Arizona Weekend Adventures

Arizona is a magnet for tourists with the mild winters and laid-back life style.

For many who already live in Arizona traveling through the many interesting towns and going on day and weekend adventures are at the top of their list for things to do.

So whether you are just passing through or you live here, take a look at the travel ideas for fun and unique places to visit in Arizona.

Bearizona opened in May of 2010 and is the latest wildlife attraction to hit Arizona. Visitors never have to leave their cars when visiting the wildlife park as they do when visiting Out of Africa.

Visitors can see roaming bison, bighorn sheep, black bears, gray and Arctic wolves during a two and a half mile drive into the forest. It takes anywhere from one to two hours from start to finish when driving through Bearizona.

There is an opportunity at the end of the tour to park your vehicle and interact with the smaller animals at the park.

The elevation is 6,940 feet. To get to Bearizona, take I-17 north to Flagstaff. Then I-40 west for thirty miles to I-40-BL/Highway 64 exit toward Williams. Take a left and keep driving as the road becomes Route 66. Bearizona is located at: 1500 East Route 66 in Williams.

The driving time is about two hours and 40 minutes for a total of 174 miles. The cost for adults is $22, seniors $20, children ages 4 through 12 are $10 and children four years and younger are free of charge. For additional information you may call: 928-635-2289 or access their web-site at: www.bearizona.com.

The lake feels more like a river flowing out of Hoover Dam as Stripers and Catfish bask in the cool waters.

In the downstream of Kathrine's Landing, warmer waters make large mouth bass fishing better than in any other area.

The best times for successful fishing tends to be from April through the month of June.

You can visit the early season angling blogs and reports by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department at: www.azgfd.gov

To get there, take US 60 west to Wickenburg. Then take a right onto US Highway 93 and keep driving to I-40 west. Continue driving west on I-40 to exit 48 for US 93 N toward Highway 68/Las Vegas. Then merge onto Highway 68 west toward Laughlin and keep driving for 26 miles. Take a right at Davis Dam Road. Take the first right onto Katherine Drive.

To get to Willow Beach from I-40, take exit 48 north toward Las Vegas. Then take a right at US 93 N/W Beale Street and keep driving on US 93 for about 56 miles. Take a left at Willow Beach Road.

The driving time is 4 hours and 20 minutes for a total of 231 miles to Katherine's Landing. To Willow Beach the driving time is 4 hours and 33 minutes and a total of 255 miles.

Boaters on Lake Mohave need to buy a Lake Mead National Recreation Area entrance pass for $20 as well as a lake pass for another $20. There is lodging at the Katherine's Landing Campground which has 173 sites. You may call: 928-754-3272 for additional information.

Lake Powell offers slot canyons, alcoves, sandy shorelines and towering red cliffs as well as amazing scenery at a leisurely pace.

Forever Houseboat Rentals operates from Antelope Point Marina and has a fleet of boats ranging from 59 to 75 feet long. The 75 foot Silver XTreme features six bedrooms each equipped with a LCD flat screen television and satellite programming, water slide, hot tub for seven people and a fully stocked kitchen.

The elevation at Lake Powell is 3,700 feet. To get to Antelope Point Marina, take I-17 to I-40 east.Then drive 7 miles to US Highway 89. Go north and continue driving for 130 miles to the Highway 98 turn-off near the town of Page. Take a right and drive about 5 miles to the Antelope Point Marina turn-off.

Driving time is about 4 hours and 30 minutes for a total of 280 miles. The rental rates range from $950 to $2,300 per day.

Mike and Christine Teeple began quietly planting lavender as part of their landscaping years ago near the White Mountains community of Concho on their 130 acre ranch.

They now have over 45,000 plants including English and French lavenders that are harvested every summer by hand.

Once a year the public has a chance to visit Red Rock Ranch & Farms during the annual Arizona Lavender Festival. The dates this year are set for June 23 - 26 and June 30 - July 3.

