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Table of Contents

Phoenix & Central Arizona

A wonderful balance of bigcity glamour and wide-open desert spaces

8

Tucson & Southern Arizona

Spanish history, western mystery and majestic desert scenery

24 30 36 40 44

Northern Arizona

The “Mother Road”, Monument Valley, and of course, the Grand Canyon

North Central Arizona

Cool, pine-scented forests, ghost towns and haunting ruins

Arizona’s West Coast

The mighty Colorado River, London Bridge and desert wildlife

How To Sell Arizona

Industry expert Steve Crowhurst’s tips on selling the Grand Canyon State

ARIZONA –A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTTOTHE SEPTEMBER 2007 ISSUE OF CANADIANTRAVELLER

Published 12 times a year by
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THE DESTINATION SALES RESOURCE FOR TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS
Printed in Canada

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Contents © 2007 by ACT Communications Inc.
All Rights Reserved. ISBN 1207-1463

27 CANADIAN TRAVELLER • SEPTEMBER 2007 • ARIZONA 3

Why Arizona?

AOT

There is desert adventure. There are natural wonders. There are world-class resorts. There is championship golf, great cuisine and a wonderful collection of cultural institutions. But the best thing about Arizona is the wide range of experiences you can sell here.

Have you ever wanted to step back in naturalwondersoftheworld, whiletheredsand-

And then there’s the food. Sample

time? You can do it here. Besh-Ba-Gowah stonespiresof MonumentValleypiercethesky authentic Mexican food along the Salsa

Archaeological Park, near Globe, is consid- on the Navajo Nation Reservation. At the other Trail in southern Arizona. Sample fine ered one of the best pre-Columbian sites in the end of the state, the grottoes of Kartchner cuisine that fuses native influences with Southwest. And near Camp Verde is the Caverns State Park descend underground and haute techniques at renowned restaurants. spectacular Montezuma Castle National the eroded volcanic spires of Chiricahua Discover decadent desserts, gourmet pizza,

Monument, a five-storey cliff dwelling built by National Monument reach for the sky.

and some of the best ballpark hot dogs

the Sinagua more than 600 years ago. The Casa

And then, there is the desert. Saguaro found in the U.S.

Grande Ruins, near Phoenix, are thought to National Park near Tucson is a showcase for

You just have to be here to experience all

have been used for astronomical observation, the Sonoran Desert with its forests of that is Arizona. f

while the Heard Museum offers one of the saguaro cacti. most extensive displays of Native American artifacts and art.
Want to take in some more metropolitan attractions? Check out the glittering galleries

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

Follow legacy of the Spanish at lovely and concert stages in Phoenix, Scottsdale and
Mission San Xavier del Bac, near Tucson, and Tucson. Renowned artists from around the the remains of Spanish establishments at world regularly perform throughout the state.

The Arizona Office of Tourism’s Canadian office is here to help you sell the Grand Canyon State more effectively. Contact us at:

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and

Fans also flock to Arizona’s professional

Tumacacori National Historic Park.

sports venues. Major League Baseball’s Arizona

Relive the days of the Wild West, at Diamondbacks, NBA’s Phoenix Suns and
Tombstone, “The Town Too Tough To Die”, NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes, the WNBA’s Phoenix

which offers re-enactments of the famous Mercury and the Arena Football League’s

Arizona Office of Tourism 5409 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 107

gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Trace the footsteps of the earliest settlers NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play in Glendale. along the Anza Trail, the route taken by colonists Major League Baseball’s Cactus League pre-

Arizona Rattlers play in Phoenix, and the

Toronto, ON M9C 5K6 Tel: (416) 485-8724 Websites:

who trekked to San Francisco in 1775 and stops season games let fans see the Chicago Cubs in in Tucson and Yuma. The Trail starts in Tubac. Mesa, the Anaheim Angels in Tempe and the
Drink in the wonder of Arizona’s natural Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and beauty. Snaking its way 443 kilometres across Arizona Diamondbacks tune-up for their

thedesert, Arizona’sGrandCanyonisoneofthe season in Tucson.

