Arizona

Arizona posts including places to visit, events to attend and businesses that are awesome in Arizona.

Arizona Road Trip Stops

byKaren•March 9, 2017

This is a sponsored post.

Spring break is almost here! Don’t worry if you haven’t booked a trip yet, I’m sharing my tips for planning an epic Arizona road trip. An Arizona road trip is perfect if you live here or in a nearby state. Bonus points if you fly out to here to take a road trip! Check out my suggested Arizona road trip stops and combine the ones that appeal to your family to create your own Arizona road trip adventure.

Southern Arizona Road Trip Stops

Tucson Area Outdoor Attractions

Reid Park Zoo
Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum
Colossal Cave
Arizona Zipline Adventures
Trail Rides at the El Conquistador Stables
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
Saguaro National Park

Tucson Area Indoor Attractions

AZ Air Time
Children’s Museum Tucson
Pima Air & Space Museum
Mini Time Machine Museum

There are several fun resorts in the Tucson area. My favorites would be the Hilton El Conquistador, Ritz-Carlton at Dove Mountain, and JW Marriott Starr Pass because they all have extra fun water features. My boys love a good waterslide, splash pad or lazy river!

Bisbee & Tombstone Attractions

Queen Mine Tour
O.K. Corral
Kartchner Caverns

I have always wanted to stay at the Shady Dell, they feature 9 fully restored vintage aluminum travel trailers from the 1940’s and 1950’s. How fun is that!??

Phoenix Area Road Trip Stops

Phoenix Area Outdoor Attractions

Wildlife World Zoo
Phoenix Zoo
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Cactus League Spring Training
Rawhide

Phoenix Area Indoor Attractions

LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Arizona Science Center
SEA LIFE Arizona
iFLY Phoenix
The i.d.e.a. Museum

There are a lot of fun resorts in the Phoenix area. I’ve personally stayed at (and enjoyed) the Wigwam Resort in the West Valley and the Westin Kierland and Fairmont Scottsdale resorts in the East Valley.

Northern Arizona Road Trip Stops

Williams & the Grand Canyon

Bearizona
Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon Railway

When choosing your train package, I recommend booking an overnight stay at the Maswik Lodge. It gives you extra time to leisurely explore the South Rim of the canyon.

Sedona & Jerome

Pink Jeep Tours
Blazin’ M Ranch
Slide Rock
Hiking
Explore Jerome Landmarks

Sedona offers the most lodging options for the area, but if you are willing to stay in a ghost town you can find a place to stay in Jerome. We had a comfortable stay the Hilton Sedona Resort a few years ago.

Pack Road Trip Essentials

Whether you’re headed out for a long or short road trip, there are a few essentials you should always keep on hand to stay comfortable and safe.

Paper towels or baby wipes
Plastic bags
Snacks
Water
Charging cables and external battery packs for devices
Allstate’s Good Hands Rescue® app

Just in case, you should install the Good Hands Rescue® app on your phone or tablet before your trip. It can help with lots of mishaps including flat tires and dead batteries.

We recently had trouble at home with a dead battery. The glove box of my car doesn’t latch well and so the glove box light would stay on. We didn’t realize it because the glove looked closed. Over time it drained our battery until one morning when of course we were running late, the car wouldn’t start. It was annoying and inconvenient but we were home and my husband could drive the kids to school and jump start my car with his truck. If the battery had stopped working on the road, we wouldn’t have had an extra vehicle to help us out! It would have been Good Hands Rescue® app to the “rescue” for us!

This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.

7 things to do in Phoenix’s West Valley

byKaren•January 30, 2017

Heading north to Phoenix is an easy day trip for us but we usually like to stick around for a few days and explore more. Last year we partnered with Visit Glendale and stayed a few days in March to have fun in and around Glendale. We’ve actually spent the past two spring breaks in the West Valley so we have a few opinions to share, check out our list 7 fun things to do with kids in Phoenix’s West Valley.

Things to do with kids in Phoenix

Fractured Prune

We started our adventure at the Westgate Entertainment District which offers a variety of food and entertainment options. Our first stop was a quick snack at the Fractured Prune. The fractured prune lets customers create their own donut masterpiece by offering at least a dozen glazes and toppings. Mix and match to create your favorite donut delicacy. If you aren’t feeling creative, don’t worry, they offer lots of “recipe” ideas for inspiration.

