Eat, Sleep, Play in Arizona

This summer, plan a local getaway

SIERRA VISTA

Located 75 miles southeast of Tucson, Sierra Vista is a destination worthy of discovery.

Eat: Stop by historic Daisy Mae's, voted one of the 25 Best Steakhouses in the U.S., for quintessential mesquitegrilled steak and ribs. (It once served as a brothel in the Old West, and it is rumored to be haunted!) For traditional Mexican food and powerful margaritas, visit the popular La Casita for lunch or dinner.

Daisy Mae's Stronghold
332 N. Garden Avenue, Sierra Vista
520.452.8099

La Casita
465 E. Fry Boulevard, Sierra Vista
520.458.2376

Sleep: Whispers Ranch Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of Arizona wine country, just 15 miles from Sierra Vista. A hot breakfast, breathtaking surroundings and a nearby animal sanctuary are just a few of the charming details. Owners Toni and Ross are touted for their great conversation and exceptional hospitality.

Whispers Ranch Bed & Breakfast
1490 Highway 83, Elgin
520.455.9246, www.whispersranch.com

Play: Nearby Sierra Vista is Arizona's wine country, which makes for wonderful day and weekend drives through the vineyards that are surrounded by the neighboring mountains. Also take the time to get to know Arizona's rich past at the ancient Native American sites, ghost towns, and historic Fort Huachuca. The Huachuca Mountains contain the Miller Peak Wilderness Area, a haven for birds and wildlife and rich with a colorful mining and ranching history. Hiking, riding, camping and wildlife observation are just a few of the activities that draw avid outdoors people to the area.

Meet: Wilma Mrosek-Moses is the owner of the highly popular Visage European Day Spa. She is a cancer survivor and is active in assisting those who have cancer by organizing and cooking a monthly dinner in her home, of which the proceeds go to creating human hair wigs for those stricken with the disease.

GRAND CANYON RAILWAY

Northern Arizona is the perfect place for a family summer vacation, starting with the Grand Canyon Railway.

Eat: Across from the hotel and adjacent to the depot trackside sits Max & Thelma's Restaurant. The 350-seat restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner for Grand Canyon Railway passengers and patrons. Enjoy the rail atmosphere as a model replica of the train circles the room in the buffet-only restaurant. A full gift shop with Grand Canyon Railway souvenirs is also in the restaurant. Packages at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel include meals at Max & Thelma's.

Max & Thelma's Restaurant
231 North Grand Canyon Boulelvard, Williams
928.635.8970

Sleep: The Railway offers several hotel packages that include a stay in Williams at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. The AAA 3-diamond property features spacious rooms and is conveniently located adjacent to the Williams Depot. El Tovar Hotel, the premier lodging facility at the Grand Canyon, is located right on Canyon Rim and is a Registered National Historic Landmark built in 1905. Grand Canyon views are just steps away from the hotel, and the historic Hopi House and the rim trail are a short walk away.

Grand Canyon Railway Hotel
235 N. Grand Canyon Boulevard, Williams
866.538.0187

El Toval Hotel
Grand Canyon Natl Park, Grand Canyon
928.638.2631

Play: A trip to the Grand Canyon should not be enjoyed with a simple peek over the edge. Tours can be arranged to hike the Canyon, view it by helicopter, white-water raft in the Colorado River at the Canyon's base, or walk over the edge like never before with the new Skywalk on the West Rim.

Meet: Name: Ivonne Rico, the Ticketing Supervisor for Grand Canyon Railway, is as close to a Williams native as you can get (although she was born in Mexico). Articulate and pleasant, Ivonne literally knows everyone and everything in the area, having worked for the Railway for over five years. The Railway is also part of a family tradition, as her father is the Track Master and her brother is a Passenger Service Attendant.

LAKE HAVASU

Home to the world-famous London Bridge, Lake Havasu is both a water lover’s paradise and a desert lover’s dream.

Eat: Shugrue's Restaurant & Bar is hailed by many critics as one of the finest restaurants in town. A rich menu tempts trendy taste buds and a diverse selection of wine adds to the meal's flair. With tables overlooking the water, it's a definite must for anyone looking for the "all about me" weekend. One local secret is Angelina's Kitchen. This unassuming restaurant surprises many a patron with delicious Italian food - an absolute must during one evening of your trip. Another popular restaurant is Javelina Cantina. Excellent Sonoran-style Mexican food paired with custom margaritas make for a memorable evening. Dinner on the patio adds to the experience with views of the London Bridge and the surrounding mountains.

