Here is a listing of some of our favorite destinations that can be completed in a single day from Anthem. With the exception of the “wine tour” all are appropriate for the whole family to enjoy.
For those who love animals…
The Phoenix Zoo is exceptional! But there are three other outstanding zoos/parks near Anthem that can delight and educate us all about the amazing animals with whom we share the earth. The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, www.wildlifeworld.com/, in the northwest Valley specializes in getting you up close and personal to the animals. The newly opened Butterfly Wonderland, www.butterflywonderland.com/, in north Scottsdale is a delight for anyone fascinated by these most beautiful and delicate of nature’s creatures. And the Out of Africa Wildlife Park, www.outofafricapark.com/, near Cottonwood can be a daylong thrill as park visitors ride the zip-lines above the animals.
And if you just want to spend a lazy day fishin’, the AZ Game & Fish Urban Fishing Program, www.azgfd.gov/h_f/urban_fishing.shtml, in downtown Phoenix is a great way to spend a warm winter day fishin’ in the sunshine!
For those who enjoy the arts…
Museums dedicated to the arts make for a wonderful way to spend a winter day. The Desert Caballeros Western Museum, www.westernmuseum.org/, in nearby Wickenburg is a world-class museum dedicated to western art. Another unique museum of western art is the Basha Gallery of Western & Native American Art, www.bashas.com/OurCommunity/BashasArtGallery.aspx, located in the corporate headquarters of the Bashas’ Grocery in Chandler. The art collection found here is fabulous even though the museum’s location is not typical for an art museum.
The Musical Instrument Museum, www.mim.org, in north Phoenix has become world-famous in the short 3 years that it has been open. And, if your guests enjoy street art, the Roosevelt Row Art District, www.rooseveltrow.org/about/roosevelt-row-arts-district/, will give any visitor a great way to explore the central part of Phoenix while discovering the alleys and small business walls covered with impressive, murals of urban street art.
For those who want to hike and/or mountain bike…
Central Arizona is ideal for hiking/biking during the cool winter months. Spur Cross, www.maricopa.gov/parks/spur_cross/, in nearby Cave Creek has an interesting series of trails through the desert environment.
Maricopa County Parks, www.maricopa.gov/parks/, all offer great places to spend a day hiking in the Sonoran Desert. We are lucky that Cave Creek Regional Park is only a ½ hour drive away, but the trailheads of McDowell Mountain and White Tank Regional Parks are within a 2-hour drive.
The hiking trails found in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve/trailheads, are second to none and all of those trailheads are less than an hours drive from Anthem.
If your guests are interested in some real Arizona history, the moderate, 4.8 round-trip hike to Weavers Needle, www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/peralta-trail, in the Superstition Mountains is a classic outing that can be completed within a day.
The red-rock trails of Sedona are less than 2-hours away and this link, www.greatsedonahikes.com/, will give you and your guests all the information needed to pick a red-rock trail. Be sure to check out the weather forecast before hiking during the winter in Sedona.
For those who like a little wine & a little history…
Arizona’s Verde Valley Wine Trail, www.vvwinetrail.com/, is only 1½ hour away. The tasting rooms are open most days. Other daylong Verde Valley outings could include visiting the historic ghost town of Jerome, www.azjerome.com/jerome/, riding on the Verde Canyon Railroad, www,verdecanyonrr.com/, out of Clarkdale, or visiting the Native American ruins of Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle & Well National Monuments, www.usparkinfo.com/State/az.html.
For those just wanting to taking a drive…
Maybe all your winter visitors only want to spend most of their days just riding in the car. A drive up the Apache Trail, www.arizona-leisure.com/apache-trail.html, from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Lake is an Arizona classic outing and will leave your guests talking about this adventure for years to come. From Roosevelt Lake you can return to the Valley by way of Globe and paved highways.
A partial drive up the Apache Trail will bring your guest to the Dolly Steamboat, www.dollysteamboat.com/, where they can enjoy a scenic cruise on Canyon Lake and then catching a late lunch at nearby Tortilla Flats, www.tortillaflataz.com/.
Another great daylong outing is to discover and photograph “Rocky”, Arizona’s loveable roadside amphibian. Located just 1½ miles north of Congress, AZ and across Highway 89, www.usroute89.com/us-route-89-roadside-diversions-rocky-the-frog, from the Arrowhead Bar and Grill, this 16 foot, 60 ton green, rock frog landmark has been thrilling travelers since 1928.
So when those out-of-town guests show up this year, get out and enjoy the many and varied day-long adventures close to Anthem. They are guaranteed to make their trip this year to Arizona one they will always remember!
#1 & #2 – Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
#4 – Out of Africa Wildlife Park
#10 – Musical Instrument Museum
#18 – Verde Canyon Railroad
All the rest of the pictures belong to us! Happy Holidays!
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| Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium |
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| Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium |
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| Butterfly Wonderland |
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| Out of Africa, Cottonwood, Az |
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| Urban lake near downtown Phoenix |
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| Desert Caballeros Museum, Wickenburg, AZ |
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| Basha Museum |
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| Basha Museum |
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| Musical Instrument Museum |
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| Urban Mural Project |
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| Urban Mural Project |
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| Weavers Needle |
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| Verde Valley Wine Tasking Trail |
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| Verde Canyon Railroad |
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| Dolly tours Canyon Lake |
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| The famous Apache Trail |
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| Famous Fish Creek Hill |
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| Rocky! |
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