www.ArizonaGuide.com www.ArizonaVacationValues.com www.ArizonaScenicRoads.com www.ArizonaHeritageTraveler.org

4 ARIZONA • SEPTEMBER 2007 • CANADIAN TRAVELLER 28

Golf

in Arizona

By Dale Leatherman

SCOTTSDALE CVB

With more than 300 diverse courses across the courses: Cattail and Devil’s Claw. Each hole other for a relaxing spa session. Here’s a state and year-round sunshine, it’s easy to see has a name and symbol that reflects the sampler of resorts where you’ll find the best why Arizona is renowned as one of the world’s animals, customs and legends of the tribe. of both worlds:

top golfing destinations. Take a look at two

Owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa

The Golf Massage offered by the spa at the

new trends that bring the Arizona golfing expe- Indian Community, Scottsdale’s Talking Stick Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon

rience to a whole new level.

Golf Club offers two courses designed by Bill North is an ideal way to end a 36-hole day on

Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The North Course is the Monument and Pinnacle courses.

G o l f & N a t i v e C u l t u r e a wide, relatively treeless layout with deep Therapists use warmed golf balls to knead deep

Arizona’s Native American peoples have made bunkers and slightly crowned greens, while the into stiff areas. significant contributions to the development South Course is more parkland style.

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa

of the state as a colourful and varied destina- The Tom Doak-designed layout at the in Scottsdale offers a Golfers Massage and a tion with a strong emphasis on its natural Apache Stronghold Golf Course in Globe Couples Massage perfect for either pre- or postresources. In the past decade, this influence follows the lay of the land rather than bull- round relaxation on one or both of the Jay has also touched Arizona’s golf scene, with the dozing through it. A sculpture of an Apache Morrish-designed courses set among giant opening of several golf clubs and the warrior keeps watch from a hilltop between the 12-million-year-old granite spheres.

revamping of two public courses on Native ninth and tenth holes.

Another Scottsdale standout, The

American reservations. The tribes’ reverence The Cocopah Indian Tribe is set to re-open Phoenician, is home to three enjoyable nines for their lands results in remarkably pristine twoimprovedpubliccoursesthisNovember. The as well as spa treatments in the resort’s Center courses boasting unobstructed views of Cocopah Bend RV and Golf Resort in Yuma for Well Being, where favourite therapies the awe-inspiring surrounding scenery. offers frequent views of the Colorado River and include the Sports Massage, Massage 101 for Completing the immersive experience, club- distant mountains; narrow fairways and three Couples and a Golf Meditation treatment. houses are usually decorated with Native lakesputsapremiumonaccuracy. Thechallenge American art and artifacts. at the Cocopah Rio Colorado Golf Course in course, the newer Links course or the 18-hole
The We-Ko-Pa Golf Club on the Fort Somerton is on the elevated and fast greens. putting course before retiring to the spa at the
Test your skills on the classic Adobe
McDowell Yavapai Nation offers two courses:

historic Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.

the sprawling, Scott Miller-designed Cholla Golf & Spa

Choose from a Sports Massage with arnica oil and the very walkable Saguaro, designed by Throw out the sexist stereotypes. Not all or The Couples Massage, given in an outdoor Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Both offer a golfers are men, and women aren’t the only cabana (October to April). natural beauty defined by tall saguaro cacti, ones who enjoy spa treatments. Many of

A Tucson landmark, the Westin La Paloma

thick underbrush and warm brown sand. Arizona’s golf resorts have been quick to Resort & Spa features a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus
Developed by the Gila River Indian embrace this fact. Some offer special golf & signature course rated “women friendly” by
Community, the Whirlwind Golf Club at the spa packages, while others offer spa treat- Golf for Women magazine. Try a hydrating Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in ments tailored to golfers and couples – if one milk bath, followed by the Sports Massage, at Chandler boasts two Gary Panks-designed spouse doesn’t play, he or she can join the the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. f

