A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
ISM Raceway is home to NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the NASCAR Camping World Series. In both the fall and the spring, NASCAR fans flock to Phoenix to catch the action.
In May 2013, Butterfly Wonderland opened in Scottsdale, Arizona. Located on Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community land, it stands as one of several attractions within a development called OdySea in the desert. Butterfly Wonderland claims to be “America’s Largest Butterfly Atrium,” housing thousands of butterflies. However, visitors should be prepared for an engaging experience right from the start. Begin your journey with the captivating 3D film, “Flight of the Butterflies,” which has been edited to approximately 15 minutes to suit younger audiences.
Mystery Castle is aPhoenix Point of Pride, named as such by the Phoenix Pride Commission. It was built by Boyce Luther Gulley, who abandoned his wife and daughter in Seattle, circa 1927, after learning that he had tuberculosis. He traveled to Phoenix and started building a “castle” that he had promised to his little girl once while constructing sand castles on a beach. Mary Lou Gulley was a toddler when her father unexpectedly left and never returned.
In the northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona, there is a living memorial to great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the spectacular Sonoran Desert lies a sprawling 600-acre complex calledTaliesin West, designed and built by Wright. The buildings and landscape of this National Historic Landmark coexist in harmony, blending form and color, beauty and grace, nature and science.
These monthly calendars include festivals, events, and activities that you can count on occurring annually. Typically, they are the larger happenings attracting diverse segments of the population. Some are designed for families, while others target adults, with both ticketed and free admission events.
Glendale is a significant city situated in the West Valley, part of the northwest area of the Greater Phoenix region. The following chart illustrates the distance from Glendale, Arizona to various cities, along with estimated driving times. While there are public transportation options available to Surprise, the METRO Light Rail does not extend to Glendale.
If you’ve lived in Arizona for any period of time, you’ll recognize the company name Shamrock Farms. Their products are prominent in our dairy cases, school cafeterias, hospitals, and in food service in general. What you might not know is that Shamrock Farms is headquartered right here in Arizona. It’s a family-owned company, so you won’t see it on NASDAQ and you won’t see their profit and loss statement, but you’ll see plenty of cows—about 10,000 of them—at the dairy farm in Stanfield, Arizona. Shamrock Farms is the largest family-owned and operated dairy in the Southwest, operating on approximately 240 acres.
In the 70s,Pink Jeep Adventure Toursin Sedona, Arizona, was the only tour service available. Established in 1958, this adventure company offers thrilling multi-hour jeep tours through Sedona’s stunning red rock scenery. You can choose your ideal destination, including Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River, Antelope Canyon, or the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. If you’re seeking a more adventurous experience, consider the Broken Arrow Trail, which features spectacular vistas and a heart-pounding descent down the Road of No Return. Alternatively, for those who prefer a relaxed and historically rich experience, Pink Jeep Adventure Tours can accommodate your needs as well.
The first territorial capital of Arizona was Fort Whipple, an army post near Prescott. The capital was later relocated to Prescott in 1867. Subsequently, the territorial capital moved to Tucson and then back to Prescott in 1877. Finally, Phoenix became Arizona’s permanent capital in 1889, marking the beginning of the construction of the Phoenix State Capitol building, which was completed in 1900 at a cost of approximately $136,000. The Arizona State Capitol Building was dedicated on February 25, 1901 and designated a museum in 1977.
In 1929, Dwight and Maie Heard established the Heard Museum in central Phoenix to showcase their personal collection of art and artifacts. Today, this museum emphasizes both traditional and contemporary Native American art, boasting over 35,000 artifacts displayed across ten exhibit galleries.
The Fiesta Bowl Parade is one of the most popular events leading up to the annual football game hosted in the Valley of the Sun. Thousands gather to enjoy spectacular floats, giant balloons, and live performances along the two-mile parade route in central Phoenix.
The butterfly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden is a popular destination for school groups, out-of-town visitors, and locals alike. Visitors to the Marshall Butterfly Pavilion can expect to see hundreds of butterflies housed in a flight-enclosed lush garden that recreates a habitat most appealing to these enchanting creatures.
Merlin Entertainment Group chose Tempe, Arizona to build a $15 million, 26,000 square foot aquarium. While this was only the second aquarium by this group located within the U.S., they have more than 30 other Sea Life aquariums in 11 countries on two continents. Merlin Entertainment also owns and operates Lego Land in San Diego and Sea Life in Carlsbad, CA.Sea Life Arizona features more than 30 display tanks in 12 distinct habitats housing more than 5,000 creatures in 200,000 gallons of water. The aquarium is home to a variety of sea creatures such as seahorses, rays, sharks, and species indigenous to Arizona.Sea Life promotes conservation and has an established environmental organization calledSave Our Seas, the purpose of which is to protect sea turtles, sharks, whales, dolphins, and commercial fish stocks.What was my take on Sea Life Arizona? While it isn’t Sea World — there aren’t dolphin shows or rides or even penguins — I thought it was beautiful! Not only were the fish and other marine life enchanting, but the design and colorful decor made it more like a theme park than other aquariums that simply feature tanks lined up in rows. Sea Life Arizona is a wonderful addition to the many attractions for both locals and visitors that the Phoenix area has to offer. It will probably be especially enjoyed by children of the area, many of whom might not have ever seen an ocean, and will assist in developing awareness of the special ecological challenges facing marine life.
Chandler, Arizona was named after a veterinarian, Dr. A. J. Chandler, who settled in the area in 1891. The town of Chandler began in 1912, with the opening of the Hotel San Marcos in 1913. In 1920, the Town of Chandler incorporated, with Dr. Chandler serving as its first Mayor.
Like many cities on the west side of the metro Phoenix area, Peoria’s roots are based in agriculture. It has since developed both commercial and service industries. Peoria was incorporated in 1954, having been originally settled by farm families who came from Peoria, Illinois, hence the name.
The Town of Gilbert in the Greater Phoenix area celebrates the holiday season with luminarias, holiday entertainment, and a focus on helping others annually in early December. The event is free to the public.
If you’re planning to travel to the Greater Phoenix area this December and are looking for some great holiday concerts, shows, and theatrical performances to put you in the Christmas mood, you’re in luck. Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the surrounding area have tons of holiday offerings this time of year—you just have to know the right places to look.
The hotels recommended on this page are ideal choices for stays while visiting Peoria, Surprise, or Sun City in Arizona, all located in the West Valley. Peoria and Surprise both feature multi-use sports complexes that host various events throughout the year. The most popular events include Spring Training baseball games, as several teams utilize these stadiums for their Cactus League games and practices. Furthermore, if attending events at Gila River Arena or University of Phoenix Stadium is on your agenda, it’s essential to note that downtown Peoria is about ten miles away from these venues, with Surprise being a bit further west. For those staying in Glendale, you’ll find it closer to Arrowhead Mall on the east side of Peoria.
This list is designed for those looking to visit the Phoenix area while staying close to Valley Metro Light Rail stations. Arriving guests from the airport can conveniently take the connecting shuttle to the light rail station, enabling access to their hotel effortlessly.
Tanger (rhymes with hangar) Outlets is an outdoor shopping destination that opened in 2012. It is the only Tanger Factory Outlet Center in Arizona, although other outlet malls exist.