There’s quite a bit of entertainment that can come from a super action-packed, mostly-mindless, story-lacking but fun blockbuster movie. But for the next few days, Arizona is going get have the opportunity to enjoy a change of pace. Get ready to broaden your horizons and explore some cinematic art!

The Phoenix Film Festivals runs from March 29 – April 5 and there are some really great films worth checking out. The Harkins Theater in Scottsdale will turn into a mecca of storytelling and visual exploration through  a collection of international films as well as Arizona based films. The Phoenix Film Festival showcases a few competition categories that require the movies or shorts to be filmed in Arizona and/or written about Arizona, offering locals the chance to see Arizona from another perspective.

More than 160 films will screen during its eight-day run, and the schedule is packed with must-sees: From drag queen dreams of going to prom in A Fairy Tale to FDR: American Badass, which re-imagines WWI with werewolves, you won’t want to miss out on the kind of creativity that emerges when millions of dollars are not on the line. In addition to taking in indie flicks, film geeks can work on their filmmaking skills with free weekend seminars given by cast and crew members from the festival films.

You should come to the Phoenix Film Festival:

1) If you can’t find anything good to watch at AMC

2) If you have guessed the ending to the last seven movies you’ve watched

3) If you like Michael Bay movies

4) If you like romantic comedies, any of the dozen Saw movies, or a movie that spoofs another bad movie like Another Bad Teen Movie

5) If your  tired of your favorite actor playing the same role in every movie (except Tommy Lee Jones being authoritative and Sean Bean dying. They don’t count.)

6) If you find yourself not knowing most of the films nominated for Academy Awards

7) If you come out of most movies saying, “the special effects were awesome,” but struggle to talk about the storyline

8) If you’ve never seen a film short or don’t even know what is

9) If you’ve ever said, “movies these days suck”

10) If you’ve never been to the Phoenix Film Festival but saw a poster advertising it at your favorite bar

I don’t claim to be the expert at celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Phoenix; but yeah, I enjoy it quite a bit and all of my friends know it. It’s the one holiday I can really get into.  Maybe it’s because I grew up at an Irish Catholic school here in The Valley, where the nuns taught me to Irish dance and the priests sang “Seven Drunken Nights” with the students’ parents at the school’s St. Patrick’s Day Irish Hooley.  (Don’t worry! It was for adults only, but I was part of the Irish dancing entertainment so I learned these drinking songs young but didn’t understood them until years later!) Maybe I like this holiday because the spirit of the the Irish saying, “There are no strangers in Ireland, just friends you haven’t met yet,” comes to life whether you are here in Phoenix or in Dublin.  Or maybe I like it because, really,  I honestly just enjoy an excuse to drink copious amounts of my favorite beer with hundreds or even thousands of other people who are doing the same thing while doing little jig to the sound of a fiddle. After years of dancing in parades and visiting pubs on St. Patrick’s Day with the McTeggart Irish dancing troupe as a grade school girl, I have compiled a list of pubs that I enjoy on this fine day.

WARNING: Being that St. Patty’s Day is on a Saturday this year, it will be incredibly, even obnoxiously crowded at any place that sounds remotely Irish (or British for that matter. Go figure.)

These are just my personal recommendations. Be safe, have fun, and don’t blame me for your choices.

Slainte!

Arizona Chrissy

Vintage Guinness Advertisement

St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2012

Best Family Celebration

• ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE & FAIRE

29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Faire
This Year’s Theme is “Arizona Irish 100 Years and Going Strong”

-Parade 3rd Street from Sheridan south to Margaret T. Hance Park 10AM
-The Faire starts immediately after at Hance Park West side of Central at the Irish Cultural Center
-Admission $10.00 adults 13 & older Kids 12 & under FREE. Senior (55 & over) and Military $8.00

2 Stages of Irish Music and Dancers, Kids Area, Food and Beverages, Crafters.  Free Shuttle from 1850 North Central Avenue (West side of Central Ave & Palm Lane) to the Faire.  TAKE THE LIGHT RAIL TO THE ROOSEVELT STREET STATION.