Geotourism

in Arizona

AOT

Arizona is a destination unlike any other; a land state of Sonora and the National Geographic wines from the Sonoita and Callaghan vine- of unique treasures awaiting discovery. This is Society. Some, like Phoenix’s renowned Heard yards in Elgin. a place of timeless natural beauty, a vast, awe- Museum, are among Arizona’s most popular inspiring landscape that has inspired and attractions. But the list also includes several Mount Graham International Observatory, shaped generations of peoples from pre-historic off-the-beaten-path discoveries. home to the world’s most powerful telescope; times to the present day. Past and present Step into the Wild West by strolling the Kitt Peak National Observatory, one of the
Marvel at the spectacular night skies at the happily co-exist here, as Arizonans take pride streets of Tombstone and witnessing a world’s largest astronomical observatories; in preserving their rich natural, historic and staged gunfight; living the cowboy life at and at the Astronomers Inn near Benson, cultural heritage while embracing the future. Black Rock Ranch, a fourth-generation, a cozy B&B that is home to the Vega-
For savvy travellers, that future is family-run cattle operation that offers guests Bray Observatory.

geotourism.

roping, branding and herd-culling demonstra-

Connect with the rich cultures of Arizona’s

What is geotourism? It goes beyond the tions; getting a glimpse of the life of a turn-of- native peoples at the Huhugam Heritage familiar eco-tourism, encompassing both the the-last-century cattle baron at the John Center in Chandler, which showcases the natural and human elements of a destination. Slaughter Ranch Museum in Douglas and arts and traditions of the Akimel O’odham The National Geographic Center for by enjoying performances at the annual and Pee Posh peoples; the San Carlos

Sustainable Destinations defines geotourism as Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering in Apache Cultural Center, where visitors can

“tourism that sustains or enhances the Sierra Vista. geographical character of a place – its environ- Follow in the footsteps of some of annual Orme Dam Victory Days hosted by the ment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the Hollywood’s greatest legends by spending Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, which features well-being of its residents.” the night in John Wayne’s favourite room at a competition pow-wow, all-Indian rodeo,
Arizona is at the forefront of the movement. the 300-year-old guest ranch Hacienda music, dancing and food. purchase art from local artisans; and the

The Arizona Office of Tourism is an official Corona de Guevavi in Nogales; at the

Explore the fascinating history of

signatory of the National Geographic Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch in Tucson, Arizona’s mining industry by donning a Geotourism Charter, and has created a list of which was rumoured to be Spencer Tracy hard hat and descending deep into Bisbee’s authentically Arizonan experiences called and Katharine Hepburn’s secret hide-away; historic Copper Queen Mine for a tour of Arizona Origins – “a celebration of culture, and at Phoenix’s Hotel San Carlos, which one of the most productive mines in history. nature, history and heritage”.
Eighty-four of these unique experiences – Gable and Mae West. including historic sites, natural landmarks, Savour the fiery chili sauces at Los Dos one of the world’s largest open-pit mines. festivals, restaurants and accommodations – Molinos in Phoenix, which specializes in For a full list of Arizona Origins, and to has played home away from home to Clark Then check out the future of the state’s min-

ing industry by touring the Morenci Mine,

appear on the new Arizona-Sonora Desert New Mexican cuisine; the signature obtain a copy of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Region National Geographic MapGuide, a Southwestern cuisine at Tucson’s award- Region National Geographic Map Guide visit collaboration between Arizona, the Mexican winning Terra Cotta; and the award-winning www.arizonaguide.com. f

Phoenix

& Central Arizona

AOT

Hand-blown Venetian glass chandeliers are just a prelude to a performance at Phoenix Symphony Hall, an internationally recognized performing arts centre. It's known the land over for its resplendent Peacock Fountain.
The unique design of the Chandler Center for the Arts features a “turntable divisible” auditorium that allows two sections of seating to rotate 180 degrees to face two more intimate

Framed by dramatic mountain ranges and located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the Phoenix metropolitan area balances the glamour and excitement of a contemporary city and with the natural pleasures of wideopen spaces. Spectacular resorts and spas, stunning desert golf, renowned performing and visual arts, championship sporting events, award-winning cuisine, awesome desert adventure – the list goes on and on.

