Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [83]
See also TRIPS 6, 16 & 29
DOWNTOWN GLENDALE
As close as a person can get to Small Town, USA, and still stay in the Valley of the Sun. Full of festivals, chocoholics are sweet on the Chocolate Affaire – in the three days before Valentine’s the owner of Cerreta Candy Company displays a 300-pound chocolate heart. Umm, chocolate. The candy company is open for self-guided tours throughout the year, and it’s always a good time to go antique shopping in Glendale. Historic downtown Glendale is 10 city blocks full of charming white picket fence houses and jam-packed with antique stores. If someone in your party isn’t excited by antiques and chocolate, and if that person, male or female (no stereotyping here) happens to like football, drop them off for a few hours in Max’s Sports Bar – it has the largest collection of football helmets in the country. The fashion-forward love Glendale’s many mega-thrift stores. Sure, it takes some time, but since everything old is new again you score the fashions of tomorrow, today. Glendale is only 9 miles west of central Phoenix via Grand Ave, or take the Glendale Ave exit of either Loop 101 or I-17 (exit name is the same, but different locations).
See also TRIPS 11 & 19
WHITE TANK MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK
The 46-sq-mile park drapes across dramatic canyon landscape and is zigzagged by 26 miles of trails, including a grueling one to the top of the 4018ft summit. Come out here after a rainy spell to hike the Waterfall Trail – where after scrambling over some boulders you’re rewarded with the sight of luscious waterfalls. At the western edge of the valley, check to see what kind of special events are on that day. Park rangers sometimes do an easy Desert 101 hike that will teach even Arizona natives a thing or two and the two-hour stargazing sessions are a great way to spend the night after a day of hiking. The park entrance is about 20 miles west of I-17 via Dunlap/Olive Ave, and about 34 miles west of downtown Phoenix.
See also TRIPS 24 & 26
APACHE JUNCTION
Once a year Apache Junction is invaded by damsels in distress and people who talk with funny, supposedly medieval accents. When it’s not time for the Renaissance Festival (weekends February through March), this is the place to go for beautiful hiking in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area. First, though, stop at Goldfield Ghost Town outside of Apache Junction proper. High noon on weekends sees a mock gun fight at this Old West attraction, which really was a mining outpost back in its day. On Sunday, they even offer real church services to balance out all that outlawin’ you’ve been doing. Stop at the Superstition Mountain Museum to get the lowdown on these rugged, rocky crags; the stone spires here attract rock climbers from all over and there’s plenty of hiking at Lost Dutchman State Park, named after the mine just dripping with riches that is supposedly tucked away somewhere here. You’ll learn all about it at the museum. Happy treasure hunting. Apache Junction is 37 miles east of Phoenix on Hwy 60. To get to Goldfield Ghost Town, take Hwy 60 to Idaho Rd/Hwy 88 east and continue for 6.3 miles.
See also TRIPS 6 & 19
CAMP VERDE
Camp Verde was founded in 1865 as a farming settlement and was soon taken over by the US Army. They built a fort here – now Fort Verde State Historic Park – to prevent Indian raids on Anglo settlers. Walking around the well-preserved fort, you’ll see the officers’ and doctors’ quarters, sprint down the parade grounds and study displays about military life and the Indian Wars. Staff occasionally dress up in period costumes and conduct living-history tours; three houses have been completely decked out