February is defined by celebrating all things love and considering that Arizona shares its birthday with Valentine’s Day, it’s a great month to get out and discover the state with your favorite travel companion!
“There’s no doubt Arizona offers a wide array of amazing places to discover regardless of where your travels may take you,” says Debbie Johnson, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. “But what really makes a trip special is who you get to experience it with. These suggestions are all about creating great memories!”
Whether you’re looking to celebrate your love for a special someone in your life, your love for spending time with your closest friends or your love for exploring beautiful Arizona, these February trip ideas, compiled by Arizona Office of Tourism, are sure to have your heart singing.
Romantic Retreat
If strolling under Ponderosa pines or watching snowflakes drift outside the window while curling up by the fireplace sounds like heaven, communities nestled in the White Mountains offer a perfect getaway for a romantic weekend.
What’s Cooking Kitchen and Bakery in Show Low makes almost everything from scratch, from the giant cinnamon rolls to in-house brined and smoked pastrami. The friendly staff at this family-owned restaurant will make you feel right at home.
The cozy cabins at the 13-acre Whispering Pines Resort in Pinetop come furnished and stocked with the essentials, including wood for a crackling fire in the fireplace. Start and end each day on the porch sipping coffee and watching wildlife in the morning, toasting cocktails and stargazing at night.
Few things are as rewardingly relaxing as the gentle sway of a horseback ride, so saddle up at Porter Mountain Stables in Lakeside for a leisurely excursion along creeks, through meadows and under treetops.
Rest and Relaxation
From spa days to food-focused tours, pamper yourself and your pals during these feel-good outings.
Head south to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dove Mountain just north of Tucson. This oasis takes advantage of its stunning desert setting with indoor/outdoor treatment rooms. Indigenous Tucson gemstones ease sore muscles, restore balance and clear energy while desert flora extracts quench parched skin.
Approved by the elders of the Pima and Maricopa people, the Indigenous Collection of treatments at Aji Spa at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler draw on traditional Native American healing practices and reflect the history and culture of the Gila River Indian Community. Some are even performed by the tribes’ Cultural Caretaker (limited availability) to bring healing to the body and soul. Ask for the spa’s Nahtogig, or Four Directions treatment, which is inspired directly by the tribes’ Creation Story.
If you and your friends love to plot where you’re having lunch and dinner while you’re still enjoying breakfast, consider booking a specialized culinary tour with Greater Phoenix’s Arizona Food Tours or Taste It Tours Arizona, which cater to foodies of all kinds.
For those who prefer to guide themselves, check out the stops highlighted on the self-guided Fresh Foodie Trail in Mesa and Tucson’s Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food.
Action and Adventure
Ready for an action-packed day of fun and adventure in and around Metro Phoenix? Let these ideas be your guide!
A rotation of 80s and 90s vintage arcade games and pinball machines have created quite the buzz around Arizona’s Cobra Arcade Bar, with locations in Phoenix and Tucson. A variety of food trucks and DJ appearances add to the fun, as do the clever cocktails inspired by classic video games.
Scottsdale’s Chaparral Park is among the most convenient of the region’s urban lakes, located just northeast of Old Town Scottsdale. It’s stocked year-round with species such as trout, catfish and sunfish. Before you bait the hook, make sure everyone has an Arizona fishing license, available at Arizona Game & Fish and at local sporting goods stores. Not near Scottsdale? Game & Fish lists 30 urban lakes and community fishing waters in the greater Phoenix area and central Arizona!
You won’t find better hiking bang for the buck than Hidden Valley via Mormon Trail at South Mountain. Four miles round-trip includes plenty of interesting rock formations, wildlife and a squeeze through the famed Fat Man’s Pass. It’s a popular route, so expect other hikers. Also of note: There’s no real shade on the trail, so consider heading out early or waiting until later in the day to avoid the sun.
At Racing Adventures in Phoenix, adrenaline junkies can take laps in an automatic Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren or Porsche with paddle shifters; try their hand – and footwork – in a manual Cobra or GT40; or book a combo package to drive several different supercars.
For a full listing of events and trip ideas around the state, go to visitarizona.com.