Free parking at the garage at 1850 North Central Avenue. The Parade has marching bands, Irish step dancers, bagpipers, police and fire vehicles, government dignitaries, floats, the 2012 Arizona Irish Colleen / Arizona Rose with her Court and a whole lot more.
This year’s Grand Marshall is Seamus McCaffrey who is from Belfast and is the owner of Rosie McCaffrey’s Pub in Phoenix as well as being a Founder of the Irish Cultural Center.  The Irish Persons of the Year are Sean and Patricia Prior who are from Counties Cavan and Waterford respectively.  The Priors are Founders of the Irish Cultural Center and have been heavily involved in the Irish Community for many years.  Sean is a docent at the ICC and Patricia is the Executive Director.  For further information call (602) 280-9221 or visit www.phxirish.org

Best Pint of Guinness

• Pat Murphy’s
  3215 E. Thomas Rd., Phoenix
  602-522-0669
• O’Connor’s Pub
  2601 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix
  602-997-7714
  St.Patrick’s Day Schedule

Phoenix Local Favorites

• Seamus McCaffrey’s Irish Pub
  18 W. Monroe, Phoenix
  602-253-6081
  Opens 9AM
  St. Patricks Day Schedule
• Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub
  906 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix
  602-241-1916
  Opens 7AM
  St. Patricks Day Schedule
• The Turf
  705 N 1st St
  Phoenix, AZ 85004
  (602) 296-5043
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule
• Dubliner Irish Pub
  3841 E. Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix
  602-867-0984
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule
• Casey Moore’s Oyster House
  850 S. Ash, Tempe
  480-968-9935
• Rula Bula
  401 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe
  480-929-9500
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule

Worth Mentioning – (Scratch N’ Sniff Irish Pubs)

• O’Donoghue’s
  20469 N. Hayden Rd.
  Scottsdale, AZ
  480-858-6329
  http://www.scottsdaleirishpub.com/
• Skeptical Chymist
  15688 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale
  480-609-8677
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule
• Tim Finnegan’s (same owner as Skeptical Chymist)
  9201 N 29th Ave., Phoenix
  602-997-2323
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule
• Fibber Magee’s (same owner as Skeptical Chymist)
  1989 W. Elliott Rd., Chandler
  480-722-9434
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule

I Want to Drink, Listen to Pseudo Irish-ish Music, Meet Pretty People & Enjoy the Sunshine

• FLOGGING MOLLY
  Part of St. Patrick’s Day 2012
  Sat., March 17, 1:00pm @ Tempe Beach Park
  54 W. Rio Salado Parkway Tempe, AZ 85281

I Want to Chug Green Beers and Throw Leprechauns

• Padre Murphys (Though, this pub has earned it’s place in Local Favorites as well)
  4338 W Bell Road
  Glendale, AZ 85308
  (602) 547-9406
  St. Patrick’s Day Schedule
• Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery
  (multiple locations)
  http://www.tiltedkilt.com/
• Mulligans
  7318 E Stetson Dr
  Scottsdale, AZ 85251
  (480) 947-8188

The Grand Canyon State (a.k.a The Valentine State) turns 100 years on February 14, 2012, and you bet there’s a lot of celebrating going on. From parades and festivals to lectures and outdoor adventures, Arizonans are celebrating all that makes Arizona the great state that it is. With such a rich cultural history and diversity in interests, there will be no shortage of things to do.  Events are going on year round, but you won’t want to miss the official day of the Centennial Celebration.

February 14, 2012 Arizona Statehood Day!

7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. (Phoenix City Hall)

Arizona Native American Sunrise Ceremony (Sunrise Is At 7:12am)

 7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. (begins at Phoenix City Hall)

Reenactment of Governor George W.P. Hunt’s Walk to Capitol

 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Senate & House Lawns)

Happy 100^th Birthday Arizona!

• Happy Birthday Ceremony w/ Governor Brewer (9-9:45am)
• USPS First Day Issue Ceremony (10-10:30am)
• Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest Winners & Award (1-2pm)
• Wayne Newton (2-3pm) 

ALL DAY ACTIVITIES:

• USPS First Day Issue Stamp Sale & Cancellation
• Non-stop Arizona Entertainment
• Legacy Projects & Official Centennial Event EXPO
• Centennial Merchandise
• Phoenix Food Trucks
• Birthday Cake

Other upcoming events:

