Arizona for Boomers

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Things to Do in Arizona: February 2019

With Groundhog’s Day, the Super Bowl, and Valentine’s Day already on the calendar, February is going to be a pretty busy month. But that isn’t stopping the good people of Arizona from making sure that you have plenty of additional reasons to have fun all over the state.

Whether you are passionate about art, history, food, music, film, or nature, there is something for everyone happening in The Grand Canyon State this month. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most notable festivals on the calendar.

Art & History

60th Annual Tubac Festival of the Arts

Believe it or not, that is not a typo. This really is the 60th year for the Tubac Festival of the Arts. And just like in years past, the downtown streets will be lined with more than 200 visiting artists displaying, selling, and creating everything from jewelry and pottery to tablecloths and leather shoes.

8th Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival

The Scottsdale community will be hosting their 8th Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival from February 8 to February 10 this year. There will be more than 125 artists from around the world attending the event, and visitors can enjoy samples of fine wine and listen to live music while exploring the festival.

Food & Beverage

9th Annual Arizona Beer Week

Craft beer will be taking center stage during the 9th Annual Arizona Beer Week, which runs from February 7 through February 16. This is a statewide event that will include more than 200 different activities and events popping up all over the state, you can enjoy the festivities from just about anywhere in Arizona.

24th Annual Chocolate Affaire

Everyone has chocolate on the brain just before Valentine’s Day, and the people of Glendale are capitalizing on that by holding their 24th Annual Chocolate Affaire on February 9 and 10. There will be more than 40 different chocolate vendors set up in downtown Glendale serving everything from fudge and cookies to chocolate-dipped cheesecake.

8th Annual Street Eats Food Truck Festival

Food trucks have really become popular over the past few years, but they have been a staple on the Scottsdale culinary scene for much longer than that. On February 16 and 17 this year, there will be more than 40 different food trucks spread out across the lawn at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick as part of the 8th Annual Street Eats Food Truck Festival.

4th Annual PHX Vegan Food Festival

Another popular trend in the food world is that a growing number of people are taking their health seriously and moving towards a vegan diet. If this is something that interests you, then there is no better place to explore all that you can do with vegan food than the 4th Annual PHX Vegan Food Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix on February 23 and 24. There will be more than 100 difference Vegan food vendors on hand for the event.

Music & Film

23rd Annual Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival

The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival has been celebrating Jewish culture as it is portrayed through film for more than two decades, and it will be bigger than ever this year with a two-week event running from February 10 through February 24. There will be 21 different films making their debut at the festival this year.

11th Annual Lake Havasu City Rockabilly Reunion

Lake Havasu State Park in Lake Havasu City is known for hosting huge festivals, and one of the biggest ones on their annual agenda is the Lake Havasu City Rockabilly Reunion, which celebrates any and all things related to the 1950s. There are more than 30 retro bands lined up for this year’s festivities running from February 15 to 17.

8th Annual Line Dancing on the London Bridge

Lake Havasu City also hosts an annual line dancing party on their historic London Bridge. This year, that party is happening on February 24. There will be two short dances taking place on the bridge, and then a full two hours of dancing to follow underneath the bridge.

Nature Festivals

Annual Buckeye Air Fare

The Buckeye Municipal Airport in Buckeye will be hosting the Annual Buckeye Air Fair on February 9 and 10. This classic American airshow will feature flyovers, display planes, and even hot air balloon rides. There will also be plenty of craft vendors attending.

Corks and Cactus

February 9 and 10 are also great days to visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix for their Corks and Cactus festival. The garden will be serving samples of 40 different wines and be hosting live music to enhance the experience of walking through their Arizona cactus displays.

65th Annual Gem & Mineral Show

One of the biggest events of the month will be the 65th Annual Gem & Mineral Show happening at the Tucson Convention Center from February 14 through February 17. There will be hundreds of booths packing the floor to create a fascinating experience for anyone who is interested in gems and minerals.

Between all of these major festivals and the smaller ones that will be happening throughout the month in each of our unique communities, it’s hard to imagine anyone struggling to find something fun to do during the month of February. So get out and enjoy all that Arizona has to offer!

48 Hours in Mesa

Mesa, Arizona Skyline

Because it is located so close to Phoenix, the city of Mesa often gets overlooked by baby boomers who are exploring places to retire in Arizona. However, anyone who spends a couple of days in Mesa will quickly find out that the community has a vibe that is entirely its own.

