When I think of spring break, I think of baseball spring training in Arizona. For years, I have been going to the Cubs spring training facility in Mesa, Arizona to watch games. Every year I take my nephew for his school spring break, but I have also started going at the beginning of spring training by myself or with the girls. Adults deserve spring break too!
From Colorado, it is a quick and easy flight to Phoenix with remarkably cheap airfares on Frontier and Southwest. If you plan your trip by January, it is easy to get a round trip flight in the neighborhood of $139. I generally stay in the Scottsdale area as most of the good resorts are in that area. For the past few years, we have been meeting friends from Chicago there and have discovered lots of good family resorts with great pools. One of the early favorites was the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak (www.hilton.com) as it has a remarkable water park on the premises. It even has a Coyote Camp where you can check the children in for the day. If you book far enough in advance, you can get great rates. But it fills up fast as most of Chicago and other areas have the same spring break and they all come down for spring training with the family. Because of the water park, it is a popular choice.
For a few years, we ventured farther north to the Desert Ridge area of Phoenix, up by Kierland and all the new shopping destinations. We stayed at the JW Marriott and it's sister property, the Canyon Villas which are condos and timeshares just a short walk across the parking lot. In the early stages of the Villas, it was a nice enough property as there were no crowds and staying there gave you full access to the JW Marriott. However, as more and more condos have been built, the crowds have come. But if you're travelling with a family and want the convenience of a full kitchen, this is a good choice. It's farther away from some of the ballparks, but easy access to the 101 freeway offers many other choices of activities and sporting events.
After many years exploring, I've found my home in Scottsdale and it is the Arizona Biltmore. (www.hilton.com) It is a property rich in tradition and history and the service is impeccable. The Biltmore was previously owned by the Wrigley family and there is still a Wrigley Mansion on the grounds which is open for lunch and dinner and free self guided tours. The grounds on which the hotel sit include a golf course, walking and running trails and lawns with every flower imaginable. The hotel is extremely spread out with 8-10 buildings and 4 or more swimming pools hidden between the buildings. It would take a day just to stay at the hotel relaxing and exploring.
But of course spring in Arizona is all about baseball. The Cubs spring training facility is located at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, AZ, just a short 15 minute drive from the Biltmore and the nearby Phoenix Airport. All games are at 1pm and the field opens at 11am. Parking can be had on the grass outside the stadium for $5 and lawn tickets currently are sold for $8, up from $5 just a couple years ago.
Between baseball games everyday and the pool at the hotel, it's hard to find time for anything else while on these trips. But there is plenty to do in Phoenix this time of year. Two years in a row, the NCAA March Madness Tournament was in town and we were able to get tickets at the last minute and even attend UCLA's practice session the day before for free. Visiting other teams ballparks has become a new favorite as there are so many to check out and some are brand new. One year we were able to attend an ASU baseball game and tours of the new football stadium in Glendale are a not to miss event.
A worthwhile side trip if you haven't been is the Grand Canyon. Located just past Flagstaff, it's a good 3 hour trip from Phoenix but well worth it. I had forgotten however, that there are no fences along the side and it is extremely easy to slip and fall, so wear good shoes and keep the children tethered.
Don't forget a trip to Trader Joe's and a burger from In N Out and it's a perfect getaway from the snow and winter up north!
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