64^TH ANNUAL GOLD RUSH DAYS & RODEO, Wickenburg | (February 16-19,2012) Admission to: Rodeo, Melodrama, Barbeque, Family Carnival, contests, and Webb Center concerts. Free admission to arts/crafts faire, 4th largest parade in AZ on Saturday, old mining contests on Sunday. Award winning signature event celebrating Wickenburg’s mining and ranching heritage. 2012 is the 64th anniversary celebration. The event has been named twice by the Arizona Office of Tourism as the Best Rural Event in Arizona; and the Library of Congress named Gold Rush Days as one of the Legacy events.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES PARADE & FESTIVAL GOODYEAR AND AVONDALE CELEBRATE ARIZONA’S CENTENNIAL, Goodyear (February 25, 2012) | On Saturday, February 25, 2012, the cities of Goodyear and Avondale will host a joint parade through both cities. This inaugural parade and festival will be a celebration of Arizona’s Centennial which is being celebrated throughout 2012 beginning on the state’s 100th anniversary – February 14, 2012. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on February 25th on Litchfield Road, travel east on Thomas Road and end at Dysart Road. Depending on the number of entrants, the parade is expected to last anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. We are currently seeking parade entrants – floats, bands, vintage cars, horses, gymnastic troops, dance troops, or other entertaining parade entries. An outdoor, family-focused festival called Trains, Planes and Automobiles, celebrating 100 years of transportation, will take place at Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) following the parade from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fun-filled event will feature gourmet food trucks, light musical entertainment, antique car displays, arts and crafts, bouncers, a Kids Zone, carnival games, face painting, balloon art, and caricature art.

ROOSEVELT’S RIDE, Apache Junction (February 24 – 26, 2012) | The project will feature a President Theodore Roosevelt re-enactor who will be the Grand Marshall for the annual Lost Dutchman Days Parade. He will be riding in an era-specific vehicle. After the parade he will drive to more locations on the historic Apache Trail where he will speak about the building of the road to carry materials for the construction of the Roosevelt Dam.

THE FOUR HIKES OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA, Oro Valley (TBD) | The hiking event will focus on the beauty of the natural environment and education. A celebration at the historic Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley will involve activities for all family members and will focus on the historical aspect of the property and the heritage of Arizona.

TOWN OF PAYSON MOUNTAIN HIGH GAMES, Payson  (June 3-5, 2011) | The Payson Arizona Mountain High Games are the Southwest’s largest celebration of adventure sports combined with ATV trail rides, and a massive outdoor expo. Professional and amateur athletes from all over the Southwest and the Pacific Northwest will converge upon the mountain community of Payson to compete in 9 different competitions for cash and prizes. This year’s sporting events include: Mountain Biking, 5K Trail Run, Dutch Oven Cooking Contest, Archery Competition, ATV Rodeo, ATV Trail Rides, The Sawdust Festival, and an old fashioned horse shoe tournament.

Arizona Facts:

Arizona is located in the Southwestern United States and is one of the Four Corners states. Arizona is the sixth largest state in area and all New England plus the state of Pennsylvania would fit inside the state.  Only 15% of the land is privately owned, while the remaining area is public forest, park land, state trust land and Native American reservations. Due to the large area of the state, Arizona has several different climates. Phoenix is known for it’s triple digit heat in the summer, but its eight plus months 60 degree to 75 degree weather keeps the city’s population growing consistently.  Arizona has 3,928 mountain peaks and summits—more mountains than any one of the other Mountain States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) with Mt. Humpheys in Flagstaff peaking at  a height of 12,643 feet. The main industries in Arizona can be summarized as the “Five C’s”: Cattle, Copper, Citrus, Cotton, and Climate.

For more Arizona Centennial Celebration events and information, go to http://www.az100years.org/

There’s really nothing quite like Spring Training in Arizona. In many other parts of the country, snow still sits on the ground, while Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale invite you with sunshine, baseball -America’s favorite pastime-, cold beer, happy people (regardless of who is winning the game), hot dogs, peanuts, family…you get the point. Spring Training is the time and place where people from all over the country get together and genuinely appreciate all the wonderful things being to be experienced all in one place.

Spring Training Locations

View Arizona Spring Training Map – Greater Phoenix Spring Training Sites in a larger map

• Glendale Stadium
• Goodyear Ballpark
• Hohokam Stadium
• Maryvale Baseball Park
• Peoria Sports Complex
• Phoenix Municipal Stadium
• Scottsdale Stadium
• Surprise Stadium
• Tempe Diablo Stadium
• Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Hotel Theodore 7353 East Indian School Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 The Hotel Theodore is your getaway to the extraordinary. This sophisticated Scottsdale oasis offers a spectrum of amenities sure to astound even the most seasoned traveler. More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

