Urban Retreat Manual: Phoenix Restaurants, Attractions, Activities, and Information

Welcome to the Urban Retreat! Thank you for choosing the Urban Retreat! Urban Retreat Address: Central Phoenix Contact: Maryellen or Lisa Welcome The Urban Retreat is a small scale residential development, nestled in the heart of Phoenix, whose sole mission is to promote, support, and celebrate: •Phenomenal Guests, •Community, •Local not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center, •Urban Farming: onsite, organic fruit trees and herb garden, and •Great design! Your stay will help assist with the funding of developing the final phase of the small scale residential development as well as aid in the financial support of a local not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center! So, we thank you in advance. There are 21 organic, edible fruit trees as well as an organic, herb garden at the Urban Retreat so please feel free to pick any of the organic, edible fruit or use any of the organic, herbs in your culinary endeavors. Enjoy! This small scale residential development believes in giving-back-to-the-community so when you choose the Urban Retreat, you will be helping local wildlife; that is, for every 7-day continuous stay, the Urban Retreat commits to donating 5% of proceeds to the Liberty Wildlife Rescue organization whose mission is to nurture the nature of Arizona through wildlife rehabilitation, natural history education, and conservation services to the community. Liberty Wildlife is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Tax ID #94-2738161. As a “thank you” for choosing the Urban Retreat, please find a “Welcome Basket” full of local, delicious, delectable treats that include: •An assortment of scrumptious cookies and/or cupcakes from Urban Cookies, which is a local bakery and only a 4-minute car ride away from the Urban Retreat, •Organic, local fruit, •Coffee and tea, and •A $10 Starbucks Gift Certificate, which is directly across the street and a 2-minute walk from the Urban Retreat. ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO PHOENIX About Us: The Urban Retreat Located in the heart of Central Phoenix, the Urban Retreat is a one-of-a-kind, quintessential, private,1930’s, single family, 3 bed, 2 bath sanctuary, situated in a park-like setting in a small scale residential development, and host to 21, both young and old, organic, edible fruit trees and organic herb garden. Small Scale Residential Community You will be staying in what is a small scale residential development, nestled in the heart of Phoenix, whose sole mission is to promote, support, and celebrate: •Phenomenal guests, •Local, not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center, •Community, •Urban Farming: onsite, organic fruit trees and herb garden, and •Great design! Your stay will help assist with the funding of developing the final phase of the small scale residential development as well as aid in the financial support of a local not-for-profit wildlife rehabilitation center! So, we thank you in advance. Urban, Organic Farming The Urban Retreat park-like setting is host to 21, both young and old, organic, edible fruit trees planted purely for your enjoyment and culinary pleasure. The edible fruit tree orchard is urban farming at its best and includes: •3 Avocado, •4 Lemon, •3 Lime, •2 Orange, •2 Apple, •2 Cara Cara (a cross between a tangerine and orange), •2 Plum, •1 Moringa (boasts incredible health benefits with edible leaves), •1 Tangerine, and, •1 Grapefruit. In addition to the 21 fruit trees on the property, the community also is host to an herb garden, which is on the east side of the property. The herb garden is comprised of: •Oregano, •Sweet mint: great with fresh squeezed lemon and water, •Thyme, •Dill, •Rosemary, and •Chives. Urban Retreat OUTDOOR Space The Urban Retreat comes with plenty of outdoor living space to relax in while basking in the warm Arizona sun, including: a spacious, covered front porch, private 8’ fenced, backyard with 4’ propane grill, pavers, and artificial turf, a covered on-site parking space, a spacious, covered shared courtyard, which all can be enjoyed day or night because of the exterior dawn-to-dusk LED PUCK perimeter lights throughout the property. Urban Retreat INDOOR Space The Urban Retreat comfortably hosts up to 6 guests, which breaks down to 2 guests a room. The Urban Retreat open floor plan concept and vaulted 12’ ceilings creates a spacious, yet cozy and warm, living environment while featuring tons of custom finishes and highlighting great design. The Urban Retreat is walking and/or biking distance to the light rail, urban bike paths, parks, local shops, spectacular dining, theater, opera, museums, up-scale shopping, Suns Arena, and Diamondbacks Stadium. Giving-Back This small scale residential development believes in giving-back-to-the-community so when you choose the Urban Retreat, you will be helping local wildlife; that is, for every 7-day continuous stay, the Urban Retreat commits to donating 5% of proceeds to the Liberty Wildlife Rescue organization whose mission is to nurture the nature of Arizona through wildlife rehabilitation, natural history education, and conservation services to the community. Liberty Wildlife is a tax exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization. (Tax ID #94-2738161). Ground Rules Please know that we want you to have a great time here in Phoenix, but there are some basic ground rules we ask guests to follow. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and adhering to these simple rules: 1.Smoke-Free environment! The Urban Retreat is a smoke-free home; therefore, there is no smoking inside the home. 2.The City of Phoenix “Noise” ordinance law. After 10:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m., please refrain from using all electronic devices that amplify loud music and/or noise during these times. Please be respectful of neighbors and other guests. 3.Recycle Container: The recycle container is blue, which is located behind the mailboxes and behind the gate. The recycle containers are picked up every Thursday morning before 7:00 a.m. The following constitutes recyclable materials: Save the Environment! What To Recycle… Metal: Steel & aluminum beverage, food & aerosol cans, clean aluminum pie plates, dinner trays & foil Paper: Newspaper, magazines, catalogs, phone books, bulk mail, office & computer paper, envelopes, gift wrap, cardboard, food boxes, shoeboxes, paper towel & toilet paper tubes, paper egg cartons Glass: Any color of beverage bottles & food jars Other: Styrofoam, household batteries e.g. AAA, AA, C, D Anything not listed above, please place in the garbage 4.Garbage Day! The trash container is green and located behind the mailboxes and the metal gate. Please dispose of your garbage only here. The “garbage containers” are picked up every Thursday morning before 7:00 a.m. 5.Thermostat Setting: The thermostat is set to a comfortable 75 degrees. During times of high heat and humidity, the A/C system will malfunction and “freeze”, if it is set below 75 degrees. 6.Urban Retreat Parking: Covered parking is located on the north side of the property with off-street parking for guests. 7.Propane BBQ Grill: After using the barbecue grill, located in your private backyard, please turn-off the tanks by turning the knobs. All barbecue utensils are located in the kitchen drawer. 8.Linens: Please do not wash bed linens or towels. Washing “house linens” may cause forfeiture in security deposit. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Our team will take care of the laundry when you leave. 9.Makeup WASH Cloths: To remove makeup, please use the “dark wash cloth.” Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Have fun during your stay. But, please always remember to be courteous, kind, respectful, and loving towards your fellow human beings. The adage “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato Check-Out Procedures 1.Check-out time is 11:00 a.m. Please call the office one (1) hour prior to your departure so that the Urban Retreat Team can come check you out and collect keys. Contact: Maryellen at (602) 819-6396 2.Place “unclean dishes” in dishwasher. If all the dishes do not fit in dishwasher, please rinse the dishes and then place the “unclean dishes” in the kitchen sink. 3.Remove all garbage and recyclables from home and place in respective containers, which are located behind the metal gate directly behind the mailboxes. 4.Please do not wash bed linens or towels. Washing “house linens” may cause forfeiture in security deposit. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Our team will take care of the laundry when you leave. 5.Please dispose of any unused or left food in the refrigerator. 6.HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME! We look forward to your return! Nearby Stores The following stores are within a 4-mile radius from Urban Retreat: a.Travel times via car are measured in minutes during light traffic times and, b..Asterisks *** denotes wide range of organic, gluten free, and hot, prepared meals to go, and/or restaurant and bar in store •***AJ’s FINE FOODS. 5017 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, 85012 Phone: (602) 230-7015. 2.0 miles from Urban Retreat, 6-minutes •***WHOLE FOODS MARKET. 4701 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 761-4750. 2.7 miles from Urban Retreat, 8-minutes •TRADER JOE’S. 4821 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 912-9022. 2.8 miles from Urban Retreat, 8-minutes •FRY’S FOOD AND DRUG. 4724 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016 phone: (602) 263-0766. 2.8 miles from Urban Retreat, 8-minutes •SAFEWAY GROCER. 520 W. Osborn Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85013 Phone: (602) 274-7422. 1.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 4-minutes •COSTCO. 1646 W. Montebello Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, 85015 Phone: (602) 293-4524. 