Nov 02, 2009 13:19 - By: Laura Charon
Stylin' girls at the mall.
There are twenty-five days until Black Friday, my friends! Time to get your gameplan together!
Black Friday, that traditional chaotic Christmas shopping day that qualifies as a quasi-holiday all on its own, is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. every year. This year, plan your Arizona shopping to visit these fine establishments:
The Scottsdale Fashion Square- 7014-7590 East Camelback Road – Phoenix, Arizona. Swank shops and boutiques mingle with great dining and people watching near the heart of Scottsdale.
The Chandler Fashion Center – 3111 West Chandler Boulevard – Chandler, Arizona. Indoor and outdoor shopping, dining, movies, and much more.
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Oct 26, 2009 8:00 - By: Laura Charon
The Renaissance Festival Grounds
Arizona’s annual Renaissance Festival kicks off on February 6th, 2010, and runs through the end of March. I’m giving you plenty of head’s up so you can plan your vacation to Arizona accordingly! Need to get out of the snow and cold of your home state (or country)? A visit to Arizona in February will treat you to sunshine and temperatures in the high-sixties.
I may complain about the summers on a regular basis, but I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the winters.
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Oct 14, 2009 8:00 - By: Laura Charon
A Wordless Wednesday contribution.
Photo Credit – “I’ve Got My Eyes On You” by Laura Charon.
Oct 12, 2009 13:11 - By: Laura Charon
Feel free to bring your four-legged friends with you on your next vacation to Arizona! The state is very dog-friendly, with lots of hotels that permit animals, and even spas dedicated to pampering your puppy (that will be the subject of an upcoming entry)! Nearly every city in Arizona has one or several “bark parks” which allow your dog to stretch his or her legs, and some freedom from the leash so they can explore every olfactory nuance of their playground. Here is a small selection of those dog-friendly parks:
The PETsMART Dog Park at Washington Park in Phoenix offers a spacious 2.65 acres in which your dog can frolic. The six-foot high perimeter fencing keeps your dog safe, while the watering station and shady trees keep your dog comfortable. There’s even a separate fenced area especially for small dogs.
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Oct 09, 2009 13:46 - By: Laura Charon
Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona, is hosting its annual Pumpkin and Chili Party. The party is held every Thursday through Sunday for the entire month of October. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. A $14.00 admission ($12.00 discount tickets are available at local Frys grocery stores, children 2 and under are free) includes hay rides, miniature golf, a Celebrity Corn Maze, carnival rides, a petting barn, a “Pumpkin Launch”, pumpkin carving contests, chili contests, bon fires, marshmallow toasting, lots of food and crafts, live entertainment, and much more. For $2.00 per ticket, a Spooky Train Ride, featuring an animatronic pumpkin king and the antics of the Chandler High School drama students, begins after dark.
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Aug 31, 2009 12:02 - By: Laura Charon
Fall foliage
Contrary to the thermometer outside my window, which at this second is reading a balmy 108 degrees (September in Arizona – gotta love it!), the fall weather will soon be upon us. Nothing says fall to me more than the round of upcoming harvest fairs and festivals, scheduled for September through November.
The Arizona Expo and State Fair is being held from October 16th through November 8th (closed Mondays). Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and kids under five years old are free. Parking in all fair lots is $10. The fairgrounds are located at 26 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix, just off of I-10. This year’s concert series includes Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Lady Antebellum, The Black Crowes, David Cook, and Kelly Clarkson. The fair is entering its 64th consecutive year and features the traditional round of carnival rides, fried foods, craft and livestock displays and contests, and rodeo events.
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Jun 28, 2009 9:44 - By: Laura Charon
Photo by simax105
If you’re going to be in Arizona during the July 4th weekend, here are some celebrations that are going on around the state. There’s something going on in virtually every town, but here are ten key events that are sure to please:
Phoenix: Enjoy the 24th Annual Fabulous Phoenix 4th, at Steele Indian School Park. Entertainment (on three stages!) begins at 6:00 p.m., with the fireworks show beginning at 9:20. The event features local entertainment, a cooling misting area, inflatable rides, a Classic Car exhibit, food and beverage vendors, and a water spray zone manned by the Phoenix Fire Department.
Tempe: Check out the 58th annual Tempe 4th of July Festival, taking place in Tempe Beach Park alongside the man-made Tempe Town Lake. The extravagant fireworks show, local food vendors, and live entertainment more than make up for the crowds.
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May 30, 2009 8:48 - By: Laura Charon
Fountain at the Arizona Grand Resort
The Arizona Grand Resort, located in Phoenix, Arizona, just completed a 52 million dollar renovation. This AAA Four Diamond Preferred all-suite hotel is offering the “Grand Opening Summer Splash”, from Thursday May 21st through Monday September 7th, with rates starting at $129 per night. Visitors who stay for two or more nights receive a $50 gift card that can be used toward any of the numerous resort services and amenities.
The Arizona Grand Resort has something for everyone in the family. The full service spa and salon can be enjoyed after a round on the resort’s 18-hole golf course. The Lobby features a bar and grill, and a marketplace with everything you might need, and a few things you might just want. Aunt Chiladas Mexican Restaurant is within walking distance, and the Phantom Horse Grill and Sports Bar is on the resort property. For the fitness minded, a 20,000 square foot athletic club is available, complete with 45 fitness classes offered per week. The 17,000 acre South Mountain preserve is right at the back door, with 60 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Oasis Water Park, rated among the top 10 resort water parks in the nation by The Travel Channel, has water slides, a “river ride”, and an enormous wave pool. During the “Island Nights at the Oasis” visitors can enjoy a “dive-in” movie on the big screen behind the pool.
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