As You Wish

Keeping up with the creative theme, we stopped by As You Wish afterward for a little craft creation. As You Wish is a pottery painting place that offers a wide variety of projects for you and your children to decorate. There are several locations around Phoenix including one at Westgate.

Dave & Busters

Video games are always a hit with my boys, so it was no surprise that they LOVED Dave & Busters, also at Westgate. I liked that you received a card to use for game credits and the same card was used to load the tickets they won, it’s much easier than carrying around a cup of tokens and pockets stuffed with tickets. After they quickly blew game credits and picked out a few prizes, we grabbed a quick lunch there too. The convenience factor won me over and the food was decent. Although keep in mind, there are tons of dining options just outside the door at Westgate.

Cabela’s

Cabela’s is a fun and frugal stop especially for visitors who don’t have a Cabela’s near them like us Tucsonans. It has trophy animals on display in re-creations of their natural habitats, plus large aquariums full of LIVE fish. 😉 Walking around and checking out the animals doesn’t cost a penny. If you do want to spend a few bucks, head upstairs to the shooting gallery. The boys enjoyed the old west themed set up. I love that it reminds me of the shooting gallery in Frontierland at Disneyland.

Wildlife World Zoo

Wildlife World Zoo is also an aquarium & safari park with Arizona’s largest collection of exotic and endangered animals. With more than 600 separate species, a petting zoo and daily shows, this 80-acre attraction is a full day excursion. There is also a huge playground and multiple rides at an additional cost. My boys had a blast and would go back in a heartbeat. I’ll be sharing more from our visit in a separate post but I definitely recommend checking out the Wildlife World Zoo.

Cactus League Spring Training

Even if your family is not into sports, I recommend checking out a Cactus League spring training game. It’s a when in Rome, sort of experience. There are 10 different stadiums in the Phoenix area including the Peoria Sports Complex and Camelback Ranch in Glendale. We enjoyed a baseball game in Peoria 2 years ago and are itching to go back. They have recently opened up Peoria Cove, an interactive kids zone featuring a 40-foot steel ship mast and sail, a small splash pad, and play structure set. I know my boys will love it!

Challenger Space Center

The Challenger Space Center is a fun stop for kids (and adults) interested in NASA. They offer free tours that are best suited for older children who can read the exhibits and have the patience to listen to the tour guide. I’d recommend families with little ones explore at your own pace. My boys enjoyed the interactive exhibits and the large play area at the bottom level.

As you can see there are plenty of things to do with kids in Phoenix’s West Valley. Add in a few activities more central or even head to the East Valley and you can easily spend your entire spring break in Phoenix.

Where to Stay in Phoenix’s West Valley

Keep in mind that the spring is a usually high season for hotels in Arizona, especially during spring training in March. We stayed at the Thunderbird Executive Inn last year and it is very budget friendly. If you are up for a splurge check out the Wigwam Resort, we stayed there during the holidays a few years ago and it’s a lovely resort in the West Valley.

Also if you are looking to save money on a trip to Phoenix, check out the POGO Pass or Groupon for deals on various attractions in Phoenix!

More places to see when you visit Phoenix

Don’t forget to look beyond the West Valley, there are lots of Phoenix museums and kids activities in the East Valley too, especially in Scottsdale!

Marana Christmas On The Farm

byKaren•December 23, 2016

We had a really fun evening last weekend at the new Marana Christmas On The Farm. The Marana Pumpkin Patch and Farm Festival is hosting their brand of holiday fun in December now. It’s their first year offering this event and while I think there is some room for improvement, we had a great time and thought it was well worth the $10 admission.

The main attraction is a 20-minute train ride through Christmas light displays. The farm opens at 4 PM and train rides start at 6 PM. Check out my video below for a sneak peek at the fun.

Sledding was Quinn’s favorite part of the farm. I bet he slid down the hill 30 times and he would have kept going all night if we let him.

The jumping pillows and farm playground are also open. I suggest arriving when it opens to enjoy as much as you can before the sun sets, plus there are less people during the first hour.

The Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus meet and greet was also fun. It’s included in the price of admission and you can take pictures with your own camera. There’s even someone who will take your picture for you if you want the whole family in it. If you haven’t written a letter to Santa yet, there’s a separate booth you can do that at too.

Food, desserts, and hot chocolate are available to purchase. We found the peppermint brownies to be extra large and well worth the $3.50 price. We also splurged and let the boys ride the ponies for $4 each. It was the only activity not included in the $10 admission price.

Have you been to Marana Christmas on the Farm yet?

Free Haircuts in Tucson

byKaren•September 26, 2016

Looking to save money with a free haircut in Tucson? The Supercuts training center in Tucson regularly offers free haircuts (and occasionally hair color).

back of someone's head as their hair is being cut

Free haircuts in Tucson

Current cutting class is Tuesday – Thursday, April 27-29, 2021.

Tuesday 4/27
Clipper Cuts And Layered Cuts
@Each Time
12:00 1:30, 2:00, & 2:45 PM

Wednesday 4/28
Stacked Haircuts, Wedges, Short Styles & Clippercut
2:30, 3:15 & 4:00 PM

Thursday 4/29
All Haircuts & Trend Cuts
11:30 , 1:30, 2:30 PM

To make an appointment anzah1@regisconnect.com
Or text 480-225-0608 with your Name, time and day you want to come in.

Current COVID considerations:

As we are monitoring COVID-19 we are honoring the decisions made by local/ State Governments to practice “Social Distancing”. At this time for the best interest to minimize exposure for everyone’s safety the Education department requests all customers wear a mask for a haircut service and limits number of people in studio
when you arrive, you will be asked several questions before you are allowed in the studio for a haircut

Supercuts Training Center in Tucson

The Supercuts training center is currently located in downtown Tucson at 254 E. Congress. Tucson 85701, inside the regular Supercuts store next to Fry’s Food.

Sign up For Free Hair Cuts in Tucson

Free haircuts and (sometimes) color are offered during training sessions, days and times vary. Sign up for the mailing list to keep up to date on available class sessions.

Free Haircuts in Tucson Tips

Tips are accepted by the hairstylist but not required.
Haircuts may take 30-60 minutes and colorings may take twice the normal amount of time.
If you bring children with you, you must bring another adult to supervise them while you are getting your hair done.
Children can get haircuts but they must be able to sit by themselves for longer than normal time periods.
Hair must be washed within 24 hours of appointment, this is a cut only.
Read more about Model Rules & Expectations

Supercuts Training Center in Tucson

Services are provided by new and experienced Cosmetologists who are learning new techniques or are getting refresher courses. The training instructor supervises all work.

I have been a few times and I’m always pleased with the services I received.

This post was originally published on Desert Deals Diva

Oro Valley Aquatic Center

byKaren•August 3, 2016

We FINALLY made it over to the new Oro Valley Aquatic Center recently. I thought I share our experience and a few thoughts I had about the facility.

Slide at Oro Valley Pool

The water slide is 130 feet long. It’s the perfect kind for adventurous little kids because it ends in a little trough of water instead of the deep end of a pool. My boys usually won’t attempt slides when they are worried about the water being too deep.

You must be 48″ tall to use the water slide. They measure the kids at the entrance and anyone tall enough for the slide is given a wrist band to wear. The slide wasn’t open when we were there so I can’t report on the fun factor.

kid playing in shaded splash area — You’ll find rain showers and shade at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center

Splash Pad at Oro Valley Pool

I’ve seen plenty of splash pads without shade, so I loved seeing that the entire splash pad area was well covered.

Man and child wearing life vest in a swimming pool — Swim in the recreational pool at the Oro Valley Aquatic Center

Limited Shade

The splash pad was well shaded but there is limited shade elsewhere. There is a small row of chairs on the south end of the kids pool that has a little shade, (you can see in the above picture). And there is another shade canopy near the splash pad where families can claim a spot.

We had no trouble grabbing spots on our visit but it wasn’t very crowded. I think it would have been a different situation later in the day or on the weekend. Hopefully there are plans to add more shade canopies.

Swimming pool with water slide in background — Oro Valley Aquatic Center features lap lanes, recreation swimming, splash pad and water slide.

Two Pools at Oro Valley Aquatic Center

In addition to the 50-meter competition pool, there’s a 25-yard recreation pool. The recreation pool wasn’t crowded when we were there.

