Town Square in Prescott Arizona.
The town square in Prescott Arizona is the hub of the area’s cultural activities. My husband and I headed up there this weekend and wound up attending an art festival that we didn’t even know was scheduled (the 37th Annual Western Art Show and Sale). It’s summertime, and the event calendar is in full swing.
The Dr. AJ Chandler Park in Downtown Chandler, directly across from the San Marcos Resort.
I’ve been living in Chandler Arizona for about sixteen years. Most of the time when my husband and I are looking for a romantic weekend, we venture outside of our home town. However, there are some great lodging, dining, and entertainment options within just a few miles of our house that, when combined with an overnight stay, make for a romantic weekend without traveling all that far.
The Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort is located in historic downtown Chandler. The hotel was built in 1912, is on the National Register of Historic places, and recently underwent a $4 million dollar renovation. The resort itself features an 18-hole golf course, tennis, and swimming. AJ’s Cafe features award-winning dining and the resort’s famous buffet – folks come from miles around for the Prime Rib buffet on Saturday nights. Or you can stroll along the sidewalks of the downtown area and partake of several options from casual to fine dining, then window shop among the stores and galleries. Downtown Chandler is enjoying a boom in economic development, and the San Marcos is an anchor for the town square. Events regularly held in the downtown area include classic car shows, farmers markets, movie nights, art shows, and food festivals.
Millennium Park and Lake Michigan
My husband is taking a business trip to Chicago for a couple of weeks in May, and I’m going to fly over and meet him for a long weekend. We’re staying at the Wyndham Glenview Suites, which is about 10 miles from Chicago O’Hare and a half-hour from Downtown Chicago. We’re going to take the opportunity to thoroughly explore the downtown area, which we’ve only been able to drive through during past trips.
I am completely unashamed to admit that I intend to play tourist to the hilt.
The ubiquitous saguaro cacti of the Arizona desert.
The great thing about living in the Phoenix area is that in the winter we only have to experience snow if we want to. Snow is an outright novelty reserved for the adventurous who wish to travel the two- to five-hour drive to get to elevations that receive snowfall. Otherwise, for the most part we enjoy balmy temperatures and only the occasional rainstorm. So, if you’re currently stuck in a snow drift and craving a non-arctic getaway, might I recommend a visit to Arizona? Here are eight great winter activities to do in the state.
One – Visit Kartchner Caverns State Park. The caves have a year-round average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Check out this article for more information.
Two – Stroll among the shops of Old Town Scottsdale. Sunny days get up into the high 60′s in the winter, and there’s no slush on the sidewalks! Take a look at this article for more information.
Three – Hike the Superstition Wilderness. Take a stab at finding the Lost Dutchman’s hidden stash of gold!
© 2006 - 2010 UpTake Networks, Inc.
All TripAdvisor trademarks are © 2010 TripAdvisor LLC.
All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
