Travel & Adventure
Sometimes you have to get out of town.
Ready for a Scare?
This year’s attraction focuses on a single classic carnival theme featuring a midway, fun house, circus tent, six-foot-tall Jack in the Box, and of course, some creepy clowns and freaks.
Sharing a World of Discovery
Flagstaff Festival of Science, September 17–26, spreads STEM passion By Joanna Dodder Nellans Flagstaff's storied history of science dates back to 1894 with the establishment of Lowell Observatory, and that foundation spawned a plethora of like-minded institutions. So...
A Modern, Efficient, and Relaxing Way to Travel
In April 2021, Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) opened its much-anticipated new terminal to the public, offering exciting and efficient amenities that are certain to place Prescott as both a destination and an easy way for locals to start their much-needed post-COVID vacations.
The Return of Summer Travel
During most of 2020, SpringHill Suites by Marriott in downtown Prescott underwent a massive top-to-bottom renovation including all guestrooms and public spaces. Also during 2020, Residence Inn by Marriott in Prescott (across from Trader Joe’s), installed four Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, offering free charging to anyone 24/7. Non-guests can charge for free while they relax in patio or lobby areas.
Feeling the heat? Jump in the lake!
For decades, all the lakes on the Prescott National Forest (PNF) were closed to swimming. Then the PNF suddenly announced on Aug. 28, 2020, that it was opening all four lakes on the forest to swimming: Lynx and Granite Basin near Prescott; Mingus on Mingus Mountain between Prescott Valley and Jerome; and Horsethief Basin near Crown King. The news release said the PNF found no current health and safety concerns but provided no further explanation.
Meet the NAZ Wranglers’ Mustangs Dance Team!
The NAZ Wranglers, Prescott Valley’s professional indoor football team, are excited to introduce the Mustangs Dance Team, a dynamic group comprising local dancers and headed up by Prescottonian and owner of Lessons by Lexie Dance Studio, Lexe Niekamp.
Yukon 2020ne™: The Adventure of a Lifetime
Fingers and toes crossed that by May 24, 2021, I’ll be in the middle of the Klondike, dropped off by a floatplane. The drop-off marks the start of an epic expedition known as Yukon 2020ne™. It’s a record-setting, 60-day, self-supported canoe adventure along all 2,000 miles of the Yukon River from the Canadian Rockies to the Bering Sea in Alaska.
Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival features in-person and virtual tours this year
Pandemic restrictions took hold in Arizona last year shortly before the annual Verde Valley Birding & Nature Festival occurred, so the Friends of the Verde River really had to scramble to offer even just a few virtual events.
This year’s festival on April 22-25 is still limited by the pandemic, but organizers have had plenty of time to expand the virtual offerings while also reviving some limited in-person birding excursions, including a new tour at the Alcantara Vineyards in Camp Verde.
A Northern AZ Staycation
We may be living in this pandemic world until the beginning of summer. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun – safely. You may not feel comfortable traveling too far outside of the comfort and safety of your home. We’ve curated this list of staycation ideas for your possible staycation fun.
Arizona’s very own Shangri-La; Castle Hot Springs resort is back
Nestled at the southern tip of the Bradshaw Mountains amidst towering saguaros and jagged sunburned rocks, a true Sonoran Shangri-La once existed.
It was the winter home of Gilded Age titan families including the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, who spent their mornings on horseback with local ranching families such as the Champies before relaxing in the natural hot springs or playing a round at Arizona’s first golf course.
Important suffrage sites still stand in Prescott, Phoenix and Cottonwood
A beautiful Victorian on North Mount Vernon was home to both Pauline O’Neill and Frances Willard Munds, so it was the site of countless suffragist planning meetings. That makes it one of the most important Arizona suffrage sites for Heidi Osselaer, Arizona State University history professor and an expert on the subject.
White Mountains Fall Foliage
The spectacular aspen stands in the White Mountains offer a wonderful day trip in search of fall foliage. Thousands of new aspens have sprung up from the devastation of the 2011 Wallow wildfire, Arizona’s largest at 538,000 acres. These thick aspen stands are now 10-20 feet tall as they emerge amid the blackened stumps of mixed conifer near mature forestlands that survived the flames.