The elevation is 6,100 feet. To get there, take US 60 east past Show Low. Then take a left onto Highway 61. Drive for about 20 miles and then take a left on Highway 180A. Go right at mile marker 352 and follow the two lane dirt road. Take a right when the road becomes one lane, then a left at the first curve and drive down the lane to the entrance gates.

The driving time is 4 hours and 23 minutes for a total of 227 miles. The admission fee is $5 per person. There is lodging at Heritage Inn Bed and Breakfast in Snowflake, AZ. You can obtain additional information at: pinetoplakesidechamber. com. You can also call: 928-337-2289 for information. The farms web-site is: www.redrockfarms.com

You will find three beautifully maintained ancestral Pueblo Indian cliff dwellings at the Navajo National Monument.

Betatakin is a village tucked into a 452 foot high alcove and is the most accessible out of the three dwellings.

Take the Sandal Trail to see the 135 room cliff dwelling overlooking the cross canyon. It's an easy one mile round trip trail dotted with Utah juniper, Broad-leaf Yucca and Pinon Pine.

There are free ranger guided tours from May 22nd through September 11th which leave each day of the week at 8:15 a.m. and 10 a.m. The tour is an excellent way to get a close-up look at the village.

The elevation is 7,300 feet. To get there, take the I-17 to I-40 east heading towards Flagstaff. Exit on US Highway 89 north and continue to drive for 62 miles to US Highway 160. Follow this 50 miles northeast of Tuba City to Highway 564 which is a well-marked road with the Navajo National Monument signage that leads to the monument.

It's a 4 hour and 53 minute drive from the valley for a total of 283 miles. There are two free campgrounds available on site. It's a first come first serve basis with no reservations taken. For additional information you may call: 928-672-2700 or you can access their web-site at: www.nps.gov/nava.

Located just above the flood plain of Beaver Creek in Verde Valley and nestled in a limestone recess is one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America.

Montezuma Castle has five stories and twenty cliff dwellings that were once home to the Sinagua Indians over 600 years ago.

The Montezuma Castle Visitors Center contains exhibits showing many items used by the Indians during that time as well as a gift shop and other area information. You can walk the third of a mile level and paved walking trail to view the dwellings.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is located three miles off of I-17. Take Exit 289 and follow the signs to the visitors center. The cost of admission is $6 for those 16 years and older and free for those under 16 years of age. The telephone number to the visitors center is: 928-567-3322.

You should also go see Montezuma's Well as long as you are in the area. It's approximately eleven miles from the park and is detached from Montezuma's Castle National Monument. The half million gallons of water that continuously flows each day provides a verdant oasis in the middle of a desert grass land.

To get there, take exit 293 from the I-17 and drive 4 miles. There is a third of a mile loop walking trail to get to the well. There is also a very nice picnic area located at the well.

All that remained of the prehistoric farmers that inhabited much of Arizona before the first Europeans arrived to the area were the ruins of villages, irrigation canals and artifacts.

One of the largest and most mysterious prehistoric structures built in North America is the Casa Grande Ruins.

It takes about an hour to visit the ruins. You can either take a guided or a self-guided tour. There is a 30 yard self-guided walking trail from the visitors center that loops around the ruins with informational signs staked throughtout.

To get to the ruins it's an hour drive from Phoenix or Tucson and is located in the town of Coolidge. Take I-10 heading east to the Coolidge exit. Then follow the signs to the parks entrance off Arizona Route 87/287.

The cost of admission is $5 for anyone 16 years of age and older and free for anyone under 16. The address of the ruins is: 1100 Ruins Drive, Coolidge, AZ. The telephone number to the visitors center is: 520-723-3172.

People had to have been warned by an earthquake and tremors before the red hot rocks exploded from the ground and poured down on farm land and pit houses.

Falling cinders, billowing ash and forest fires blackened the daytime sky and land. The horizon glowed fiery red by night.

Lightning and a tremendous roar and large fire fountain could be heard and seen for hundreds of miles. People were faced with altered land once the area quieted down.