4.0 miles from Urban Retreat, 12-minutes •CVS PHARMACY. 711 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014 Phone: (602) 266-0723. 0.5 miles from Urban Retreat, 2-minutes •WALGREEN’S PHARMACY. 710 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (602) 266-3715. 1.5 miles from Urban Retreat, 5-minutes •WALGREEN’S PHARMACY. 3402 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, Arizona, 85012. Phone: (602) 265-4781. 0.7 miles from Urban Retreat, 3-minutes SHOPPING CAMELBACK COLONADE SHOPPING CENTER •TARGET. 1625 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016 Phone: (602) 603-7581. 2.5 miles from Urban Retreat, 8-minutes, contains a CVS Pharmacy in Target store •LENSCRAFTERS. 1831 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 234-2999. 2.7 miles from Urban Retreat, 9-minutes •BED, BATH, BEYOND. 1919 E. Camelback Road, Ste 128, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 264-6222. 2.7 miles from Urban Retreat, 9-minutes •STAPLES. 1919 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 953-6419. 2.7 miles from Urban Retreat, 9-minutes TOWN AND COUNTRY SHOPPING CENTER ON CAMELBACK •NORDSROM RACKS. 2073 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016 Phone: (602) 345-6880. 3.3 miles from Urban Retreat, 9-minutes •TRADER JOE’S. 4821 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 912-9022. 2.8 miles from Urban Retreat, 8-minutes •BEST BUY. 1949 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 101, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 266-3400. 2.9 miles, 9-minutes •APPLE STORE. 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 606-1470. 3.6 miles, 10-minutes •LA FITNESS. 2077 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 241-9800. 3.6 miles, 10-minutes UPSCALE SHOPPING BILTMORE FASHION PARK 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 955-8400. Only 3.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes •Allen Edmonds, •Arhaus, •Artful Tailoring, •Brooks Brothers, •Chico’s, •Citrine Natural Beauty Bar, •Elizabeth Arden RED DOOR SPA, •Groom Room Barbershop, •Hyde Park Jewelers, •J. Crew, •Jo Malone London, •L'OCCITANE, •LORNA JANE ACTIVE LIVING, •M.A.C. Cosmetics, •Macy’s, •Pottery Barn, •Q, •Ralph Lauren, •Sak’s 5th Avenue, •Sephora, •Soma Intimates, •STUART WEITZMAN, •THE CLOTHERIE, •TUMI, •WHITE HOUSE I BLACK MARKET, •Williams Sonoma, •WOODS & WHITES, •AND SO MUCH MORE! Restaurants My Favorites: *** Good Restaurants: ** ***TRUE FOOD KITCHEN. Biltmore Fashion Park. 2502 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 135, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 744-3488. Description: True Food Kitchen is a restaurant and lifestyle brand inspired by the philosophy that food should make you feel better, not worse, and that great tasting food and thoughtfully crafted beverages can serve as the foundation for a life well lived. From nutrient-dense staples and carefully sourced proteins to little-known superfoods, True Food Kitchen is committed to sourcing the most responsible, most creative, freshest in-season ingredients. Only 3.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes ***THE CAPITAL GRILLE. Biltmore Fashion Park. 2502 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 135, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 952-8900. Description: From the moment you step into The Capital Grille, the experience is one of comfortable elegance. African mahogany paneling and Art Deco chandeliers provide a warm, stately setting for our nationally renowned dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood, and acclaimed world-class wines. With service, as gracious as it is attentive, we look forward to impressing you. It is our sole desire that everything, and we mean everything that arrives at your table at The Capital Grille delights you. To that end, we use only the finest, freshest ingredients, masterfully prepared in recipes designed to engage all of your senses. Only 3.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes ***FROST GELATO AT THE BILTMORE. Biltmore Fashion Park. 2502 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 136, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 955-3767. Description: The BEST Gelato in the world! HANDS DOWN! Beautiful presentation and tastes exactly the way it looks…DELICIOUS! Only 3.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes ***PIZZERIA BIANCO. Town and Country Shopping Center. 4743 N. 20th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. Phone: (602) 368-3273. Description: The first time Jimmy Kimmel tasted Chris Bianco’s pizza was actually during his third attempt at visiting the chef’s legendary Phoenix restaurant Pizzeria Bianco. “My parents live in Phoenix,” says the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, who read that it had been named the best pizza in America by The New York Times in 2004. “I told my dad, ‘When I’m there, we have to go.’ The first year we called and they were closed for Christmas. The next year they were closed again. Then the third year my dad went in there and talked to Chris—and I made a point to be in Arizona when he was open.” When the two finally connected, “it was like I knew Jimmy for a hundred years,” the chef, 55, who will release his first cookbook, Bianco, on July 25, tells PEOPLE in the latest issue on newsstands now. “He was just one of those guys. We had a lot of similarities.” And for Kimmel, 49, the pizza, fresh out of the wood-burning oven, wasn’t what he expected. “It was better. I wouldn’t associate with him otherwise,” he laughs. ***STOCK & STABLE. 5538 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (602) 313-1001. Description: Stock & Stable is a beautiful, vibrant American Chef driven Gastropub with a menu that has an Italian influence. Farm to Table! Ground floor of a 2-story 1950’s building that has been revamped. ONLY 2.0 miles from Urban Retreat, 6-minutes ***FARM & CRAFT. 5538 N. 7th Street, #100, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (602) 875-5620. Description: Farm & Craft is focused on healthy sustainable food in a community-style atmosphere. Think modern farm with a contemporary twist. F&C boasts a seasonal “Wellness-Menu” featuring 4 paths to optimal health, including an ‘Anti-inflammatory diet’, ‘Increasing probiotic levels’, ‘ Maintaining high levels of anti-oxidants’ and ‘Reducing your overall stress’. ONLY 2.0 miles from Urban Retreat, 6-minutes **TACO GUILD. 546 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85012. Phone: (602) 264-4143. Description: A “Winner of New Times People’s Choice Award for BEST TACOS.” Taco Guild embraces the tradition of the Guild as their culinary craftsmen are experts in creating unforgettable flavors. By embracing the essence of time-honored recipes, they create an experience worthy of the masters. Walking into the historic building, a sense of nostalgia and old world charm surrounds you. With a focus on sustainability and repurposing, many things within Taco Guild have a past and a true beauty that lives on. Enjoy the original wooden ceiling beams soaring above you, the vividly colored stained glass windows and hand crafted pews from the old Korean Church. ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE URBRAN RETREAT. ONLY 0.2 miles from Urban Retreat, 2-minute WALK ***DURANT’S. 2611 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, 85004. Phone: (602) 264-5967. Description: Phoenix’s own tradition of excellence for over 65 years! Fine Dining and GREAT STEAKS! Seafood, Chicken, Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Steaks, or combinations, Durant’s is always the “hottest” place to be when fine dining. ONLY 1.4 miles from Urban Retreat, 5-minutes **FILMBAR. 815 N. 2ND Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85004. Phone: (602) 595-9187. Description: At FilmBar, enjoy food, drinks, movies, and relaxation in our one-of-a-kind independent theater here in downtown Phoenix. We specialize in Indie and Foreign flicks, as well as Cult, Classic, Retro, and locally made films. Choose from a wide variety of craft beer and wine to go along with your picture show experience, and when you get hungry, enjoy an award-winning tamale from the infamous Tamale Store, fresh popcorn, and candy. Great place to see a movie and have a beer while doing so! ONLY 2.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 11-minutes in heavy traffic & 7-minutes in light ***RICHARDSON’S CUISIINE OF NEW MEXICO. 6335 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 265-5886. Description: Debuted in 1988, Richardson’s Restaurant is home of the original Green Chile potato, carne adovada, smoked turkey enchiladas and bacon wrapped shrimp, fresh seafood, and MY FAVORITE: ROASTED GARLIC PLATE with green chile, roasted peppers, cheese, and dipping sauces. ONLY 4.3 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes ***BLANCO TACOS + TEQUILA. Biltmore Fashion Park. 2502 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 122, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 955-8400. Description: Featuring the updated flavors and spirits of Mexico, guests at Blanco will enjoy delicious creations from the open kitchen where food will be prepared using the freshest most delicious ingredients. ONLY 3.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 13-minutes in moderate traffic **MAIN INGREDIENT ALE HOUSE & CAFE. 2337 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 843-6246. Description: The Main Ingredient is “a cool downtown local bar with solid food.” Great late night, outdoor patio, and rave reviews. ONLY 1.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 3-minutes **GADZOOKS ENCHILADAS & SOUP. 3313 N.7TH Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014 Phone: (602) 279-5080. Description: Re-defining the enchilada. If you are in the mood for an enchilada, this is the place to go! ONLY 0.2 miles from Urban Retreat, 4-minute WALK **CHEESEBURGERS AND COLD BEER. 5625 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (480) 941-0101. Description: Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers has become a neighborhood burger joint with indoor and outdoor seating. Menu features freshest ingredients and everything made in- house daily. Their beer menu consists of over 150 beer choices, at most locations, on draught, bottled, or canned. ONLY 2.