Shugrue's Restaurant & Bar
1425 McCulloch Boulevard S., Lake Havasu City
928.453.1400, www.shugrueslhc.com

Angelina's Kitchen
2137 Acoma Boulevard W., Lake Havasu City
928.680.3868

Javelina Cantina
1420 Mcculloch Boulevard N., Lake Havasu City
928.855.8226

Sleep: One popular getaway property in Lake Havasu is The London Bridge Resort. Located in the shadow of the world-famous London Bridge, it offers luxurious all-suite rooms with some excellent views of the bridge. Also on the property are popular restaurants and upbeat nightclubs, perfect for unwinding. The Nautical is another of the city's most popular properties. Located right on the shores of Lake Havasu, it is Arizona's only all beachfront resort. The beachsuite rooms offer stunning views, comforts and promise a good time. The Naked Turtle Beach bar is a popular stop for visitors to enjoy a cocktail right on the water, while on site boat rentals will get you out and playing in no time. Parasail rides are even offered for the adventurous.

The London Bridge Resort
1477 Queens Bay, Lake Havasu City
866.331.9231, www.londonbridgeresort.com

The Nautical Beachfront Resort
1000 McCulloch Boulevard, Lake Havasu City
928.855.2141, www.nauticalinn.com

Play: Visitors enjoy the top-rated RV resorts and condominiums with spectacular views and convenient locations. And, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Lake Havasu is ideal for golf, tennis and desert tours. More than 400 miles of stunning coastline will refresh you with exceptional water sports, including fishing, skiing, kayaking and house boating. Or, if you prefer, explore the lake from the beautiful beaches, campsites and hiking trails.

Meet: If you're in the neighborhood and in need of medical care, you're in luck. Lake Havasu is home to Kelly Ward, voted the best Family Doctor in the Country. Everybody in town knows Dr. Ward and touts her General Practice skills, but she is particularly popular with the women of Lake Havasu who trust Kelly with their full body rejuvenation procedures at Synergy Medical Spa.

JEROME

"The Mile High Town with 50-Mile Views." With a history steeped in both mining and the Wild West, the town of Jerome has become a favorite destination as a day trip from Phoenix or a long weekend retreat.

Eat: Jerome prides itself on being a hand-made town, and the dining is no exception. Wine and fine dining await at the award-winning Asylum, while traditional American fare can be found at the Mile High Grill or the Jerome Palace. Belgian Jennie's Bordello Bistro & Pizzeria offers a full Italian menu - from vegan pizza to Veal Marsala - all prepared from scratch.

Asylum Restaurant
200 Hill Street, Jerome
928.639.3197, www.theasylum.biz

The Mile High Grill
309 Main Street, Jerome
928.634.5094, www.jeromemilehighinn.com

Jerome Palace
410 Clark Street, Jerome
928.634.0554

Sleep: The mile-high town of Jerome boasts wonderful accommodations, from The Connor Hotel with its nicely updated rooms with flat screen TVs, some with fireplaces and all with panache, to The Cottage Inn, Arizona's oldest, continuously running bed and breakfast in the lovely Verde Valley. A special treat is The Surgeon's House, creating a magical mix of Jerome hospitality, incredible breakfast, lush gardens and carefully appointed rooms.

The Connor Hotel
164 Main Street, Jerome
928.634.5006, www.connorhotel.com

The Cottage Inn
747 East Avenue, Jerome
928.634.0701, www.cottageinnjerome.com

The Surgeon's House
100 Hill Street, Jerome
800.639.1452, www.surgeonshouse.com

Play: With 30 galleries and studios and incredible local artists, Jerome is an art-lover's dream. Art Walk is the first Saturday of every month and features live music, food, wine and a great party, as well as a free shuttle throughout the town. Gallery 527 is a must-see with its beautiful sculpture garden and work by local artists from the Verde Valley.

Gallery 527
527 Main Street, Jerome
928.649.2277, www.gallery527jerome.com

Meet: Many of the galleries, hotels and shops in Jerome are owned and run by women. The lovely Surgeon's House is the masterpiece of Andrea Prince, who not only is a wonderful host and gardener, but also makes an incredible breakfast every day for her guests. Ann Conlin is the proprietor of the Connor Hotel, one of Jerome's landmarks, and is a savvy business woman (and a truly nice person). Coleen Hall owns Gisele's Bakery and prepares French pastries every day - she is also said to make the best crème puff in Northern Arizona.