If you are interested in learning more about the Mesa area, this 48-hour itinerary is the best way we have found to pack as much punch as possible into your visit.

Day One – Get To Know Mesa

Whether you’re flying in through Phoenix or coasting into town on fumes, the first stop for everyone spending 48 hours in Mesa should be a Tex-Mex restaurant. Jalapeño Bucks does a fantastic job of combining the best of Texas with a little bit of Mexican salsa. Everything on the menu here is outstanding, but if you are only going to visit once, you have to try one of their green chili burritos.

Now that you have recharged your batteries with a little bit of local cuisine, it’s time to explore the desert with Green Zebra Adventures. They will hook you up with a state-of-the-art off-road vehicle that they call a Tomcar, which will give you a ton of freedom to get out and cruise the desert.

For dinner on your first night in town, we’re going casual with a meal from Bobby-Q. With three locations in the state, Bobby-Q is a big name here in Arizona, and their barbecue is outstanding. But great barbecue isn’t the only thing on the menu here, make sure you check out the “Woodfired Steaks, Chicken & Fish” section of the menu too!

After dinner at Bobby-Q, we’re heading over to TQLA where you will find an impressive selection of tequila. We recommend ordering flights of tequila to share, but you can also treat yourself to one of their fantastic tequila cocktails.

Day Two – Expanding Your Arizona Horizons

With more than 40 first-class golf courses, we are pretty much obligated to kick off our second day in Mesa by breaking out the clubs and heading to a golf course with a view. And if you aren’t quite feeling like playing a course, you can also check out TopGolf, which is a three-level driving range with all kinds of fun targets and side games.

For lunch, we’re going to Backyard Taco for what will most likely be the best carne asada burrito you will ever put in your mouth. The chicken and “Al Pastor” options are also excellent, but the carne asada is a must-order here.

We explored the beautiful desert scenery in Tomcars on our first day in Arizona, so now it’s time to dig a bit deeper into the history of the area at one of the local wild west towns.

Rockin’ R Ranch and Rawhide Wild West Town both offer fun-filled wild west experiences where you will find yourself in gunfights, panning for gold, and souvenir shopping. Both towns will take up about two hours of your time, so adjust your plans to attend one or both depending on how late in the day it is.

For dinner, we are making a reservation at BBQ House. Have you noticed that every restaurant we have visited so far has been a slightly different twist on barbecue? Welcome to Arizona!

This version is a Korean BBQ restaurant where they will keep bringing you more than 40 different cuts of meat to cook on your own tabletop grill until you are full.

Following dinner, it’s off to the Fort McDowell Casino for a fun night of gaming. You can have your pick of slots and table games here, so kick back and enjoy your big night in Arizona.

Day Three – A Little Bit of History

On our last day in Mesa, we are going to sleep in a bit before going to Worth Takeaway for brunch. You can feel free to order the Breakfast Sandwich or Breakfast Burrito here, but we recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and trying the Pastrami Croque Madame or the Chicken Veggie Hash….or maybe both. 🙂

After brunch, it’s time to take in just a bit of the local history at the Arizona Museum of Natural History. Not only will you find dinosaurs here, but there are also tons of exhibits that will help give you a better perspective on what Arizona is all about.

Where to Stay in Mesa

For the most amazing experience possible in Mesa, you have to stay at the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch. This rustic hotel is a historical experience complete with the absence of TVs or phones. You might not find the traditional amenities here, but you also won’t get the same view anywhere else.

If a great deal is what you are looking for, then the Courtyard by Marriot Phoenix Mesa is probably going to be your best bet. The room rates here will blow you away, and you won’t have to sacrifice any bit of service or cleanliness.

Anyone who really embraces the Arizona landscape could probably spend an entire 48-hour trip kicking back and looking at the mountains in the distance. While that experience would be fantastic in its own way, our itinerary will help first-time visitors get to know a more well-rounded Mesa, which will undoubtedly be helpful when deciding whether you want to start calling this area home.

Where to Catch Spring Training in Arizona

A total of 15 Major League Baseball teams get ready for the season in a fairly tight radius surrounding Phoenix.

For baseball fans living in or visiting the Phoenix area, there’s simply no better time of year than springtime!

Here are the teams you can watch in Arizona’s Cactus League and where to see them.