The boys had a blast swimming with their aunt and uncle. I’ve heard that part of this pool is reserved for swim lessons on some days, leaving recreational users with limited pool space. Just something to keep in mind.

Bring your own snacks to save money or use the snack bar at the OV Aquatic Center

Admission Prices at Oro Valley Pool

A day pass costs $5 for anyone over 4 years old. Kids under 4 are free. Family admission is only $14 and obviously a better deal for any family of 3 or more.

When I went, I didn’t swim so I only paid admission for the boys. If you plan to visit often you can save money purchasing a monthly or seasonal pass.

Another way to save money is to bring your own snacks. There is a snack bar available but most moms (including me) brought our own snacks. Remember swimming works up a big appetite!

Basket of life vests at a pool — Borrow life vests at Oro Valley Pool

This post was originally published on Desert Deals Diva

ICS Tucson Food Bank

byKaren•July 29, 2016

I don’t know what it’s like to truly be hungry. I don’t have a medical condition that affects my ability to eat certain foods. While we aren’t rich and do have debt (credit cards, student loans, etc), we never struggle to buy groceries. Hell I don’t even diet (maybe I should but that’s a different blog post on a different day). I have attempted food bank challenges in the past but trying to survive on extremely limited resources for only a week isn’t really about me being hungry. It’s about bringing awareness to the situation and it is an eye-opening experience for those that participate. It’s hard for me to even fathom what it feels like mentally, emotionally, and physically to be hungry. Really hungry and wondering how you will feed your family tonight, tomorrow, and everyday after that.

Mural at ics tucson — Mural outside ICS Tucson Food Bank

Back in December when I wrote about Intentional Acts of Kindness, I pledged to do more including volunteering in my community. So last month, I spent the day at my local food bank, the Interfaith Community Services Food Bank (ICS). It’s an organization that I’ve donated to in the past, knowing they are helping feed hungry families in our community. Today I wanted to share what I learned that day.

TEFAP

Canned and shelf stable food from a food bank box — Example of standard contents of Emergency Food Box at ICS Tucson Food Bank

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is in place to help supplement the food needs of low-income families in our community. Each family receives the same standard bag of surplus goods provided by the USDA along with other donations acquired by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Bigger families receive additional bags depending upon the size of their household.

While I am sure that any food is appreciated, I have to admit the bag of standard food given is pretty sad. Especially since you only get ONE visit a month. Some food pantry locations, like ICS, also provide additional food items including bread, produce, and dairy or meat depending upon availability.

Additional food pantry options at the ics food bank Tucson — Additional food options that supplement a standard food box at ICS Food Bank Tucson

The additional food items that ICS consistently supply makes it a very popular food pantry location in Tucson. Some clients travel across town to visit the ICS food pantry rather than one closer to them. Clients are allowed to shop for 5 different additional items from the pantry shelves. The volunteers keep each shelf stocked with variety of products. Allowing clients to choose their own additional products makes the experience more like a regular grocery store visit.

picture of turkey lunch meat from ICS Food Tucson — ICS Tucson often has fresh and frozen food options for clients

When fresh food items are available, clients get additional food. On the day I visited they also had meat, earlier in the day there were a few different choices until the end of the day when only sliced turkey breast was left. There was no dairy or produce that day because the selection of fresh food is very dependent upon restaurants and grocery stores donating overstock items.

I learned they almost always have bread and bagels to offer their clients. They have several local bakeries and businesses that regularly donate their day old bread including Eegees, Einsteins Bagels, and the Village Bakehouse.

bread donated to ICS Tucson Food Bank — Fresh bread is often donated from local bakeries restaurants to ICS Tucson Food Bank

The selection of extra fresh food options vary each day so there are no guarantees, but the volunteers of the ICS Food Bank work hard to keep the shelves stocked and clients happy.

