Visiting Phoenix and Central Arizona

Winter - the reason Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun are booming. Clear sunny days and cool desert nights are ideal for shopping Biltmore Fashion Park, hiking up Camelback Mountain or golfing your favorite Scottsdale resort. World-class golf can be found from Chandler’s San Marcos course and downtown Phoenix Encanto Park courses to Arizona State University and the Karsten Golf Course and Mesa’s Dobson Ranch - just to name a few. It’s also the season for Cactus League Spring Training, with the cracking of baseball bats echoing from Tempe’s Diablo Stadium, Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium, north to Surprise Stadium and the Peoria Sports Complex.

Yes, it’s the season for a visit to Phoenix and central Arizona. Events fill the New Year calendar starting with January’s Barrett-Jackson collector car auction. Scottsdale hosts the Barrett-Jackson auction January 15th through the 22nd. A must-see for automobile enthusiasts, Barrett-Jackson takes over Scottsdale’s WestWorld, just east of the 101 loop.

WestWorld of Scottsdale turns over quickly to host the 2012 Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show, running January 28th through the February 5th. Scottsdale’s premier equestrian venue, WestWorld, brings the top quarter horses in the region together for eight AQHA shows, including halter and working hunter. With free clinics and classes, come enjoy the best Quarter horses compete for prizes and top honors. The 57th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and shopping expo comes to WestWorld February 16th through the 26th.

Downtown Scottsdale hosts the uniquely Arizona 2012 Parada del Sol Parade and Trails End Celebration February 11th. The 59th Annual Parada del Sol commemorates Arizona’s centennial with the world’s largest horsedrawn parade. Stake out your spot along Scottsdale Road and watch over 150-parade entries pass by. Follow the parade to the Trail’s End celebration on Scottsdale’s 1st Avenue and Main Street featuring fun for everyone, including pony rides and games for the kids.

Visit the Heard Museum in Phoenix for the 22nd Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. Held the weekend of February 11th and 12th, visitors see top American Indian and Canadian First Nations hoop dancers compete for the title of world champion. A unique look at the heritage and culture of the southwest, the 2012 hoop dance competition features men and women competing for titles in Senior, Adult, Teen, Youth and Tiny Tots divisions. Join the festivities at the Heard Museum on Central Avenue, easily accessible by Phoenix light rail.

Sports fans have a full calendar of events in the Valley of the Sun. The 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open hits the valley January 30th through February 5th. Hosted at TPC Scottsdale, don’t miss the action at hole 16 when you visit. Phoenix International Raceway hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Subway Fresh Fit 500. March 4th is the date to head to PIR for the Subway Fresh Fit 500, featuring 312 laps of NASCAR excitement.

Phoenix and Central Arizona Hotel Map