Don’t worry. If you haven’t seen The Grand Canyon yet, you’re not missing much. It’s only a mile-deep gorge stretching 277 miles and veiled in a barrage of colors created by the Colorado River cutting a channel over millions of years. Really, no big deal.
The baseball fun goes beyond the Diamondbacks here in Arizona. The state is also a popular spot for Spring Training, which has been a tradition since 1947. They host a training spot for the MLB’s Cactus League, while Florida (the only other Spring Training facility) hosts the Grapefruit League. Kick off the season at the Spring Training Festival during the last week of February every year and enjoy one of the last weeks of moderate temperatures before baseball and the heat kick in full force.
When most people think about Arizona, they picture desert. And there’s plenty of it here. The amazing Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world where the coolest cactus grows – the Saguaro. But believe it or not, the desert only makes up a portion of the state.
The northern half of Arizona is full of forests brimming with pine, Douglas fir and spruce trees. There are mountain ranges such as the San Francisco Mountains and Humphrey’s Peak which stands at 12, 637 feet. And you can go skiing at resorts in Flagstaff, Alpine and Tucson because, yes, it snows in Arizona, too. So don’t be so quick to judge this place.
Chicago can keep their dogs. In Arizona, it’s all about the Sonoran hot dog. Believed to have been created in Tucson, this local favorite is essentially a bacon-wrapped hot dog served on a crispy bun, topped with pinto beans with chopped onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. Layer on some mustard and mayo and you’ve got yourself a bona fide Sonoran. Yum.
The Arizona Diamondbacks won the hearts of the rest of the country in 2001 when they sent the Yankees home to New York from the World Series with their tails between their legs. If not as true Diamondback fans, at least in a mutual Yankee-hating respect. And for baseball lovers, that’s a pretty deep respect.
When it comes to music, Arizona has turned out some of the biggest names in the industry. From the ‘90s alternative scene Arizona gets to claim names like The Gin Blossoms, Jimmy Eat World, and The Meat Puppets among others. Metal and rock lovers can thank Arizona for Alice Cooper, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Social Distortion and Linkin Park. And who could overlook Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks?
Daylight savings. Spring forward, fall back, move sideways – whatever it is that we do with the clocks for a reason no one ever really seems to know for sure. Arizona never has to deal with it because they’re one of only two states that doesn’t observe Daylight Savings Time, so you’ll never having to lose an hour of sleep or remember to reset the clock in your car.
Back before Arizona was still a territory, it was also home to some of the most ruthless outlaws and respected lawmen around. Some of the most famous Wild West events (Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, anyone?) happened right here in Arizona, which also still features a variety of preserved towns, cities and sites of the time.
Scottsdale residents aren’t the only ones that get credit for knowing how to have a good time in Arizona. The undergrads are pretty good at it, too. Arizona State University is known for its partying ways, consistently ranking among top partying school lists. There’s a pretty good education to get there, too—just avoid the morning classes.
While you don’t have to worry about tornados here and earthquakes are a rare threat, what you do get hit with are haboobs. And no, guys, that’s not as good as you’re hoping it is. Haboob is an Arabic word for dust storm that resembles the Apocalypse – or something like that, I’m a bit rusty on my Arabic. Don’t worry, though, they go away as quickly as they came and it’s not really the end of the world. But driving while recording one probably isn’t the best idea.
Other than maybe California, if you’re a wine lover, there’s no better place to be in the country than Arizona. You can take the Sedona Wine Adventures or the Verde Valley Wine Trail or any of the other wine tours available throughout the state to get a taste of some of the best wine you’ll find in the country.
The Arizona State Fair is a huge deal. Attracting over one million people to Phoenix, this annual event features live entertainment and competitions, rides, rodeos, racing, livestock and much more. It’s the family event of the year for Arizonans.
Almost a quarter of Arizona is made up of Indian reservations which serve as a home of various Native American tribes. The state has the largest number of residents who speak a Native American language, with over 85,000 reportedly speaking Navajo and 10,405 reported to speak Apache as of 2005.
While Chicago and New York duel it out over who has the best pie, Phoenix sneaks in with the silent kill. The famous Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix has been named as serving the third Best Pizza in America out of 101 contenders by the Daily Meal and made it into Rachael Ray’s top four favorites in the country. Of course, having some of the best pizza around is something that the locals have known for years, but it’s always nice when everyone else catches up to speed.
Once you’re completely addicted to Soronans, it’s time to check out the rest of the local cuisine. You’re in Arizona, though, so be prepared for some prickly names. But don’t worry, things like cactus jelly, mesquite honey, and prickly pear margaritas don’t sting in a sweet way.
Living in Arizona is like living in the coolest museum. The state sits in the Basin and Range region of North America, and was shaped by prehistoric volcanism. Nearly two billion years of Earth’s history has been exposed by the Colorado River cutting through layer upon layer of sediment and rock. Ancient petroglyphs also still remain, reminding you of civilizations that existed long before your ancestors’ ancestors ever lived.
The Barringer Meteorite Crater is a massive hole in the middle of the Colorado Plateau, making Arizona home to one of the most well-preserved meteorite impact sites in the entire world. The crater itself is approximately a mile wide and 570 feet deep.
Golfing isn’t the only thing getting the blood pumping here. Every fall, the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex hosts a stop on the Champions Tour which draws in legends like John McEnroe, Anna Kournikova, Andre Agassi, and more. The court is also open for players of all levels to practice or take lessons.
Arizona is a hot spot –no pun intended- for basically everything else in the country, so why not food, too? The Scottsdale Culinary Festival is a six-day celebration of gourmet food, restaurant booths, amazing wines and microbrews and even gets graced with celebrity chefs. The festival is one the longest running culinary festivals in the U.S., attracting over 35,000 visitors every year.
When vacation time rolls around, there’s no need to leave the state to get in some R&R. You’ll get plenty of it in your own backyard, as Scottsdale should be known as the luxury relaxation capital of the U.S. if it isn’t already. The city boasts more spas per capita than any other place in the country. Come get a massage, detox, or just lounge by the pool at your resort. And with more sunny days than Hawaii, what more could anyone ask for?
You’ll never stop being amazed by Arizona – whether it’s a day taking in the landscape or an evening enjoying the nightlife. Take a dip under the Havasupai Falls or Keyhole Sink, explore the winding waters of Glen Canyon or go white water rafting in the Colorado River, or visit the London Bridge – yes, that London Bridge. Whatever your plans, Arizona never disappoints. What do you love about living in Arizona? Tell us in the comments below!