FLAGSTAFF

Nestled in the world's largest ponderosa pine forest at an altitude of 7,000 feet, Flagstaff attracts outdoor enthusiasts year round with spacious vistas and clean mountain air.

Eat: Josephine's Modern American Bistro employs topnotch ingredients to turn out a creative, eclectic menu that reflects the American melting pot and includes touches of Southwestern vernacular. Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar, one of the town's newest restaurants, provides guests with the freshest cuisine possible utilizing many local farmers and ranchers throughout the Arizona/Four Corners region. For local flavor, don't miss Macy's, a European coffee house, bakery and vegetarian restaurant. If you don't stay for the heavenly Vegan baked goods, you'll stay for the out-of-this-world espresso, live music and bohemian charm.

Josephine's Modern American Bistro
503 N. Humphreys Street, Flagstaff
928.779.3400, www.josephinesrestaurant.com

Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
413 N. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff
928.213.1021, www.brixflagstaff.com

Macy's
14 S. Beaver Street, Flagstaff
928 774 2243, www.macyscoffee.net

Stay: Flagstaff's rustic elegance and historic charm are matched by its accommodations. Fall Inn To Nature Bed & Breakfast is set amongst the cool pines yet is located only three miles from shopping and dining. Relax in a three-suite log home, indulge in a full sit-down breakfast, and enjoy an in-room massage. Mormon Lake Lodge Cabin Rentals offers the privacy of your very own cozy cabin, complete with kitchenettes and fireplaces.

Fall Inn To Nature Bed & Breakfast
4555 Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff
928.714.0237, fallinntonature.com

Mormon Lake Lodge Cabin Rentals
Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff
928.354.2227, mormonlakelodge.com

Play: The Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano and Meteor Crater are all within easy driving distance, as are many archaeological treasures. The Lava River Cave, a treasured local secret, is a mile-long lava tube cave formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. For a more structured adventure, go rock climbing at Vertical Relief Climbing Center, located in historic downtown Flagstaff.

Vertical Relief
205 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff
928.556.9909, www.verticalrelief.com

Meet: Flagstaff has always been well known for its low light pollution, giving it a stellar view of Arizona's starry skies. Perhaps this is why Planetary Astronomer Carolyn Shoemaker chose Flagstaff as the building site for her dream home. Carolyn is the world's most successful "comet hunter" to date, and she continues to do research for NASA and at the U.S. Geological Survey in Flagstaff.

OAK CREEK CANYON

Just north of luxurious Sedona hides breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon, a favorite escape for Phoenicians.

Eat: Garland's Oak Creek Lodge is incredibly well known for its tourist-drawing restaurant. The historic American-plan lodge offers gourmet breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea and is especially popular for its organic orchard and apple cider.

Garland's Oak Creek Lodge
8067 N. Highway 89A, Sedona
928.282.3343 (reservations required),
www.garlandslodge.com

Sleep: Nestled along the lush banks of Oak Creek, Briar Patch Inn offers 18 individual cottages with southwest charm and Native American art furnishings. At the heart of Oak Creek Canyon, you'll find Junipine Resort & Café and its 40 unique creek houses designed for your relaxation and comfort. Enjoy creek-side activities, woodburning fireplaces, and a full-service restaurant.

Briar Patch Inn
3190 N Highway 89A, Sedona
928.282.2342, www.briarpatchinn.com

Junipine Resort
8351 N Highway 89A, Sedona
928.282.3375, www.junipine.com

Play: Oak Creek is most famous for its Slide Rock Park, a 43-acre historical apple farm and water-play area. Activities for the whole family include swimming, wading, picnicking, bird watching, fishing, a nature trail, volleyball court, and excellent apples. For a unique picnic lunch, fish for fresh trout at the Rainbow Trout Farm and enjoy your catch on the on-site grills and picnic tables. Vortex Tours are more popular attractions that most often end in personal transformation, insight, and reconnection with Mother Earth.

Slide Rock Park
6871 N. Highway 89A, Sedona
928.282.3034, www.pr.state.az.us

Rainbow Trout Farm
3500 N Highway 89A Suite 88, Sedona
928.282.3379

Sedona Vortex Tours
1385 W. Highway 89A, Suite 2, Sedona
928.282.2733, www.sedonavortextours.com

Meet: While on your trip, be sure to say hello to two of Sedona's long-standing business women. Linda Goldenstein, owner of the Goldenstein Gallery in uptown Sedona, and Wilma Wilcox, owner of the Joe Wilcox Stores, are two staples of the town who are happy to reveal their favorite Sedona secrets.

