advertisement
2 February 2026
Spring Training is drawing closer in Arizona, and that means more than baseball; it’s sunshine, easy day trips, incredible food, and some of the best desert scenery in the country. With 15 MLB teams playing across Greater Phoenix, visitors can catch a game and still have plenty of time for hiking, shopping, museums, and nightlife.
advertisement
Arizona’s Cactus League brings teams and ballparks close together, making it easy to see multiple games (and multiple stadiums) in one trip. Many games start in the daytime, leaving late afternoons and evenings wide open for exploring.
Sedona is one of the most popular add-ons to a Spring Training trip. Visitors can keep it simple with scenic overlooks, a short trail, lunch with a view, and a quick walk through town.
For travelers wanting a break from the desert, Flagstaff offers higher elevation, fresh air, and mountain-town vibes, especially nice if the Valley is warming up.
If the schedule allows, the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime day trip (or overnight). Many visitors pair it with Flagstaff or Sedona to maximize the drive.
advertisement
Bottom line: Spring Training is the perfect excuse to do Arizona the fun way, catch a game, enjoy patios and local food, then get out into the desert (or up into the pines) for a memorable day trip.
advertisement
Finding a rattlesnake in your yard can be alarming, especially if you have children or pets. But before you reach for a shovel or try to chase the snake away, remember one important thing: the safest rattlesnake encounter is usually the one where you keep your distance. Rattlesnakes are a natural part of life in Arizona, particularly in neighborhoods near washes, mountains, desert preserves, and undeveloped land. While their venom makes them potentially dangerous, rattlesnakes generally aren’t looking for a confrontation with people. Most would much rather escape than fight. If one turns up in your yard, knowing what to
When someone suggests a night out in Phoenix, the plan probably involves cocktails, breweries, happy hour, or dinner. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but what if you want to actually do something? Fortunately, the Phoenix area has plenty of night-out options that don’t require alcohol to be the main event. From museums and botanical gardens to live music, escape rooms, board games, bookstores, and even a nighttime drive into the desert, there are plenty of ways to have an interesting evening without spending it sitting at a bar. Whether you’re planning a date night, meeting up with
If it seems like pickleball courts are suddenly everywhere in Arizona, you’re not imagining things. Parks are adding courts. Resorts are advertising pickleball vacations. Retirement communities have thriving leagues. Indoor pickleball clubs are popping up across the Valley, and major professional and amateur tournaments are bringing thousands of players to the state. Pickleball has become one of America’s biggest recreational sports, and Arizona has emerged as one of the country’s major pickleball destinations. But Arizona’s connection to the sport actually goes back decades. advertisement What Is Pickleball? Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table
Arizona is an amazing and remarkably diverse state. It is best known worldwide for the Grand Canyon, the spectacular mile-deep gorge carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. But those of us who call Arizona home know there is much more to the Grand Canyon State than its most famous landmark. Arizona is a place where you can find one of America’s largest cities, one of its snowiest communities, enormous pine forests, incredibly remote villages, vast tribal lands, and some of the sunniest weather anywhere on Earth. Here are seven fascinating facts that show just how surprising Arizona
