Spring has been teasing Arizona for weeks now. Warm and toasty weather, melting snow, rain showers, the occasional snowfall, and an abundance of wildflowers are just a few of the ways we’ve been enjoying the beauty of the season. Now that spring is officially here (per the calendar), let’s take a look at some activities that you can enjoy before summer’s deathly heat arrives.
- The Rose Garden at MCC, Mesa
Mesa Community College/Facebook This hidden gem is found in the Phoenix suburb, Mesa, and is the perfect reason to stop and smell the roses! The rose garden is home to more than 9,000 rose bushes, making this one of the largest rose gardens in the country. The best part: it’s free and open daily! Click here for more information.
- Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, Gilbert
Robin J Phillips/Facebook Bet you didn’t even know this tiny preserve existed in the middle of Gilbert! The Riparian Preserve is home to thousands of migrating birds throughout the year but spring offers an incredible number of birds passing through the state and the delicious warm temperatures that only an Arizona spring can offer. Click here for more information.
- The Farm at South Mountain, Phoenix
Quiessence at the Farm/Facebook
Want to enjoy some outdoor seating during dinner this spring? Most restaurants have great options but the Farm at South Mountain has an especially pretty atmosphere that is best enjoyed during the cooler months in Phoenix.
Click here for more information.
- The Desert Bar, Parker
The Desert Bar/Yelp One of the most secluded restaurants you can find in the state is this bar that sits alone approximately 30 minutes away from Parker. A long drive over bumpy dirt road will take you to the cash-only establishment that is open October through April every year. You have just a few weeks left to enjoy a trip out here! Click here for more information.
- Zak’s Chocolate, Scottsdale
Zak’s Chocolate/Yelp The main reason we suggest visiting this chocolate factory in the spring is because you risk having all that delectable, small-batch chocolate melt under a summer Arizona sun! Spring has the advantage of allowing your stock of chocolate to get home without melting. Click here for more information.
- Arizona Hot Springs, Kingman
Richard Sunderland/Flickr If soaking your bones in an isolated hot spring sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a warm spring afternoon, then you’ll want to check out this spot! Located about an hour north of Kingman, accessing the spring requires a three-mile hike towards the Colorado River. Click here for more information.
- West Wind Glendale Drive-In, Glendale
West Wind Drive-In and Public Market/Facebook Looking for an excuse to cuddle during those cool spring evenings? A trip to the drive-in might be just the place you’re looking for! West Wind Glendale Drive-In is currently the only remaining drive-in theatre in the state and a trip here is definitely worth the drive. Click here for more information.
- Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin, Summerhaven
Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin/Facebook Right now is the perfect time to visit this secluded restaurant at the top of the Santa Catalina Mountains. You get to avoid the heavy snow and the hefty waves of summer tourists but still get a bite of those deliciously large cookies! Click here for more information.
- Woods Canyon Trail #93, Sedona
Coconino National Forest/Flickr Hiking is a popular activity throughout the year but spring offers a unique experience with growing foliage, creeks and rivers running from the snow melt, and cool day temperatures that make longer hikes comfortable. Check out this one in the Sedona area if you want to combine all three of those experiences! Click here for more information.
- Grand Falls, Leupp
Nick Allen/Flickr You probably have just a couple weeks left to enjoy the roaring sounds at Grand Falls until the monsoons hit this summer. Fed by the snow melt from the Little Colorado River, this hidden gem is one of the few spots where you can see a massive waterfall here in Arizona! Click here for more information.
How many of these places have you had the chance to visit? Are there any others you would recommend your fellow Arizonans visit in the spring? We would love to hear your recommendations!
Mesa Community College/Facebook
This hidden gem is found in the Phoenix suburb, Mesa, and is the perfect reason to stop and smell the roses! The rose garden is home to more than 9,000 rose bushes, making this one of the largest rose gardens in the country. The best part: it’s free and open daily! Click here for more information.
Robin J Phillips/Facebook
Bet you didn’t even know this tiny preserve existed in the middle of Gilbert! The Riparian Preserve is home to thousands of migrating birds throughout the year but spring offers an incredible number of birds passing through the state and the delicious warm temperatures that only an Arizona spring can offer. Click here for more information.
Quiessence at the Farm/Facebook
Want to enjoy some outdoor seating during dinner this spring? Most restaurants have great options but the Farm at South Mountain has an especially pretty atmosphere that is best enjoyed during the cooler months in Phoenix.
Click here for more information.
The Desert Bar/Yelp
One of the most secluded restaurants you can find in the state is this bar that sits alone approximately 30 minutes away from Parker. A long drive over bumpy dirt road will take you to the cash-only establishment that is open October through April every year. You have just a few weeks left to enjoy a trip out here! Click here for more information.
Zak’s Chocolate/Yelp
The main reason we suggest visiting this chocolate factory in the spring is because you risk having all that delectable, small-batch chocolate melt under a summer Arizona sun! Spring has the advantage of allowing your stock of chocolate to get home without melting. Click here for more information.
Richard Sunderland/Flickr
If soaking your bones in an isolated hot spring sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a warm spring afternoon, then you’ll want to check out this spot! Located about an hour north of Kingman, accessing the spring requires a three-mile hike towards the Colorado River. Click here for more information.
West Wind Drive-In and Public Market/Facebook
Looking for an excuse to cuddle during those cool spring evenings? A trip to the drive-in might be just the place you’re looking for! West Wind Glendale Drive-In is currently the only remaining drive-in theatre in the state and a trip here is definitely worth the drive. Click here for more information.
Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin/Facebook
Right now is the perfect time to visit this secluded restaurant at the top of the Santa Catalina Mountains. You get to avoid the heavy snow and the hefty waves of summer tourists but still get a bite of those deliciously large cookies! Click here for more information.
Coconino National Forest/Flickr
Hiking is a popular activity throughout the year but spring offers a unique experience with growing foliage, creeks and rivers running from the snow melt, and cool day temperatures that make longer hikes comfortable. Check out this one in the Sedona area if you want to combine all three of those experiences! Click here for more information.
Nick Allen/Flickr
You probably have just a couple weeks left to enjoy the roaring sounds at Grand Falls until the monsoons hit this summer. Fed by the snow melt from the Little Colorado River, this hidden gem is one of the few spots where you can see a massive waterfall here in Arizona! Click here for more information.
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