PRESCOTT

Prescott, known as "Everybody's Hometown," is home to some of the most amazing natural beauty in Northern Arizona, rich with state history, tradition, art and culture.

Eat: The food alone is worth a day trip to Prescott. Travel through time at Kendall's Famous Burgers & Ice Cream, an old-fashioned soda shop; enjoy salsa, spirits and sports at The Office Restaurant & Bar; and feast with the locals at Gurely Street Grill, an informal and awardwinning dining experience that is as much a part of Prescott as the town square.

Sleep: The newly renovated Forest Villas Hotel boasts and elegant Mediterranean décor and is just minutes from Whiskey Row and Prescott Valley. Cozy cottages and cabins are also available for rent through Prescott Cabin Rentals. Whether your preference is a cabin deep in the woods, a luxury home on top of a hill with 360 views, or a spa on the deck of a cozy cottage above the creek, your family will find their every desire met.

Forest Villas Hotel
3645 Lee Circle, Prescott
928.717.1200, www.forestvillas.com

Prescott Cabin Rentals
www.prescottcabinrentals.com

Play: Prescott has over 600 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. To witness the fun side of history, take a stroll down Whiskey Row at the town square and peruse antique stores, vintage dress shops and charming local dives. Take advantage of the fresh air with a visit to Watson Lake; located four miles from downtown on Highway 89, the lake is equipped with camping sites, a boat ramp, fishing, picnic tables, and even barbeque grills. Horseback riding, wildlife sightings and panoramic views await on the Peavine National Recreation Trail, and golfers can breathe in the clean air while playing the holes at Prescott Lakes Golf & Country Club.

Prescott Lakes Golf & Country Club
311 East Smoke Tree Lane, Prescott
928.443.3500

Meet: While wearing out your shopping soles on the pavement of Whiskey Row, be sure to drop in at the Llama House Dress Boutique and say "Thank you!" to Prescott resident Marshia Rishar. When she moved to Prescott 24 years ago, her one complaint was there was no place to shop - and so she opened her adorable boutique, starting a shop trend that Prescott is now famous for.

BISBEE

While Tombstone may draw more tourists annually, those who've ventured to Bisbee know where the real adventure lies in the Wild West.

Eat: Santiago's offers authentic Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine with a wide range of delicious and beautifully plated specialties served in a warm and inviting dining room by pleasant staff. Be sure to try specialty margaritas from the extensive tequila bar! Café Roka ranks near the top of Arizona's top 25 restaurants. A four-course meal of delicious food at reasonable prices is served with great wines. Come dressed as you are; it's Bisbee, it's allowed.

Santiago's
Brewery Avenue & Howell Avenue, Bisbee
520.432.1910

Café Roka
35 Main Street, Bisbee
520.432.5153

Sleep: Copper Queen Hotel, host to Presidents and movie stars, is long considered the most elegant hotel between St. Louis and San Francisco, with a fine dining room and bar and even a swimming pool sunk into bedrock on the second floor. Calumet & Arizona Guest House is a Victorian mansion furnished with antiques and set in mature gardens. An atrium extension from Room One encloses a sunken Jacuzzi spa; for privacy, ask to have the garden closed.

Copper Queen Hotel
11 Howell Ave, Bisbee
520.432.2216, www.copperqueen.com

Calumet & Arizona Guest House
608 Powell Street, Bisbee
520.432.4815, www.calumetaz.com

Play: The Queen Mine Tour, where kids head underground on the train, asks that you arrive 20 minutes early so you can dress like a miner in helmet and light. In the evening, step out on the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour for a journey through time along eerie, darkened streets. Bring good walking shoes and a flashlight. (Only the town's most well-behaved specters are allowed to haunt this 90- minute expedition.) The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, offers a new interactive exhibit featuring the history of mining and Bisbee's phenomenal array of minerals. Sit back on the Lavender Jeep Tour and be whisked to all of Bisbee's most beautiful and secret spots.

Meet: Renee Gardener has only been living in Bisbee for a year and a half, but there is no one who knows the folklore of this famous ghost town better. As a visitor, Renee was shocked to learn that there were no ghost tours around this fascinating town, so she took it upon herself to research the history and the longtime locals and created the tour herself. Visitors can now travel through the town in the dark visiting haunted hotels and houses and learning all there is to know about Bisbee's eerie past.

Old Bisbee Ghost Tour
520.432.3308. www.oldbisbeeghosttour.com

NAVAJO NATION

The Navajo Nation extends into the states of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, covering over 27,000 square miles of unparalleled beauty.