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 6-minutes ***THE KETTLE BLACK KITCHEN & PUB. 1 N. First Street, Ste 108, Phoenix, Arizona. Phone: (602) 651-1185. Description: Featuring Bangers and Mash, Pork Sausages, Bacon and Cabbage, Veal Demi-Glace, Guinness Braised Beef Short Ribs, Creamy Spaghetti Squash, Pork Belly Mac and Cheese, Braised Pork Belly, Brioche Bread Pudding, and Irish Whiskey Crème Anglaise. ONLY 3.3 miles from Urban Retreat, 13-minutes in moderate traffic ***CULINARY DROP OUT. 5632 N.7TH Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (602) 680-4040. Description: Culinary Dropout serves classic meals done right. With crowd favorites like our pretzel bites and provolone fondue, 36-hour pork ribs, and our famous fried chicken drizzled with honey you’ll want to taste everything. Thirsty? Wash it all down with an ice-cold craft beer or a killer house-made cocktail. And don't forget to stick around for games and free live music with a laid-back vibe. Culinary Dropout is for anyone who loves damn good food and drinks. ONLY 2.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 6-minutes ***THE YARD. 5632 N.7TH Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (602) 680-4040. Description: Culinary Dropout at the Yard serves is known for American. Imagine a grown-up frat party with really good food, un-sloppy drinking games, and craft beers from kegs poured into a real glass, not a Solo cup. ONLY 2.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 6-minutes **CAMP SOCIAL. 6107 N.7TH Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (480) 750-0506. Description: Camp Social is an exciting concept located in bustling Central Phoenix. From the dining area to the large covered patio, and even a game room, we are able to accommodate groups from 20 to 200. From “The Tackle Box” (grilled salmon, brocollini, wild rice, smoked gastrique) to S’More Lovin’ cocktail, to “The Winnebago” (house pulled pork, bbq sauce, brioche bun), to the Mt. Rainier pizza CAMP SOCIAL is a casual, relaxing dining experience. ONLY 2.6 miles from Urban Retreat, 7-minutes ***BITTER & TWISTED COCKTAIL PARLOUR. 1 W. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85003. Phone: (602) 340-1924. Description: The food offered at this hip, dark and lively watering hole is sometimes overlooked as little more than a nosh to go along with Ross Simon’s impressive catalog of creative libations, but that’s a rookie mistake. Chef Bob Tam is one of the Valley’s most talented Asian chefs. Although his creations are brash, sometimes zany and meant to pair with booze, they’re built on his formidable knowledge of classic Asian ingredients and techniques, as evidenced by dishes like the Dragon Dumpling Burger. ONLY 4.4 miles from Urban Retreat, 14-minutes in moderate traffic **MATT’S BIG BREAKFAST. 825 N. First Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85003. Phone: (602) 254-1074. Description: The menu at Matt’s isn’t much to look at, but that’s because this popular separates itself from the increasingly crowded breakfast market with substance rather than pizzazz. Classic A.M. dishes are carefully prepared with superlative ingredients, putting most of the city’s trendy, flashy breakfast joints to shame. Through the morning meal is Matt’s claim to fame, he makes a mighty fine lunch, including a great BLT and Reuben. This place is a local Phoenix favorite and always a line out-the-door! ONLY 2.8 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes in moderate traffic ***PHOENIX PUBLIC MARKET CAFE. 14 E. Pierce Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85004. Phone: (602) 253-2700. Description: A casual urban hangout serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fresh market cuisine crafted with seasonal ingredients, many sourced directly from the adjacent farmer’s market. We provide the downtown Phoenix community with a gathering place to enjoy a meal in our casual dining room, a cup of coffee on the outdoor patio, or glass of local wine at the bar. While at the Phoenix Public Market Café, CHECK OUT the Saturday Phoenix Public Farmer’s Market with over 100 vendors, food trucks, and artisans. ONLY 2.9 miles from Urban Retreat, 10-minutes in moderate traffic ***DICK’S HIDEAWAY. 6008 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016. Phone: (602) 241-1802. Description: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at this tiny hidden gem of a restaurant. Rustic yet casually upscale, it’s the kind of place locals bring visitors from out of town for an authentic taste of traditional New Mexican cuisine. Although the menu includes great burgers, salads, steaks and fresh fist, the real treasures are from The Santa Fe Trail. For a hearty, authentic, fresh cooked BREAKFAST, try the Green Pork Chops and Eggs, Breakfast Quesadilla, Breakfast Burrito, Eggs Benedict Jalapeno, or the Enchiladas & Eggs. Dick’s Hideaway is one of Phoenix’s best kept secrets! ONLY 3.8 miles from Urban Retreat, 9-minutes ***URBAN COOKIES BAKE SHOP. 2325 N.7TH Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 451-4335. Description: Great neighborhood bakery! With extraordinary baked cookies and cupcakes using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients from select purveyors! Cupcakes, cookies, donuts, dessert bars, minis, cakes, ice cream, and coffee and other beverages, Urban Cookies Bake Shop couples social responsibility, giving-back, and delicious, scrumptious desserts. ONLY 1.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 3-minutes **URBAN BEANS & 24-HOUR CAFE. 3508 N.7TH Street, #100, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014 Phone: (602) 595-2244. Description: Great neighborhood coffee, wine, beer, and restaurant. Open 24-hours! A go-to place when working very, very late. ONLY 0.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 2-minute WALK ***SCHREINER’S SAUSAGE. 3601 N.7TH Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014. Phone: (602) 595-2244. Description: Founded in 1955, Schreiner’s Sausage has all-natural (No Preservatives, No MSG, No Nitrites, No Nitrates) sausages. TRY their $5 brown bag lunch. If you eat anywhere in Phoenix, chances are Schreiner’s Sausage will be on the menu! NEXT DOOR TO THE URBAN RETREAT…ONLY 0.1 miles from Urban Retreat, 1-minute WALK PHOENIX ATTRACTIONS ***Top ten attractions to see ARIZONA OPERA •Address: 1636 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (520) 293-4336 •https://www.azopera.org/ ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER •Address: 600 E Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (602) 716-2000 •https://www.azscience.org/ ***BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND •Address: 9500 E Via De Ventura, Ste F100, Scottsdale, AZ 85256 •Phone: (480) 800-3000 •https://butterflywonderland.com ***CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN •Address: 4925 E Mcdonald Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018 •Phone: (602) 534-5867 •Elevation: 2,706 feet •Prominence: 1,335 feet •Mountain range: Phoenix Mountains ***DESERT BOTANICALS GARDEN •Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008 •Phone: (480) 941-1225 •https://www.dbg.org HALL OF FLAME FIRE MUSEUM •Address: 6101 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008 •Phone: (602) 275-3473 •Established: 1961 •www.hallofflame.org ***HEARD MUSEUM •Address: 2301 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (602) 252-8840 •https://heard.org HERBERGER THEATER CENTER •Address: 222 E Monroe St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (602) 254-7399 •https://www.herbergertheater.org/ ***HERITAGE SQUARE DINING •Address: 113 N 6th St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (602) 261-8063 ORPHEUM THEATER Address: 203 W Adams St, Phoenix Phone: (602) 262-6225 Open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM https://www.phoenixconventioncenter.com/orpheum-theatre ***MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM •Address: 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 •Phone: (480) 478-6000 •https://mim.org ***PAPAGO PARK •Address: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008 •Phone: (602) 495-5458 ***PHOENIX ART MUSEUM •Address: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (602) 666-7104 •http://www.phxart.org/ PHOENIX BOYS CHOIR •Address: 1131 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014 •Phone: (602) 264-5328 •https://www.boyschoir.org PHOENIX OPERA •Address: 3120 W Carefree Hwy 1-106, Phoenix, AZ 85086 •Phone: (623) 308-5293 •http://www.phoenixopera.org/#sthash.LVmeR97Z.dpbs ***PHOENIX ZOO •Address: 455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008 •Phone: (602) 286-3800 •Opened: Nov 1962 •Number of animals: 3,000 •Area: 5,445,000 sq feet •https://www.phoenixzoo.org/ ROOSEVELT ROW IN PHOENIX •Address: 922 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZ 85004 •Phone: (602) 829-5259 SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK AND PRESERVE •Address: 10919 S Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85042 •Phone: (602) 262-7393 ***TALIESIN WEST •Address: 12345 N. Taliesin Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 •Phone: (480) 627-5398 •Established: Feb 12, 1974 •https://franklloydwright.org/taliesin-wes ARIZONA FESTIVALS & EVENTS JANUARY PHOENIX ZOO LIGHTS: At the Phoenix Zoo after dark! Each winter, the Phoenix ZOO puts up an amazing display of colorful holiday lights for its ZOO Lights exhibit. It takes five people nearly four months in install the millions of lights. The Phoenix Zoo is the country’s largest private, nonprofit zoological park, and the annual ZOOLights is the zoo’s largest fundraiser. ZOOLights opens November through January after 5:30 p.m. In addition to the millions of lights and a 200-foot-long Polar Slide, there are some new additions. You’ll get to see live reindeer, visit the rays in Stingray Bay, and take in the show at the 4-D theater. ZOOLights attracts over 300,000 visitors. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT: Known as the FBR Open, the Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale is held each year in late January or early February. The TPC of Scottsdale is the golf course associated with the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel and Resort. Parking at the Waste Management Phoenix Open is free. The TPC Stadium Course, 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. This is one of the most televised and infamous GOLF TOURNAMENTS, due to the rowdy 16th hole, in the United States. THE P.F. CHANG’S ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ARIZONA MARATHON & HALF MARATHON: 3-day event starts in Phoenix, continues through Scottsdale, and finishes in Tempe, Arizona. There’s also a 5k, 10k, and a kid’s race. You’ll find live music every mile, and hopefully Phoenix will have its perfect winter weather. THE BARRETT-JACKSON CLASSIC CAR AUCTION: The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is one of several classic car auction companies that conduct a public auction in Arizona each winter. At the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction even the most serious collector will find enticements in the form of some of the most exclusive vehicles available at auction. The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale will take place over eight days incorporating special events, displays, and activities. The auction will feature more than 1,000 collector and special interest automobiles from all years being auctioned off at No Reserve, as well as daily “automobilia” auctions. Over 350 vendors and exhibitors will also be on hand. The Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction is held at West World in Scottsdale, Arizona at 16601 N. Pima Road (north of Frank Lloyd Wright Bouvelard). Enjoy the show! It’s a one-of-a-kind Classic Car Auction! Go to: https://www.barrett-jackson.com/. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. TACOLANDIA: Kick off food festival season with unlimited tacos. That’s real. A ticket to Tacolandia — general, VIP, or Amigo Pack — gets you access to dozens of taquerias aching to give you samples of their best tacos. This all-you-can-eat taco festival also offers cash bars, live entertainment highlighting Mexican culture, and lots of taco awards. Phoenix New Times' third annual Tacolandia festival is happening from 1 to 5 p.m. at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix. Tickets start at $30. TASTE ABOUT SCOTTSDALE: Presented by AZ Food & Beer and AZ Food & Wine (with that tagline about eating, drinking, and sharing the best of Arizona), Taste About Scottsdale is seven hours of local food and drink offered by area chefs and restaurants. There will be over 45 local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries present at Scottsdale Kierland Commons. Tickets start at $55. BRUNCH BASH FESTIVAL: From pancakes to cocktails, the Brunch Bash Festival is ready to make guests “brunch so hard.” Expect mounds of eggs Benedict and waffles, a cereal bar (like, a bar of cereal options), and a variety of breakfast dishes — plus mimosas and Bloody Marys galore. Brunch Bash is at Cityscape Phoenix. Tickets start at $8. THE ARIZONA BACH FESTIVAL:Presented by AZ Food & Beer and AZ Food & Wine (with that tagline about eating, drinking, and sharing the best of Arizona), The Arizona Bach Festival season continues at All Saints Episcopal Church and concludes in February at J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew passion at the Camelback Bible Church. Visit www.arizonabachfestival.org/ for all performances from January through February. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! FEBRUARY THE SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW AT WEST WORLD IN SCOTTSDALE: A Scottsdale tradition since 1955, raising funds for worthy charities. The annual event is a four-day show, sponsored by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona. Each year the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show attracts thousands of visitors who will watch over 2,000 Arabian and Half-Arabian horses vie for prize money in various classes of competition. The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is a one-of-a-kind event that should not be missed! ARIZONA VEGETARIAN FOOD FESTIVAL: Festival features a lot more than just vegetarian food. There are lectures and talks, cooking demos, live music, yoga classes, and panels on food as medicine and eating for energy. But yes, there is also food. The Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival is a 2-day festival. Hosted by the U.S. Veg Corp, the whole festival is held at the Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater. General admission starts at $20. THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT: Known as the FBR Open, the Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale is held each year in late January or early February. The TPC of Scottsdale is the golf course associated with the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel and Resort. Parking at the Waste Management Phoenix Open is free. The TPC Stadium Course, 17020 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. This is one of the most televised and infamous GOLF TOURNAMENTS, due to the rowdy 16th hole, in the United States. ARIZONA STRONG BEER FESTIVAL: Arizona Strong Beer Festival features over 120 craft breweries from around the state. Produced by the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild. The beer list for the 19th annual celebration has surpassed 500 beers, so you won’t be disappointed. The Arizona Strong Beer Festival starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 9, at Steele Indian School Park. General admission starts at $60. CORK & CACTUS FESTIVAL: Cork & Cactus is a two-day event where attendees can sample 40 different wines each day. There will be food from the Fabulous Food Fine Catering and Events, as well as interactive cooking demonstrations from the very nearby Gertrude’s. All 80 wines can be purchased at the garden’s wine retail store. The event runs Saturday and Sunday at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. General public tickets are $45 per day. STREET EATS FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY NEW TIMES: Phoenix New Times presents the Street Eats Food Truck Festival — a.k.a. a ton of food trucks all together in one place for one ticket. There’s also live music, eating contests, kid stuff, and again, lots and lots of food trucks. We’re Petrini’s On The Go, Dough Licious Desserts, Maine Lobster Lady, Arizona Wings N’ More, Off The Hook Food Truck, Mustache Pretzels, Grandma’s Navajo Frybread, Que Sazon, and so many more. Trucks are there from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. General admission is $12. DEVOUR WEEK: At the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. Where to begin with Devour Week? The annual, weeklong series showcasing Arizona’s most well-known chefs and bartenders, the Devour Culinary Classic features cuisine that highlights Arizona's unique background. The signature event, the Classic, will be held again at the Desert Botanical Garden. Other Devour Week events include the Devour Phoenix Bartending Competition, the Seven Chefs Dinner, and Devour the World. Ticket prices and venues vary, and some events are already sold out. PHOENIX VEGAN FOOD FESTIVAL: 2-day event at the Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix. This might sound like your perfect weekend: vegan restaurants and food trucks, food purveyors, an artisan market with vegan-friendly products, chef demos, live music, and community activities. General admission for one day starts at $25. 35TH ANNUAL (JAPANESE) ARIZONA MATSURI FESTIVAL: 2-day event at Heritage and Science Park. Immerse yourself in Japanese cultural both old and new. Sample everything from traditional and modern Japanese cuisine in the form of ramen noodles, rice dishes, takoyaki, yakitori, sweets, and shaved ice. Pay a visit to the beer and sake garden where you can taste sake, beer, and cocktails. In between bites check out Japanese markets, live performances, and a traditional tea ceremony. Admission is FREE. ITALIAN FESTIVAL: 3-day celebration of Italian culture, music, and food at Scottsdale Waterfront. There will be pizza, paninis, gelato, pasta, and wine. Enjoy the espresso bar while listening to live performances from Italian musicians. Tickets are $10. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona, 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. MARCH FIRST FRIDAY PHOENIX: More than 100 downtown art galleries, studios, and spaces open their doors for free on the first Friday night of the month. PARADISE VALLEY JAZZ PARTY Scottsdale Hilton Resort - Scottsdale, AZ 85250, Scottsdale, Arizona. SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADE AND IRISH FAIRE Margaret T. Hance Park, Phoenix, Arizona. PHOENIX ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE & FAIRE Irish Cultural Center & 3rd Street, 1106 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix, Arizona. POT OF GOLD MUSIC FESTIVAL IN PHOENIX Indian School Steel Park, Phoenix, Arizona. M3F FEST Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W Culver St Phoenix, Arizona. PHOENIX BLUES BLAST Margaret T. Hance Park, Phoenix, Arizona. MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N 3rd St. Phoenix, Arizona. LIQUID SOL MUSIC FESTIVAL Sportsman's Parkoutside of University of Phoenix Stadium (1 W. Cardinals Dr., Glendale, AZ 85305), Glendale, Arizona. SCOTTSDALE ARTS FESTIVAL Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 7380 E 2nd St Scottsdale, Arizona. CAREFREE FINE ART & WINE FESTIVAL Downtown Carefree, Carefree, Arizona. FOUNTAIN HILLS FINE ART & WINE AFFAIRE East Avenue of the Fountains and North Verde River Drive, 16810 E Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. THE BLUE MOOSE CRAFT BEER FEST Blue Moose, 7373 E Scottsdale Mall # 22, Scottsdale, Arizona. PHOENIX SCOTTISH GAMES Steele Indian School Park, 300 E Indian School Rd , Phoenix, Arizona. HEARD MUSEUM GUILD INDIAN FAIR & MARKET Heard Museum, 2301 N Central Ave , Phoenix, Arizona. OUT WEST BALLOON FEST AND FUN RUN University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona. CAVE CREEK FIESTA DAYS RODEO Cave Creek Memorial Arena, Cave Creek, Arizona. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. CAREFREE SONORAN FESTIVAL OF FINE ART Carefree Desert Gardens, Carefree, Arizona. REPTICON PHOENIX REPTILE & EXOTIC ANIMAL SHOW, Arizona State Fairground, Phoenix, Arizona. 17TH MELROSE ON SEVENTH AVENUE STREET FAIR Sponsored by the 7th Avenue Merchants Association the annual Melrose Street Fair will be food trucks, beer, shopping, and lots of live entertainment. 7th Ave between Indian School & Camelback, Phoenix, Arizona. ROOTS N' BOOTS QUEEN CREEK Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre, 20464 E Riggs Rd, Queen Creek, Arizona. OSTRICH FESTIVAL Tumbleweed Park, Chandler, Arizona. AZ ALOHA FESTIVAL A 2-day festival at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona for all ages, featuring mounds of South Pacific Island cuisine plus live performances, storytelling, an island marketplace, and lots of food (mahalo). There will be manapua, haupia, Vilo Vilo chicken, Spam musubi, Portuguese sausage, and tropical fruits. FREE admission! PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona, 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. SHERLOCK HOLMES FILM FESTIVAL Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix, Arizona. ARIZONA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: Immersive reenactment with music, theater, comedy, food, drinks, crafts, games, and knights in Apache Junction from February 9 through March 31. SCOTTSDALE SPRING TRAINING FESTIVAL Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 3808 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, Arizona. APRIL FIRST FRIDAY PHOENIX: More than 100 downtown art galleries, studios, and spaces open their doors for free on the first Friday night of the month DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE CONCERTS: FREE concerts every Saturday and Sunday night on two stages in N. Phoenix at Desert Ridge Marketplace. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS BASEBALL: MLB games take place at Chase Field all month long. 16TH ANNUAL POLISH FESTIVAL: Sponsored by Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, this 2-day festival celebrates everything Polish! You’re fee to stuff yourself with cabbage rolls, Hunter’s stew, sauerkraut, buckwheat sausage, potato pancakes, crepes, cakes, and pastries. You’re also welcome to hit the pierogi bar and wash it down with Poland’s own Okocim draft beer. Admission is FREE! Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, Phoenix, Arizona. THE GREAT ARIZONA BEER FESTIVAL Civic Space Park, 424 N Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. ARIZONA WINE AND DINE:20 of the Valley's finest local restaurants, kitchens, and national wineries provide samples of food and wine accompanied by live musical entertainment at the Scottsdale Quarter. GLENDALE BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL Blues and jazz festival, Glendale, Arizona. 41ST ANNUAL SCOTTSDALE CULINARY FESTIVAL WEEKEND: Food sampling, musical entertainment, interactive kids' area, and cooking demonstrations at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza Mall in Scottsdale. Hosted by the Scottsdale League for the Arts, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival is a 2-day weekend event that promises to take attendees around the culinary globe. Four Peaks Beer Garden, Tito’s Handmade Vodka deck, culinary demonstrations, and a grand tasting tour of restaurants representing food from around the world. General admission tickets are $12 online in advance and $15 at the gate. SOUTHWEST FESTIVAL OF BEERS Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E 2nd Street, Scottsdale, Arizona. BON VIVANT: A CELEBRATION OF FINE FOOD & DRINK at Rawhide, 5700 W North Loop Road, Chandler, Arizona. COUNTRY THUNDER MUSIC FESTIVAL: Four days of camping, legendary country music erformances, arts and crafts vendors, and local foods in Florence, Arizona. If you enjoy country music, this is a musical festival NOT to be missed. FOUNTAIN HILLS MUSIC FEST: A family-friendly music festival featuring performances from artists in various genres at Fountain Park. INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY FESTIVAL: Celebrating jazz and the role it plays in uniting people around the world with free musical performances at the Mesa Arts Center. ARIZONA BIKE WEEK: Motorcycle competitions, exhibits, charity rides, auctions, raffles, bands, and rallies take place at the WestWorld of Scottsdale. THE BUTTERFLY PAVILION: Special springtime attraction that invites guests to walk among newborn butterflies all month long at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. PHOENIX PRIDE: Parade, festival, foods, and a health and wellness expo to celebrate gay pride at the Steele Indian School Park. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona, 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. 10TH ANNUAL PADDLEFEST AT LAKE PLEASANT: Bring your family to this fun event! The only cost is the fees to enter the park. Come dressed to get wet because from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the event will have all sorts of paddle craft you can try out and enjoy in Fireman’s Cove. There will be sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks, canoes, rafts, Hobie pedal kayaks and other paddle craft for you to try. There also will be paddling demos, contest, live music, food for sale, and other fun activities. Life vest must be worn at the event when on the water. Location: Lake Pleasant Regional Park at Fireman’s Cove Area. Castle Hot Springs Road to Castle Creek Drive to Fireman’s Cove, Peoria, Arizona. Contact: 1-928-501-1703. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. MAY CINCO DE MAYO PHOENIX FESTIVAL: Enjoy tacos, Luncha Libre wrestlers, folkloric dancers, nationally known Latino entertainers and a festive atmosphere. A family festival with live entertainment including nationally recognized musical performers, local band legends, ballet folklorico, boxing, kids’ zone, cultural food, and family activities. PHOENIX FAN FUSION: Head to the Phoenix Convention Center for a four-day pop culture extravaganza over Memorial Day weekend. Thousands of fans, many in costume, enjoy getting autographs and taking selfies with their favorite creators, actors, and authors. This event, combining Phoenix Comicon and Phoenix Comic Fest, attracts top comic book authors and features genres ranging from anime to illustrated books. An extremely popular festival for in-town and out-of-town-visitors. It’s a family-friendly event where we invite enthusiasts of every fandom, geeks of all kinds, creators, artists, entertainers, cosplayers, fans, and friends to join our family and experience what we embrace as a culture, our world, and our passions. Jeff Goldblum is coming this May, 2019 as well as pop culture guests Elijah Wood, Billy Dee Williams, Summer Glau, Matthew Lewis, and Star Trek stars George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, and Garrett Wang. BIRDS ‘N BEER AT THE AUDUBON CENTER: Peach Birds ‘n Beer offers a fun and refreshing way to learn about Arizona birds and other wildlife while networking with fellow nature-lovers. Have a cold brew while enjoying an enlightening and lively presentation on Arizona nature at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. CRUISE SAGUARO LAKE: Voted “Best Scenic Cruise” of Arizona. Contact: (480) 984-2425 or go to: 14011 N. Bush Hwy, Mesa, Arizona . ZAPCON: Arcade and pinball convention at the Mesa Convention Center. CAVE CREEK BALLOON FESTIVAL: Head to Cave Creek, Arizona, which is just north of Scottsdale. This event is an exciting balloon glow, which means all the balloons are on display on the ground. The balloons will usually inflate from around 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Times vary depending on light, wind and clearing space to inflate. Viewers can get up close to the balloons or bring a lawn chair to sit back and relax. There are live music, children’s activities and a variety of food stands. QUEEN CREEK PEACH FESTIVAL: Peach Festival at Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, which is just south of Phoenix. A celebration of this multi-generational family farm, the largest peach grower in Arizona. This all-organic farm ships all over the world. During Peach Festival, you can enjoy hayrides to the orchards, live music, and children’s rides. Savor fresh peaches at the pancake breakfast and then move on to the sampling pavilion. Buy peach pies and to-die-for peach cinnamon rolls. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. JUNE ARIZONA AUTHORS SUMMERTIME STORYTELLING & CRAFT SATURDAYS: Come to the Pueblo Grande Museum at 4619 E. Washington Street in Phoenix to hear Arizona children’s authors reading their books every Saturday in June. Geared toward children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, also part of the event are story-related crafts and a snack. ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER: One evening per month the Arizona Science Center opens its doors for an adults-only experience (21 up) with lectures, music, and scientific fun. ASTRONOMY EVENINGS AT PINNACLE PEAK PARK: Come to Pinnacle Peak Park in Scottsdale to hear a monthly talk (novice talk) explaining the solar system and the galaxy around the planet Earth, followed by observing the moon, several planets, and star systems through a celestron telescope. Bring a penlite flashlight and binoculars. Take a free guided tour of the night sky. Learn how to use a sky map and the names and meanings of the stars, see the constellations, and listen to stories of the night sky. View the moon, planets, star clusters, nebula, galaxies, and more through large telescopes. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. CRUISE SAGUARO LAKE: Voted “Best Scenic Cruise” of Arizona. Contact: (480) 984-2425 or go to: 14011 N. Bush Hwy, Mesa, Arizona. JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL: At Eastlake Park at 1549 E. Jefferson Street in Phoenix. Bring your entire family for a fun and educational day! The JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL is free and open to the entire community. The event will feature a vendor marketplace, food court, a cultural stage, children’s activities, arts and crafts vendors, youth town hall, free health screenings, historical exhibits, live music, and much more. JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL is the oldest celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It specifically celebrates the state of Texas announcing the abolishment of slavery in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. But JUNETEENTH offers a time to come together and celebrate the rich cultural history of African Americans at Eastlake Park Community Center, which opened in 1914. In the past JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL has drawn crowds of over 4,500 attendees. Call: (602) 688-9906. PHOENIX SUMMER CONCERTS: JUNE 1 THROUGH JUNE 30: The Phoenix summer concert series offers live concerts throughout June! Check out these: Talking Stick Arena, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, AK-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix, Gila River Arena in Glendale, and Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER: One evening per month the Arizona Science Center opens its doors for an adults-only experience (21 up) with lectures, music, and scientific fun. 36TH ANNUAL VOLLEYBALL FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Annual volleyball championships at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix. Teams play all four days. Over 500 teams ages 12-to-18-years-old from across the USA and around the world will compete. A festival tradition for 36 years. Every player goes home with a commemorative 16” x 20” themed festival poster. Contact: 602-615-4330. 13TH ANNUAL BLOOMIN’ BEERFEST: The Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library pull out all the stops to commemorate Ulysses, the famous novel of Irish author, James Joyce during its Annual Bloomin’ Beerfest. Join us for craft beer tastings, live music, a costume contest, and some scandalous readings from the banned book that shook Ireland and the United States. TORTILLA FLAT: Tortilla Flat is an authentic remnant of an old west town, nestled in the midst of the Tonto National Forest, in the Superstition Mountain Range. Tortilla Flat’s started out as a stagecoach stop in 1904 and neither fire nor flood has been able to take away this historic stop along the Historic Apache Trail. Mosey on down the boardwalk and visit the Superstition Saloon and Restaurant. Real saddles serve as bar stools where you can enjoy a cold brew or sarsaparilla. The unique wallpaper is made from real dollar bills from visitors around the world. The Restaurant serves the biggest burgers, hottest chili and the coldest drinks every day. Also, you may have noticed in many places it reads “Population 6”, which is NOT a joke! We really do live here and thank you for visiting our town. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old-fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona, 85739. 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. RAWHIDE WESTERN TOWN & EVENTS: 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, Arizona. The Valley’s premier special event destination. With over 17 unique and versatile venues within the property, Rawhide is a perfect fit for all styles of private and public events. An old western store with shoot outs, saloons, shops, and an old fashion western cookout and hayride. Fun and family-friendly! In addition to the western town, events such as: Phoenix Lights, Mother’s Day Buffet, Easter Eggstravaganza, Festival of Colors, and O’Odham Veteran’s Celebration. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. From June 1st to August 31, the Phoenix Zoo offers extra early admission at 7:00 a.m. as opposed to the usual 9:00 a.m. opening time. This allows you to beat the heat and also the crowds. If you arrive right at the opening, you pretty much will have the entire zoo to yourself. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. BLUSH ROSE FESTIVAL IN SCOTTSDALE: Showcasing a selection of over 75 Rose wines from around the world in a day long tasting event on National Rose Day. The event will be held at the Clayton House, an event venue in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. In addition to the wine tasting, tickets to each session will include food stations, featuring perfectly paired menu items to compliment the Rose wines. Unlimited “pink” cocktail tastings and live entertainment are also included in the fun. Tickets are available to three-hour sessions. SNACKY SNACKS-GAMES AND SNACK FEST: Bringing together two of everyone’s favorite activities in a one of a kind food festival in Phoenix. This won’t be your typical chip and dip. Prepare to enjoy a variety of snacks across different cuisines such as samosas, takoyaki, and gelato from over 8 local businesses. Nothing goes better with snacking than games. We will have traditional games such as Jenga and tabletop board games to satisfy the inner nerd in you. To top it off, we will be hosting a Super Smash Bros Ultimate video game tournament. The snack festival will be held indoors in the Fellowship Center at North Phoenix Baptist Church at 5757 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012. This is where Uptown Farmers Market is normally held during the summer. JULY SCOTTSDALE ARTWALK: Free to the public. Takes place every Thursday night in July. Starting at 5:00 p.m., the Scottsdale Art District invites guests to spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art at local galleries. There are more than 100 downtown art galleries, studios, and spaces that open their doors for free on the first Friday night of the month DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS: Dueling Pianos, two performances. Relax, kick back and enjoy a glass of wine and the dueling two pianos and two voices at the breathtaking Desert Botanical Gardens. DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE: A month long event in North Phoenix that will showcase a concert series performed live by some of the best musical artists. CRUISE SAGUARO LAKE: Voted “Best Scenic Cruise” of Arizona. Contact: (480) 984-2425 or go to: 14011 N. Bush Hwy, Mesa, Arizona. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. From June 1st to August 31, the Phoenix Zoo offers extra early admission at 7:00 a.m. as opposed to the usual 9:00 a.m. opening time. This allows you to beat the heat and also the crowds. If you arrive right at the opening, you pretty much will have the entire zoo to yourself TORTILLA FLAT: Tortilla Flat is an authentic remnant of an old west town, nestled in the midst of the Tonto National Forest, in the Superstition Mountain Range. Tortilla Flat started out as a stagecoach stop in 1904 and neither fire nor flood has been able to take away this historic stop along the Historic Apache Trail. Mosey on down the boardwalk and visit the Superstition Saloon and Restaurant. Real saddles serve as bar stools where you can enjoy a cold brew or sarsaparilla. The unique wallpaper is made from real dollar bills from visitors around the world. The Restaurant serves the biggest burgers, hottest chili and the coldest drinks every day. Also, you may have noticed in many places it reads “Population 6”, which is NOT a joke! We really do live here and thank you for visiting our town. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. RAWHIDE WESTERN TOWN & EVENTS: 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, Arizona. The Valley’s premier special event destination. With over 17 unique and versatile venues within the property, Rawhide is a perfect fit for all styles of private and public events. An old western store with shoot outs, saloons, shops, and an old fashion western cookout and hayride. Fun and family-friendly! In addition to the western town, events such as: Phoenix Lights, Mother’s Day Buffet, Easter Eggstravaganza, Festival of Colors, and O’Odham Veteran’s Celebration. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, Arizona, 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. AUGUST THE PHOENIX SALSA/BACHATA FESTIVAL: A three-day event created by Mambo Exquisite Dance and The Gewpa Boys Entertainment that cultivates, celebrates, and promotes Afro-Latin heritage, dance, and music. The aim is to bring the best in national and international talent to teach, inspire, entertain, and dance with the Phoenix Latin Dance community and beyond. Phoenix newest boutique hotel, The Camby, is host to this spectacular event. There are three separate rooms: a salsa room, a bachata room, and kizouk room with live music on the first two nights of the event and the best DJ’s in town. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. CRUISE SAGUARO LAKE: Voted “Best Scenic Cruise” of Arizona. Contact: (480) 984-2425 or go to: 14011 N. Bush Hwy, Mesa, Arizona. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. From June 1st to August 31, the Phoenix Zoo offers extra early admission at 7:00 a.m. as opposed to the usual 9:00 a.m. opening time. This allows you to beat the heat and also the crowds. If you arrive right at the opening, you pretty much will have the entire zoo to yourself. TORTILLA FLAT: Tortilla Flat is an authentic remnant of an old west town, nestled in the midst of the Tonto National Forest, in the Superstition Mountain Range. Tortilla Flat’s started out as a stagecoach stop in 1904 and neither fire nor flood has been able to take away this historic stop along the Historic Apache Trail. Mosey on down the boardwalk and visit the Superstition Saloon and Restaurant. Real saddles serve as bar stools where you can enjoy a cold brew or sarsaparilla. The unique wallpaper is made from real dollar bills from visitors around the world. The Restaurant serves the biggest burgers, hottest chili and the coldest drinks every day. Also, you may have noticed in many places it reads “Population 6”, which is NOT a joke! We really do live here and thank you for visiting our town. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. RAWHIDE WESTERN TOWN & EVENTS: 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, Arizona. The Valley’s premier special event destination. With over 17 unique and versatile venues within the property, Rawhide is a perfect fit for all styles of private and public events. An old western store with shoot outs, saloons, shops, and an old fashion western cookout and hayride. Fun and family-friendly! In addition to the western town, events such as: Phoenix Lights, Mother’s Day Buffet, Easter Eggstravaganza, Festival of Colors, and O’Odham Veteran’s Celebration. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. SEPTEMBER CROSSROADS OF THE WEST GUN SHOW: Features hundreds of tables to meet the needs of everyone, from the once a year hunter to the avid collector. Includes guns, rifles, pistols, holsters, shotguns, handguns, hunting, and shooting accessories. Go to the Arizona Exposition and State Fairgrounds at 1826 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. CRUISE SAGUARO LAKE: Voted “Best Scenic Cruise” of Arizona. Contact: (480) 984-2425 or go to: 14011 N. Bush Hwy, Mesa, Arizona. ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. OCTOBER FIRST FRIDAY PHOENIX: More than 100 downtown art galleries, studios, and spaces open their doors for free on the first Friday night of the month. ARIZONA CARDINALS FOOTBALL: This professional football team plays games at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona ARIZONA COYOTES HOCKEY: The National Hockey League (NHL) team fights for its way to the Stanley Cup at the Gila River Arena in Glendale ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE BASEBALl: After the regular baseball season is over, there are six more weeks of baseball in October and November when each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams selects six prospects to play in the AFL. Games take place at stadiums around the Valley SUN DEVIL FOOTBALL: Arizona State University's football team competes for PAC-12 glory at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. PHOENIX SUNS BASKETBALL: The professional National Basketball Association (NBA) team for Arizona shoots hoops at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Downtown Phoenix. PHOENIX RISING FC: The official Arizona team for the Universal Soccer League (USL) plays on various dates in October. STAGECOACH VILLAGE ART & WINE FESTIVAL: Explore fine art, fine wines, and local cuisine at Stagecoach Village in Cave Creek at this free event. SCOTTSDALE ART WALK: Every Thursday evening the Scottsdale Art District invites you to spend a casual evening walking downtown and enjoying fine art at the city's many galleries—all for free! ARIZONA STATE FAIR:1826 West McDowell Road, located in d0wntown Phoenix, for a month-long celebration of everything the state has to offer. Held at the Fairgrounds in Central Phoenix, the Arizona State Fair features rides, local cuisine (and fried fair food), competitions, concerts, and exhibits every day of the week except Mondays and Tuesdays. Concerts in 2018 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. PHOENIX ZOO: The Phoenix Zoo, which opened in 1962, is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. The Zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates in 125 acres of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. CATCH A FLICK AT CITY LIGHTS MOVIE NIGHT: From 6 to 9 p.m., at the City Lights Movie Night event at CityScape in Downtown Phoenix. A free monthly event features giveaways, contests, and prizes, but guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs as no seating is provided by CityScape. In a special partnership with St. Mary's Basilica and its Dia de Los Muertos Festival. The movie starts at 7 p.m., and festivities start at 6 p.m. in Patriots Park. PHOENIX GREEK FESTIVAL: At Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. This 2-day festival is an opportunity to share in the rich history, culture, and culinary delights of Greece. In addition to the authentically prepared Greek cuisine, you can indulge in a shoppers’ paradise, which includes booths selling a variety of items including Greek jewelry, artwork, and food. Nationally recognized community dancers in traditional costumes from the various regions of Greece perform throughout the festival. PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. NOVEMBER PHOENIX ZOO LIGHTS: At the Phoenix Zoo after dark! Each winter, the Phoenix ZOO puts up an amazing display of colorful holiday lights for its ZOO Lights exhibit. It takes five people nearly four months in install the millions of lights. The Phoenix Zoo is the country’s largest private, nonprofit zoological park, and the annual ZOOLights is the zoo’s largest fundraiser. ZOOLights opens November through January after 5:30 p.m. In addition to the millions of lights and a 200-foot-long Polar Slide, there are some new additions. You’ll get to see live reindeer, visit the rays in Stingray Bay, and take in the show at the 4-D theater. ZOOLights attracts over 300,000 visitors PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. AZ BARRELS, BOTTLES, AND BREWS FESTIVAL: At the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Casino, Arizona Barrels, bottles, and brews go bottoms up at this inaugural beer fest. Over 25 local breweries gather at the Salt River Fields, featuring samples produced exclusively in Arizona. Wander through the park while enjoying releases from Arizona breweries, perfect varietals from Arizona wineries and tastings of the finest spirits distilled in Arizona. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, located at 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. DOWNTOWN DONUT FESTIVAL: At Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix. Feast your eyes on doughy goodness at the Downtown Donut Fest. Margaret T. Hance Park is located at 1202 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, Arizona. FOUNTAIN HILLS FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS: At 12925 N. Saguaro Boulevard in Fountain Hills, Arizona. The Fountain Hills Festival of Arts and Crafts features nearly 500 artists, artisans and gourmet food purveyors. Over 200,000 visitors are attracted to this event to do their holiday shopping, purchase art, and enjoy great food, and live entertainment. TEMPE FALL FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS: A downtown festival in Tempe between Mill Avenue and University Drive. While the award-winning Tempe Festival of the Arts primarily focuses on art and the artists that create it, there are also a wide variety of other activities for guests to enjoy. Live entertainment stages provide musical entertainment for festival-goers. Performances by a number of well-known local musicians keep audiences in high spirits, street performers, vendors, sponsor exhibits, and entertainment booths. LOCAL FIRST ARIZONA FALL FESTIVAL: A FREE and family-friendly celebration of all things uniquely Arizona, features exclusively Arizona-owned businesses and organizations. Over 200 vendors, food samples from some of the best Arizona restaurants, local chefs, and food trucks, Arizona produced wine, beer, and spirits, live entertainment, and activities. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. DECEMBER PHOENIX ZOO LIGHTS: At the Phoenix Zoo after dark! Each winter, the Phoenix ZOO puts up an amazing display of colorful holiday lights for its ZOO Lights exhibit. It takes five people nearly four months in install the millions of lights. The Phoenix Zoo is the country’s largest private, nonprofit zoological park, and the annual ZOOLights is the zoo’s largest fundraiser. ZOOLights opens November through January after 5:30 p.m. In addition to the millions of lights and a 200-foot-long Polar Slide, there are some new additions. You’ll get to see live reindeer, visit the rays in Stingray Bay, and take in the show at the 4-D theater. ZOOLights attracts over 300,000 visitors. CITYSKATE HOLIDAY ICE RINK IN PHOENIX: CitySkate at CityScape Phoenix, the Valley’s largest and most visited outdoor holiday ice rink presented by APS, returns to downtown Phoenix and is focused on bringing the community together with the debut of the new Unity Tree, festive art installations, and the “Skate It Forward” philanthropic series. Keeping the annual holiday tradition alive but with a little twist, CityScape has partnered with Walter Productions to design and construct a new tree-shaped installation to be dramatically placed in the center of the ice rink. CitySkate also brings back a number of popular traditions such as “Skate it Forward” series, where every Wednesday during the ice-skating season, CitySkate will team up with a local organization to raise funds and awareness for their cause. Nestled between the Squid Ink restaurant and Urban Outfitters in downtown Phoenix, this family-friendly skate rink is the perfect stop. No matter the occasion, this rink is sure to be budget-friendly and a fun sight. Come see the beautiful Downtown Phoenix lights and festive art installations while ice skating in