A Song & A Dance

The completely new and different Dodge stages, as well as superb acoustics for concerts
Theatre promises to change the way you think and theatre productions.
Phoenix can boast a renowned collection of resident performing arts groups second to none. Arizona Opera Company, Ballet Arizona, Arizona Theatre Company, Childsplay, Actors Theatre, and Center Dance Ensemble all produce spectacular seasons for delighted audiences. The city also boasts a wonderful collection of jewellike theatres that host performances ranging from avant-garde theatre to classical ballet.
The queen of city stages is The Orpheum
Theater. Built in 1929, the original elaborate Spanish-colonial-revival exterior is an authentic recreation of the original. The peacock-designed circular staircase, lush murals, and sunset to star-sky ceiling will fascinate you long before the show begins.

aboutliveentertainment. It'saslargeasyouneed

The newest jewel in the collection is the

butasintimateasyouwant. Thisstate-of-the-art MAC, or Mesa Arts Center, the largest and most entertainment venue was designed specifically comprehensive arts centre in Arizona. An for concerts, Broadway shows, family stage inviting oasis by day and a luminous beacon by shows, boxing, andconventionmeetings, allthe night, thedesignoftheMACwasinspiredbythe while combining a classic, fully rigged Broadway unique character of the Sonoran Desert. The stage house, with the pulsating excitement of campus includes a complex of theatres, galleries

modern arena technologies.

and exhibition space, visual and performing arts

Statues outside the palm-studded grounds studios and classrooms, informal performance of the Herberger Theatre depict dance and areas, a Shadow Walk that creates an inviting, vitality, meant to welcome a free spirit of shaded outdoor oasis plaza. artistic discovery and splendour. They also welcome a passionate audience for Arizona's Good Taste

most widely acclaimed professional theatre Withawealthofinterestinglocalingredientslike

troupe, the Arizona Theatre Company.

pomegranates, figs, pumpkin, squash, tomatoes,

SHERATON WILD HORSE PASS RESORT

onionsandcorn, andawidearrayofethnicinfluences, including Mexican, Spanish and Native American, youwouldbehardpressedtopickjust one favourite in Phoenix’s menu of eateries.
Using indigenous ingredients and traditional techniques, Chef Jack Strong proves that native American cooking and fining dining are not mutually exclusive at Kai, the awardwinning restaurant at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort.
Kai gets much of its produce from the Gila
River Native American community’s farms as well as from the Tucson-based native Seeds/SEARCH, which is devoted to preserving Native American seed lines. Native populations in other parts of the country provide other menu staples: buffalo from the Cheyenne River tribe, for example, and black cod fished by the Alaskan Sugpiaq peoples. okay with what we came up with.” You will too.
Haute cuisine morphs into haute pizza at
Pizzeria Bianco, where James Beard AwardwinningChefChrisBiancohasputArizonaonthe world pizza map. Devout pizza pilgrims flock nearly every night (the restaurant is closed SundayandMonday)toBianco’sintimate, atmosphericrestaurantontheedgeofPhoenix’shistoric Heritage Square. The airy, high-ceilinged dining room, insideavintagebrickbuilding, issmalland seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
This means that on a typical night, you may have to wait one, two or even three hours from the time the hostess puts your name on the list, to the time you take your first bite of tantalizingly delicious pizza. But customers don’t mind the routine – they come back again and again, because the pizza here is that good.
And Chris has some advice for making the most of the experience. “Enjoy a bottle of wine and actually try talking to the people you’re sharing your evening with,” he suggests. Good vino, good conversation and great pizza – a perfect night out.
As for traditions, Strong invited elders from the Gila River community to sample Kai’s chumath bread – “kind of a cross between a tortilla and a thin crepe,” Strong says. “The women didn’t measure anything because making chumath was handed down over the generations. But the elders seemed