Year-Round Golf in Phoenix

Valley of the Sun, originally Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Mesa, now extending to Chandler, Fountain Hills, Glendale, Suprise and beyond. Famous for the heat of summer, but did you know- July is the busiest tourist month of the year. Reliably sunny, there is always something fun to do. Locals wake early to hike near local landmarks like Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and North Mountain Preserve. Fans flock to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks play baseball at Chase field. The venue features a swimming pool for a few lucky spectators, a retractable roof and big air-conditioners for summer crowds. Outdoor pools are jammin' at hotels like the fabulous retro-inspired Valley Ho, which offer reduced summer rates. Arizona doesn't stop just because it gets a little warm.

Valley of the Sun residents and visitors head north for diversions and a bit cooler climates. Prescott, a popular weekend get-a-way, is two hours away in Arizona's Bradshaw Mountains. Prescott hosts Territorial Days June 12th and 13th, 2010. Held downtown at the historic Courthouse Plaza, the weekend features the best local and regional artists presenting and selling their arts and crafts. The Best Western Prescottonian is centrally located in Prescott and is ideal for a weekend getaway from the warmer Phoenix area weather. Enjoy browsing for art, hiking or just relaxing by the pool for the weekend.

There are plenty of grand 4th of July celebrations in Central Arizona, from fireworks displays over the Colorado River in Ehrenberg and Parker to charming small town celebrations in Safford or Eager. Phoenix hosts the 25th Annual Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth downtown at Steele Indian School Park. One of the state's largest celebrations, this event features two stages with live entertainment, a giant misting area (you gotta love Arizona), exhibits and plenty of food and drink. Capped off of course by a huge fireworks display. Casa Grande, a bit south of Phoenix, hosts a celebration featuring a red, white and blue family parade that precedes the fireworks show. Something for all on the 4th of July!

National Day of the Cowboy is July 24th. Mark your 2010 calendars for a ride out to Apache Junction. Multiple events in the area will celebrate the day with unique events and festivities. Look for parades, shootout re-enactments, fast draw competitions and even a mustache contest – a lot of fun goin' on in them there parts. The Best Western Gold Canyon Inn and Suites in Gold Canyon and the Best Western Apache Junction Inn are ideal locations to take advantage of the weekend celebrations. Just west of Phoenix, you can enjoy the beautiful Superstition Mountains while relaxing at the pool.

The community of Payson Arizona claims to host the world's oldest continuous rodeo. The 2010 rodeo marks the 126th continuous year for the event. Held the third week in August, this year's rodeo is the 19th through the 21st. The August Doin's Rodeo, features traditional Pro-Rodeo events, a Saturday morning parade and two nights of Rodeo Dances. This summer rodeo is considered the Best Small Rodeo in the US. Gather family and friends and head up to Mogollon Rim country. The Best Western Payson Inn has a variety of rooms, including 2-bedroom apartments – there is room for everyone. This hotel is pet-friendly, so even the dog can come along.

Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona

Northern Arizona is home to the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation and the Hopi Indian Reservation. Note: Arizona and the Hopi reservation do not observe daylight saving time. However the Navajo Nation does, so travelers will be changing time zones several times when traveling through Northern Arizona. Page ,on the western border of the Navajo reservation and the Utah state line, is a primary staging city for visitors to spectacular Lake Powell. Lake Powell was formed when the Glen Canyon Dam was built across the Colorado River. Flagstaff, home of Northern Arizona University, Kingman, Holbrook, and Williams are well know cities on Interstate 40, and former route 66.

Canyon De Chelly National Monument, near Chinle, is unique in that it is managed by the National Park Service, but is Navajo Tribal Trust Land, and remains an active Navajo community today. Guided day hikes led by park rangers are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Canyon De Chelly's archaeological sites offer visitors a look back over 4,000 years of civilization in the area.

The Best Western Canyon De Chelly Inn in Chinle and the Best Western Wetherill Inn in Kayenta are ideal locations for visitors to the Native American reservations of Northern Arizona. Both are located on the Navajo reservation, convenient to Monument Valley, the Painted Desert and Canyon De Chelly.