In fact, I think the friendly attitude and helpfulness of the volunteers is amazing and likely why so many clients visit. They average 100 clients (or 100 families) each day. Considering that clients can only visit once a month, that means they help lots of hungry Southern Arizona families.

books on a bookshelf at ICS Food Bank Tucson — Free Books for kids at the Interfaith Food Bank in Tucson

This actually leads me to an important point–the primary focus of the food bank is food, but they try to meet all their clients’ needs. Donations of toiletries, diapers, and pet food are also appreciated. I love donating to the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona because as a mom I can’t imagine having to choose between clean diapers and food. Unlike most drop off locations for the Diaper Bank, the ICS food pantry will accept opened packages of diapers. It’s a perfect solution when a new brand doesn’t work for your kiddo, or when they move up a size halfway through the package. Adult diapers are also greatly appreciated!

Diapers on a shelf at ICS Tucson Food Bank — Diapers and other toiletries are often available at ICS Tucson Food Bank

How you can help the hungry in Tucson:

Check out the ICS website for a list of their most needed items. Hold a food drive, pick up extra items when you find a great sale, or consider donating your time. As with most organizations cash donations are greatly appreciate.

How you can help the hungry anywhere:

Check out Feeding America for ways to help nationally, including advocating and volunteering, raising funds, and donating to your own local food pantry.

This post was originally published on Desert Deals Diva.

Arizona Corn Mazes

byKaren•July 24, 2016

As we sit here waiting for the monsoons to roll in and drop our desert temperature below triple digits, we dream of fall weather! Don’t get me wrong, it’s still warm in the fall but it’s so much more tolerable for outside adventures. We can explore more like heading to local farms for fall fun like corn mazes! Some farms offer additional festivities like pumpkin patches, petting zoos, and haunted corn mazes for those looking for scary fun. Check out my list below of corn mazes in Arizona and start planning your fall adventures.

Southern Arizona & Tucson Corn Mazes

Terror in the Corn – Located near Tucson, this corn maze is not for the faint of heart. It’s geared towards an older audience as it boasts having some of the best beer from local breweries. We did the haunted corn maze version a few years ago (without the kids) and it was super fun and super scary! It’s been voted the best-haunted attraction three years in a row. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight!!

Marana Pumpkin Patch Marna Farm Festival Marana Corn Maze

Lots of fun at the Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival

Marana Pumpkin Patch – We LOVE the Marana Pumpkin Patch and attend every year! It offers a ton of family fun including train rides, jumping pillows, pig races, a wagon ride to pick pumpkins and of course corn mazes! They actually offer two corn mazes! A small one for those who need a quick maze and a larger one for the ones who like a challenge.

Check out our experience at the Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival a few years ago with lots of pictures and details!

Apple Annie’s – Located in Willcox, Arizona, this corn maze is one of the largest in the state at 20 acres in size! This maze has an interactive “passport” that can help guide you through the maze if you do everything correctly. Two levels of difficulty are offered so all ages can participate! You can also pick a variety of produce including apples!

Phoenix Corn Mazes

Tolmachoff Farms – This farm is located in Glendale, Arizona and not only has a gigantic corn maze but a petting zoo, bouncy house area, and train rides. That’s not all, they have a huge pumpkin patch and more! For those wanting a spooky adventure, they turn the corn maze into a haunted one on Friday and Saturday nights.

Fear Farm – Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this farm has a mild maze compared to its name. Although it is known for its haunted house, they have a 6-acre corn maze that is safe for all ages and family fun. Check out their website for year-round events!

Vertuccio Farms – Located in Mesa, Arizona, this farm is already geared up and ready to go for the fall 2016 season. You can see their gorgeous corn maze design on their site now! Be ready October 1^st to hit up this corn maze along with the other fall activities they have to offer.

AZ Field of Screams – Glendale, Arizona seems to really love corn mazes because they have a few exciting ones. This corn maze is haunted and for good reason! It was planted over an old cemetery and they dare you to enter. This corn maze is not recommended for under 10 years of age.

Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival

Other Arizona Corn Mazes

Mortimer Farms – Located in Dewey, Arizona, this corn maze has a touching backstory and has been up and running for many years. Their designs each year in the corn maze are impeccable and nothing less than a work of art. Come out and have some all ages fun and enjoy even more than just a corn maze!

Willis Farm – Located in Snowflake, Arizona, this farm has a gigantic corn maze and even stays open late for those who want the haunted experience. The corn maze is not haunted during normal hours but for those who want it haunted will need to bring a flashlight. Don’t forget to pick a pumpkin while you’re there!