3 Palms Hotel 7707 East McDowell Road Scottsdale, AZ 85257 When you enter our stunning yet intimate lobby, the desert stone accents set in the hand laid white crystal granite warn you to expect something special including a level of service that some people… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

W Scottsdale 7277 East Camelback Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Sizzling hot and sparkling cool, W Scottsdale is infused with natural water elements flowing with meditative energy surrounded by exhilarating arts, sophisticated shopping, destination golf and a… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Hilton Scottsdale Resort Villas 6333 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85250-5428 Located in Scottsdale Arizona the Hilton Scottsdale Resort – Villas hotel offers impeccable accommodations in a beautiful resort-style setting. A warm welcome and exceptional luxury awaits whether… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Hotel Indigo SCOTTSDALE 4415 North Civic Center Plaza Scottsdale, AZ 85251 New Boutique Hotel in Downtown Scottsdale, Arizona Boasts Affordable Luxury Hotel Indigo Scottsdale is a new boutique hotel located in trendy Old Town Scottsdale, within walking distance of the… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel · Packages Available!

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites SCOTTSDALE 3131 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 You are invited to Stay Smart and enjoy resort style amenities beyond your expectations at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Scottsdale. Whether you are coming in on business or just to get… More Info · Details on this Spring Training Hotel · Packages Available!

The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician 6000 East Camelback Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Valley of the Sun. Located in Scottsdale surrounded by the stunning Sonoran Desert is one of America’s most luxurious resorts. Recipient of the AAA 5 Diamond Award, Phoenician Residences, Luxury… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town 7324 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85251 Free Internet (Wired, Wireless and Public Wi-Fi) Come and experience deluxe accommodations a relaxed atmosphere and true Southwestern hospitality at the Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town hotel in Arizona. Located in the heart of Old Town our… More Info · Details on this Spring Training hotel

Dear Arizona Travel:
I am staying in Scottsdale in April. I want to go to Sedona, see Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, and some place that has black volcanic rock and petrified trees. I have 2 days, and want to spend 1 night and then return to Scottsdale. What’s a good plan?
Sheila O.

Hi, Sheila! First of all…. oooookaaaaaay. There’s no way you can do all of this in two days, but you can do most of it. Which is more important to you, the Grand Canyon or the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert? They’re opposite directions from Flagstaff, and equidistant at about ~170 miles each way. Either way, you’ll definitely be spending a lot of time in your car (about 12-15 hours of driving total). Be prepared to log ~600 miles and about 12 hours of driving and sightseeing one day, 8 hours the other. Be sure to fill up your car in Sedona or Flagstaff (both pricey areas for gas)… the National Park areas you’ll be visiting are REMOTE.

Here’s a sample itinerary for Option 1 – Sedona / Petrified Forest / Painted Desert / Sunset Volcano and links to a maps and helpful National Park Service websites.

Day 1 early morning: Drive to Sedona (90 – 120 minutes, 125 miles.)
Day 1 morning: Stop in Sedona for a bit, walk around Uptown Sedona.
Day 1 morning: Continue up AZ-89 up Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff. (40 minutes from Sedona to Flagstaff)
Day 1 mid-day: Drive east of Flagstaff on I-40 toward Painted Desert / Petrified Forest National Park (3 hours, 168 miles)
Day 1 evening/night: return to Flagstaff for an overnight. The Park closes at 5pm in winter…. not sure if they’ll be on Spring/Summer hours yet or not. See Flagstaff.com for Flagstaff hotel options. (Return 3 hours, 168 miles)
Day 2 early morning: Head north of Flagstaff on AZ-89 toward Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – this is where you’ll have volcanic rock. (2 hours, 115 miles)
Day 2 midday: Return to Flagstaff for lunch (2 hours, 115 miles.)
Day 2 evening: Return to Scottsdale (2 hours, 140 miles.)

Here are links to some terrific information:
Petrified Forest
Sunset Crater
Painted Desert
Google Map for this custom itinerary

Day 1 early morning: Drive to Sedona (90 – 120 minutes, 125 miles.)
Day 1 morning: Stop in Sedona for a bit, walk around Uptown Sedona.
Day 1 morning: Continue up AZ-89 up Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff. (40 minutes from Sedona to Flagstaff)
Day 1 mid-day: Drive north of Flagstaff on AZ 89 toward Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – this is where you’ll have volcanic rock. (2 hours, 115 miles)
Day 1 evening/night: return to Flagstaff for an overnight. (return 2 hours, 115 miles)
Day 2 early morning: Head northwest of Flagstaff on Us 180 toward Grand Canyon National Park (100 minutes, 80 miles)
Day 2 late afternoon: Return to Flagstaff (100 minutes, 80 miles)
Day 2 evening: Return to Scottsdale (2 hours, 140 miles)

Here are some resources and links:
Grand Canyon
Google Map for this custom itinerary

Good luck! Let us know which itinerary you choose and feel free to send us pictures of you climbing on volcanic rocks!

