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Return to Local Secrets, Big Finds homeView 2005 Local Secrets, Big Finds
Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix
480.941.1225
Papago Park's red buttes are home to the Desert Botanical Garden's world-class collection of desert plants. The outdoor exhibits arranged around the 50 acres are proof that the "semi-arid desert can be home to some of the most spectacular plant life." The gardens are "a treat for the eye, as well as relaxing for the spirit." With 139 rare, threatened, and endangered plant species, there is "no other region in the country that has the trees, flowering plants, cacti, and succulents housed here." Read more.
Organ Stop Pizza
Mesa
480.813.5700
Pipes and pizza are the new peaches and cream at this "attraction within itself," where people come from far and wide just to see the Mighty Wurlitzer. This baby is "one of the largest and finest theater organs in the world," and with its 79 sets of pipes (nearly 6,000 pipes), "it's amazing that one person can play a whole orchestra for just about any song requested." Don't forget to bring your appetite, too. There's a list of pizza specials, or mix and match from the list of toppings to create the pizza of your dreams. Read more.
Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona Annual Fun Run
Kingman
928.753.5001
This is not a foot race, "this is a hot-rod run where even your rented Ford is welcome." Everyone starts "just south of the Grand Canyon in Seligman." The festivities begin on Friday and go all the way through Sunday. This annual journey runs along "the remaining 200 miles of the original Route 66 in Arizona." Since the run isn't timed, participants have a chance to admire the Mother Road's staple attractions, like a meteor crater and an old trading post. And get ready for "evening music, sock-hops, malts, mountainous scenery, and the wild burros of Oatman along the way." Read more.
4th Avenue Street Fair
Tucson
520.624.5004
Twice a year--once in winter and once in spring--this free fair brings together 400 arts and crafts booths with tons of other fun activities. Stretching between 9th Street and University Boulevard, there's plenty of "entertainment and people-watching to enjoy." For your amusement, you'll find jugglers, street performers, and balloons. The kids aren't left out of the fun, either. They can participate in face painting, and enjoy making their own creations at a hands-on art area. And if you're in the mood for shopping, the winter fair is the perfect opportunity to purchase unique holiday gifts. Read more.
The Farm at South Mountain
Phoenix
602.276.6360
Savor farm-fresh soups, salads, and stuffed sandwiches under "a shady grove of huge 70-year old pecan trees." This "little restaurant has the kind of country setting that is getting harder and harder to find in a sprawling city like Phoenix." It's a "small, privately owned restaurant that offers beautifully presented lunches in picnic baskets to eat at tables under the grove of trees." Voters hailed the ingredients as "fresh and healthy." Read more.
Before you make plans to experience these local secrets for yourself, we suggest that you contact them to confirm dates, times, and locations. We are not responsible for the information submitted to us, and disclaim any liability for the information. Additionally, the addresses for or links to third party Web sites are provided for your convenience only. These Web sites, their owners, and operators are not affiliated or associated in any way with Travelocity, and we assume no responsibility for the content of such sites, or for any of your transactions or experiences with the owners and operators of such sites.
