

NATIONAL FORESTS Apache-Sitgreaves NF P.O. Box 640, Springerville, AZ 85938, (928) 333-4301 Prescott NF 344 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ 86303, (928) 443-8000 Tonto NF 2324 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85006, (602) 225-5200

STATE PARKS For more information, visit azstateparks.com Dead Horse Ranch State Park Bird watching, RV/tent/group camping, canoeing, Verde River access, fishing, horseback riding, picnic areas. Downtown Cottonwood, AZ, (928) 634-5283 Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area Excellent fishing, RV/group/tent camping, hiking, birding, swimming areas, boat launch. Just west of Show Low, AZ, (928) 537-3680 Fort Verde State Historic Park A frontier fort showcasing everyday life among the soldiers. Exhibits, buildings, exhibitions, group tour ramada, special programs.

Downtown Camp Verde, AZ, (928) 567-3275 Jerome State Historic Park The mining history of Jerome is depicted in the sprawling Douglas Mansion perched on a hill overlooking the Verde Valley. Just south of downtown Jerome, AZ, (928) 634-5381 Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Stunning natural travertine bridge (183’ high 400’ wide) with lush waterfalls, vegetation, hiking, picnic areas, special event indoor and outdoor areas for large groups, 10 room lodge for group reservations. No camping.

Payson, AZ, (928) 476-4202

VISITOR SERVICES Alpine Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 410, Alpine, AZ 86302 (928) 339-4330 Black Canyon City Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1919, Black Canyon City, AZ 85324 (623) 374-9797, blackcanyoncity.org Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce 385 S. Main St., Camp Verde, AZ 86322 (928) 567-9294, campverde.org Chino Valley Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 419, Chino Valley, AZ 86323 (928) 636-2493, chinovalley.org continued on page 131 ww w.ari zonaguide.com

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WHERE to go On the Trail of Fun DAY 1 Take advantage of Lyman Lake being one of the few lakes in North Central Arizona with no size restrictions on boats and bring your own. If boating isn’t an option, try hooking some of the lake’s catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye and bluegill. Tonight, enjoy a unique camping experience at one of Lyman Lake State Park’s four yurts (available midMarch through mid-October). Cabins are also available.

DAY 2 Stop at the Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area for glimpses of eagles, osprey, deer, elk, turkey, antelope and waterfowl, before checking in at Beaver Creek Guest Ranch (open May 30 to November 1). There, you can hike, fish, hunt and have a chance to participate in a cattle drive.

DAY 3 Pinetop-Lakeside is a year-round destination: golf and fishing in the summer, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Spend a night at the lakeside Sunrise Park Lodge, open from December through April for the winter season and from Memorial Day to Labor Day in summer.

DAY 4 Named by early Mormon leaders Erastus Snow and William Jordan Flake (and not after precipitation), Snowflake is tucked between the White Mountains and the Painted Desert. Its walking tour of restored pioneer homes is one of the best such tours in the Southwest.

Overnight at Osmer D. Heritage Inn, a restored 1890s brick home built by one of the sons of town founder, the aforementioned Mr. Flake.

Hiking Hawley Lake ©AOT

Going in Style DAY 1 Start this itinerary off with a trip down memory lane, Historic Route 66. Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In, which opened in Seligman on the fabled road in 1953, has hardly changed at all. Next door, then and now, is Angel’s Barber Shop, which serves as a Route 66 information center and gift shop.

DAY 2 Jerome was once dubbed the “wickedest town in America,” but today “chicest small town in America” is more appropriate. Jerome might be home to more artists, and galleries, per capita than anywhere else in the country. Explore town before sitting down to dinner at The Asylum and, later, settling in at Surgeon’s House Hotel.

DAY 3 It might have taken a year to build the 38-mile railway from Clarkdale to Perkinsville, but the roundtrip ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad takes a mere four hours. Spend the night at Cottonwood’s new bed and breakfast, The Annabel Inn.

Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In ©AOT

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DAY 4 Go past memory lane and into history at the 1,000-year old Sinagua pueblo ruins at Tuzigoot National Monument. Hit Camp Verde and the best-preserved example of an Indian Wars-era fort in Arizona at Fort Verde State Historic Park. Catch more Sinagua ruins at Montezuma Castle National Monument before coming back to the present.