– ChristinaToo

December in Scottsdale... Need we say more?

Come to Arizona this winter! Where else can you play golf and snowboard IN THE SAME DAY?!? Read on for Arizona winter vacation tips for Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott and Scottsdale, including ideas on annual events, what to do, what to pack and typical weather and temperatures for each area.

Flagstaff

Top Reasons to Visit in Winter:

• Skiing and snowboarding! From the time the first snow hits in early December through about March, the Arizona Snowbowl located above Flagstaff on Mount Humphries is abuzz with skiers and snowboarders, locals and tourists, families and individuals.
• The fewest crowds of the year at the Grand Canyon South Rim (the North Rim is closed in the winter.) Picture the Grand Canyon dusted with white – spectacularly peaceful.

What to Pack

As with any snowy destination, a warm coat, boots, hat and gloves are a safe bet. To manage the temperature swing as you move from outdoors in, be sure to wear layers you can peel off and put back on as needed. Expect high temperatures in the 40s and lows in the teens. Flagstaff receives annual snowfall of approximately 99.5 inches – truly a winter wonderland.

Area Events

Be sure to participate in the handful of area holiday events like the Holiday Lights Display at the Little America Hotels; a tour of Riordan Mansion, adorned in turn-of-the-century decor and fragrant boughs; the Grand Canyon Railway’s “Polar Express” from Williams (an easy 39 miles west of Flagstaff) and more.

Flagstaff Winter Weather

Sedona

Top Reasons to Visit in Winter

• The fewest crowds of the year, red rocks dusted with white, but very little snow on the ground in town which makes driving and other outdoor activities easily do-able.
• Sedona’s winter weather still hits relatively warm highs of the mid-50s and 60s with chilly evenings perfect for sitting at your bed & breakfast’s fireplace.
• You can golf and ski in the same day! Play golf at one of Sedona’s picturesque golf courses in the morning, and hit the slopes north of Flagstaff – just 60 minutes away – in the afternoon.

What to Pack

Pack your camera and be sure to take photos of Sedona and Oak Creek covered in ice and snow… at about 5,000 feet in elevation, Sedona is beautiful in winter. Layers are the way to go with long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sweaters, fleece pullovers or sweatshirts. You may want a light jacket as a top layer. Shoes or boots are the best choice of footwear.

Things to Do

There are relatively few visitors to Sedona in the winter months, but there’s no reason to stay away! In fact, Sedona couldn’t be better when you have the destination practically all to yourself! Do spend your holidays in Sedona… let the hosts of a quaint Sedona bed & breakfast wow you with festive decorations, food and hospitality. Be sure to participate in the handful of holiday events like the Red Rock Fantasy festival of lights, the lighting of 6,000 luminarias at Tlaquepaque, Christmas caroling, or the Verde Canyon Railroad’s Santa Claus-themed train ride (in Clarkdale; 23 easy miles southwest of Sedona) and more.

Sedona Winter Weather

Prescott

Top Reasons to Visit in Winter

• Prescott is known as Arizona’s Christmas City, so winter visitors will delight in seeing the white granite courthouse sparkling in snow and twinkling lights.
• With gentle snowfall averages of 5 – 6 inches per month in December, January and February, Prescott is an ideal winter playground. Winter visitors can anticipate average high/low temperatures of 55/22 in December, 51/21 in January and 54/24 in February.
• January and February are a great time to come to Prescott. The crowds are fewer and there are some great lodging deals to be had.

What to Pack

Be sure to pack for winter weather, including thin, warm layers and a waterproof outer layer. You’ll want boots or shoes with a decent tread to allow you to walk around downtown or even do some light hiking in safety and warmth.

Things to Do

There are plenty of days filled with sunshine and crisp temperatures, an ideal combination for hiking, mountain biking or riding your motorcycle up to Jerome and Sedona. Nearly every weekend year-round, visitors and locals delight in the incredible special events in Prescott. Prescott is becoming known as a special events city, largely due to a month’s worth of December events in Prescott, “Arizona’s Christmas City,” including a huge annual Christmas Parade, lighting the tree on Courthouse Plaza, the Acker Musical Showcase, and “Dickens of a Christmas,” and continuing weekends packed with music, art, food, cultural, and car and aeronautical festivals on Courthouse Square.

