Weekend Getaways

HERE'S THE THING ABOUT ARIZONA: No matter what direction you go, there’s a good chance you’ll end up 180 degrees from where you were. Few states, if any, offer the kind of diversity that this one does, and knowing where to go can be a little overwhelming. That’s where we come in. This month, we’ll tell you about 25 of the state’s best getaways. Some you can experience in a couple of hours, and others will take a day or two. Either way, there’s something in here for everyone. As you’ll see, we’ve divided the state into five regions, which should help you figure out where to go and when. In addition, there’s a mix of Mother Nature, museums and miscellanea. So, if you want to hike in the mountains, head to Hart Prairie near Flagstaff. If you’re looking for a dose of history, head to the Rosson House in Phoenix. And if you just want a good glass of wine, head to Callaghan Vineyards in Elgin. Of course, we’ve only scratched the surface, but it’s a start.
 

NORTHERN ARIZONA

1. La Posada Hotel & Gardens
Winslow
When it comes to great dames in Arizona history, famed architect and notorious chain-smoker Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter ranks near the top of the list, having designed six of the most famous structures on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim — Bright Angel Lodge, Desert View Watchtower, Hermit’s Rest, Hopi House, Lookout Studio and Phantom Ranch. But the real jewel in Colter’s crown was La Posada Hotel in Winslow. Commissioned by Fred Harvey, this “last great railroad hotel” was built in 1929 to accommodate travelers on the Santa Fe Railway. And despite a four-decade closure from 1957 to 1997, the newly renovated La Posada is known today as a must-see for Arizona travelers, thanks in large part to its charming hacienda heritage, elegant dining in the Turquoise Room and accommodations so comfortable you’ll think you’ve died and gone to Winslow. 
For more information: 928-289-4366 or laposada.org.  
 

2. Havasu Falls
Havasupai Reservation
Water is sacred to the Havasupai people — that’s not surprising, considering their name means “people of the blue-green waters.” What is surprising, however, is that the water for which they’re named isn’t surrounding an island in the Caribbean — it’s right here in Arizona. Thirty miles west of Grand Canyon Village, Havasu Falls (see our cover) beckons to adventurers looking for a quiet hike to a waterfall that sparkles with colors cast by the concentrated limestone in the falls’ waters and the travertine ledges that surround the base of the cascade. Because of the reservation’s remote location in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, only 25,000 visitors a year make the trek, and that’s good news for hikers, who can enjoy the 10-mile hike from Hualapai Hilltop to Havasu Falls — and its brothers, Navajo and Mooney falls — in relative solitude.
For more information: havasufalls.net or havasupaitribe.com.
 

3. Kolb Studio
Grand Canyon National Park
As far as photo subjects go, there’s perhaps none as spectacular as the Grand Canyon. Maybe that’s why the brothers Kolb — Emery and Ellsworth — decided to settle there in the early 1900s, building a cave in the Canyon wall that served as both darkroom and living quarters. Eventually, the Kolbs built permanent structures to house themselves and their photographs, but after a falling out in the 1920s, Ellsworth lost a coin toss and was forced to move to Los Angeles. Today, Kolb Studio is considered one of the points of pride at the South Rim. Among other things, it contains an exhibit venue, an information center and a bookstore, which features a tribute to the Kolbs’ photography of mule riders at the Grand Canyon. Open year-round, the studio is operated by the Grand Canyon Association, a nonprofit organization. 
For more information: 800-858-2808 or grandcanyon.org.
 

4. Navajo Interactive Museum
Tuba City
In Navajo culture, the number four is sacred, and it’s symbolic of the four directions and the four seasons. So, it’s only natural that the Navajo Interactive Museum would pay tribute to the revered integer in both design and subject matter. Visitors to the museum begin in the east, exploring Navajo constellations in the Emergence Theater. From there, visitors travel south, then west, as they take in a full-scale hogan, stories of Navajo origin, rug-weaving patterns and Navajo design. Ultimately, the tour ends in the north, the direction associated with evaluation and assessment. The museum, which first debuted during the 2002 Olympics, reopened in June, and now includes a Navajo Code Talkers Museum and a trading post. 
For more information: 928-640-0684 or explorenavajo.com.
 

5. Hart Prairie Preserve
Near Flagstaff
Bebb willows aren’t just any ordinary willows. In fact, they’re uncommonly rare, particularly in Arizona. But at Hart Prairie Preserve, a 245-acre Nature Conservancy property near Flagstaff, you’ll find an abundance of the scarce saplings, along with wildflowers, elk, deer, porcupines, prairie dogs, and enough birds to keep your binoculars occupied for hours. You might also encounter wild mushrooms and countless other flora and fauna, especially if you decide to stay for more than a day — a historic lodge and guest cabins provide plenty of space to kick back and enjoy the scenery. What’s more, from mid-May to mid-October, guided nature walks traverse the prairie, and photography seminars occur throughout the year. 
For more information: 928-774-8892 or nature.org.
 

