The Phoenix Traveler

Bars in Scottsdale will celebrate with a huge block party, the W hotel will host a masquerade, the Tempe Improv will do comedy with Frank Caliendo, and Valleywide restaurants and bars have special dinner/dances planned for New Year’s Eve. But what if big crowds getting blitzed doesn’t rock your world? If you like your celebrations to be a little more low key, here are a few alternatives that will help you greet 2009 on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008:
Game night with family or friends: I’ll be heading over to a friend’s house where we’ll play board games till the break of …read more

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After my boyfriend finished his 8-mile run this morning, I had a surprise for him. Instead of going to our usual spot for Saturday morning breakfast, I told him I wanted to ride the light rail. It’s the grand opening day celebration, and I thought we could try to find a spot somewhere on the rail line.
At first he resisted–it was pretty cold outside this morning, 50 degrees, probably less, and he was still in his running clothes. But he relented, and we headed off to what used to be called the Christown Mall at Montebello and 19th Avenue. It’s …read more

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Day trips, weekend getaways, best places to visit. That’s what Arizona-based author and freelance writer wrote about in her first book published this year by Countryman Press. Called Great Escapes Arizona, Bitler’s book is available at local bookstores and online.
I wanted to talk to Bitler about her travels during the research of her book, because if there was ever a time to think about escape, it’s now. I met up with Bitler at a recent art fair, where I purchased her book, and she agreed to e-mail me with a few suggestions on where you might want to take …read more

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What are they saying about travel in Arizona? Here’s the latest news to update you:

The Arizona Republic reports bonuses for US Airways‘ employees for on-time travel.
Tempe, Tucson and Prescott get top votes for quality of life, according to this poll.
It’s the economy, stupid. That’s why Ohio State fans may not fly to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl next year (January 5).
Here’s a good reason that using a travel agent makes sense–a live connection with someone if something goes wrong with your travel arrangements.

Technorati Tags: news about Arizona travel,quality of life,Tempe rated tops for quality of life,US Airways,US Airways on …read more

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It’s all lit up in Prescott for the holidays. The Yavapai County Courthouse (pictured above), Whiskey Row behind it, the gift shops, boutiques and restaurants downtown–they all take part in the holiday festivities that have helped turn this former territorial town into Arizona’s official “Christmas City.”
With a heritage dating back to Victorian times and earlier, they know how to do Christmas here. Phoenicians drive the 90 miles north to see what’s been billed as the world’s largest Gingerbread Village. This year, more than 100 gingerbread structures decorate the lobby of the Prescott Resort now through December 28. The resort is …read more

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Mill Avenue in Tempe hustles and bustles with pedestrian traffic year-round. It’s not the place to go if you want peace and quiet. And though I’d say the majority of the people you’ll see milling around are Arizona State University students, urbanites from all over the Valley of the Sun head over on evenings and weekends to shop, dine at the many restaurants, hang out in the taverns, and walk, ride bikes or rollerblade over to Tempe Town Lake.
This coming weekend, however, pedestrians will flock to Mill Avenue–one of America’s “ten great streets” (American Planning Association, 2008)–for one of …read more

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More than 20 Arizona authors will sell and sign their books at the 15th Annual ArtFest of Scottsdale today and tomorrow. New for this year’s event, “Book Street” gathers the authors all in one area, near the Scottsdale Mondrian hotel at the northwest corner of the festival site, in Old Town Scottsdale.
A few travel writers, including Christine K. Bailey, author of Destinations: A Complete Guide to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona and Central Arizona, and Teresa Bitler, whose Great Escapes Arizona was just released are scheduled to appear.
Also plan to see arts & crafts booths, food and live music at the festival …read more

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If you don’t plan to bring the 20-pounder home with you from the grocery store, if you’ll be in town and away from home on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27) without plans,  or if you just don’t plan on cooking the big meal this year, here’s a short list of local resorts that will serve a gourmet feast for you (Click on the names to see the menus):
Arizona Biltmore  2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. For dinner reservations, call 602-381-7632. Cost: $85/adults; $45/child (age 12 and under). Dinner is served from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. A brunch buffet is also …read more

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A few of the original cast members and VIP’s from the iconic TV show, “Happy Days”, will be in the Gammage Theater audience on opening night for the Tempe debut of the musical stage version of the hit TV show.
Producer/writer/director Garry Marshall, Anson Williams (Potsie) and Don Most (Ralph Malph) are among the noted celebrities who will attend the Tuesday, Nov. 18 performance.
Heeeeey, it should be cool. The cast and VIP’s plan to arrive in classic 1950s cars and walk the red carpet.
Gammage, part of Arizona State University, is located on Mill and Apache. 
SHOW DETAIL:
HAPPY DAYS ● NOVEMBER 18-23, …read more

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Now through October 2009, three museums in Mesa (Mesa Contemporary Arts (pictured above), Arizona Museum of Natural History, and Arizona Museum for Youth), all within walking distance, are open free to the public on the first Sunday of every month, noon to 5 p.m.
Other free events: MACFest, a downtown Mesa art and cultural festival every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the October Storytelling Festival; and Day of the Dead and Holiday Art & Music festivals coming in November.
The city of Mesa, Target and the Arizona Republic launched the free museum program, 3 for Free, this month.
Upcoming Exhibitions
Mesa Contemporary …read more

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