RESOURCE GUIDE Clarkdale Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 161, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 (928) 634-9591, clarkdale.az.us Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce 1010 S. Main, Junction 89A and 260 Cottonwood, AZ 86326, (928) 634-7593 http://cottonwood.verdevalley.com Jerome Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box K, Jerome, AZ 86331 (928) 634-2900, jeromechamber.com Mayer Area Chamber of Commerce 13290 Central Ave., Mayer, AZ 86333 (928) 632-4355, mayerareachamber.org Payson See Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce Pinetop-Lakeside Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 4220, Pinetop, AZ 85935 (928) 367-4290, (800) 573-4031 pinetoplakesidechamber.com Prescott Area Coalition for Tourism 126 N. Marina St., Ste. 5, Prescott, AZ 86301 (928) 708-9336, visit-prescott.com

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RESOURCE GUIDE Prescott Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 117 W. Goodwin St., Prescott, AZ 86303 (928) 445-2000, (800) 266-7534 prescott.org Prescott National Forest 344 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ 86303 (928) 443-8000, fs.fed.us/r3/prescott Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce 3001 N. Main St., Ste. 2A Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 (928) 772-8857, pvchamber.org Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce 100 W. Main St., P.O. Box 1380 Payson, AZ 85547 (928) 474-4515, (800) 672-9766 rimcountrychamber.com Serves the communities of Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Star Valley, Christoper Creek, Kohl’s Ranch, Gisela and Rye.

SPA St. Johns Regional Chamber of Commerce 180 W. Cleveland St., P.O. Box 929 St. Johns, AZ 85936 (928) 337-2000, stjohnschamber.com Show Low Regional Chamber of Commerce 81 E. Deuce of Clubs Show Low, AZ 85901 (928) 537-2326 (888) SHOWLOW (746-9569) showlowchamberofcommerce.com Snowflake/Taylor Chamber of Commerce 110 N. Main St., Snowflake, AZ 85937 (928) 536-4331 snowflaketaylorchamber.com Springerville-Eagar Regional Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 31, Springerville, AZ 85938 (928) 333-2123, (866)733-2123 springerville-eagarchamber.com Tonto Basin Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 687, Tonto Basin, AZ 85553 (928) 479-2839, (800) 404-8923 tontobasinchamber.com

Horseback Riding in the White Mountains ©HPMG

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White Sand Spa (928) 776-1888 Located in the foothills of the Prescott National Forest, White Sand Salon & Spa is located inside Quality Inn & Suites and is a full-service spa offering a variety of services including hair, massage and nails.

Facial ©HPMG

CITY

POPULATION ELEVATION

Alpine 1,000 8017’ Bagdad 1,698 3409’ Black Canyon City 2,902 2000’ Camp Verde 10,585 3147’ Christopher Creek N/A 5900’ Chino Valley 9,530 4726’ Clarkdale 3,675 3545’ Cottonwood 10,665 3314’ Dewey-Humboldt 4,080 4581’ Eagar 4,265 7114’ Fort Apache 111 5056’ Greer 150 8500’ Hannagan Meadow N/A 9092’ Heber/Overgaard 2,771 6435’ Jerome 335 5073’ Mayer 1,447 4400’ Payson 15,120 4982’ Pine 1,931 5369’ Pinetop-Lakeside 4,055 6800’ Prescott 40,225 5355’ Prescott Valley 30,590 5029’ St. Johns 3,595 5688’ San Carlos 3,716 2635’ Show Low 9,365 6347’ Snowflake 4,795 5623’ Springerville 1,995 6968’ Strawberry 1,028 6047’ Taylor 3,590 5633’ Whiteriver 5,220 5245’ Wikieup 305 2010’ Yarnell 1,098 4782’

Rating

Slope

Public/Semi Pvt.

74.5

146

Public

• • • • •

Prescott Valley

18

72

7052

71.2

132

Public

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Senior Adult Park Park Models for Rent Pet Friendly Laundry Swimming Pool Organized Activities Internet Access Golf on Site Tennis on Site Restaurant Exercise Facilities Handicap Accessible Hot Tub/Jacuzzi Recreational Facilities

Stoneridge Golf Course

Yardage 7519

©

Par 72

Number of Spaces

Adv. Booking Policy Golf Shop Bar/Lounge Restaurant

Number of Holes 18

Dress Code

Location

Biking Hawley Lake ©AOT

Apache Stronghold Golf Club (800) 272-2438 • (928) 475-7800 • apachegoldcasinoresort.com StoneRidge Golf Course (928) 772-6500 • stoneridgegolf.com

