Tucson Mountain State Park
Tucson, AZ

Southern Arizona with nearly 350 days of sunshine make a delightful winter getaway. Tucson events include the world's largest gem, mineral and fossil showcase and the Fiesta del los Vaqueros, not to forget the seemingly endless golf options including El Rio - Trini Alvarez Golf Course, the original site of the PGA Tucson Open. Automobile travelers pass through historic communities like Casa Grande with its charming downtown area filled with landmarks on the National Historic Register. Don’t miss a stop at the Casa Grande Valley Historical Society and Museum housed in the Old Rock Church in historic Casa Grande. Enjoy winter like never before, in Southern Arizona.

The 2012 Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase runs January 28th through February 12th at venues throughout Tucson. The Tucson Convention Center hosts the main event, The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, February 9th through the 12th. The 58th annual show is the largest in the US, featuring exhibits, Saturday Night Dinner as well as auctions, lectures and seminars.

PRCA fans join the best rodeo athletes in the country for La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The first major PRCA event for 2012, the Tucson Rodeo, features more than 650 cowboys and cowgirls in competition February 18th through the 26th. Don’t miss the Tucson Rodeo Parade along Park Avenue Thursday morning and the nightly Coors Barn Dances. Bring the young ones to enjoy the Dodge Mutton Bustin’ and Justin Junior Rodeo - the rodeo is fun for all ages.

Airplane enthusiasts plan now to visit the 2012 Cactus Fly-In the first full weekend in March. Hosted by the Arizona Antique Aircraft Association, the fly-in is held at the Casa Grande Fire Training Facility on the Casa Grande Municipal Airport grounds. This is an uncontrolled airport making the location ideal. The 2012 Cactus Fly-In runs March 2nd through March 4th featuring aircraft competition, forums and social events. Join like-minded airplane enthusiasts for a great weekend of camaraderie and networking in Casa Grande’s beautiful spring weather.

Yuma, near the Mexico border in Southern Arizona, is one of the sunniest cities in the US. The winter weather is ideal for a getaway, vacation or seasonal home. Bordered by the Colorado River to the west and Baja California and Sonora Mexico to the south, Yuma’s southwestern Arizona location is a crossroads for travelers.

Athletes kick off your New Year’s training with the Yuma Territorial Marathon and Half Marathon. Organized by the Caballeros de Yuma and sponsored by the Cocopah Casino, the Yuma Territorial Marathon start and finish is at the Cocopah Casino. With ideal weather for athletes, this is a great Marathon to begin 2012 – join the fun and competition January 28th.

Automobile enthusiasts, hit the road to Yuma for the 2012 Midnight at the Oasis. The 20th annual car show is March 2nd through the 4th. Filled with nostalgia, Midnight at the Oasis features over 1,000 beautifully restored cars and plenty of entertainment. Don’t miss performances by The Grass Roots and Paul Revere and the Raiders, and be sure to enter the raffle for the 1966 Mustang GT Coupe.

Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona travelers are shredding the slopes at Arizona Snowbowl, while eastern Arizona winter sports fans head to the White Mountains to enjoy Sunrise Ski Resort. The 2012 White Mountain Winter Games hosted at Sunrise along with Shred Fest are winter fun for all. Travelers to the Grand Canyon experience the magic of winter, adding the drama of snow and storm clouds to Arizona’s most famous National Park. Keep it safe this winter and stick to the Grand Canyon’s Rim Trail - be sure to stop and warm up by the fireplace at historic El Tovar Lodge. Northern Arizona and winter make a wonderful combination.

Ideal for a weekend or short getaway, the Grand Canyon is a must see for Arizona visitors. Holidays can be busy, however the winter season offers smaller crowds and cool weather. Tusayan, outside Grand Canyon National Park is an easy 10 minute drive, offering hotels, restaurants and fun amenities for park visitors. Automobile travelers through Flagstaff; check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. For a terrific family fun experience, check out how to arrive at the canyon via the Grand Canyon Railway.