Kayenta celebrates it's centennial year in 2010. The fourth of July in Kayenta features the best All Indian Rodeo in the US. This year's rodeo runs June 29th through July 4th. Each day starts out with a free pancake breakfast at the rodeo grounds. Events include a Junior Rodeo, traditional rodeo competitions, weekend dances and Fireworks on the fourth. Come on out for a terrific summer rodeo in Kayenta.

Page is only six miles away from Wahweap, Lake Powell's largest full service Marina. Rainbow Bridge, the world's largest natural bridge, celebrates 100 years of being a National Monument in 2010. The easiest access to the bridge is via tour boat from Wahweap Marina. Rainbow Bridge is an amazing stone span created over millions of years by water and erosion. The site is sacred to the Navajo and a stunning site to visit.

The Best Western at Lake Powell and the Best Western Arizonainn in Page are conveniently located in Page, close to Lake Powell and Wahweap Marina. Ideal for visitors to the lake for a day trip to Rainbow Bridge or for accommodations before or after a houseboat trip on the lake. Stay in Page for a few days and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the near perfect summer weather and unique red sand canyons.

For water recreation, Arizona's western border along the Colorado River is ideal in Summer. Bullhead City across the river from Laughlin Nevada is one of the hot spots. The River Regatta, August 14th, is an ideal weekend in the heat of summer. The 2010 theme, Rockin' the River, draws visitors from across the country to float down the Colorado River, many on festive and elaborately decorated “floats”. There are lots of prizes for the decorated floats, and this is one of the few events where swim suits are appropriate attire. Float the river, enjoy the festivities and remember the sunscreen!

Tucson Mountain State Park
Tucson, Arizona

Southern Arizona from the border towns of Yuma, Nogales and Douglas to the small towns of Gila Bend, Wilcox and Safford sizzle in summer. The Chiricahua Mountains rise dramatically from the Sonoran desert. Remote ranges like the Pinaleño Mountains, isolated by the surrounding deserts, are covered with unique and diverse eco-systems. Southern Arizona is a gateway to the northern most beaches of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). Residents and travelers flow south for vacation or long weekend getaways. Tuscon's many golf courses tee-off early morning and late evening so golfers can take advantage without the full sun. Southern Arizona summer is hot, but still sizzles with fun.

Celebrate Arizona's Hispanic heritage at the 13th Annual El Día de San Juan Fiesta. This celebration originated with the Spanish missionaries in the 1600s and is now a traditional Tucson event. The 2010 event is held on the west bank of the Santa Cruz River on June 24th. Featured events include a traditional Mexican Rodeo, the Charreada. The rodeo is complete with costumed performances by the Charros and Escaramuzas. Mariachis, baile folklorico and live music are also on the schedule. A special kid's activities and games keep the children busy. Admission is free to the fiesta – a wonderful family activity. With five Best Western Hotels in the immediate Tucson area, consider making this a weekend get-a-way and spend some time golfing or relaxing around a pool.

Tombstone is full of summer fun: Wyatt Earp Days is held over Memorial Day Weekend; June brings Tombstone's Sweet Onion Festival; the 4th of July Tombstone hosts a softball tournament followed by evening fireworks; August 6th through 8th are Tombstone's Vigilante Days. Celebrating 62 years of service in 2010, vigilante days begins with cooks preparing their favorite chili recipes for the Saturday afternoon cook-off contest. Live entertainment begins at 10 am each day, livening up the streets of Tombstone. Sunday begins early with the 24th Annual 10K run, finishing in time for the days entertainment. A fun family event with plenty to see and do for everyone. Remember the raffle – a .45 caliber long colt lever action rifle will be raffled off as part of the festival.

The Best Western Lookout Lodge in Tombstone is a conveniently location for all Tombstone's events and sites. Stick around for a few days and enjoy the view of the spectacular Dragoon Mountains and relax by the pool. This is a pet-friendly hotel, so you can bring the family dog along for the ride! The Best Western Mission Inn, less than 20 miles away in Sierra Vista puts you at the foot of the Huachuca Mountains near the US Army training camp at Fort Huachuca.

Visitors to Sierra Vista in August can attend the 2010 Southwest Wings 19th Annual Birding and Nature Festival. Birding enthusiasts, mark August 4th through 8th on your calendars. The Sierra Vista area has some of the premier birding spots in the US. Southwest Wings is both fun and educational. You can enjoy the unique birds and wildlife of Southern Arizona while learning from area experts – a great opportunity for visitors to the festival.