A 1,000 foot high cinder cone had been created called, Sunset Crater where meadows and farms had once stood. The area was blanketed with a tremendous amount of black cinders.

Some people moved to near-by Wupatki and Walnut Canyon. Sunset Crater is the youngest volcano on the Colorado Plateau. Today people visit the area to see natures reaction to a volcanic eruption.

There is a self guided walking trail to explore the formations. You can also climb a cinder cone at Lenox Crater Trail. Admission is $5.00.

To get there from Flagstaff, take US 89 north for 12 miles. Then take a right on Sunset Crater/Wupatki Loop Road and drive another 2 miles to the visitors center.

Jerome sits perched on the side of Cleopatra Hill in the Mingus Mountains in Arizona and was once known for its wild saloons and thriving brothels back in its mining heyday.

Today, Jerome with its sweeping views of the entire Verde Valley is a haven for art lovers and history buffs. The area is full of great eateries, over thirty eclectic artistic galleries and studios and quaint lodging.

Be sure to visit the mining museum when you are in Jerome especially if you love history. Jerome became one of the largest ghost towns in the U.S. after the negative impact the depression era had on mining when it closed in 1953.

Today, Jerome welcomes visitors to enjoy its rich mining history and cool artistic vibe. Jerome has an elevation of 5,240 feet with a population of 400.

* LODGING:

Connor Hotel - 164 Main Street * 928-634-5006 * www.connorhotel.com * Jerome's original Main Street hotel.

The Kelly House - 527 Main Street * 928-649-2277 * Renovated two bedroom suites with beautiful views of Verde Valley.

The Miner's Cottage - 553 Main Street * 928-254-1089 * www.theminerscottage.com * Historic 1886 hotel with great copper mining history.

* DINING:

The Asylum - 200 Hill Street * 928-639-3197 * Voted one of Arizona's top 25 restaurants by Arizona Highways. Offers 75 mile panoramic views of Verde Valley. American cuisine.

Flat Iron Cafe - 416 Main Street * 928-634-2733 * Breakfast served all day.

Grapes Restaurant and Bar - 111 Main Street * 928-639-8477 * Pizza, sandwiches, pasta and large wine selection.

Haunted Hamburger - 410 Clark Street * 928-634-0554 * B-B-Q ribs, hamburgers, steaks and spirits.

Spirit Room Bar - 166 Main Street * 928-634-8809 * Best live music.

Jerome Chamber of Commerce -Telephone: 928-634-2900.

To get to Jerome from I-17 north, take the exit 287 for AZ260 towards Payson 89A. Then take a left onto AZ 260W/Finnie Flat Road. Follow AZ 260W and make a right onto AZ 260W/Camp Verde Bridgeport Highway. Then, take a left onto South Main Street and make another left to stay on AZ 89A/S. Continue driving onto Hull Avenue and make a left on Jerome Avenue, then a right on Main Street.

On the way to Fossil Springs you will pass through the town of Pine. It is situated in the middle of beautiful green meadows with lots of tall pine trees.

Drive a few more miles and you will come to a town called Strawberry. You will want to turn left at the big red store. Drive a few more miles and you will pass farmhouses and a number of cabins spread across the large green meadow.

You will begin to notice the roads and scenery changing as go further down into the deep canyon on twisting down turned roads.

When you reach the bottom of the canyon you will cross a small bridge that will take you to fossil creek with crystal clear spring waters. This is a great place to have a picnic.

There are also a number of hiking trails in the area. If you drive a bit further past Fossil Springs following the posted signs you will reach a hot spring pool.

Fossil Springs is 30 miles southeast of Campe Verde or eighty-six miles south of Flagstaff and is off paved and gravel roads.

For further information you can contact the Coconino National Forest at: 928-527-3600.

The fourth of July celebration in Sierra Vista starts at 5 p.m. on July 3rd with a street dance and live music at Veterans Memorial Park.