Prescott Winter Weather

Scottsdale-Phoenix

Top Reasons to Visit

• Weather! Scottsdale’s winter weather is the stuff of legends. 75 degree, sunny, perfect days are the norm – quite the welcome respite from Midwestern snow drifts and Nor’Easters.
• Signature annual events are parties such as the P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Marathon, the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, the Phoenix Open and other golf tournaments, and many, many more. Participate or spectate; either way, you’re almost guaranteed to have a great time and return to work with a tan

What to Pack

Locals take the winter months as an opportunity to dig out sweaters and boots, but you’ll be happy to leave those at home and pack shorts, pants, short sleeves and light layers (and don’t forget a swimsuit and coverup!). Expect crisp mornings, sunny, warm afternoons and chilly evenings that will have you adding and subtracting layers all day long. Scottsdale – though an upscale resort town – rarely requires anything more than casual “resort wear” attire.

Things to Do

In addition to the aforementioned annual events, believe it or not, you’ll probably want to log some time at your resort or hotel’s pool or (better yet) spa. Take time to stroll around Old Town Scottsdale, for kitschy souvenirs to fine art; you can spend an afternoon shopping and peeking in galleries, grabbing meals at some top-notch eateries. Check out Scottsdale Fashion Square for luxurious and upscale retail therapy, or (need we say it?) play 18 or 36 holes at one of the 100 area championship golf courses.

Scottsdale Winter Weather

Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter tours

This week, we have a two-part email that we received from a visitor to GrandCanyon.net, our newest guide toGrand Canyon tours. We thought it might be helpful to other readers looking for Grand Canyon tours from Scottsdale or Phoenix, whether to the West Rim or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. If you still have questions, or have any other recommendations to add, please feel free to comment here.

Dear Arizona Travel: Hey! I plan to drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon (West Rim) and return to the Comfort Inn (at Kingman) for 1 night stay before heading to Las Vegas the following day. Noticed that most helicopter tours starts from Las Vegas, is there any helicopter tours that starts from Phoenix? If yes, do you think it makes more sense for us to start the helicopter tour right from Phoenix to Grand Canyon directly? and who are the tour companies offering that? Otherwise, is there any helicopter tour which you can take directly at the Grand Canyon (West Rim) itself? Appreciate your advice. Thank you.

Sophia – Germany

Hi, Sophia.

Unfortunately, the helicopter tours that start from Scottsdale/Phoenix go to the South Rim, the most popular of the three rims. Yes, you can take a helicopter when you get to Grand Canyon West. The Hualapai Indian Tribe will be happy to offer this additional tour/charge to the price of the West Rim admission package, starting at about $56 per person if you want to also walk on the Skywalk (the helicopter tour is about $129 additional for a 12-15 minute flight.)

Since you asked for my advice, I suggest driving to the South Rim instead and taking a 30 – 45 minute helicopter tour with a company like Maverick or Papillon. You’ll spend less money overall and get more for your money. Plus, the drive from Phoenix to the West Rim is a good 6 hours, 15 minutes… and that, coupled with the 2.5 hour drive back out to Kingman, adds up to nearly 9 hours of driving. Why not drive 4 hours to the South Rim, then stay overnight in Williams? Even if you keep your stay in Kingman, the 3 hour drive from the South Rim to Kingman is still a better way to break up the day and still have enough time to actually see and enjoy the Grand Canyon.

That’s my two cents… hope it helps you!

Take care,
Christina

Here is part two of Sophia’s question:

Dear Arizona Travel: Hey Christina, thank you for your prompt advice.

As we would also like to visit the Skywalk in the West Rim, can you recommend if there are any helicopter tours which also covers the Skywalk at the West Rim if we take the tour that departs directly from the South Rim? I have searched for a few tour companies such as Maverick or Papillon, however, the flight time is mainly 45 minutes and depart from South Rim, but does not touch on the Skywalk at West Rim at all. There are also some tour packages which covers road + boat + air tour but that takes too many hours and we may have time issue of driving back to Kingman late at night (FYI: Our accommodation at Comfort Inn is already booked and confirmed).

Would be great if you can recommend.

