So many things to do in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona
Tell me where you can do all of this on one vacation:
Catch a couple of major league baseball games every day. Golf at one of about 200 courses in the metro area. Have fun at some posh casinos. Take in an NHL hockey game at a state-of-the-art arena. Party like a rock star at pool parties held at posh hotels. Shop at world-renowned designer stores or get some of those same labels at deep discounts. Go boating or fishing on a clear, close-by lake. Test out your aim at the largest indoor public shooting range in the U.S.A. Indulge in some of the best culinary delights anywhere. Go bar-hopping in neighbourhoods that are as lively as any in the world. Bask in 30C+ temperatures under sunny skies in March.
Tick, tick, tick.
Can’t think of one metro area where you could actually do all of that on one vacation?
Well, think the southwest part of the U.S.A. In particular think the greater Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona area. I’d not been to that area for 20 years and was dumbfounded at how much it had changed (all for the good) and how much there is to do. As a testament to that latter sentiment, I’d originally planned to go to the area largely to golf.
Phoenix offers sports, shopping and sunshine
Troy Media – by Kerry Diotte
A good buddy had made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: the use of his personal condo on East Indian Bend Road in Scottsdale. He handed over the keys for 10 days for a mere song – and the place was walking distance to McCormick Ranch and Silverado golf courses.
Sweet!
But a funny thing happened on the way to the hard-core golfing vacation. It just so happened several of my pals were also in Phoenix/Scottsdale at the same time and they wanted to do a bit of everything.
Early on in my time in this sun belt I did get an immediate taste of good golf at the We-Ko-Pa Course in Fort McDowell on Yavapai Nation land. Like many in Greater Phoenix, it’s immaculate and a fine test. We played the Saguaro course, one of two championship, 18-hole courses offered.
Through a special offer we did 18 holes with a cart for about $85, an amazing deal compared to the regular walk-on rate at the end of March of $185.
A few days later I tried my hand at Camelback Golf Club, a hop skip and jump from my East Indian Bend Road condo. That, too, was a deal given its $79 after-2 p.m.-twilight rate that includes a golf cart.
A full 15 Major League Baseball teams play pre-season games in Greater Phoenix allowing fans to get up close and personal to their home-run heroes at the cozy ballparks. Photo by Kerry Diotte
Since there was so much else to do, and so many buddies tugging in all directions, those two satisfying rounds of golf wound up being sandwiched into a full-meal Phoenix/Scottsdale deal.
One day it was a leisurely afternoon spent boating on Lake Pleasant, where my pal keeps his 400+ horsepower rocket of a boat. As we tooled around the clear-water lake we could see several bald eagles circling above. (An Arizona website boasts that “Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale have more boats per capita than any U.S. city.”)
Another day, my pals and I were off to a Phoenix Coyotes game in Glendale at one of the NHL’s most modern arenas that’s surrounded by lively restaurants and bars you have to check out.
On Day 4 (or was it 5?), we were elbow to elbow with friendly fans, taking in a pre-season baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies. Those are two of the 15 Major League Baseball teams that play a total of 230+ pre-season games at various venues in metro Phoenix, drawing 1.6 million fans.
It’s an experience not to be missed. All games are played at beautiful ballparks. There’s always a festive mood and you can grab a prime baseline seat for a song or bring a blanket and kick back on the grass near the outfield.
Another day it was off to do some shopping at a bevy of stores, including one of my favourites for bargains – Nordstrom’s Last Chance Clearance Store – where you can buy $450 Hugo Boss sports coats for $79. Ross is a good bet too in Scottsdale. It’s got designer labels like the ones at Canada’s Winners chain but at even cheaper prices.
The Phoenix Coyotes need all the advantages they can to bring folks to the game. This fan’s glad to be joined by a few Coyotes cheerleaders.
And almost every day saw us hitting some of the best happy hours at some of the best bars you’ll find anywhere. Most were packed with friendly people feasting on $2 appetizers and similarly priced beer.
Yes, you can certainly fill your time with nothing but golf in Greater Phoenix, but since there’s so much else to do it’s far too tempting to indulge in the wealth of other experiences.
The true mark of a great holiday destination is when you ask yourself this question: Would I go back?
When it comes to Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale? In a heartbeat. I can’t wait to return.
(Kerry Diotte is a long-time journalist and travel writer who has written about his favourite places in the world for three decades. He can be contacted at kerry@kerrydiotte.com)
Tips and Info
Several hotels in the area offer pool parties on weekends that are open to the public. A pal who caught one such bash at the ritzy W Scottsdale Hotel, quipped, “It looked like a crowd you’d see in Miami’s South Beach. Amazing.” Here’s a link to the best pool parties: http://bit.ly/IeHA2O
Tens of thousands of people flock to Greater Phoenix in spring for Cactus League baseball that sees 15 MLB teams play their exhibition season. It creates a real buzz in town: http://www.cactusleague.com
Who’d of thunk it? Phoenix and boating? You bet. There are several lakes in the area including the popular Lake Pleasant. Photo by Kerry Diotte
Canadians don’t often get to fire handguns or assault rifles. But I grew up target shooting and hunting small game as a kid. That’s why I couldn’t resist an offer from a friend to try my hand at firing a few rounds at the Scottsdale Gun Club. It was a blast! It’s said to be the biggest indoor public range in the U.S.A.: http://www.scottsdalegunclub.com
You don’t need to stay in Nevada to have a world-class gaming experience. There are lots of fine casinos in Arizona. I was very impressed by the native-owned Talking Stick Resort, just minutes from Scottsdale. It features a 240,000 sq. ft. casino and a $15 buffet you’ve got to try: http://talkingstickresort.com
Scottsdale has more bars and restaurants than you could visit in 10 trips. A couple of my favs include the R n R bar/restaurant, Salty Senorita and Modern Steak. All these places (like most in Scottsdale) have deep discount happy hour specials where you’re able to grab a beer or appetizer for just a couple of bucks.
For much more information on this amazing area, check out the Phoenix Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website: http://www.visitphoenix.com
(Kerry Diotte is a long-time journalist and travel writer who has written about his favourite places in the world for three decades. He can be contacted at kerry@kerrydiotte.com)
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