A menagerie of dogs, cats, goats and rabbits dressed in patriotic clothes march in a people and pets parade on the morning of the fourth.

The rest of the day is filled with food vendors, a chili cook-off, arts and crafts booths and other fun family activiites.

It's Fort Huachuca's 38th Army Band that puts the celebration over the top. The Army Band plays the "1812 Overture" as a prelude to the fireworks display with live cannon fire from the Honor Battery.

The elevation in Sierra Vista is 4,623 feet. To get there, take the I-10 east past Tucson to Highway 90 south. Then continue driving for 27 miles and be sure to stay straight onto Buffalo Soldier Trail. Take a left on West Frye Boulevard. Then turn left again onto Jean Randle Way and head to the Veteran's Memorial Park.

The drive takes about three hours from the valley for a total of 189 miles. Admission is free of charge.

You can obtain additional information by accessing their web-site at: www.visitsierravista.com.

Jerome has its artists and Sedona has its red rocks, but nestled between them is the "Verde Valley Olive Oil Traders" specialty store that sounds more "California" than it does "Cottonwood."

The owners sell thirty-four varieties of balsamic vinegar and olive oils which are imported from California.

There's violet balsamic and cilantro roasted onion olive oil that creates an explosive flavor when mixed together and is great on any salad.

There's the natural butter flavor extra virgin olive oil that is great for sauteing fish, freezing or slicing like butter and spritzing on popcorn. The store even offers free tasting.

The elevation in Cottonwood is 3,320 feet. To get there, take the I-17 north to the Highway 260 exit. Then go northwest toward Cottonwood for about 12 miles. Make a left onto South Main Street and keep driving to Old Town and 1014 North Main Street.

It takes about an hour and fifty minutes to get there coming from the valley for a total of 104 miles. For additional information call: 928-301-0180.

Payson and Prescott lay claim to hosting the worlds oldest rodeo. The folks in Prescott boast a patent in the name and the people in Payson date their August rodeo to 1884 and claim there's is the world's oldest.

Payson's rodeo is a full show of bull riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and calf roping. The "Mutton Bust'in" event is one that shouldn't be missed.

The helmet-clad riders who are six years old and younger simulate bull riding as they attempt to last six seconds on a sheep. The event takes place the third weekend in August.

The elevation in Payson is 4,982 feet. To get there, take highway 87 north to Payson and follow the signs to the rodeo. The driving time is one hour and thirty minutes from the valley for a total of 93 miles.

Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $10 for children ages 8 to 12 and children ages 8 and younger are free.

Take an informative one hour trip back in time to 1878 at the "Good Enough Mine Underground Tour" in Tombstone.

The reason the town exists is 3,000 mining claims were filed in the year 1878. Over 350 miles of mining tunnels wind underneath the town of Tombstone. One of these tunnels leads to Crystal Palace.

The elevation is 4,540 feet in Tombstone. To get there, take the I-10 east past Tucson to Highway 80 south. Then, proceed to Tombstone and make a right onto Fifth Street. The entrance to the mine is located at Fifth and Toughnut streets.

The driving time is three hours for a total of 185 miles. The admission fee for adults is $15 and children 10 years and under are free.

Centered in the Verde Valley is Northern Arizona's wine country. It's quickly becoming a favorite destination for wine lover's everywhere. It's a great new place to get to know and visit.

The headquarters for getting to know Verde Valley's vino secrets is the lovely Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa with its lively bar scene, renowned spa, bistro cuisine and gorgeous guest suites.

Sedona has always been an excellent summer getaway destination from the metropolitan city with it being at least fifteen degrees cooler than Phoenix during the day and at night twenty-five degrees cooler.

The great wines at cool boutique wineries in Jerome and Page Springs gives you a whole new reason to visit.

During the summer months, the Rouge offers the exciting "Water to Wine Adventure Getaway". It's a three day and two night visit with a Verde River Kayak trip and wine tasting at the "Alcantara Vineyards" to top it off. The cost for this package is right around $890 per person.