Overall, Arizona has a wide variety of corn mazes, many with additional fall festivities! I love the addition of picking out a pumpkin while visiting at the save time. Pumpkin carving is an essential Halloween activity around our house. I’d love to hear about your favorite corn maze in Arizona!

Visiting The Mini Time Machine Museum

byKaren•June 9, 2016

The Mini Time Machine Museum is a museum of miniatures in Tucson. It’s organized into three main galleries: The Enchanted Realm, History Gallery and Exploring the World Gallery. You will find miniature dollhouses, room boxes, and other collectibles in each gallery. Old and young alike are fascinated by exploring all the details in the numerous miniature displays. The Enchanted Realm is a magical place that houses all things imaginary. You’ll find historical miniatures in the History Gallery. Various cultures (Europen, American, and Asian) are represented in the World Gallery. Here are a few things to know when visiting the Mini Time Machine Museum.

Flashlights & Stepstools

You can check out flashlights and step stools from the front desk. Flashlights can help you see the miniatures in exhibits that don’t have power. Step stools are for little ones that may be too short to look into the exhibits. Some exhibits are easily accessible to children.

Docent Tours

Docent-led tours are offered at 1pm each day. Alternatively, You can download audio guides on your phone, bring headphones or check out a pair from the front desk.

Hands On Time

Art Carts allow for some hands-on interaction with miniatures and miniature artisan tools. Art Carts are generally available Tuesday, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 12:30-2:30pm.

Find Fairy Caitlin

Find Fairy Caitlin is a scavenger hunt for kids, ask for the Find Fairy Caitlin guide at the front desk. My boys loved having a purpose when looking through the different displays and galleries.

Admission

Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for kids (4-17). Adults get in for the kids price of $6 on Thursdays. Military members and their families receive free admission from Memorial Day thru Labor Day via the Blue Star Museum Program.

Kids Programs

Kids Create, a family fun program is offered every 2nd Saturday from 1-4pm and is free with admission. Kids learn about and create miniatures.

Summer Camp

The Mini Time Machine Museum offers summer camp, from week long options to drop in afternoons. Check their website for full details.

Check out this video to learn more about miniatures and the Mini Time Machine Museum

Mini Time Machine Museum Website | Facebook | Twitter

20+ Things to do in Tucson this summer

byKaren•April 27, 2016

Summer break is almost here, leaving kids with lots of extra time to explore, luckily there are plenty of Things to do in Tucson this summer! Some places even have special summer hours and deals. Share this list of ideas in Tucson with any visitors headed our way too. Most of it applies to year round visits, not just those people crazy enough to visit Tucson in the summer. 😉

Here are things to do in Tucson, Arizona this summer.

Things To Do: Summer Kids Programs

Pima County Library Summer Reading Program

If you plan on doing several Tucson area attractions, check out the Tucson Attractions Passport. Do the math, it might be worth buying to save money using their discounts.

Go Over The Edge For A Good Cause

byKaren•March 16, 2016

I’m a little bit of an adrenaline junkie, so when the Girl Scouts invited me to rappel down a 17 story building last year, I only briefly hesitated before saying yes. I didn’t have any rock climbing or rappelling experience but it sounded fun so I couldn’t pass up such a BIG opportunity!

Over the Edge is an exciting fundraising event where participants raise money for Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona for the opportunity to rappel down one of Tucson’s tallest skyscrapers. At our inaugural event in 2015, 76 brave Girl Scout supporters rappelled 17 stories and raised nearly $100,000 to support girl programs right here in Southern Arizona!

My nerves didn’t hit me until I was actually driving down to the event a few weeks later. As I approached the building, I realized 17 stories was a bit taller than I originally thought. Thankfully local girl scout troops provided encouragement both with cheerleaders on hand and handmade signs hung up on the route to the roof!

Once on the roof I had a 5-minute practice session where they showed me how the rappelling equipment worked. It really was fairly simple but my nerves seemed to stop my brain from functioning properly. Luckily it’s basically fool-proof. 😉

Ziemba Photographic Arts

In no time flat, I was up on the platform ready to get prepped for the real deal! At this point all my smiles are nervous smiles, like an OMG what am I getting myself into sort of smile. 😉

Ziemba Photographic Arts

Ziemba Photographic Arts

Stepping outside the gate was pretty crazy. It was my first time standing on the top of a building, on the wrong side of the ledge!