Location

North Central Arizona

San Carlos

Golf

RV Parks Distant Drums RV Resort (877) 577-5507 • (928) 554-8000 distantdrumsrvresort.com Camp Verde 158 • • • • • • • • Rancho Verde RV Park, LLC (866) 567-7037 • (928) 567-7037 • ranchoverdervpark.com Camp Verde 43 • • • • Voyager at Juniper Ridge RV Resort (866) 534-3456 • (928) 532-3456 • voyageratjuniperridge.com Show Low 529 • • • • • • • • • • • • • Zane Grey RV Park (800) 235-0608 • (928) 567-4320 • zanegreyrvpark.com Camp Verde 57 • • • • •

Picture Perfect k Capture cowboys and cowgirls in action at the Prescott or Payson rodeos. The former is the world’s oldest rodeo while the latter is the world’s oldest continuous rodeo. k Follow Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s footsteps along the 123 mountainous miles of the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway. Coronado was searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola in 1540; capture the scenery in 2008. k The byway stretches between Springerville and Clifton and offers up something new around every one of its 400-plus turns, be it an old graveyard, a tree pockmarked with arrows or vistas stretching out over the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. k Founded by award-winning architect Paolo Soleri, Arcosanti intends to present an alternative to urban sprawl. It also presents some truly unique architecture that can’t be found outside Science Fiction movies. Capture all the angles to share with friends back home.

Prescott Frontier Days ©HPMG

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Pets Allowed Handicap Accessible Free Airport Trans.

Free Cont. Breakfast Restaurant Room Service Bar/Lounge Concierge Laundry Swimming Pool Full-Service Spa Exercise Facilities Golf on Site Tennis on Site Wi-Fi

Accommodation Type

Senior Discount

Price Range ($)

Number of Rooms

Downtown Jerome ©HPMG

Accommodations ALPINE Hannagan Meadow Lodge (928) 339-4370 • hannaganmeadow.com 18 50-175 Lodge • CAMP VERDE Days Inn & Suites (800) 747-9011 • (928) 567-3700 • daysinn.com 62 50-110 • Hotel • • • • • • The Lodge at Cliff Castle Casino (800) 524-6343 • (928) 567-6611 • cliffcastlecasino.net 80 89-139 • Hotel • • • • • • COTTONWOOD Best Western Cottonwood Inn (866) 549-7803 • (928) 634-5575 • bestwesterncottonwoodinn.com 77 99-140 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Cottonwood Quality Inn (800) 710-4207 • (928) 634-4207 • qualityinn-az.com 51 89-129 • Hotel • • • • • • • Little Daisy Motel (928) 634-7865 • littledaisy.com 20 52+ • Motel • • JEROME Connor Hotel of Jerome (800) 523-3554 • (928) 634-5006 • connorhotel.com 12 90-165 • Hotel • • OVERGAARD/HEBER Bison Ranch Resort Suites (866) 342-4766 • (928) 535-6990 • bisonranchsuites.com 86 89-169 • Resort • • • • • PINETOP-LAKESIDE Buck Springs Resort (800) 339-1909 • (928) 369-3554 24 80-195 Resort • Hon-Dah Resort, Casino, & Conference Center (800) 929-8744 • (928) 369-0299 • hon-dah.com 124 89-119 Resort • • • • • • Woodland Inn & Suites (866) PINETOP • (928) 367-3636 • woodlandsuites.com 42 64-169 • Hotel • • • • PRESCOTT/PRESCOTT VALLEY Americas Best Value Inn - Prescott (888) 315-2378 • (928) 776-1282 • innworks.com/prescott 70 50-120 • Hotel • • • • • • Americas Best Value Inn - Prescott Valley (888) 315-2378 • (928) 772-2200 americasbestvalueinnprescottvalley.com 50 50-126 • Hotel • • • • • Days Inn of Prescott Valley (800) 329-7466 • (928) 772-8600 • daysinn.com 78 - • Hotel • • • • • • Forest Villas Hotel (800) 223-3449 • (928) 717-1200 • forestvillas.com 62 119-218 • Hotel • • • • • • • Hampton Inn (800) 426-7866 • (928) 443-5500 • prescottaz.hamptoninn.com 76 89-179 • Hotel • • • • • • Hassayampa Inn (800) 322-1927 • (928) 778-9434 • hassayampainn.com 67 99-235 • Hotel • • • • • • • • Prescott Cabin Rentals Vacation (888) 778-9573 • (928) 778-9573 • prescottcabinrentals.com 50 89-600 Rentals • • • Prescott Quality Inn & Suites and Conference Center (928) 777-0770 • prescottqualityinn.com 82 124-229 • Hotel • • • • • • • • • • • • Prescott Resort and Conference Center (800) 967-4637 • (928) 776-1666 • prescottresort.com 160 99-159 • Resort • • • • • • • • • Residence Inn by Marriott (928) 775-2232 • marriott.com/prcri 93 159-299 Hotel • • • • • • • SpringHill Suites by Marriott (928) 776-0998 • marriott.com/prcsh 105 99-189 • Hotel • • • • • • • SAN CARLOS Apache Gold Casino Resort (800) 272-2438 • (928) 475-7800 • apachegoldcasinoresort.com 146 59-130 • Resort • • • • • • • SHOW LOW Best Western Paint Pony Lodge (928) 537-5773 • paintponylodge.com 50 69-149 Hotel • • • • • • TAYLOR/SNOWFLAKE Silvercreek Inn/Rodeway Inn (888) 246-5440 • (928) 536-2600 • choicehotels.com 42 50-100 Hotel • • • w w w.ari zonaguide.com