Warm Regards,
Sophia

Hi, Sophia. As you discovered, your West Rim / Skywalk + helicopter tour packages that start at the West Rim are limited to those provided by the Hualapai tribe at Grand Canyon West. There are no helicopter tours that begin at the South Rim and fly over / land at the West Rim to include the Skywalk.

So, you’ll drive yourself to the West Rim as planned. You should be able to get to the Grand Canyon West entrance (the Grand Canyon West airport) by early afternoon if you depart Scottsdale/Phoenix in the early morning (say, by 6 am.) Because you will have limited time at the Rim, definitely buy your package ahead of time and reserve your helicopter flight and time now. Go to www.grandcanyonwest.com or call 1-888-868-WEST(9378) or 928-769-2636 to make your reservation and buy directly from the Hualapai Tribe and choose the Legacy Silver Package (includes the Skywalk) and then on the right hand side, enter the number of tickets you need in the box next to the Flight of the Eagle helicopter tour.

Enjoy your trip, Sophia! Let us know how it goes and feel free to share pictures through email and/or on our Arizona Travel Facebook page!

– Christina

Okay, your turn folks… any other questions or suggestions to add?

We plan a trip for our honeymoon in August to stay in Sedona for 1 week but want to drive to Phoenix and or Flagstaff. Can you suggest the best flight to take into what airport and then renting a car?  We will be flying out of a different location than where we fly in to, but do not know exactly where yet as we want to be flexible. We have a time share in Sedona for the week, but can you recommend a romantic place for a dinner or two?

Thank you,

Sandy and Bob

Photo credit: SMercury98 CC by 2.0

Hi, Sandy and Bob. Best wishes and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

If you’re coming from or through Los Angeles (LAX) you could look for a flight on Horizon Air (horizonair.com) into Flagstaff – just 40 beautiful minutes from Sedona. (Note to readers: Sadly, Horizon Air will no longer service the Flagstaff and Prescott, Arizona airports after August 22, 2010. However, US Airways Express continues to fly into Flagstaff from Phoenix.)

However, most people – and I recommend you do the same – fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), rent a car at the airport, and drive 90 minutes up to Sedona. You’ll see a bit of Phoenix when you fly in… you could even pop over to Old Town Scottsdale for lunch and a bit of walking through air-conditioned shops and galleries (although do be prepared for “seasonably warm temperatures!”) Drive on up to Sedona and anytime that week, you can take a beautiful 40-minute drive up 23 miles of Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff for a great day trip.

[Another aside to readers: Sandy and Bob have their lodging squared away with their Sedona timeshare, but if you're looking for a romantic bed & breakfast or resort in Sedona for a once-in-a-lifetime trip like your honeymoon, I recommend El Portal Luxury Hacienda (elportalsedona.com) Sedona Cathedral Hideaway Bed & Breakfast (sedonacathedralhideaway.com), Canyon Villa Bed & Breakfast (canyonvilla.com), the Enchantment Resort & Mii Amo Spa (enchantmentresort.com), and L'Auberge Resort (lauberge.com)]

You two will find romantic dining at Savannah’s (savannahssteakhouse.com) and L’Auberge (lauberge.com). For an alternative take on romantic dining, swing by New Frontiers Natural Marketplace (1420 West Highway 89A – no website) and pick up some of their yummy prepared foods and a great bottle of wine (with a twist-off) and head up Oak Creek Canyon or Schnebly Hill Road for a romantic picnic for two overlooking some of Sedona’s best scenery. Also, don’t forget there’s great dining in Flagstaff, too! Try Tinderbox Kitchen (tinderboxkitchen.com) or Pasto (pastorestaurant.com), both located downtown.

Again, best wishes for your wedding and marriage. Take care,

– ChristinaToo

Dear Arizona Travel:
I will be staying at [name redacted] resort in Scottsdale, AZ from April 18th thorough April 22nd, I would like to tour the Grand Canyon. How far is it from the hotel? How much will it cost? trasportation? how long will the trip be? Give all possible details please.
Thanks.
Natalia

Hi, Natalia!

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is approximately 4 hours from Scottsdale… 232 miles.

I recommend Open Road Tours or DeTours. The cost for either tour is $145/person.

Plan on 12.5 hours; it’s a full day trip. Most tours depart around 7:30 am and return around 8:30 pm, depending on when they pick you up at your hotel.

Hope that helps, Natalia! Have fun!
–ChristinaToo

As a second installation to my Arizona Fall Follies story (see the first chapter on Prescott) I thought I’d turn to my own community of Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area.

Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the nation, so no doubt there are tons of things to do in the Valley of the Sun over the next couple of months. Here, I highlight five don’t-miss fall activities that span the city from north to south:

Fall 2009 Events in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona

MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch – North Scottsdale: Daily, October 3 – 31

Mule-drawn hayride at MacDonald's Ranch

This North Scottsdale mainstay offers families classic pumpkin patch experiences like horse and mule-drawn hayrides, petting zoo, hay maze and sack races. But they also offer unique activities like a gem mine and a western golf game. And the fact that they allow you to pack a picnic lunch (save $$$) and they’re open 7 days a week sets them apart from the weekends-only pumpkin patches and festivals elsewhere in the state.
MacDonald’s Ranch is located at Jomax and Scottsdale Road, just 5 miles north of the Loop 101. Click to download their Pumpkin Patch flyer, or call 480.585.0239 for details.

Mariposa Monarca at Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix/Scottsdale: Daily, September 26 – November 15

Mariposa Monarca exhibit. See www.dbg.org for more.

This annual event is one of the Desert Botanical Garden’s most popular exhibits and it’s no wonder why. Stroll through the Marshall Butterfly Pavillion now through November 15, 2009 and surround yourself with hundreds of live Monarch butterflies.

This engaging experience features interpretive displays about the lifecycle, migration patterns, environmental threats, and conservation efforts of the monarch butterfly.

Ongoing daily at Desert Botanical Garden 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway – (on the shared borders of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe)
Free for members and children under three. $3 for General Public with paid Garden admission.
Email monarchs@dbg.org or call 480-481-8128 for more information. www.dbg.org

Annual Fall Festival at Saints Simon & Jude Cathedral – Phoenix: October 25

The Annual Fall Festival at Saints Simon & Jude is a favorite community event that doesn’t get all the fanfare and spotlight of local news coverage, but certainly deserves it. This Catholic community and school’s fundraising event welcomes all who enjoy delicious foods, family-friendly games, raffles, activities and happy memories of your childhood church bazaar. Located in Central Phoenix at 6351 North 27th Avenue (27th Avenue between Maryland and Bethany Home Road), there’s ample free parking and inexpensive food and raffle tickets. Be sure to check out two special features of the festival: Sister Raphael’s Irish Tea Room and Father Clement’s Touch Down Lounge! Call the parish office at (602) 242-1300 or visit www.simonjude.org.

Arizona State Fair – State Fairgrounds: Daily/Nightly Except Mondays October 16 – November 8

Arizona State Fair - Oct 16 - Nov 8

A fall events post would be incomplete without the Arizona State Fair. This long-running event is an autumnal favorite and an impressive showcase of headline concerts and entertainment, delicious food, exciting rides, shows, demonstrations, exhibits and more. Be sure to try the Fair’s (in)famous adventures in fried foods, and see big, big performances by Bob Dylan, Stone Temple Pilots, The Black Crowes, and Raven-Symone.

Visit the Arizona State Fair website – www.azstatefair.com – for comprehensive information on daily discounts, parking, directions, map, hours, prices, tickets, rides, food and more.

Pumpkin and Chili Party at Schnepf Farms – Queen Creek: Every Thursday – Sunday in October

This is the big time when it comes to pumpkin festivals. Voted “”Arizona’s Best Family Fall Experience” by Phoenix Magazine, the Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party offers hay rides, miniature golf, 4 acre Sonic Burger Maze, country road rally, honeybee adventure, carousel rides, petting barn, Hillbilly Bob’s Pig Races, carnival rides for children young and old, Pumpkin Launch, Witch Mountain giant slide, Arizona’s only gravity roller coaster (must be 32″ tall to ride), SRP Earthwise interactive experience, rock climbing wall, live entertainment, bonfires & marshmallow roasting (6:30pm), Lil’ Farmers play yard, Schnepf Family Museum, sweet shop, country store, gift shops, holiday gift tent and a spectacular fireworks show on Friday & Saturday nights to celebrate 68 years of farming!

The key to enjoying this huge pumpkin and food festival is to skip the tickets line and save $2 on admission by purchasing discount tickets in advance at any Fry’s Food Stores location. You’ll pay $14 per person over the age 2 versus the $16 regular price.

There’s tons of information about times, activities, food experiences, entertainment, showtimes and more on the Schnepf Farms website www.schnepffarms.com