Eat: The Choohostso Indian Market hosts a variety of vendors serving traditional mutton stew, corn stew, dumpling stew, squash stew, mutton ribs, mutton sandwiches, fry bread, Navajo tacos, Navajo burgers and much more.

The Choohostso Indian Market
NW corner of Highway 264 and Navajo Route 12

Sleep: Antelope Point Marina at Lake Powell is the largest floating concrete building in the world. Here, you can rent houseboats and watercrafts that make your stay comfortable and adventurous, whether you're staying for the week or the weekend. Custom houseboats are available completely equipped with flat screen TVs, indoor-outdoor living areas, canopied decks and optional top-deck hot tubs. For a quieter stay with more southwest appeal, The Navajo Land Days Inn, just three miles from window Rock, offers pristine views with top-rate amenities.

Antelope Point Marina and Facilities
537 Marina Parkway, Navajo Route 22B, Page
928.645.5900, www.antelopepointlakepowell.com

Navajo Land Days Inn
392 W. Highway 264, St. Michaels
800.454.6835

Play: Since 1870, the Tuba City Trading Post has been a place of commerce among the Navajo people of the area; it has been restored to capture much of its original appearance and remains a working trading post, containing authentic Indian arts and crafts such as Indian jewelry, pottery, rugs, sand paintings, Kachina dolls and clothing. To explore natural attractions, bring your family - and your camera - to Antelope Canyon, home to the slot canyons, one of nature's most wondrous creations. Another of the world's most recognized landscapes is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, a centerpiece of beauty on Navajo land. The history of the land is brought to life at Arizona's two largest ruins - Betatakin and Kiet Seel. See how the ancient ones lived more than 900 years ago in the beautifully preserved ruins. Betatakin Overlook also has a modern visitor center, replicas of ancient hogans and sweat lodges on the grounds.

Tuba City Trading Post
Main Street & Moenave Road, Tuba City
928.283.5441

Meet: The next time you feel like complaining about your trek to work, stop by the Tuba City Trading post and visit with Loy Coin. Now in her mid 70s, Loy has been walking two miles to work every day for 40 years; if you're looking for a walking guide of the city, she's your gal. Another fascinating woman in the area is Ms. Ella Manygoats, manager of the Navajo Code Talkers Memorial Museum; Ella has worked in every aspect of the museum and is the first person to ask about the Navajo people's invaluable contribution to World War II.

MOUNT LEMMON

Typically 25 degrees cooler than the surrounding Tucson area, an escape to Mount Lemmon and the Santa Catalina Mountains also means an escape from the heat, once you reach the top.

Eat: After hiking and fishing in the Santa Catalinas, make a special trip down the mountain for two local treats: sourcream apple pie at the Mt. Lemmon Café and homemade fudge at the Mt. Lemmon General Store. It should also become your tradition to stop by the Mt. Lemmon cookie Cabin, the only place to enjoy delicious pizza and freshbaked cookies with a view.

Mt. Lemmon Café
12976 N. Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon
520.576.1234, www.mtlemmoncafe.com

Mt. Lemmon General Store
12856 N. Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon
520.576.1468

Mt. Lemmon cookie Cabin
12781 N. Sabino Canyon, Mt. Lemmon
520.576.1010

Sleep: The Azure Gate is a romantic secluded Tucson Bed & Breakfast estate situated on five acres of botanical garden ambiance. It offers the solitude of nature, the glow of sunrise and sunset, the renewal of mountain views, and nights where the stars seem close enough to touch.

The Azure Gate Bed & Breakfast Inn
9351 E. Morrill Way, Tucson
520.749.8157, www.azuregate.com

Play: Mount Lemmon is just one of Arizona's famous "Sky Islands," named for the significant difference in temperature and vegetation from the surrounding desert. Hikers and bikers will find Mt. Lemmon a dream come true, with plenty of trails and scenic lookouts onto the town below. The area is still recovering from a devastating fire in 2003, but businesses have rebuilt and the foliage is back in bloom, drawing nature lovers to observe the beauty of the re-growth.

Meet: Jay Davies is the manager of Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, and has been since its inception in 1969. While escaping the heat this summer (Jay assures that it hardly ever gets above 80 degrees), stop by for homemade fudge and a hearty weekend breakfast - Jay can most likely be found enjoying the weather on the porch of the Iron Door restaurant and watching the hummingbirds fly by. She also encourages all who drive up to take a ride on the ski lift for breathtaking views - but be sure to bring a jacket!

Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
10300 E. Ski Run Road, Mount Lemmon
520.576.1321