Los Angeles Angels – Tempe, AZ

The Angels started adding to their roster leading up to the trade deadline in 2017, and they kept up those improvements throughout most of the winter.

The end result is that they have a new-look team surrounding Mike Trout, who is still the best player in baseball by just about any metric. Look for the additions of Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton, Zack Cosart, and Ian Kinsler to turn this solid team into a legit contender in 2018.

Arizona Diamondbacks – Scottsdale, AZ

The addition of outfielder J.D. Martinez boosted the Diamondbacks to a Wild Card Game win last season, but his departure for the Boston Red Sox leaves a big hole in the middle of their lineup heading into this season.

The current plan to fill that hole is Steven Souza, but depth is going to be an issue in the bullpen here as well.

Chicago Cubs – Mesa, AZ

The Cubs failed to return to the World Series last season when they ran into an outstanding Dodgers team in the NLCS, and their effort to get back this year will largely hang on the arm of Yu Darvish, who they signed away from LA this offseason.

Unfortunately, Darvish will likely be sliding into the spot vacated by current free agent Jake Arrieta.

Cincinnati Reds – Goodyear, AZ

While the odds of the Reds becoming a serious contender this year aren’t great, this is a team that is filled with exciting players to watch.

Luis Castillo and Raul Iglesias are two of the most exciting young fireballers taking the mound this season, and speedster Billy Hamilton has the potential to steal any base at any time.

Cleveland Indians – Goodyear, AZ

Much like the Cubs, the Cleveland Indians came up just short in their effort to return to the World Series last fall.

The dominant pitching staff that has powered the Indians over the past few seasons will be back in full force this year, but they will be without hitters Carlos Santana, Jay Bruce, and Austin Jackson.

Colorado Rockies – Scottsdale, AZ

With stud hitters like Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado coming back for another season in Coors Field, the Rockies expect to remain one of the most intimidating offenses in all of baseball.

The question here is whether or not they have the pitching staff to seriously compete with some of the best teams in the national league. Of course, when you play half of your games in Colorado, it makes sense to prioritize the ability to hit the ball really far.

Chicago White Sox – Glendale, AZ

With one of the worst records in the majors at last year’s trade deadline, the White Sox decided to pack it in and fully commit to rebuilding. What that means for this year’s team is that you are going to see stud hitter Jose Abreu surrounded by a bunch of guys you’ve never heard of.

But there is still plenty of talent throughout this organization, so watch out for which guys take advantage of opportunities in Arizona this spring.

Kansas City Royals – Surprise, AZ

As a kid growing up I used to watch the Royals during Spring Training in my home state of Florida, but they made the move to Arizona in 2003.

Free agency was brutal for the Royals this year with Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas seeking bigger deals elsewhere, but the emergence of second baseman Whit Merrifield is one bright spot worth watching in 2018.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Glendale, AZ

The Dodgers came up just short of winning the World Series last fall, and aside from losing Yu Darvish to the Cubs in free agency, they are basically bringing back the same team again this season.

Look for them to remain one of the absolute best teams in baseball, and make sure you show up early to spring training in order to get autographs from the ridiculous number of all-stars on this rosters.

Milwaukee Brewers – Phoenix, AZ

The Brewers had a respectable campaign in 2017, but needed to add some significant pieces to their solid core in order to have a chance in 2018.

Fortunately for Milwaukee residents, that is exactly what they did when they acquired Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, and Jhoulys Chacin. Their offense looks really good on paper, so the thing to watch here is how well their pitching staff looks this spring.

Oakland A’s – Mesa, AZ

Remember those commercials about how “Chicks dig the longball?” Well, that must be what Billy Beane and David Forst were thinking while putting together this lineup filled with sluggers like Khris Davis, Matt Olson, and Matt Chapman.

They also added Stephen Piscotty in right field for even more pop. If you are heading out to see the A’s in spring training, make sure you don’t miss batting practice!

San Diego Padres – Peoria, AZ

The Padres were one of the absolute worst teams in baseball last year, and they aren’t going to be a whole lot better this year. However, they did make an effort to improve by bringing in guys like Eric Hosmer, Chase Headley, Freddy Galvis, and Tyson Ross.

Any exciting spring surprises this spring will likely come from young players, so make sure you bring your depth chart.

San Francisco Giants – Scottsdale, AZ

Just about everything that could go wrong for the Giants did last season, but they are bringing back a strong core that got a whole lot better over the winter.

The additions of veterans Andrew McCutchen, Evan Longoria, and Austin Jackson should do a lot to improve the offense, and pitching has never been a problem for the Giants since Madison Bumgarner arrived.

Seattle Mariners – Peoria, AZ

The Mariners surprised a lot of experts by finishing third in the AL West last season, but they will have to do a lot better to keep pace with the other teams in their division this year.

The additions of Dee Gordon and Ryon Healy should add some excitement to the offense, but the player that has people in Seattle really excited is James Paxton.

Paxton was putting together a career year before getting hurt last season, so if he can regain his pre-injury form, he could be the dominant force that leads the M’s back to the playoffs.

Texas Rangers – Surprise, AZ

The Rangers missed the boat when they failed to sign pitcher Yu Darvish, so they are entering spring training with a pretty glaring hole in their pitching rotation. With Carlos Gomez and Andrew Cashner also heading for greener pastures, it looks like the Rangers could be a few rocky months away from a complete rebuild.

The one bright spot to watch here is third baseman Joey Gallo, who can hit the ball a country mile when he is able to make contact.

9 Free Things to do in Phoenix

Finding wallet-friendly activities around Phoenix doesn’t have to be a challenge. No matter if you enjoy the great outdoors or great art, there is something for everyone – free of charge.

1. Get a Culture Pass  – This pass gives Phoenix Public Library customers FREE admission for two people to an arts or cultural institution. There are a limited number of passes available, but you can pick one up at any of the 17 library locations. You have seven days to use the culture pass before it expires.

South Mountain Library, Phoenix

Check out a Culture Pass at the South Mountain Community Library and enjoy the building too. It’s made from 76,000 pounds of copper, 665,000 tons of steel and glass.

2. Phoenix Art Museum – Enjoy international exhibitions, amazing photography and more than 17,000 works of art.  Admission is free on Wednesdays from 3 – 9 pm and on the First Fridays from 6 – 10 pm.

3. Continue the first Friday fun with Artlink Phoenix. Several art galleries, venues and spaces offer free admission between 6 pm and 10 pm. You can sign up for the Artlink’s newsletter so you can know about the different exhibitions and activities that will be going on each month.

4. Cosanti, in nearby Paradise Valley, is home to the Paolo Soleri Windbells. You can visit the gallery, Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and from 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday. The gallery also features sculptures, graphics and sketches.

Cosanti, free things to do in Phoenix

Cosanti – home and sculpture studios of Paolo Soleri

5. A night of cinematic entertainment may be more up your alley. Each spring, the Movies in the Park series begins. Classic movies are shown in their original formats. You get to sit back and enjoy the free shows under the stars on the lawn. Check the Biltmore Fashion Park event list for dates and times.

6. The North Mountain Visitor Center opens the doors to visitors for free admission on the first and third Saturday of each month (from October to May). Starbucks coffee is available at the front desk and there are home-baked goods available for purchase (with proceeds going to support the NMVC). Admission to the center is always free, but the Coffee House Saturdays are a nice bonus.

 7. The Arizona Science Center offers an Adults’ Night Out on the first Friday of each month (from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm) – only those 18 and over are allowed to enter. It’s the perfect time for adults to enjoy the four floors of hands-on science fun. The Center also rolls out the cash bar and invites in local DJs to make it a night to remember.

Adults' Night Out

Play at Arizona Science Center without the kids

 8. There are plenty of outdoor trails to keep you on the go, but Camelback Mountain is one of the more popular locations. Keep in mind that during the peak season the parking lots fill up fast. This makes a great mid-week adventure (with weekends being the busiest time for the popular location.)

 9. McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers a wide variety of outdoor fun. You can enjoy the views, keep an eye out for wildlife (including deer, javelina, and coyotes) or test your endurance along the 50 miles of multiuse trails.

One of the best things about Phoenix is that there is always something to do, whatever it is you enjoy doing. It only makes things better (and lighter on the wallet) that you can find plenty of interesting and exciting free things to do in Phoenix.

 

Discovering Arizona — The Unexpected

Five Unusual Things to See in Arizona

The normal image of Arizona for many people will be the desert, majestic rock formations and probably heat. Arizona holds many unusual and unexpected sights and sounds when you begin looking beyond the ordinary and expected.