For additional information give them a call at: 928-203-4111. You can also visit their web-site at: www.SedonaRouge.com.

The Petrified Forest is one of the worlds largest areas of petrified wood featuring historic structures and 200 million year old fossils.

The petrified logs in this section of the Arizona desert are quite stunning. They are full of unexpected and bright colors. The area also includes a portion of the Painted Desert and many people will make it a trip to see both sites.

The nearest town to the Petrified Forest is Holbrook which is about twenty-six miles to the west. The small museum is situated at the south entrance to the park and and at the north end is the visitor's center.

The large masses of wildflowers begin to bloom between the months of March and October. The best times to see them are usually in May, June, July and August. The park receives its highest number of visitors during the summer months.

You may travel through the park by car, motorcycle or bike. It takes approximately 45 minutes to navigate through the entire park. Plan on staying at least two to three hours since their will be numerous stops at trail heads and viewpoints.

The park is open all year but closes on Christmas Day. The park hours are as follows:

January 1 through February 26 from 8am to 5pm

February 27 through May 7 from 7am to 6pm

May 8 through September 3 from 7am to 7pm

September 4 through October 22 from 7am to 6pm

October 23 through December 31 from 8am to 5pm

The entrance fee to the park is $10 for a seven day pass. To bike, ride a motorcycle or to walk-in to the park, the fee is $5 for a seven day pass.

There are many trails throughout the park that range anywhere from a half of a mile to three miles long. It is best to navigate through the park by foot.

Some of the most popular trails are a one mile round trip loop on the trail head of Tawa Point and Kachina Point. It's an unpaved trail that gives you a chance to see many kinds of plants and desert animals. It also has stunning views of the Painted Desert.

The trail head Puerco Pueblos is a 0.3 mile loop. It features a pueblo with a hundred rooms from 1,200 years ago used by Puebloan people. You can view petroglyphs on the south end of this trail as well.

The trail head Blue Mesa Sun Shelter, is a one mile loop that descends from the mesa and loops around a large mass of petrified wood, blue bentonite clay and badland hills.

The trail head Crystal Forest is a 0.75 mile loop and offers views of crystals that remain hiding in the petrified logs.

The Petrified Forest is located in northeastern Arizona, on Interstate 40, about 60 miles from the New Mexico border.

The address is: One Park Road, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028. The telephone number is: 928-524-6228. You may also access their web-site at: http://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm for further information and details.

Bisbee is the last of Arizona's many towns to stop operating it's copper mines in 1975. When visiting Bisbee, make sure you stop by the Queen Mine for a fun and interesting underground tour.

Copper was discovered when a gentleman by the name of Lt. Dunn picked up a rock that looked interesting to him.

He took the rock to a prospector named Warren and made a deal where he would find claims and work the area as a partner. Mr. Warren gained a number of partners and staked new claims to the site but left Lt. Dunn out of the initial agreement they had. This soured the relationship between the two men.

Around 1800, copper production was started but on a limited basis. Individuals and companies who had enough capital became involved, taking over those individual claims that Warren had previously gained.

Phelps Dodge Corporation then became the dominant force and over time the sole operator of copper mining.

In 1976, the Queen Mine Tour was opened and since then approximately a million visitors have enjoyed the ride underground to view the mines.

Located just 4.5 miles northeast of Apache Junction at: 4650 North Mammoth Mine Road in Goldfield, Arizona is Goldfield Ghost Town & Mine.

Their telephone number is: 480-983-0333. You can access a great deal of information on their web-site at: www.goldfieldghosttown.com.

Their open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a relaxing stroll back in time down Main Street and stop into the many different merchant shops. Find things from silver jewelry to metal sculptures created by some of the area's finest artists.

See the numerous well preserved historic buildings and take a tour through the old Mammoth Gold Mine.

Be sure to take a ride on the narrow gauge train, pan for gold and watch for authentic old western gun fights taking place throughout the day.

The Goldfield Museum is also on the property and is a must-see for all visitors.