03/30/2021
THE GREAT THING ABOUT PHOENIX IS...
Part Three: The Amenities
There are so many amenities to keep you entertained in the Phoenix Metro Area. Here’s a list of some of the most well-known.
For the Sports Spectator:
Phoenix Suns (NBA)
Phoenix Mercury (WNBA)
Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
Arizona Rattlers (AFL)
Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
Arizona Coyotes (NHL)
Fiesta Bowl, January (College Football)
Phoenix Open, February (PGA) known as “the greatest show on grass”
Spring Training, February/March (MLB):
Watch the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.
For the Car Enthusiast:
Phoenix Raceway (NASCAR)
Wild Horse Pass Motorsport Park (NHRA)
Barrett-Jackson, March (Collector Car Auction)
For the Hiker and Biker:
Phoenix is home to over 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves with over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails. According to AllTrails.com, there are 182 moderate trails from .9 to 16.7 miles with climbs from 1,115 to 3,192 feet above sea level.
For the Golfer:
There are almost 200 golf courses in Phoenix. Some, like Troon North, put the full desert on display. Others, like Raven Golf Club, create an oasis of pine trees and lush fairways.
For the Horse Lover:
Scottsdale has been at the center of the Arabian horse world since wealthy ranchers like the McCormicks started raising them in the 1950s.
Now, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show in February at WestWorld is the largest of its kind in the world.
If wild horses are more your style, head to Saguaro Lake just east of Scottsdale and see them run along the Salt River.
For the Birder:
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area (organized walks October-May
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch (free organized walks every third Saturday October-March)
Desert Botanical Garden (docent-led walks on Mondays)
Phoenix Zoo
For the Water Skier:
You don’t usually think of waterskiing when you think of Phoenix, but it’s an option. There are private lakes, like Crystal Point, Lakeside Ski Village, San Tan Lakeside, Buchli Lake, Playa Del Rey and Spring Mountain, where you can have your own beach, or you can go to a public lake like Lake Pleasant, Bartlett Lake, Saguaro Lake (the one with the horses), Canyon Lake and Apache Lake.
For the Snow Skier:
It’s Snowbowl near Flagstaff for snow skiing. The season runs from mid-November until the end of April.
For the Fashionista:
Designer shopping at Scottsdale Fashion Square or Uptown Plaza in Phoenix
Deal shopping at Phoenix Premium Outlets or the Outlets at Anthem
For the Oenophile:
You’ll find the highest concentration of over a dozen wineries in the Verde Valley area just 90 minutes north of Phoenix near Sedona.
For the History Buff:
Western Spirit, the Scottsdale’s Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of the West
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Pioneer Living History Museum
Arizona State Capitol
Arizona Military Museum
The Rosson House and Heritage Square
Cave Creek Museum
Historic Sahuaro Ranch
Goldfield Ghost Town
Scottsdale Historical Museum
Tovrea Castle
For the Aesthete:
The Heard Museum, the leading museum of Native American art and culture
ASU Art Museum
Phoenix Art Museum
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Roosevelt Row (first Friday art walks)
Scottsdale Art District (Thursday night art walks)
For the Kid:
Phoenix Zoo
OdySea Aquarium
Arizona Science Center
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
Castles N Coasters
Big Surf Water Park
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Enchanted Island Amusement Park
Idea Museum
Snepf Farms