1) Eagles fans will appreciate the “Standing on the Corner Park” in Winslow, Arizona. Here you will find a life-size bronze statue of a guitar player, and a trompe-l’oeil mural showing the reflection of the flatbed Ford in a store window. Winslow had been one of the largest cities in Arizona until Route 66 was no longer the main thoroughfare. A local foundation created the corner park  to bring traffic back through Winslow.


This photo of Standin’ on the Corner Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

2) London Bridge is NOT where you might expect. In 1968, the City of London sold the famous bridge to an American. Today, the 950 foot bridge spans a manmade canal that cut through a peninsula on Lake Havasu. Come for the bridge but stay for the boating, beaches and other outdoor activities available around the area.

3) They yabba, dabba do have dinosaurs in Arizona. At least 15 species of dinosaurs once roamed Arizona and left tracks across the state (most famously the Moenkopi Tracks outside of Tuba City). But forget stuffy museums and geological tours. Go for the kitsch. Take $5 and visit the Flintstones Bedrock City  in Williams, Az. At this old-style park, you can slide down a brontosaurus and ride in a Flintstone mobile tram.


This photo of Flintstone’s Bedrock City is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Over in Holbrook, Arizona, seven dinosaur statues (ranging from just a few feet up to 25 feet in height) sit in front of the Rainbow Rock Shop, and  just south of town, eight more of the creatures stalk Jim Gray’s Petrified Wood Company.

4) Travelers across the southwest are familiar with the occasional cow lumbering across the road, but in Oatman, AZ, wild burros roam the streets and interact with tourists. The burros are descendants of the beasts of burden used by the gold miners who once worked the area. Oatman is on old Route 66, just southeast of Laughlin, NV. As well as being famous for their burros, the burg is home to old West gun fights, January bed races, and the annual 4th of July Solar Egg Frying Contest.

Oatman Burros

5) Tucson, Arizona offers a graveyard of a different kind. The “Boneyard” or  the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG)  is home to thousands of aircraft from throughout the years. The facility houses more than 4,400 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the all U.S. military branches, and several federal agencies including NASA. It is part of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, so to get close to the planes; you will want to take the Prima Air and Space Museum bus tour (the bus will not stop but you will get a closer view of all the planes). Some of the boneyard aircraft get a new life in the project, Round Trip: Art From The Bone Yard Project. The project takes planes and puts them in the hands of contemporary artists who re-image elements of the aircraft as works of art. You can see works from the exhibit around the museum grounds.

The limits of what you can find in Arizona seem only to be your imagination.

Park Yourself in One of the Arizona National Parks

Arizona National Parks and Monuments

When it comes to natural beauty, you can’t beat our great state. Arizona is home to more than 20 national parks and nearly 30 state parks; each unique and beautiful in its own way. Some have lakes with bright blue water shining thanks to the beaming hot sun; others have grounds surrounded by glorious cacti in every shape, size, and style. You can find canyons and cliffs that provide unbelievable views for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy. You can admire desert scapes that seem to go on for eternity. Imagine relaxing at sunset with nothing but the sounds and smells of Arizona to bask in. Our state parks are filled with excitement and serenity, from beautiful red rocks to fresh, clear water full of fish ready for the taking. Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll find the perfect park here in Arizona.

A Few of our Favorite AZ National Parks and Monuments

Grand Canyon National Park
This is the United States’ 15th oldest national park, and it features none other than the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt said “the Grand Canyon fills me with awe. It is beyond comparison—beyond description; absolutely unparalleled throughout the wide world.” If you’ve been here before, you need to come back. If you’ve never been, what are you waiting for? Here’s a preview of Grand Canyon Nation Park that will blow you away:

Vermillion Cliffs
This geologic treasure features spectacular cliffs with views that will truly take your breath away. The Wave is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. Trust us, you’ve never seen anything like this:

Saguaro National Park
The giant saguaro cacti represent Arizona to the rest of the country and world, so why not embrace them? These unbelievably majestic plants are found in only a small portion of the United States, and here you can see and really take them in, surrounded by the beauty of our sun-drenched desert. To get some visuals of this park’s beauty, enjoy this:

Need More Parks?
Here is a comprehensive list and map of Arizona State Parks.
List of Arizona National Parks and Monuments

Meanwhile, have a favorite AZ park you’d like us to write about? Log in now and let us know in the comments.