Ziemba Photographic Arts

I’m not sure what was more awesomely scarier though, sitting down while on the edge of the building or starting the rappelling action down.

Ziemba Photographic Arts

Ziemba Photographic Arts

Look at me go!

About half way there…

And then all of a sudden, I was at the bottom.

It was a crazy, amazing experience. Even though I love a good rush, it still took courage for me to follow through and actually step off the edge of the building. I’d do it again in a heart beat too! Obviously, I’m an expert at going over the edge now. 😉

Interested in taking a 17-story plunge too? You’re in luck, the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona is holding another fundraising event on March 26th! Head over and sign up or support others that are raising funds to Go Over The Edge!

And check out my quick video of my experience below!

Holidays at the Wigwam Resort

byKaren•November 27, 2015

We love experiencing special holiday events. Whether it’s visiting the North Pole in Flagstaff, Zoo Lights in Tucson or somewhere in between, spending time creating memories is important to us. Last year we were invited to spend a fabulous holiday weekend at the Wigwam Resort in the West Valley. We visit the Phoenix area several times a year but almost always stay in Scottsdale. I’m so glad we ventured outside our comfort zone because holidays at the Wigwam Resort was a really festive experience. From holiday lights and ice skating to breakfast with Santa there are plenty of activities to enjoy at the resort.

Holidays Lights

There are lots of fun holiday light displays throughout the Wigwam Resort. It was fun taking strolls throughout the grounds to look at all the Christmas lights. A special trolley ride through the grounds is available on select evenings ($1 admission) to benefit the Goodyear Firefighters Charities.

Ice Skating

The boys were most excited about ice skating, we had our first ice skating experience the previous year at the Westin La Paloma Resort. It’s not real ice (I imagine that’d be impossible in Tucson or Phoenix) but rather an acrylic material that simulates ice skating. Apparently Canadians use the same stuff in their basements, so they can skate year round at home. That sounds pretty authentic to me. Even better weather in the desert was beautiful, making it the perfect way to enjoy ice skating outdoors. Quinn was ready to skate again the next morning, he definitely enjoyed it even if he wasn’t exactly a natural. 😉

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa was my favorite holiday activity at the Wigwam. While it was a very popular activity, the ballroom had plenty of tables set up and servers to help. The buffet was really well done and everyone was happy with the breakfast options. The S’mores French Toast was my favorite. Both boys loved the made to order pancake station, Quinn had M&M pancakes and Elliot chose chocolate chips. Clearly chocolate is a family favorite. 😉

Santa came around and visited with tables while we ate. We also spent time with him at the Christmas tree after we were done. There was no shortage of personal Santa time! The boys also enjoyed the holiday activity tables as well. They each made a candy cane reindeer and a hot cocoa reindeer, then they wrote a note for Santa reminding him what they wanted. Elliot didn’t want to leave the note in the designated mail box (Quinn, my little rule follower did 😉 ). Instead, Elliot headed back over to see Santa by the Christmas tree, bouncing the whole time while he waited for his turn again. He was so excited to show him the note he wrote himself.

The secret is out because lots of local families make Breakfast with Santa reservations too, you don’t have to stay at the resort to enjoy this fun breakfast.

The Wigwam Resort is a really fabulous idea for most families because you can stay the whole weekend or just pop in for one fun event and with the location being fairly central in Arizona, there is no need to stay the night. Although we did enjoy staying at the resort too. Head over to the Wigwam Resort events page to learn more about this year’s holiday events.

We were guests of the Wigwam Resort for the purpose of sharing our experience. No compensation was received for this review and as always, all opinions and experiences are my own.

Magical Holiday Fun in Arizona

byKaren•October 28, 2015

My boys are at a really magical age. They are past the need for diapers and strollers but still little enough to believe holiday magic. We still celebrate the holidays with stories of Santa, elves and the North Pole. They love when our elf on the shelf makes his appearance and are already anticipating Honey Pickle’s return this year. I like to encourage these fun holiday traditions as much as possible, so we try to travel and experience special holiday experiences when we can. Today I’m sharing some magical holiday experiences in Arizona, some we’ve done and some we still want to do.