Headed to the South Rim? Make the journey from Williams on the Grand Canyon Railway. Williams’s historic train delivers passengers to the South Rim on an authentic steam train for an exciting Old West experience. Splurge on First Class or Observation Dome passage, but be sure to arrive early for your departure - you don't want to miss the fun of the morning Wild West Shootout – this is a must if you’re traveling with children.

Don’t forget the sunscreen for your Northern Arizona adventure. The weather may be cold, but the sun is bright and elevations high – sunglasses are also recommended for outdoor activities. Wing Mountain Snow Play Area, north of Flagstaff off Highway 180, offers a full diversity of winter activities from sledding and tubing to cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Fort Tuthill County Park just south of downtown Flagstaff, is a great location for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Fort Tuthill is west of Interstate 17 at the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport exit.

A winter snow storm is the exception in Sedona, just thirty miles south of Flagstaff. For many, the drive south on Arizona Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon is excitement enough. The drop down the plateau into Oak Creek is breathtaking, as the road descends along the canyon walls. A winter visit to Sedona offers smaller crowds and temperate weather. Sedona is popular year round, be sure to adventure outside downtown and enjoy the amazing surroundings. Sedona Pink Jeep tours, horseback rides and hiking are ideal activities. February visitors are treated to the 2012 Sedona International Film Festival the 19th through the 26th. Sedona hosts this emerging independent film festival featuring over 145 films over nine days. February is a delightful time for this 18th annual festival – enjoy the latest cutting edge films while you join filmmakers, celebrities and film industry experts for workshops and networking.

Year-Round Golf in Phoenix

Winter - the reason Phoenix, Scottsdale and the Valley of the Sun are booming. Clear sunny days and cool desert nights are ideal for shopping Biltmore Fashion Park, hiking up Camelback Mountain or golfing your favorite Scottsdale resort. World-class golf can be found from Chandler’s San Marcos course and downtown Phoenix Encanto Park courses to Arizona State University and the Karsten Golf Course and Mesa’s Dobson Ranch - just to name a few. It’s also the season for Cactus League Spring Training, with the cracking of baseball bats echoing from Tempe’s Diablo Stadium, Mesa’s Hohokam Stadium, north to Surprise Stadium and the Peoria Sports Complex.

Yes, it’s the season for a visit to Phoenix and central Arizona. Events fill the New Year calendar starting with January’s Barrett-Jackson collector car auction. Scottsdale hosts the Barrett-Jackson auction January 15th through the 22nd. A must-see for automobile enthusiasts, Barrett-Jackson takes over Scottsdale’s WestWorld, just east of the 101 loop.

WestWorld of Scottsdale turns over quickly to host the 2012 Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show, running January 28th through the February 5th. Scottsdale’s premier equestrian venue, WestWorld, brings the top quarter horses in the region together for eight AQHA shows, including halter and working hunter. With free clinics and classes, come enjoy the best Quarter horses compete for prizes and top honors. The 57th Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and shopping expo comes to WestWorld February 16th through the 26th.

Downtown Scottsdale hosts the uniquely Arizona 2012 Parada del Sol Parade and Trails End Celebration February 11th. The 59th Annual Parada del Sol commemorates Arizona’s centennial with the world’s largest horsedrawn parade. Stake out your spot along Scottsdale Road and watch over 150-parade entries pass by. Follow the parade to the Trail’s End celebration on Scottsdale’s 1st Avenue and Main Street featuring fun for everyone, including pony rides and games for the kids.

Visit the Heard Museum in Phoenix for the 22nd Annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest. Held the weekend of February 11th and 12th, visitors see top American Indian and Canadian First Nations hoop dancers compete for the title of world champion. A unique look at the heritage and culture of the southwest, the 2012 hoop dance competition features men and women competing for titles in Senior, Adult, Teen, Youth and Tiny Tots divisions. Join the festivities at the Heard Museum on Central Avenue, easily accessible by Phoenix light rail.

Sports fans have a full calendar of events in the Valley of the Sun. The 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open hits the valley January 30th through February 5th. Hosted at TPC Scottsdale, don’t miss the action at hole 16 when you visit. Phoenix International Raceway hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Subway Fresh Fit 500. March 4th is the date to head to PIR for the Subway Fresh Fit 500, featuring 312 laps of NASCAR excitement.