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By DJ Nelson, Staff Writer

Spring Break is upon us. No travel plans? No Problem. Phoenix is one of the U.S. destinations for those northerners looking to escape their long, cold, snowy winters. For those native to the region, these visitors, also known as snow birds, can be considered a nuisance. With NASCAR and baseball fans added to that, what you get is more traffic. That aside, there are many activities the valley has to offer during the best time of year seasonally. Just  a reminder that summer is coming.

Courtesy of Pinterest

The city of Phoenix and its 20 plus surrounding municipalities have a lot of dining, shopping, outdoors, and various other events to experience. It’s easy to snag an Airbnb or hotel room in any of these cities and have yourself a nice stay-cation for just a night or long weekend if you don’t feel like staying at home.

EVENTS

NASCAR – TicketGuardian 500 – ISM Raceway – March 8-10, 2019

The events start Friday, March 8 with the Gatorade Pole Day, followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race on Saturday, and the TicketGuardian 500 on Sunday.

Rodeo – WestWorld of Scottsdale – March 7-10, 2019

That weekend they are hosting the 66th annual parada del sol rodeo. This local venue constantly has new events and shows almost every weekend. So if the rodeo is not your thing, maybe the car show later in the month will interest you. 

Baseball Spring Training – The Cactus League – End of February to the beginning of April

There are games played all over the valley and each stadium provides a different experience. Get a group of friends and a parking spot and tailgate before the start, or get in early and find a nice spot in the outfield to get set up for the best view.

MUSIC AND SHOWS

The valley has no shortage of live music. Whether you are looking for a small, local spot or a large arena the Phoenix area has it. Some venues and theaters host comedians as well. Check out Visit Phoenix for more!

ADVENTURE

Cave Creek – Carefree – Bartlett Reservoir

The outdoor seeking adventurers can fill a week with horseback riding, kayaking, paddle boarding, or hiking in this region northeast of Phoenix. The small towns of Cave Creek and Carefree are great places to stop for a bite to eat or shop after a hike up Black Mountain or a few hours spent on a paddle board at Bartlett.

Apache Trail – Tortilla Flat – Lakes & Trails

Courtesy of WorthPoint

One journey you may consider is the Apache Trail. Starting from Apache Junction heading toward Canyon Lake you will pass the Goldfield Ghost Town for tourists and the Lost Dutchman State Park for the trail seekers. Just beyond Canyon Lake is a small stop called Tortilla flat. The trial is a bit rough in places, so here is a good turnaround point. Continuing on the Apache Trail east you will end at the Roosevelt Dam and lake. If you are in the area stop at a couple of old mining towns called Globe and Miami. It would be funny to say you went to Miami on spring break.  

DRINK

Wine – Tour – Verde Valley

If you’re seeking a day trip, between Prescott and Sedona there is the Verde Valley where wineries are not few and far between. This one does not require a lot of planning. Verde Valley Wine Trail has it all laid out for you. Drink responsibly and always have a designated driver.

Wine – Art

Paint and sip studios are scattered throughout the valley and they are a fun way to spend an evening with friends.

Breweries

There are many places you can visit for a tour of what goes into making a beer or just stop by a tasting room for a flight of beers. Bellhops has a great list of what they rank as their 7 best breweries in the Phoenix area. Of course, there are more than seven in the valley, but their list is a good start.

GET OUT OF TOWN

Other Cities to make destinations:

Flagstaff, AZ ● Sedona, AZ ● Tucson, AZ ● Lake Havasu, AZ ● Las Vegas, NV ● Los Angeles, CA ● San Diego, CA ● Rocky Point, Mexico

Phoenix has the perfect weather in the spring. Make the most of it and explore what the area has to offer. Here are a few more reasons why it’s great to be in Phoenix this time of year.