The North Pole Experience

We LOVE the North Pole Experience, they do a really good job at creating an immersive holiday experience. Head to Flagstaff where you take a trolley through a magic portal and arrive at Santa’s workshop after a short ride. We’ve been to the North Pole Experience twice and the boys would love to go back again. Check out the video below for a sneak peek at the experience. It can be a little pricey but it truly is an extra special experience and worth splurging on if you can.

Polar Express

The Polar Express, also located in Northern Arizona, is another way for families to head to the North Pole. Just like in the popular holiday book families board a train and head north! The experience includes chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate and entertainment from elves, chefs and other characters during the trip to Santa’s village. Once you arrive, Santa boards the train and visits with each guest. We haven’t experienced the Polar Express yet but I’m sure my boys would enjoy it.

PaintScaping Christmas Tree at Westin Kierland

Photo Credit: Westin Kierland

Westin Kierland Holiday PaintScaping

We’ve stayed at the Westin Kierland Resort previously and can definitely recommend the hotel, however we have yet to experience their seasonal Holiday PaintScaping. The resort comes alive with holiday images projected on to the buildings set to holiday music. The Holiday PaintScaping shows are free and open to the public. I’m really hoping we get a chance to catch a show there this year, we may need to make a quick overnight stay up there this season!

The Wigwam

The Wigwam offers another fun holiday experience in the Phoenix area. We experienced a magical holiday weekend at the Wigwam last year. I’ll be sharing more details of our fun experience in a separate post (coming soon) but suffice to say we had a great time. The Wigwam offers a variety of fun holiday themed activities from ice skating and holiday lights to breakfast with Santa and an elf tuck in. While we made our stay a weekend adventure, I love that locals could participate in most of their holiday activities as well. Peter and I were most impressed with the Santa Breakfast. The food was plentiful and yummy, the kids had time to do holiday crafts and of course there was plenty of one on one time with Santa.

A photo posted by Karen (@karenheffren) on Dec 6, 2014 at 9:12pm PST

JW Marriott Starr Pass Winter Wonderland

Tucson isn’t left out of the holiday fun. The JW Marriott Starr Pass offers a special Winter Wonderland event one weekend in December. Events can vary from year to year but usually include sledding (yup snow magically appears in the desert), holiday crafts, cookie decorating, breakfast with Santa, and an Elf tuck-in.

Photo Credit: JW Marriott Starr Pass

Arizona

Southern Arizona Road Trip Stops

Tucson Area Outdoor Attractions

Tucson Area Indoor Attractions

Bisbee & Tombstone Attractions

Phoenix Area Road Trip Stops

Phoenix Area Outdoor Attractions

Phoenix Area Indoor Attractions

Northern Arizona Road Trip Stops

Williams & the Grand Canyon

Sedona & Jerome

Pack Road Trip Essentials

Things to do with kids in Phoenix

Fractured Prune

As You Wish

Dave & Busters

Cabela’s

Wildlife World Zoo

Cactus League Spring Training

Challenger Space Center

Where to Stay in Phoenix’s West Valley

More places to see when you visit Phoenix

Have you been to Marana Christmas on the Farm yet?

Free haircuts in Tucson

Supercuts Training Center in Tucson

Sign up For Free Hair Cuts in Tucson

Free Haircuts in Tucson Tips

Supercuts Training Center in Tucson

Slide at Oro Valley Pool

Splash Pad at Oro Valley Pool

Limited Shade

Two Pools at Oro Valley Aquatic Center

Admission Prices at Oro Valley Pool

TEFAP

Southern Arizona & Tucson Corn Mazes

Phoenix Corn Mazes

Other Arizona Corn Mazes

Flashlights & Stepstools

Docent Tours

Hands On Time

Find Fairy Caitlin

Admission

Kids Programs

Summer Camp

Things To Do: Museums

Things To Do: Outside

Things To Do: Water Fun

Things to Do: Resorts

Things To Do: Summer Kids Programs

Holidays Lights

Ice Skating

Breakfast with Santa

The North Pole Experience

Polar Express

Westin Kierland Holiday PaintScaping

The Wigwam

JW Marriott Starr Pass Winter Wonderland

Desert Chica

Search This Site

Connect with me: