Attractions

Mohave County's first commercial hiking guide company unveils its 2022 season in Lake Havasu City

Havasu Hikes, LLC, Mohave County's first and only commercial hiking guide company based in Lake Havasu City, has unveiled its 2022 hiking season schedule. Havasu Hikes currently offers four hikes from the main trailhead in SARA Park, at 7260 Sara Park Way, on the weekends through April 2022. Wanderlust is an easy beginner hike, Slot Canyon with an immediate turnaround after the Canyon is also a fun beginner hike, and the Slot Canyon to shore and Pilot Rock hikes are moderate. Havasu Hikes hopes to expand to add art classes, yoga, boat rides, scorpion hunting, and mafia mystery tales to its offerings. The owner/guide is certified in Wilderness First Aid and venomous snakes. The company is also looking into expanding its trail offerings, other locations in Mohave County and weekday hikes.

• PR Contact: Jackie Leatherman, Owner/Operator, Havasu Hikes, LLC
• Phone: 928-486-2665
• Email: hike@havasuhikes.com

Culinary

Chef Rochelle Daniel debuts new restaurant - Atria - in Flagstaff

Opened in the heart of historic downtown, in December 2021, Atria is Flagstaff's new home for seasonal, modern American fare handcrafted with farm-fresh, locally-grown ingredients. Think: house-made pastas, fresh fish and premium steaks, plus daily features. Paired with craft cocktails and an extensive wine list, including rare wines offered by the glass, Atria is open for light afternoon bar bites, plus full sit-down dinner service, Tuesday through Saturday. Atria is the first standalone restaurant from chef/partner, Rochelle Daniel. Nationally known for her appearances on Food Network's “Chopped” TV show, and named to the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame in 2017, she's currently the executive chef for the award-winning modern Italian restaurant, Fat Ox in Scottsdale, and previously held the same title at Cress on Oak Creek and Etch Kitchen & Bar at L'Auberge de Sedona. Atria's 1,700-sq.-ft., 94-seat dining room includes a full-service lounge featuring a 14-person bar and high-top seating, and an eight-person chef's table overlooking the exposition kitchen. Led by chef Daniel, Artria is the first of three locally-owned restaurants planned for the NW corner of Laroux and Aspen, including a steakhouse and gastro-pub inside the adjacent 101 N. Laroux Avenue building (formerly home to Maloney's On Campus).   Atria restaurant is located at 103 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

• PR Contact: Jose R. Alvarado, Director of Sales & Marketing, Ascend Capital Management
• Tel: 928-779-6944 Mobile Tel: 928-310-9487
• Email: Jose@ACM-JVT.co

Events

Explore Automobile-Inspired Art at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

Just in time for the Barrett-Jackson car auction, The Gallery at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale will debut “Avenues of Scraping Steel'' by Phoenix-based artist Mark Vinci. This pop-up exhibition will be on display for one week only, January 25 -31, 2022. Vinci is a four-time, Emmy award-winning graphic designer and artist who uses crushed car parts to create sculptural wall pieces that capture the feeling of motion. Informed by the mid- to late 1950's Pop Art Movement, he brings objects and images together to comment on popular culture and mass media messaging. Vinci employs unconventional techniques and often collaborates with transportation professionals, using steamrollers to flatten metal, transforming the material to resemble sinuous fabrics. The exhibition will kick-off with an Art Opening Reception on January 26 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring conversation with the artist and Curator Cece Cole paired with complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres.

• PR Contact: Kristin Heggli, Director of PR + Communications
• Email: kheggli@benchmarkglobal.com

New exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museum (The MIM) in Phoenix

MIM's newest exhibition, Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments, celebrates the power of music across 6,000 years of history with some of the world's most notable musical moments, performance traditions, and musical instrument developments. Eighty exceptional instruments fill the Target Gallery, including some of the finest from the MIM's collection and more than twenty loans from renowned museums, private collections, and musicians around the world. From the ancient Olympic Games to the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower, history is brought to life by the instruments that forever changed the world. The exhibition shares global human achievement and musical ingenuity through an Amati violin likely made for a royal marriage, the oldest guitar still in existence, a shell trumpet from the Maya civilization, Jimi Hendrix's Black Widow guitar, and more historic instruments. Intricate details of engraved brass, carved patterns, and iridescent inlay represent talented craftsmen, companies, and families from around the globe that molded instrument evolution. Throughout the exhibition, original video content uncovers these stories and the instruments' represented traditions with performances and interviews by museum curators and notable musicians. The exhibit is exclusive to The MIM and will be on display for most of the remainder of the year.

• PR contact: Ida Jones
• Email: Ida.Jones@mim.org

Indigenous artists honor past and present in new Scottsdale Arts exhibition

Scottsdale Public Art will host the “FIRST: Native American Artists of Arizona” Exhibition Jan. 10 – Mar. 30, 2022, at Scottsdale Civic Center Library. “FIRST: Native American Artists of Arizona” features work by artists who descend from the first Indigenous people of North America. Ron Carlos, a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, co-curated the exhibition, and his pottery will also be shown. Carlos makes his traditional pottery with the “paddle-and-anvil" technique indigenous to the Maricopa and Pima tribes of southern Arizona. In addition to the exhibition itself, there are a few events associated with the show, including an opening reception from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Civic Center Public Gallery inside Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251. 

• PR Contact: Sydney Ritter, Public Relations Specialist, Scottsdale Arts
• Email: SydneyR@ScottsdaleArts.org
• Phone: 480-874-4663

The Arizona Indian Festival and the Arizona Native Edible Experience is held in conjunction with Scottsdale's Western Week

On Saturday, February 5, 2022, and Sunday, February 6, 2022, the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association (AAITA),  in partnership with Arizona's  Native American tribes along with the City of Scottsdale's Western Week, hosts its annual Arizona Indian Festival in Downtown Scottsdale. Attendance is open to the public and free.

In addition, and part of the Arizona Indian Festival, the popular Arizona Native Edible Experience is returning on February 5 at the Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. This curated evening brings together Native American Chefs working with ancestral foods in contemporary dishes alongside contemporary Native American artists and traditionalists showcasing and demonstrating both art and food ways practices. It is a cocktail setting event where traditional and contemporary Native Arts will be showcased, and live performances will be shared, a silent auction and Native Chefs will delight with curated tasting stations, demonstrations, and interactive conversations. This $25 per person ticketed event is popular, advance ticket purchase is encouraged. While at the museum,  attendees can view the exhibition “Light and Legacy: The Art and Techniques of Edward S. Curtis, which honors Native Americans through the lens of early 20th-century photographer Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952). The exhibition features more than 900 artworks and objects that celebrate the life and works of photographer, ethnographer, and adventurer Edward Curtis.

The Arizona Indian Festival presents Arizona tribes in its program and event footprint that includes traditional Indian Villages, traditional arts and craft demonstrations, native food vendors, and native mainstage entertainment representative of many tribes and Tribal Travel and Tourism offices showcasing their native destinations. Attendees will experience traditional food, storytelling, traditional dancing, singing, and traditional dwellings represented within the village area. 

While Scottsdale's Old Town has become significantly more sophisticated in its 130-year history with an array of local boutiques, art galleries, fine dining establishments, wineries and craft breweries, the city maintains its Old West charm and heritage, which is celebrated during Western Week. For more about the Festival visit; www.arizona indian tourism.org; for more about Western Week, visit www.scottsdalewesternweek.com.

• Press Contact: Jeffrey Ferns
• Phone: 602-299-9576
• Email: ferns_jeffrey@yahoo.com

Flight Service

PHX - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Updates - Come Fly with Us

Looking to travel? Many airlines have added or restarted routes giving you even more options as you plan your travel. Phoenix has seen the return of many seasonal flights in December as well as exciting additions.

American is restarting seasonal service to: Aspen, La Paz, Montrose, Manzanillo and Vail.

Sun Country is adding four new Phoenix routes including:

Madison twice-weekly started Dec. 16

Milwaukee twice-weekly started Dec. 16

Green Bay, a new market to PHX, twice-weekly started Dec. 17

Duluth, a new PHX market, twice-weekly started Dec. 17

United started a new daily seasonal flight between Phoenix and Cleveland on Dec. 16.

Denver Air, a new airline for Phoenix, started service to Telluride on Dec. 16. The daily service will run until April on a Dornier 328. There has not been a direct flight to Telluride since 2011.

Additionally, Allegiant announced twice-weekly service to Knoxville that will begin Feb. 16. 

Spirit will also begin daily service to Las Vegas on Feb. 16. They are the fourth carrier to serve Las Vegas from Phoenix.

To see a list of all the places you can fly from PHX, visit our Where We Fly page.

Haven't traveled in a while? Check out our COVID-19 page for airport updates.

Hotel News

Celeb Chef Beau MacMillan leads Cala, Scottsdale's newest restaurant in collaboration with Clive Collection

Clive Collective, a Scottsdale-based restaurant group featuring unique, elevated experiences, recently announced its latest concept, Cala, opening January, 2022. The eatery will be located in Scottsdale's newest Old Town hotel Senna House, located at 7501 E. Camelback Road. Cala offers an escape to the Mediterranean from the heart of Scottsdale's Entertainment District.  Chef Beau MacMillan, an internationally-known chef and Food Network personality, serves as the culinary director with the day-to-day operations executed by his own dream team. Dishes feature cuisine from the coastal regions where staples are handmade pastas, fresh cheeses, breads, locally-grown vegetables and fresh seafood. The menu is inspired by healthy and seasonal ingredients, and the cocktail program focuses on fresh local ingredients. Cala is situated on the ground floor of Senna House offering an indoor/outdoor experience with nearly 5,000 square feet plus a 1,750 square-foot exterior patio with a 40-foot patio bar, cabanas and lush landscaping.

• PR Contact: Christina Caldwell, The James Agency
• Phone: 480-248-6710
• Email: christina@thejamesagency.com

Classic Hotels & Resorts announces all-new boutique hotel - High Country Motor Lodge - and first ever Nordic Spa Experience in the heart of Flagstaff

Classic Hotels & Resorts, a leading hospitality development and management company based in Phoenix, announces its plans to debut an all-new boutique hotel in the heart of Flagstaff, Arizona in March 2022. Following an extensive $13M reinvention, High Country Motor Lodge, a modern mountain retreat will blend iconic 1960's retro elements with a contemporary lodge aesthetic to create an elevated — yet casual — experience along Flagstaff's historic Route 66. Boasting 123-rooms, including three private cottage suites and two junior suites, the High Country Motor Lodge will be the premier destination on the Colorado Plateau with 4,700-sq.-ft. of indoor/outdoor venue space for weddings, meetings and other special events, an expansive outdoor pool and oversized hot tub with two private saunas, and a brand new innovative culinary concept, The General Store. This unique eatery will offer everything from grab & go provisions to an indoor/outdoor lounge overlooking Mars Hill with craft beer and cocktails, fresh-cooked personal Pinsa-style pizza, and an artisanal coffee and espresso selection. Notable guest experiences will also include a fully decked-out game room with shuffleboard, pool, darts, and board games, as well as movie nights on the lawn, live music, stargazing, and a weekly 'Shakedown Sunday' which will feature full-set replays of iconic concerts.

• PR Contact: Emily Dille, Director of Marketing Communications, Classic Hotels & Resorts
• Mobile: 480-395-6163
• Email: edille@classichotels.com

Accolades

Tucson Independent Distillery Celebrates Honors from Wine Enthusiast

Whiskey Del Bac is honored to be recognized on Wine Enthusiast's list of “The Top 100 Spirits of 2021” for their Classic American Single Malt. One of only fifteen Single Malts, one of just three American Single Malts, and one of two spirits from Arizona, Whiskey Del Bac Classic represents true American craft and independence. The honor comes on the heels of the brand's ten-year anniversary, which was celebrated in November 2021.  Whiskey Del Bac Classic is an authentic American Single Malt, using the Scottish model of whiskey-making in the heart of the American Southwest. Classic is made from a 100% barley malt that is mashed, fermented, copper pot distilled, aged and bottled on-site. The flavors create uniquely deep notes of dried fruit, spice, and toasted wood.

Sister expression Whiskey Del Bac Dorado is made from 100% barley that is malted and smoked over a velvet mesquite fire (instead of traditional peat fire), mashed, fermented, copper pot distilled, aged and bottled on-site. The distinct top note of mesquite smoke pays homage to the desert terroir and has garnered much attention nationally, including two Double Gold Medals at the largest competition in the U.S., the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

About Whiskey Del Bac Classic

“Look for a topaz hue and rich, bold aromas of sarsaparilla, vanilla bean and orange peel. The palate opens with sweet smoke, cocoa and espresso, finishing with juicy orange and clove heat. Adding water unlocks more spice, yielding a dark gingerbread or spice cake character. A complex and interesting sipper. ” - Wine Enthusiast (93 Percent)

Alcohol: Aged 90 Proof / 46% ABV

Mashbill: 100% Barley Malt

Nose: Bright Stone Fruits

Finish: Sweet Caramel & Oak

Price: $56.00

• PR Contact: Jenny Budwig, Head of Marketing, Whiskey Del Bac
• Email: Jenny@whiskeydelbac.com
• Tel: 480-789-0148

General

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments receive National Park Foundation Open OutDoors for Kids Grant to bring more local youth to the parks

Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments have received an “Open OutDoors for Kids” grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF) to provide local students with the opportunity to explore, understand, and appreciate their local public lands as part of NPF's goal to provide entry to another one million students to parks over the next four years. With this program, local students will begin to develop a life-long relationship with their public lands, and explore their value and relevance to their lives. These programs will strengthen relationships between the local teachers and National Park Service staff, which in turn will encourage the schools to return year after year. National parks are America's largest classrooms showing that learning is fun, memorable and hands-on. Kids' eyes open to the wonder and complexities of nature and history.

Schools interested in field trip grants can contact Krystina Isaac, Education Coordinator, for more details at krystina_isaac@nps.gov or at 928-567-3322 x 228.

To learn more about NPF's efforts to engage students with national parks as classrooms, visit https://www.nationalparks.org/our-work/youth-engagement-education

• PR Contact: Paul Santellan, Lead Interpretive Park Ranger
• Email: Paul_Santellan@nps.gov
• Tel: 928-567-5276

COVID-19 Updates in Arizona

For visitor guidance due to COVID-19 such as mask-wearing, a list of tourism-related reopenings or closures, and a link to public health guidelines, click here: https://www.visitarizona.com/covid-19/ . Some attractions are open year-round and some are open seasonally or move to seasonal hours. To ensure the places you want to see are open on your travel dates, please check their website for hours of operation.

Connect

Newsroom: https://www.visitarizona.com/newsroom/

Official State Travelers Guide: https://digital.milespartnership.com/publication/?i=718412