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GETTING HERE

BY AIR Arizona’s main airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, saw more than 41 million passengers in 2006 and is served by 19 airlines. These carriers provide nonstop service from more than 100 cities in the U.S. and around the world.

Nonstop international service is provided

by Aeromexico (to/from Mexico), British Airways (to/from London, England), Air Canada (to/from Toronto) WestJet (to/ from Calgary) and US Airways (to/from Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica).

In the southern part of the state, Tucson International Airport accommodated more than 4.1 million air passengers in 2006 and is served by 12 airlines that provide nonstop service for 28 cities and connecting service from more than 121 others in the U.S. and around the world. Nonstop international service from Hermosillo, Mexico, is provided

by Aerolitoral.

I-10 is joined by Interstate 8 from the west. Primary highways in the northern part of the state include Interstate 40 that services Flagstaff and Kingman.

The speed limit on most interstate freeways is 75 miles per hour; it drops to 65 or 55 near metropolitan areas. The speed limit on most state highways and U.S. routes in rural Arizona is 65 miles per hour. Arizona law requires that each front-seat occupant wears a seat belt in a passenger car that is designed to carry ten or fewer passengers. Children under five years of age must be properly restrained as well.

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

BUS SERVICE Valley Metro provides public transportation in the Greater Phoenix area. Schedules and online trip planners can be accessed at valleymetro.org, or by calling (602) 253-5000 for more information. Sun Tran serves the metro Tucson area and features transit centers located at major destinations throughout the city. For more information on transit centers and schedules in Tucson visit suntran.com, or call (520) 792-9222.

ON THE GROUND All parts of Arizona are accessible by federal and state highways. In fact, twenty-two fixed Ports of Entry are operated throughout Arizona.

Highways that connect Phoenix and SHUTTLE SERVICE No matter where the destination in Tucson to out-of-state visitors include Interstate 10, which runs east to west. Arizona, ground transportation is easily 136 • A R I Z O N A O F F I C I A L S T A T E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

accessible to visitors. The following shuttle companies offer service out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Arizona Shuttle (Tucson/Phoenix), (800) 888-2749 (outside of Tucson), (520) 795-6771 (Tucson only), arizonashuttle.com Open Road Tours (Flagstaff/Camp Verde/Phoenix) (800) 766-7117, openroadtours.com Flagstaff Express Flagstaff/Phoenix (800) 563-1980 (928) 225-2290 www.flagstaffexpress.com Shuttle “U” Prescott (Prescott/Phoenix) (800) 304-6114 shuttleu.com Sedona Phoenix Shuttle (Sedona/Phoenix) (800) 448-7988 sedona-phoenix-shuttle.com CAR RENTAL National car rental companies offer service at both the Phoenix and Tucson airports (unless indicated otherwise).

At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, shuttles ferry passengers to a separate, state-of-the-art car rental complex.

Smart TRAVELER USE THESE RESOURCES TO HELP you plan your trip to Arizona. You’ll find information about how to get here by air and by car, how to get around while you’re here, and information for traveling from a foreign country. There are also resources to help you plan what to do while you’re on vacation in the Grand Canyon State and practical tips on what to pack for the Arizona climate. Plan to visit Native American Lands? Read our section of the proper etiquette to know before you go. You’ll find further resources at the end of each regional section in this guide, and also on the Web sites listed in this section.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport ©HPMG

Advantage (800) 777-5500* Alamo (800) 462-5266 Avis (800) 331-1212 Budget (800) 527-7000 Dollar (800) 800-4000 Enterprise (800) 736-8222 E-Z (800) 277-5171* Fox (800) 225-4369* Hertz (800) 654-3131 National (800) 227-7368 Payless (800) 729-5377* Thrifty (800) 847-4389 *Indicates car rental service not on location at Tucson International Airport.

