W I N TE R
Endless Sunshine Fabulous Food Acclaimed Spas Luxury Resorts Superb Shopping
VACATION
Welcome to Arizona The beauty of a vacation in Arizona is that it can be anything – and everything – you want it to be. From the Ponderosa pines and 7,000-foot elevation of northern Arizona to the sagebrush- and red rock-filled high deserts of central Arizona to the cactus-covered mountain slopes of Greater Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona offers every natural backdrop imaginable. There are even rivers and lakes with beaches in the northern and western parts of the state. What’s more, there are fistfuls of golf courses, hotels, restaurants and activities to fit every budget. Whether your tastes run to shopping and spas or hiking and horseback riding, Arizona has it all. If you’re craving bigcity sophistication and cutting edge trends, you’ll find it here. If you want pure serenity and back roads escapes, you’ll find that here, too. With a rich heritage blended from Old West, Native American and Mexican influences, and more than 325 sunny days each year, Arizona is truly the treasure of the Southwest. Come enjoy!
El Tour de Tucson
Accommodations If you’re into stunning sunsets, cactus-studded mountain terrain, soothing spas and championship golf courses, look no further than Arizona to indulge your every whim. Arizona offer endless sunshine, an armful of the nation’s most acclaimed spas, more than 300 golf courses and a wide variety of resort hotels. The result is one of the most appealing resort destinations on earth. Among the stars in a constellation of fine properties is the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where highlights include the 44,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa and the Bourbon Steak restaurant by celebrity chef Michael Mina, which nicely complements its La Hacienda restaurant, one of the nation’s highest-ranked Mexican dining establishments. Downtown Scottsdale just opened its first all-new luxury bed & breakfast, Bespoke Inn, Café & Bicycles. This four star-rated, four-room inn combines the best of a luxury boutique inn with the warmth and personality of a B&B. With complimentary Pashley city bikes for exploring downtown, the canal and greenbelt, as well as road bikes available for rent, you’ll have no problem working off the pastries and gourmet breakfasts. Enjoy an infinity pool, fitness center, parking and wi-fi included in the rate as well. Visit www.bespokeinn.com for information on their all-inclusive luxury cycling vacations. Close to downtown and Scottsdale Fashion Square shopping center, Chaparral Suites offers guests a mix of contemporary accommodations and signature
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
amenities, and boasts the best value in Scottsdale hotels. Independently owned, this pet-friendly hotel has 312 guest suites and offers express check-in and checkout, as well as extended stays. Located in the exclusive oasis like Scottsdale neighborhood of Gainey Ranch – Gainey Suites Hotel is stylishly decorated in warm desert hues. Enjoy a
Arizona Winter Vacation Published by Hennen Publishing & Marketing Group publisher: Kathleen Hennen art director: Tad Smith 480-664-0541, info@hennenpmg.com cover photos: Grand Canyon National Park, Raven at Verrado Golf Club, Breakfast at Bespoke Inn, Café & Bicycles, Fort McDowell Adventures Horseback Riding
dreamy nights’ sleep in the new Gainey Suite Dreams Bed, featuring crisp 300-threadcount linens, comfy hypo-allergenic down featherbed and pillows. All suites also offer fully equipped residential style kitchens and dining areas accented with wide plank hardwood floors and marble countertops. Just east of Scottsdale, Fort McDowell Destination has championship golf and four diamond accommodations on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Radisson Fort McDowell Resort is the only AAA Four Diamond resort with a spa and casino in Scottsdale. The casino has live bingo, slot machines, live keno, and six restaurants and lounges. At Fort McDowell Adventures, individuals and groups can experience adventure tours and horseback riding. The We-Ko-Pa Golf Club offers two championship 18-hole golf courses with a 10,000-square-foot desert-themed clubhouse. No matter what area of the Valley you want to stay in, chances are you can find a Choice Hotel at an affordable rate. Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites and MainStay Suites are just some of the brand’s options. Another great value option, Windmill Inn & Suites has locations in both Chandler & Tucson.
Golf
TPC Scottsdale
It’s little wonder why national magazines often name Phoenix/Scottsdale as the best city in the U.S. for golf. If you like taking stick to ball and aiming at flags in the green grass, this is the place. Adjacent to the Princess is the most recognized Scottsdale golf resort – TPC Scottsdale – home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Designed by the team of Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, lush fairways surrounded by desert vegetation and breathtaking mountain views enhance the golf experience on this 18 hole, par 71 course. One of the most dramatic holes on the TPC Stadium Course is the 15th hole. It is a reachable par-5 with water surrounding an island green, with bunkers in the front of the green and a lake to the left it creates an interesting challenge for all. Named in GolfWeek’s “2013 Best Courses You Can Play”, Raven at Verrado is tucked in the foothills of the White Tank Mountains, stretching to more than 7,000 yards, and offering jaw dropping views and rugged natural beauty. This exceptional golf experience can accommodate golfers of all levels. After your round, the Verrado Grille restaurant is a great place to relax and take in a sunset.
Shopping
Arizona Mills
As some say, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping – and there are few better places to engage in retail therapy than Arizona. From apparel Old Town Scottsdale to accessories and from footwear to Western wear, Arizona has got the goods. Scottsdale also has an impressive array of independent retail centers, most notably, in Downtown which is broken into Districts (all easily walkable). There’s Old Town with lots of Western kitsch, the world-famous 5th Avenue Shops, the Arts District which is lined with galleries, plus the Business and Entertainment As some say, Districts. Undoubtedly, the most shopping to be had when the going is at Scottsdale Fashion Square which boasts anchors gets tough, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Barneys along with almost every major designer boutique. the tough go Just down the street situated along the Arizona shopping – and Canal are the Scottsdale Waterfront and The Mix there are few at SouthBridge Districts. Landscaped pathways and pedestrian-only bridges lead to some of the hottest better places to shops and drink spots in town. engage in retail A mere 10 minutes from Sky Harbor International therapy than Airport is Arizona Mills in Tempe. With more than 175 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, Arizona. it’s worth canceling your first flight and catching the next one just to see it all. If you’re searching for bargains, look no further than the Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th store or the Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center. Finally, if you love antique hunting, head to Downtown Glendale with its more than 60 indie shops, mostly located in Olde Towne and Catlin Court. During the holidays, 16 blocks of downtown are lit with 1.5 million lights to get you in the holiday shopping mood. Without question, if you’re the kind of person who likes to shop until you drop, by all means drop in on Arizona.
Sporting Events No matter what time of year you visit Arizona, you’ll find a plethora of seasonal sporting venues to let you indulge your passion for big-time sports. The Phoenix Suns run their fast breaks from October through May at US Airways Center, a home they share with the Phoenix Mercury and with the Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers. Spring, summer and early fall is the time to catch the Arizona Diamondbacks hitting and pitching at Chase Field. More baseball is on tap in February and March, when a slew of Arizona cities play host to Cactus League spring training games. The NFL’s Arizona Cardinals make their nest in the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Tours are available to see not only the retractable roof, but the retractable, roll-in, roll-out natural grass field as well, the first of its kind in the U.S. Right next door is Jobing.com Arena, where hockey’s Phoenix Coyotes hit the ice. Pac-10 college sports dominate Tempe and Tucson, where Arizona State University and the University of Arizona reside, respectively. If you’re hot for smoking tires and fire-breathing engines, race over to Avondale, where two NASCAR events each year take place at Phoenix International Raceway. Golf fans enjoy “the Greatest Show on Grass” at the PGA No matter Tour’s Waste Management Open, contested at the TPC Scottsdale in January, what time of while in February, the year you visit Accenture Match Arizona, you’ll Play Championship shines the golf find a plethora spotlight on the of seasonal Tucson suburb of sporting venues Marana.
to let you indulge your passion for bigtime sports.
Phoenix International Raceway
US Airways Center
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
As Muhammed Ali once said, “it ain’t bragging if you can back it up.” Arizona can rightly boast about the unsurpassed diversity of its national and state parks. If there’s any recreational activity you can think of doing, Arizona is the place to do it. For being one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park is surprisingly accessible to recreational activities. A handful of companies offer helicopter tours. For an up-close look at the Grand Canyon, there’s no more thrilling day trip than whitewater rafting down the Colorado River that cuts through the Canyon. Small oar rafts, hard-shelled dories, kayaks and small paddle rafts are also options. The most popular way to see the Grand Canyon is on foot. No permits are necessary for day hiking. Due to the steep terrain, allot one-third of your time for descending and two-thirds for climbing back up. If your goal is simply to see a portion of the canyon in a brief time period, walk down Bright Angel Trail for a quarter- or half-mile. All you will need is a decent pair of walking shoes. For the past 100 years, another option is to make the hike by mule. A popular place to stay at the Canyon is just outside the Park’s entrance in the town of Tusayan. Here the National Geographic Grand Canyon Visitor Center features a six-story IMAX screen and shows Grand Canyon Movie, With more than 30 state a 34-minute film about the history parks providing over 1,400 of the Canyon, as well as the Anasazi who used to inhabit it. camping and RV sites, The Best Western Premier outdoor enthusiasts Grand Canyon Squire have a number Inn is the most popular lodging option of parks from offering unique which to choose. amenities such as an Hiking, biking outdoor swimming pool, four dining and horseback spots, a salon and a riding are popular game room with billiards activities. And, with and a bowling alley. With a complimentary hot breakfast 128 lakes in Arizona, and free shuttle service to the there are a lot of wonderful Canyon, this really is a Best option.
State Parks
places to swim, fish and boat.
Tucson & Southern Arizona The roll call of famous Old West names is legendary: Geronimo and Cochise; Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. These four and many more make Tucson and southern Arizona a must-stop for western history buffs. Start with the kid-friendly Old Tucson Studios, which was actually built as a set for the 1939 movie, Arizona. Since then, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Paul Newman have all filmed movies here. Today, it’s more of a Wild West theme park, with train rides, staged gunfight stunts and musical shows. Tucson is also justifiably famous for its guest ranches, where you can eat, sleep and breathe like a real ranch-hand. One of the best among Tucson’s legendary guest ranches is White Stallion Ranch. Surrounded by unspoiled desert, rugged mountains and cactus, the views from the saddle are superb. With one of the largest privately owned herds in Arizona, they have the right horse for every guest. After a day of riding, hiking, swimming or tennis, enjoy a massage followed by a terrific meal and a glass of wine on the patio. Southeast of Tucson lies Bisbee, which once was the largest town between New Orleans and San Francisco. Bisbee’s fortunes were tied to its vast copper mines. Today, well-preserved miners’ shacks line the ridges that overlook the town. The biggest attraction nowadays though, is the collection of shops and galleries on a wildly hilly street that once housed 50 saloons and brothels. Tombstone
White Stallion Ranch