Best of AZ

Unless you're über-omniscient or an arrogant know-it-all, there's no way of putting together a definitive list of the best of everything. Especially in a place like Arizona, where the range of people, places and things is as vast as the Grand Canyon. Nevertheless, in our ongoing effort to steer you toward the state's superlatives, we present our second-annual Best of AZ package. From the beefiest bratwurst to the best place to shack up with the stars, this is our take on the best places to eat, stay and play in Arizona.

By Kelly Kramer

<< 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 >>

BEST OF FAMILY GETAWAYS

Best Place to Flip a Disc
McPherson Park, Flagstaff

If you're not into putting tiny white balls into tiny terrestrial holes, try disc golf and launch Frisbees into airborne baskets instead. It's hip, it has its own professional organization — the PDGA or Professional Disc Golf Association — and it's pretty popular in Flagstaff. Work on your game at the city's McPherson Park, where moderate terrain and amazing views of the San Francisco Peaks make for a seriously sweet setting. Information: 928-774-5281 or www.flagstaff.az.gov.

---

Best Way to Have a G'day, Mate
Australian Desert, Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, Superior

There's a lot to see at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, from herbs and legumes to cactuses and a children's garden. But if you want to get a feel for being Down Under without the ultralong flight, visit the Australian Desert area. There, you'll be surrounded by the plants that call Australia home, including trees like "Mr. Big," a massive red gum eucalyptus. The big man on campus was planted in 1926 and is now more than 140 feet tall. He also holds a place on the registry of big trees as the largest individual tree of this species in the United States. (See related story, page 30.) Information: 520-689-2811 or www.azstateparks.com/parks/both.

---

Best Place to See a Dog and No-Pony Show
Prairie Dog Compound, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson

Prairie dogs are Mother Nature's jesters. They dance and dart and roll around like furry little jumping beans, and visitors to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum can get front-row seats for the antics. There, black-tailed prairie dogs roam around the Desert Grassland exhibit, free to explore and burrow to their little hearts' content, while gleeful guests can belly up to the exhibit's clear glass walls to watch. Information: 520-883-2702 or www.desertmuseum.org.

---

Best Place to Think Pink
Pink Jeep Tours, Sedona

If you haven't seen them, chances are you've heard of them — the famous pink jeeps that cart Sedona visitors over and around the area's even more famous red rocks. This year, Pink Jeep Tours celebrates its 50th anniversary. It's an impressive milestone, and to celebrate, the company is offering three tours of the Sedona area — "Broken Arrow," "Ancient Ruins" and "Diamondback Gulch." One even descends the "road of no return." Buckle your seatbelt and hit the road. When it comes to adventure, pink's the word. Information: 800-873-3662 or www.pinkjeep.com.

---

Best Way to See Lemmon Trees
Mount Lemmon Skyride, near Tucson

It snows in Tucson. Really, it does. That's why Mount Lemmon Ski Valley exists, and its runs are open from mid-December to early April. When the snow melts, the chairlift sheds its wintry veil and operates as a scenic skyride, carting visitors to a forested summit of 9,157 feet. Way up there, the air is clear, and views of the Santa Catalinas, the San Pedro Valley, the Reef of Rocks and the city of Tucson loom large. It's heavenly. Information: 520-576-1400 or www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation.

<< 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 >>

---

Global SnapshotsSend us a photo of you or someone you know posing with Arizona Highways. We'll post it on our website. It's that simple... [more] Photo of the DaySend us a photo of you or someone you know posing with Arizona Highways. We'll post it on our website. It's that simple... [more] Social MediaJoin our Facebook, Twitter and Flickr communities for behind-the-scenes glimpses at Arizona Highways... [more]

Story ArchivesFind previously published stories online... [more] Vintage CoversArizona Highways covers have changed a lot over the years, from the first black-and-white image in 1925 to today's full-color stunners. Explore their evolution in our gallery of vintage covers. ... [more] Travel GuidesThere's so much to see and do in Arizona. Let our online travel guide be your one-stop resource for planning your next Arizona adventure... [more]