NORTH-CENTRAL ARIZONA

6. L’Auberge de Sedona
Sedona
If you’re a fan of babbling brooks, the symphonic rustle of wind through trees or the splendor of a thousand red rocks, you might become the No. 1 fan of L’Auberge de Sedona. Tucked away on 11 acres along the banks of Oak Creek, L’Auberge is to Sedona what Sedona is to Phoenicians — a serene retreat far from the hustle and bustle of city life. And with 31 private cottages, an award-winning restaurant (L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek) and a spa menu that includes creek-side treatments, it’s a weekend getaway that doesn’t require much effort, unless, of course, you’re game to hike along the hundreds of trails that surround the city, from Bell Rock to Apache Mountain. 
For more information: 800-905-5745 or lauberge.com.

7. Pine-Strawberry Walking Tour
Gila County
As Mormon pioneers settled parts of Arizona in the 19th century, many of them found shelter in the shadow of the Mogollon Rim, and particularly in the tiny hamlets of Pine and Strawberry. Modern-day visitors to the area can retrace the pioneers’ steps along the Pine-Strawberry Walking History Trail. A little bit rambling and a whole lot rustic, the trail meanders along Pine and Strawberry creeks, where original settlement homes, the Strawberry Cemetery — the final resting place of at least seven souls — and the original LDS church still stand in tribute to the area’s first non-Native inhabitants. 
For more information: 928-476-3547 or pinestrawhs.org. 
 

8. Verde Canyon Railroad
Clarkdale
When you discover a copper mine, you’d better find a way for people to find it, mine it and make you millions off of manifest destiny — at least that was the philosophy behind the construction of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad back in 1882, when Jerome was at the pinnacle of the copper boom. Although miners have long stopped venturing to North-Central Arizona, the Verde Canyon Railroad remains, passing regularly between Clarkdale and the ghost town of Perkinsville on modern adventures that feature wine tastings, “ales on rails” and “Starlight Tours” evening rides. Seasonal adventures celebrate the state’s extensive color palette — from black hawks and great blue herons to thousands of vibrant wildflowers. 
For more information: 800-320-0718 or verdecanyonrr.com.
 

9. White Mountain Bluegrass Festival
Pinetop-Lakeside
The White Mountain Bluegrass Festival combines the best of banjos and blue skies for one wholly entertaining experience. Now in its 18th year, the festival spans two days in August, and is packed with bluegrass and folk bands. In fact, recent performers have included Lost Highway, The Mill Creek Boys and Whistle Stop. There’s enough food to feed armies of cowboy-hatted toe-tappers and plenty of children’s activities, workshops and other attractions, too. Plus, it takes place at Hon Dah Resort and Casino, which means two things: The slots are just a few steps away, and camping is plentiful. 
For more information: 800-573-4031 or pinetoplakesidechamber.com.
 

10. Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area
Near Eagar
Chances are that grey foxes, badgers and pronghorn antelopes don’t often make an appearance in your backyard. And if they do, you either live in a rural area or in a zoo. But at Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area, all of the aforementioned critters are a dime a dozen, along with ground squirrels, mule deer, skunks and chipmunks, as well as a whole flock of birds — from golden eagles and osprey to broad-tailed hummingbirds and mountain bluebirds. Managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, many of the area’s 1,300 acres are open to hiking, horseback riding, cycling and picnicking — just don’t feed the foxes.
For more information: 928-367-4281 or azgfd.gov.

WESTERN ARIZONA

11. Lighthouse Replica Tour
Lake Havasu City
Starship 2010 isn’t what it sounds like. In fact, it has nothing to do with intergalactic travel — it’s just an aquatic means by which visitors to Lake Havasu can tour the city’s eight lighthouse replicas. So, too, is the Southwest Desert Magic. And even though the lighthouses that dot the shores of Lake Havasu are far smaller than their East Coast counterparts, they’re still perfectly useful, guiding watercraft — big and small alike — into safe harbor. Just in case you needed another excuse to hit the water, this is it. 
For more information: 928-680-4713 or havasuboattours.com. 
 

12. Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Cibola
During this time of year, there’s no reason for a goose to stay in Canada — it’s too cold, too wet and generally too unpleasant for the fine-feathered fowl to endure. That’s why most Canada geese migrate, and why a lot of them end up at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Located amid the desert washes of the Lower Colorado River, the refuge is home to countless species, both of the four-legged and finned variety, which makes hunting and fishing the main draw for this U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed property. Take note, though: Cibola Lake and adjoining lands are closed to the public between Labor Day and March 15.
For more information: 928-857-3253 or fws.gov.
 

13. Cattail Cove State Park
Lake Havasu City
In the world of camping enthusiasts, having a little water around your campsite is the equivalent of having an ocean view suite in Maui. That’s what makes Cattail Cove State Park so spectacular. Twenty-eight of the park’s 61 campsites are located right on the banks of Lake Havasu, meaning that swimming, boating, fishing, waterskiing and a whole slew of other water activities are at arm’s length. Plus, the park offers a number of other amenities, including picnic tables, grills, restrooms with showers, a boat-rental facility and a boat-launch ramp. There are also plenty of hiking opportunities, including the 1.5-mile-long Whytes Retreat Trail, which winds along the lake for views of the Whitsett Pumping Station and Parker Dam. 
For more information: 928-855-1223 or pr.state.az.us. 
 

14. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead Area
Arizona’s ecosystems are far more diverse than you might imagine, and three of them — the Great Basin, Mohave and Sonoran deserts — meet at Lake Mead. Ecosystems aside, the lake, which was home to several Native American cultures about 10,000 years ago, is also a great place to play. Whether you’re a hiker, sightseer or photographer, Lake Mead is a haven for nature-loving explorers. And with countless acres of clear blue water, it’s also a great place to rent a speedboat, a paddleboat, kayak or canoe. But boaters beware: Current low water levels can lead to exposed, unmarked reefs, so pay attention and avoid night excursions or high-speed adventures. 
For more information: 702-293-8906 or nps.gov/lame. 
 

15. London Bridge
Lake Havasu City
The tiny Western Arizona city of Lake Havasu owns the original London Bridge — no kidding. The acquisition occurred in 1962, when Londoners discovered that the historic overpass was crumbling into the Thames River. Lake Havasu City founder Robert P. McCullough decided to bid on the bridge at auction and won, spending a grand total of $7 million to transport it to Arizona in 1968. And that was no easy feat — it required the absolute dismantling of the bridge, stone by stone, and shipping across approximately 10,000 miles. By 1971, however, the bridge was completely reconstructed, and it’s been a point of interest ever since.
For more information: 800-242-8278 or golakehavasu.com. 
 

CENTRAL ARIZONA

16. Arizona Biltmore Resort
Phoenix
Frank Lloyd Wright loved the Arizona desert so much that he designed several famous structures in the Valley of the Sun, including the famed Taliesin West. But Wright is also well known for his 1929 design contributions to the Arizona Biltmore Resort, a Central Phoenix landmark and haven for well-heeled travelers. Snuggled up against the base of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, there are several reasons the 738-room resort is known as “the jewel of the desert,” among them a championship golf course, gorgeous pools, elegant dining and a deeply steeped sense of tradition and history. 
For more information: 800-950-0086 or arizonabiltmore.com.
 

17. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Superior
January is the best time to visit Boyce Thompson Arboretum, when the skies are typically clear, the air is typically crisp and the specialty gardens are always in bloom. Founded in the 1920s, the arboretum was the brainchild of mining magnate Colonel William Boyce Thompson, who discovered the numerous uses of plants during a rugged mission trip to Russia in 1917. Today, the arboretum encompasses approximately 320 acres, and humbly hosts plants, trees and cactuses indigenous to the desert, as well as plenty of wildlife, a hidden canyon and enough pretty scenery to burn through an entire memory card. 
For more information: 520-689-2811 or pr.state.az.us.
 

18. Canyon Lake
Tortilla Flat
The land around Tortilla Flat is anything but. And thanks to the prevalence of mountains near this tiny town — just 45 miles east of Phoenix — there are also several waterways that lure boaters and fishers for days of outdoor fun. Canyon Lake is one of them, and even though it’s the smallest of the Salt River Project lakes, you certainly shouldn’t underestimate the underdog. In fact, there’s a designated swimming area, three picnic sites and a campground on-site, as well as a fully loaded marina. But the real feather in Canyon Lake’s cap is its ample fish population, from walleye and largemouth bass to crappie and channel catfish. 
For more information: 480-288-9233 or canyonlakemarina.com.
 

19. Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Wickenburg
Despite the tremendous growth of the Phoenix metropolitan area, one desert community has worked hard to maintain its rustic Western identity. That’s why Wickenburg is the perfect place to house the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, a tribute to the way the West was won and the role Arizona folk played in its settlement. The museum features more than 400 works in its permanent collection, including pieces by famed cowboy and Native American painters and sculptors. But the museum isn’t just a museum — it also sponsors such excursions as the “Going for the Gold Mining Adventure” tour in February, and the “Ghost Town Adventure” tour in March. 
For more information: 928-684-2272 or westernmuseum.org.
 

20. Rosson House at Heritage Square
Phoenix
Sheltered by the high-rises that occupy downtown Phoenix, Heritage Square pays homage to part of the city’s original townsite with a series of restored, early 20th century homes. Among them is Rosson House, a 2,800-square-foot Eastlake Victorian home that was built in 1895 and features 10 rooms and five fireplaces. Although the Rosson House was occupied by a number of residents of “block 14” during Phoenix’s early days, it’s a museum today, offering visitors from all over the world a glimpse into days gone by. Docent-guided tours are offered five days a week, every hour on the half-hour, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 
For more information: 602-262-5070 or rossonhousemuseum.org.

SOUTHERN ARIZONA

21. Arizona Inn
Tucson
It’s safe to say that if you were a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt’s in the 1930s, you were probably a fairly important person. At least that was true of Isabella Greenway, Arizona’s first congresswoman and a good friend of Mrs. Roosevelt herself. But beyond her first-lady familiarity, Greenway was also an advocate for Army veterans, which is why she sponsored construction of the Arizona Inn in 1930. You see, Greenway’s furniture factory faced an uncertain future after the stock market crash of 1929, so the entrepreneuse decided to build a hotel, thus creating demand for furniture and saving the jobs of her veteran friends. Today, the inn hosts countless visitors each year — and the furniture is quite fine. 
For more information: 520-777-0308 or arizonainn.com. 
 

22. Flight of the Cranes
Willcox
In January, there are a lot of wings over Willcox — and we’re not talking about airplanes. We’re talking about sandhill cranes. Thanks to large quantities of water that pool in town between January and March, approximately 25,000 of the birds bed down for the night in the wetlands, resulting in an overwhelming cacophony of squawks when the birds take off at sunrise. During the annual Wings Over Willcox celebration, bird-watchers can get their fill of feathers, whether on their own or on a guided tour.
For more information: 800-200-2272.
 

23. Callaghan Vineyards
Elgin
When it comes to fine wines, most people think immediately of California, or, better yet, France. But give Kent Callaghan and his family a chance by sampling one of their $4 wine tastings, and you’ll be associating Syrah with Southern Arizona in no time. Since 1990, the Callaghans have been working to produce some of the finest blends this side of the San Andreas Fault, including Tempranillo-based Spanish blends called “Padres” and Buena Suerte, a blend of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are special because the earth in Elgin is sandy and calcified, and it contains a lot of iron, tinting it a deep red. But good soil is nothing without good people to tend it — and the Callaghans are just that. 
For more information: 520-455-5322 or callaghanvineyards.com.
 

24. Ramsey Canyon Preserve
Sierra Vista
Seventeen varieties of hummingbirds are known to exist west of the Mississippi, and of those, 14 varieties make their home in Ramsey Canyon, a Nature Conservancy property just east of Sierra Vista. It’s not exactly clear why, but given the way two deserts and two mountain ranges converge in the canyon, it wouldn’t be surprising to discover that the buzzing birds are there for the blossoms. Indeed, the Sierra Madres and the Rocky Mountains meet in Ramsey Canyon, as do the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, which means there are plenty of Mother Nature’s creations to gander — from mountain lions and rattlesnakes to the aforementioned hummingbirds and bats. The scenery is best viewed from the Hamburg Trail, which runs parallel to Ramsey Creek. Guided tours are offered three days per week, March through October. 
For more information: 520-378-2785 or nature.org.
 

25. Cochise County Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival
Sierra Vista
When you’re surrounded by the Chiricahua, Mustang and Mule mountains, it makes sense that you’d host a cowboy festival — after all, it’s all about ambience. So that’s exactly what the town of Sierra Vista does. From February 1 to 3, Sierra Vista will host its 16th annual Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival, and people will come from all over the country to listen to tales of life on the range and songs about good horses, good women and even better whiskey. Why? Because this festival isn’t about celebrating city slickers; it’s about celebrating honest-to-goodness, dyed-in-the-wool cowboys and cowgirls. 
For more information: 520-249-2511 or cowboypoets.com.
 

Kelly Kramer is a Phoenix-based writer who loves to hit the road in her Xterra. This is her first assignment for Arizona Highways.