Phoenix! FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS ICE RINK IN SCOTTSDALE: Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year at the Princess! Celebrate the splendor of the season at the AAA Five Diamond award-winning Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The resort transforms into an enchanting winter wonderland and is the perfect destination to create holiday traditions and make holiday memories your family will cherish for years to come. Go ice skating at the Desert Ice Skating Rink, which is made from real ice. The resort’s 6,000 square foot ice skating rink provides skaters the opportunity to experience a classic winter tradition surrounded by the beauty of the Scottsdale desert and starry night sky. Also, don’t miss this five-minute, one-of-a-kind HD video show projected against the resort’s façade. The resort’s Christmas tree has 70,000 LED lights that twinkle and dance to 17 classic holiday songs in the Enchanted Plaza. During the day, this stunning four-story tree is decorated with dozens of glistening snowflakes and a five-foot snowflake tree topper. Last, but not least, go see Santa’s Secret Headquarters, Express Trains, and S’mores Land, which is all magical and so, so, so FUN! PHOENIX FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS: At Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix. The weekend-long celebration of arts, music, and culinary delights is comprised of over 150 art vendors and a full lineup of live music and entertainment taking place on three stages. The Entertainment Pavilion features art demonstrations, circus performances, dance ensembles, spoken word poets, choral groups, and more! PHOENIX ART MUSEUM: At The permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum in Phoenix, Arizona includes more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern/contemporary, Western American art, and fashion design. For example, the display of 20 Thorne Miniature Rooms is a popular stop on a museum visit. They are replicas of houses in the United States and Europe, depicting the architecture and interior design of their periods and countries. In the Western American Art collection, you’ll find nearly 900 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints of the American West. The Asian Art collection is extensive, comprised of more than 2,700 Chinese, Japanese, Tibetan, Indian, and Southeast Asian artworks. Phoenix Art Museum opened in 1959 and is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is the largest visual arts museum between Denver and Los Angeles. The Phoenix Art Museum offers free admission Wednesdays 3-9 p.m., First Fridays 6-10 p.m., and Second Sundays from noon to 5 p.m., which includes special hands-on, educational programming, and entertainment designed to appeal to visitors and all ages. PHOENIX BOYS CHOIR: The Phoenix Boys Choir, founded in 1947, has programs featuring training in voice, music theory, and performance for boys age 7-to-18. The Phoenix Boys Choir guarantees every member a world-class music education and one of the most significant experiences of his life. Currently, there are approximately 125 young boys and men participating. Each year, the Phoenix Boys Choir offers a full season of concert performances offering a wide repertoire from classical to popular selections. For performance schedules, go to: https://www.boyschoir.org/. Or, call: (602) 264-5328. MACALPINE’S: DOWN THE STREET FROM THE URBAN RETREAT AT 2303 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85006. Phone: (602) 262-5545. One of the few remaining original soda fountains in the United States. If stools could talk, they would tell talks about how hard the young newspaper worked to earn 10 cents for an old fashioned malt and of the many regulars that purchased their Burma-Shave or Prince Albert in a can here. The walls at MacAlpine’s would recite a rich history of economic booms and declines, wars fought and sweethearts reunited at the end for a victory ice cream soda. Built the same year as the Orpheum Theater and the Arizona Biltmore, MacAlpine’s has endured the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression of the 1930’s, World War II, and migration of thousands to the wild, wild west…all while Phoenix grew from a small dusty town into the sixth-largest city in our great nation. Throughout the years, MacAlpine’s customers have included Barry Goldwater, Joan Ganz Cooney (one of the creators of Sesame Street), “Uncle Frank” world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Wayne Newton, Pat McMahon aka as Gerald, Aunt Maud, Captain Super and Marshall Good. Go to MacAlpine’s to the soda fountain! ENJOY! ARCOSANTI: Famous Architectural Genius Paolo Soleri’s concept of compact city living design, ARCOLOGY(ARChitecture and ecOLOGY), saves resources and improves quality of life for all. A one-of-a-kind community! Arcosanti, begun in 1970’s, continues to be developed as an experiential learning center, walk-through demonstration of how to pursue efficient “lean” alternatives to urban sprawl. Arcosanti is an architectural site and urban laboratory where the residents are part of a 24/7 living experiment. Three different tours are available: 2-hour Architectural Tours, which is conducted by a member of Planning Department and consists of the general tour plus a tour of the planning office, current construction, and a special session (a more intense, longer tour), 1-hour Guided Visitor tour, and 1-hour Specialty Tours can be arranged for groups, specific education purposes, and non-english speakers. Contact: 1-928-632-7135. Arcosanti Location: 13555 S. Cross L Road, Mayer, Arizona 86333. BIOSPHERE 2: Biosphere 2, located north of Tucson, Arizona at the base of the stunning Santa Catalina Mountains, this one-of-a-kind facility sits on a ridge at a cool elevation of nearly 4,000 feet and is surrounded by a magnificent natural desert preserve. See why visitors from around the globe journey here for this unique adventure not found anywhere else. Discover real-time research on the future of our planet as it unfolds in the world’s largest earth science laboratory. Come tour one of the world’s most unique facilities dedicated to the research and understanding of global scientific issues. The Biosphere 2 facility serves as a laboratory for controlled scientific studies, an arena for scientific discovery and discussion, and a far-reaching provider of public education. Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe; to catalyze interdisciplinary thinking and understanding about Earth and its future; to be an adaptive tool for Earth education and outreach to industry, government, and to the public. Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please arrive no later than 3:45 p.m. 32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739. Contact: 1-520-838-6200. TALIESIN WEST: Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale. It is also the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Famous Architectural Genius Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter and the bustling headquarters of the Taliesin Fellowship was established in 1937 and diligently handcrafted over many years into a world unto itself. Deeply connected to the desert from which it was forged, Taliesin West possesses an almost prehistoric grandeur. It was built and maintained almost entirely by Wright and his apprentices, making it among the most personal of the architect’s creations. A lively community, Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours. Guided tours of Taliesin West are required. You cannot enter the property unless you are on a guided tour. Walk-ins are not guaranteed spots on a tour and tours book up fast. Taliesin West is open year round. Tickets are available for advanced purchase by calling: 1-888-516-0811. FRIDAY FITNESS HIKES AND GUIDED ACTIVITIES AT VALLEY MOUNTAIN PARKS: Hike’s change each Friday. Hike distance is usually between 8-to-12 miles. Participants should have previous hiking experience due to the length of the hike and desert conditions. Bring a hat, plenty of water, a snack, and make sure to have comfortable shoes and clothing. Contact for hike trailhead and park information: 602-506-2930. Typically hikes begin at 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Or, go to: maricopacountyparks.net then go to: PARK EVENTS, View ALL page (at the very bottom of the page), which will show you the park that is guiding the hike for that particular Friday. BUFFALO CHIP SALOON IN CAVE CREEK: Live bull riding every Wednesday and Friday year round. Kick back in the middle of the week (Wednesday) or relax on a Friday while spend it watching two rounds of live bull riding with 2 live bands playing. Great food and drinks make this a wonderful evening! Contact: (480) 295-9917. Location: 6823 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona. Cave Creek is a quaint Western town in Arizona. Lots of great shops, cool coffee shop, very cool western theme town with great western brewery, and a popular destination for all Arizona Harley and other motorcycle enthusiasts on Saturday and Sunday. DECEMBER IS A MONTH FULL OF ARIZONA SPORTS: Regular season games happening for the Arizona Cardinals football team, the Arizona Coyotes hockey team, and the Phoenix Suns basketball team as well as several college teams in the area. The Arizona Cardinals play professional football at the University of Phoenix Stadium while the Coyotes play NHL hockey at the Gila River Arena and the Phoenix Suns play NBA games at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. There are also a number of BOWL games and special sports events, including the PAC-12 versus Big-12 Conference matchup game the CACTUS BOWL and the top college football game the FIESTA BOWL, which also comes with a Fiesta Bowl Parade and Fiesta Bowl TAILGATE PARTY. Before every home Cardinals football game, you can also join the TOUCHDOWN TAILGATE PARTY at the Westgate Entertainment District’s WaterDance Plaza.