Arizona\’s Best

Arizona may be a horse rider\’s utopia, but that\’s not all there is to this great state! Here\’s some of our favourite stops. Don\’t miss our Arizona Snowbird\’s Special in the January/February issue of Western Horse Review, you can subscribe http://www.qfie.com/WesternHorse/clsWHRPubSite.asp

Walk through a museum and an art gallery

Enhance your Arizona vacation, with a tour through a true southwestern sensual experience. Many of the country’s top western artists authors and architects, have been inspired by the state’s environmental and human history.

Desert Caballeros Western Museum

One of the top western museums and art galleries in the country, located in Wickenburg. www.westernmuseum.org

Notable: Collecting the West, the Tia Collection, exhibition Nov. 2 – Mar. 2. Paintings and sculpture by notable historic and contemporary artists capture interpretations of the panorama of western life, complemented by historic photographs, letters, and sketches from this private collection shaped by a passion for the culture of the great American West.

Heard Museum

World renowned for it’s collection of American Indian history and the tribes of the southwest, with both a main location in Phoenix and a North Scottsdale branch. www.heard.org

Notable: The annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, held in March, features over 700 Native American artists and includes a juried competition.

Phoenix Art Museum

Step out of your box and become in tune with the very best of Arizona’s visual and performing arts. A vibrant destination for more than 50 years, Phoenix Art Museum presents festivals, live performances and independent art films. www.phxart.org

Notable: Watch for the Hollywood Costume exhibit beginning late March.

Smoki Museum

Experience the history of Arizona’s American Indian culture, in Prescott’s quaint heritage museum. www.smokimuseum.org

Notable: The permanent collection includes I,000 year old artifacts, Yavapai baskets, Katsina dolls, Kate Cory Paintings, Smoki People history, models of dwellings and a hands-on children’s table.

Become a margaritas connoisseur

If you are into immersing yourself in some flavorful experiences, be prepared to get spoiled. A word of caution – once you are hooked on really good Arizona margaritas, it’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of withdrawals upon your return back home.

El Ranchero Restaurant

Top shelf margaritas, and authentic Mexican cuisine.

Wickenburg, www.elrancherorestaurant.com

Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequilla

Home of the Tequila Hall of Fame

Scottsdale, www.cienagaves.com

The Horny Toad

A biker’s haven with “margarita ready” atmosphere.

Cave Creek, www.thehornytoad.com

Elencanto Mexican Restaurant

A romantic old-world mission style restaurant with ambience galore.

Cave Creek, www.elencantorestaurants.com

Go back in time

If you’re up for a bit of “cowboy” try taking in some of Arizona’s authentic fixtures from the original Old West. From ghost towns, live dinner theaters and mining towns, discovering the Wild West couldn’t be more captivating.

Goldfield Ghost Town

Claim to Fame: “Phoenix, Arizona’s only Authentic Ghost Town”

Apache Junction, www.goldfieldghosttown.com

Gold King Mining Museum and Ghost Town

Claim to Fame: “The largest ghost town in the U.S.A., and a history buff’s delight.”

Jerome (one mile north), www.goldkingmineghosttown.com

Rocking R Ranch

Claim to Fame: “Arizona’s oldest Wild West town.”

Mesa, www.rockinr.net

The Palace Restaurant & Saloon on Whiskey Row

Claim to Fame: “The oldest frontier saloon in Arizona.”

Prescott, www.historicpalace.com

Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass

Claim to Fame: “Arizona\’s largest western-themed attraction.”

Chandler, www.rawhide.com

Give into your guilty pleasure!

You only live once, right? Besides, ‘til you drop shopping or a day in the saddle can certainly harvest a hankering for some swell dining. Thankfully, great food is one of Arizona’s best assets. From decedent to the greasy spoon, this state has all your food bases covered.

Cowboy Club

Big steaks served in a colorfully charming atmosphere.

Sedona, www.cowboyclub.com

Raceway Bar & Grill

Featured on the American Pickers television series and also home of the famous Canadian New Years Eve Parties.

Maricopa, www.racewaybarandgrill.com

Spotted Donkey at el Pedregal

Over 46 varieties of tequilas and a southwest fusion cuisine.

Scottsdale, www.spotteddonkeycantinaelpedregal.com

Wagon Wheel Restaurant & Coffee Shop

A classic 1960’s style dinner, which captures the flavor of an authentic greasy spoon.

Cave Creek

Go for a ride in the desert

The ultimate way to appreciate the raw beauty of this state is via horseback. Arizona has thousands of majestic miles dedicated solely to horse trails, and over 80% of the land in the state is parkland, so take advantage of it.

Cowboy Way Adventures

A great deal on picturesque trail rides in Wickenburg, Prescott and Sedona.

Cottonwood, www.cowboywayadventures.com

Cave Creek Trail Rides

Experience the West with a “family friendly” cowboy style escape.

Cave Creek, www.cavecreektrailrides.com

Rancho des los Caballeros

A five-star historical dude ranch, frequented by Hollywood’s celebrities.

Wickenburg, www.ranchodeloscaballeros.com

Hacienda Del Sol

An exquisite guest ranch and spa in historic Tucson.

Tucson, www.haciendadelsol.com

Shop till you drop!

Discovering original pieces for your home decor and style collections can be a hard thing to do. After locating some of the state’s bounty of glamorous western wear and rustic rare finds, the only thing on your mind will be, “How will I get it all home.”

Double H Hat Man

Jimmy, the master hat maker, can build a cowboy hat to match any personality.

Wickenburg, www.doublehhats.com

Cowboy Trading Post

Cowboy ecletic, carrying everything from hay to home consignments.”

Wickenburg, www.cowboystradingpost.com

The Lazy Lizard

Artwork, furniture, jewelry, vintage books and magazines – you’ll find it all at this super-cool cowboy and Mexican consignment store.

Cave Creek, http://www.lazylizardaz.com

Valerie’s

All the goods to furnish your house in high-end cowboy and accessorize your western dream.

Cave Creek, www.valeriesfurniture.com

Go a little wild

Why not, after all this is Arizona right? Warm starry nights skies with live music and fire pits may ignite your crazy bone. If you do go a little off the deep end, be warned – the state has a low tolerance for those who get a out of hand. That’s why spotting a couple horses tied outside the local tap house is still not an uncommon occurrence.

 

Rusty Spur Salon

Scottsdale’s first ever saloon, etched with age-old western character.

Scottsdale, www.rustyspursaloon.com

San Tan Flat

Fire pits and live music – the ultimate combo for a fun night.

Queen Creek, www.santanflat.com

The Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone

Step foot in a solid piece of history in the town too tough to die.

Tombstone, www.crystalpalacesaloon.com