For other ground transportation information at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport visit http://phoenix.gov/AVIATION

LOCAL SERVICES

511 TRAVELER INFORMATION SERVICE

WHAT TO WEAR Depending on the time of year and where you plan to travel in Arizona, anything from a swimsuit to a winter jacket may be appropriate. Overall, though, dress is fairly casual in Arizona, with an emphasis on comfort. Few restaurants require jackets and ties for dining, so throughout the year just about anything goes. Jeans and

The Arizona Department of Transportation offers the 511 Traveler Information Service. Get information on closures, construction, delays, public transit services, major airports, tourism, weather and more by dialing 511. az511.gov

Police, Fire, Medical 911 Arizona Highway Conditions 511 Arizona Office of Tourism (866) 869-2335 Better Business Bureau (602) 264-1721 Physician Referral (602) 230-2273 Main Public Library (Phoenix) (602) 262-4636 Main Post Office (602) 225-3158 Phoenix Weather (602) 265-5550

WHAT TO PACK

CLIMATE From the desert floor to the highest pine-covered mountain peak and throughout the seasons, Arizona’s renowned sunshine ensures that nearly every day is a perfect one for sightseeing, playing a round of golf, skiing down a mountain slope or simply relaxing by a sparkling swimming pool.

western wear are always in style. If you plan to attend a cultural event or dine at one of our finer restaurants, it is advisable to bring along more formal outfits. During the summer throughout the state, shorts and sandals are appropriate during the day, and a sweater or light jacket is perfect in the higher elevations for the evenings. In the cooler months, a sweater or light jacket is adequate in the desert areas for evenings and a winter jacket is recommended in the higher elevations.

Also, wide-brim hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended year ’round. Always carry drinking water for outdoor activities.

SEASONS During any season in Arizona, some part of the state enjoys near-perfect weather.

Generally, the “peak,” or busiest season in the desert areas (southern half of the state) lasts from January through March; the next most popular “shoulder” seasons are from April to May and September through December; and the season when visitors can find the greatest values is June through August.

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Smart Traveler

the desert areas. Generally, peak season is from June through August, shoulder seasons are April to May and September through December, and value season is January through March.

Peak season in some mid-climate areas of the state, such as Sedona, is from March to May and September through October, with shoulder season from January to February.

NATIVE AMERICAN LANDS

Arizona’s 22 Native American tribes offer a multitude of recreational attractions, casinos and scenery which make their reservations, covering about 30 percent of the state, highly sought-after destinations and vacation spots. From ski slopes to blue waters, from narrow canyons to slender spires, Arizona’s Native American lands are more than ready to entertain and delight visitors. Within each regional section you can learn more about what each tribe offers visitors.

For additional information, log on to arizonaguide.com.

TRIBAL LAND ETIQUETTE Each reservation operates under its own unique governmental structure and establishes its own rules for visitors. What applies in one native community may not be the general rule for all native communities. Please

Slot Canyon ©HPMG

observe all tribal laws and regulations.

It is highly recommended that visitors contact the individual tribe(s) prior to their visit to obtain information specific to the particular tribe. Below are some basic guidelines for visiting Tribal Lands: • The taking of photos, video and audio recordings, as well as sketching, is a particularly sensitive issue. Permits may be required, and fees and restrictions vary, particularly for professionals.

• Dances are sacred ceremonies.

Observe them as you would any other religious function by dressing and acting appropriately. Actions such as pushing to the front of a group and blocking others’ views are

Temperatures DESERT

MOUNTAIN

AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE

LOW HIGH RAINFALL January 41.2F/5.1C 65.9F/18.8C 0.6” February 44.7F/7C 70.7F/21.5C 0.7” March 48.8F/9.3C 75.5F/24.2C 0.9” April 55.3F/12.9C 84.5F/29.2C 0.22” May 63.9F/17.7C 93.6F/34.2C 0.1” June 72.9F/22.7C 103.5F/39.7C 0.1” July 81F/27.2C 105.9F/41.1C 0.9” August 79.2F/26.2C 103.7F/39.8C 1.0” September 72.8F/22.6C 98.3F/36.8C 0.86” October 60.8F/16C 88.1F/31.2C 0.7” November 48.9F/9.4C 74.9F/23.8C 0.7” December 41.8F/5.4C 66.2F/19C 1.0”

AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE

LOW HIGH RAINFALL January 16F/-8.8C 43F/6.1C 2.18” February 19F/-7.2C 46F/7.8C 2.56” March 23F/-5C 50F/10C 2.63” April 27F/-2.8C 58F/14.4C 1.29” May 34F/1.1C 68F/20C 0.8” June 41F/5C 79F/26.1C 0.43” July 50F/10C 82F/27.8C 2.4” August 49F/9.4C 80F/26.7C 2.89” September 42F/5.6C 74F/23.3C 2.12” October 31F/-0.5C 63F/17.2C 1.93” November 22F/-5.5C 51F/10.6C 1.86” December 17F/-8.3C 44F/6.6C 1.83”

138 • A R I Z O N A

considered inappropriate. Be mindful of where you sit, stand and walk.

• Some of the tribal buildings and structures may be several hundred years old and damage easily; do not climb on walls or other structures.

Do not disturb or remove animals, plants, rocks or artifacts, including pot shards, as Tribal and federal laws prohibit the removal of such items.

• Alcohol use is only permitted in designated locations, such as a casino. Drug use is not tolerated.

• Use caution when driving, especially at night. Much of the reservation land is open range, and small herds of sheep, goats, cattle and horses move freely along and across roads. Please obey all traffic, parking and speed limit signs. Watch for children and animals.

• Like any community, a reservation is home to those who live and work there and should be respected as such. Although most reservations are open to the public during daylight hours, the homes are private and should be entered only by invitation.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS CURRENCY EXCHANGE For currencies, exchange locations and hours of operation, please contact individual banking institutions, see your hotel concierge or consult the Yellow Pages. Also, a Travelex foreign currency exchange office is conveniently located in Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. continued on page 140

O F F I C I A L S TAT E V I S I T O R ’ S G U I D E

Mileage Map

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Smart Traveler

TIPS ON TIPPING Tipping is voluntary in Arizona and is generally not included in the bill.

(There are exceptions. Some restaurants automatically add a 15%-18% gratuity for groups of a certain size.) Generally, restaurant servers and taxi drivers are tipped 15%-20%. Bellhops receive $1 to $2 per bag taken to a room, and airport skycaps are tipped $1 per bag.

U.S. ENTRANCE In general, international travelers can expect to present a visa and passport from their country of origin in order to enter the U.S. For information when traveling in Arizona from a foreign country, please contact the agency below.

US State Department - Visa Services (202) 663-1225 TIME ZONE Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone. It does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

ARIZONA VISITOR WEB SITES

arizonaguide.com The official website of the Arizona Office of Tourism offers comprehensive information about the Grand Canyon State including travel ideas, pre-planned itineraries, maps, hotel and attraction listings, as well as travel deals and special offers. arizonascenicroads.com Featuring 24 scenic drives throughout the state of Arizona, the official Scenic Roads website provides visitors with information, ideas and itineraries for traveling along these majestic byways. arizonaheritagetraveler.org This unique website invites visitors to explore the ancient civilizations, contemporary cultures and exceptional attractions that make up Arizona’s rich history and heritage.

SMART RESOURCES

Log on to arizonaguide.com for a more complete list of organizations that can provide detailed information about specific areas of interest to the traveler.

NATURE & ADVENTURE Arizona Geological Survey (520) 770-3500, azgs.az.gov Arizona Public Lands Information Center (602) 417-9200, az.blm.gov Arizona State Parks (602) 542-4174 azstateparks.com Bureau of Land Management Arizona State Office (602) 417-9200, az.blm.gov National Park Service nps.gov USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region (505) 842-3292, fs.fed.us/r3

LODGING AND DINING Arizona Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns arizona-bed-breakfast.com Arizona Dude Ranch Association azdra.com Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association (602) 604-0729, azlodging.org Arizona Restaurant & Hospitality Association (602) 307-9134, (888) 661-3463 azrestaurant.org Arizona Travel Parks Association (520) 323-2872, (800) 921-2872 azrvparks.com Arizona Winter Visitors Association (480) 474-8071 arizona-wintervisitors.com

All information contained in the Smart Traveler pages is current at time of printing. The Arizona Office of Tourism does not necessarily recommend or endorse the companies or services that appear herein.

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KEY WORD INDEX ‘Ahakhav Tribal Preserve . . . . . . . . . . 116 Agua Fria NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Ak-Chin Indian Comm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Alamo Lake SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Alpine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Apache Junction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 56 Apache Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Apache-Sitgreaves NF . . . . . . . . 127, 129 Arizona Cardinals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Arizona Cowboy College . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Arizona Diamondbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Arizona Folklore Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Arizona Historical Society Museum . . . . 77 Arizona Museum of Natural History . . . 50 Arizona Museum for Youth . . . . . . . . . . 50 Arizona Public Lands Info Center . . . . . 56 Arizona Rattlers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Arizona Science Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Arizona Snowbowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Arizona State Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Arizona State University . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Arizona Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum . . . 78, 85 Avondale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53, 56 Ahwatukee Foothills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Baboquivari Peak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness . . . 96 Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park . . 81 Bill Williams River NWR . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Bisbee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum . . 80, 85 Black Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Boothill Graveyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Boyce Thompson Arboretum SP . . . . . . 54 Buckeye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53, 56 Buckskin Mountain SP . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Bullhead City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Camelback Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Camelback Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Canyon de Chelly NM . . . . . . . . . . 98, 103 Canyon Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Carefree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48, 56 Casa Grande Ruins NM . . . . . . . . . 53, 54 Casa Malpais Archeological Park & Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Catalina SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84, 85 Cattail Cove SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Cave Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48, 56 Center for Creative Photography . . . . . 77 Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50, 56 Chiricahua NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Coconino NF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Cocopah Indian Res. . . . . . . . . . 119, 120 Colorado River Indian Res. . . . . . 116, 120 Colorado River Indian Tribal Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Colorado River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Colossal Cave Mountain Park . . . . . 78, 85 Coolidge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Copper Basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Copper Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Coronado NF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Coronado NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Coyote Buttes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Dead Horse Ranch SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Desert Caballeros Western Museum . . . 53 El Mirage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Elgin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 85 Estrella Mountain RP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Flagstaff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

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Flandrau Science Center . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Florence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Fool Hollow Lake RA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Fort Apache Cultural Center & Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Fort Bowie NHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Fort Huachuca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation . . . . . . . 54 Fort Mojave Indian Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Fort Verde SHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Fort Yuma-Quechan Tribe . . . . . . . . . . 120 Fountain Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48, 56 Gila Box Riparian NCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Gila River Indian Comm. . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Gilbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Glen Canyon Dam & NRA . . . . . . . 97, 103 Glendale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 56 Globe/Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Goldfield Ghost Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Goodyear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Grand Canyon NP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93, 103 Grand Canyon-Parashant NM . . . . . . . 103 Grand Canyon West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Grand Wash Cliffs Wilderness . . . . . . . 96 Hassayampa River Preserve . . . . . . . . . 53 Havasu NWR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Havasupai Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Heard Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Heard Museum North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Heard Museum West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Heritage and Science Park . . . . . . . . . . 43 Historic Route 66 Museum . . . . . . . . . 112 Hohokam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Holbrook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Homolovi Ruins SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Hoover Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Hopi Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 103 Hualapai Mountain Park . . . . . . . . . . 112 Hualapai Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94, 103 Hubbell Trading Post NHS . . . . . . . . . 103 Ironwood Forest NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Jerome SHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Jerome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 John Slaughter Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Juan Bautista de Anza NHT . . . . . . . . . 79 Kaibab NF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Kaibab Paiute Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . 96, 103 Kanab Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Kartchner Caverns SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Kingman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Kinishba Ruins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 La Casa Cordova . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 La Posta Quemada Ranch . . . . . . . . . . 78 Lake Havasu City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Lake Havasu Museum of History . . . . 114 Lake Havasu SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114, 120 Lake Mead NRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103, 112 Lake Mohave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Lake Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Las Cienega NCA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Lazy K Bar Guest Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Litchfield Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 London Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Lost Dutchman SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51, 54 Lowell Observatory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Lyman Lake SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 McDowell Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 McDowell Mountain Regional Park . . . . 48

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McDowell Sonoran Preserve . . . . . . . . . 47 McFarland SHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53, 54 Mesa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Mesa Arts Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Meteor Crater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Mogollon Rim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Montezuma Castle NM . . . . . . . . 124, 128 Montezuma Well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Monument Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Mount Bangs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Mount Lemmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Muggins Mountains Wilderness . . . . . 119 Museum of Northern Arizona . . . . . . . . 99 Mystery Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Nampaweap Petroglyph Site . . . . . . . . 96 Navajo Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 103 Navajo NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Nogales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Northern Arizona University . . . . . . . . . 99 Oatman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 OK Corral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Old Tucson Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Oracle SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Organ Pipe Cactus NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Painted Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Paiute Wilderness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Paria Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Pascua Yaqui Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Patagonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Patagonia Lake SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Road . . . . . . 80 Payson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Peoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Petrified Forest NP . . . . . . . . . . . 100, 104 Phoenix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Phoenix Art Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Phoenix Coyotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Phoenix Mercury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Phoenix Mountain Preserve . . . . . . . . . 45 Phoenix Museum of History . . . . . . . . . 43 Phoenix Suns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Phoenix Zoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Picacho Peak SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Piestewa Peak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Pima Air and Space Museum . . . . . . . . 78 Pipe Spring NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96, 104 Prescott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Prescott NF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Quartzsite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Queen Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Rainbow Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Ramsey Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Red Rock SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Rincon Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Riordan Mansion SHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Roosevelt Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Roper Lake SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Route 66 . . . 93, 99, 112, 114, 115, 119, 130 Sabino Canyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Saguaro Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Saguaro NP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 82 Salado Indians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Salt River Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 San Bernardino Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 San Carlos Apache Tribe . . . . . . . . . . 128 San Francisco Peaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe . . . . . 103

San Pedro Riparian NCA . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 San Xavier del Bac Mission . . . . . . . . . 78 Scottsdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon . . . . . . 98, 100 Sierra Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 85 Sinagua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Slide Rock SP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Sonoita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 85 Sonoran Desert NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 South Mountain Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Springerville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Springerville Volcanic Field . . . . . . . . 127 Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area . . 48 Sunrise Park Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Sunset Crater NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Superstition Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Surprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Taliesin West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Tanque Verde Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Tempe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Tempe Butte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Tempe Center for the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Tempe Town Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Titan Missile Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Tlaquepaque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Tohono O’odham Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Tombstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Tombstone Courthouse SHP . . . . . . 80, 84 Tonto Apache Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Tonto Natural Bridge SP . . . . . . . 126, 129 Tonto NF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126, 129 Tonto NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Topock Gorge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 TPC of Scottsdale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Tubac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 85 Tubac Presidio SHP . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 84 Tucson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Tucson Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78, 85 Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Tumacacori NHP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 82 Tuzigoot NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Tyson’s Well Stage Stop Museum . . . . 116 University of Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 UofA Mineral Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Usery Mountain RP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Verde Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Vermilion Cliffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97, 104 Walnut Canyon NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 West Valley Art Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 White Mountain Apache Res . . . . 127, 128 White Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 White Stallion Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 White Tank Mountain RP . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Wickenburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Winslow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Wupatki NM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Yavapai-Apache Nation . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Yavapai-Prescott Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Yuma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Yuma Art Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Yuma Crossing SHP . . . . . . . . . . 117, 120 Yuma Historic Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Yuma Territorial Prison SHP . . . . 117, 120 Zuni Tribe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

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AD INDEX Americas Best Value Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Apache Gold Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Arizona Biltmore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Arizona Grand Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Arizona Travel Parks Association . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn . . . . . . . 93 Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa . . . . . . . . . . 65 Boyce Thompson Arboretum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . 117 Carefree Resort & Villas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Choice Hotels International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 City of Chandler Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 City of Glendale Office of Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . .58 City of Peoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cliff Castle Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Cochise County Tourism Council . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort . . . . . . . . 50 Days Inn Hotels of Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Desert Botanical Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Embassy Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Esplendor Resort at Rio Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Flagstaff Convention & Visitor’s Bureau . . . . . . 103 Fountain Hills Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Fort McDowell Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Gila River Casinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, Xanterra . . . . 95 Grand Canyon Railway & Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Grand Canyon Red Feather Lodge . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Heard Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Holiday Inns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover Hon-Dah Resort & Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 Hyatt Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 In Celebration of Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 InnSuites Hotels & Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Kingman Chamber/Powerhouse Visitor Center . . . . . 117 Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 The Legacy Golf Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Maverick Helicopter Tours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . 56, 59 Navajo Nation Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Northeast Arizona Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Ocean Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Page Lake Powell Tourism Board . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters . . . . . . . . . 100 Phoenix (Greater) Convention & Visitor’s Bureau . . . . 57 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover Prescott Area Coalition for Tourism . . . . . . . . . 129 Radisson Fort McDowell Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Radisson Poco Diablo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Renaissance Glendale Hotel and Spa . . . . . . . . . 67 Resort Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Robson Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Scottsdale Convention & Visitor’s Bureau . . . . . 61 Sedona Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce Tourism Bureau . . . . 105 Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa . . . . . . . 65 Tempe Convention & Visitor’s Bureau . . . . . . . . . 55 Thunderbird Artists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Town of Pinetop-Lakeside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Tucson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau . . . . . . . . 83 Verrado a DMB Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38, 39 Westcor Shopping Centers . . . . . Inside Back Cover The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . 71 The Westin La Paloma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 White Mountain Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce . . . . 104 Windmill Inns of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Yuma Visitor’s Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

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