Cactus League Spring Training
Now through March, the 2023 Cactus League Spring Training season is in full swing across central Arizona. Fifteen Major League teams play games daily at 10 ballparks located throughout the metro Phoenix area. If you are a baseball lover, it doesn't get better than this: sunny weather and affordable tickets. The fun doesn't stop with peanuts, hot dogs and home runs. When not at the stadium, visitors can enjoy the endless travel opportunities offered by Arizona's stunning landscapes and sunny spring season. We have put together a few trip ideas here.

Industry

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours
In addition to providing slot canyon tours, Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours recently established IKG Air, LLC (IKG Air), the first 100% Navajo-owned aviation company providing air services and tours throughout the region with its helicopter and fixed-wing division. The Navajo-owned air company's goal is to offer air service and tours to Sedona and the Grand Canyon area, expanding the tour offerings to highly visited Arizona destinations. Air operations and tours are scheduled to begin in the 2nd quarter of 2023.

Awesome Arizona, the Latest Book from Roger Naylor
In Awesome Arizona, Roger Naylor, “the Dean of Arizona Travel Writers,” has amassed 200 amazing facts and fascinating commentary about his beloved state. This fast-paced, funny encyclopedia captures the essence of the sixth-largest state, from its rowdy past to its epic landscapes. Learn about the West's most legendary gunfight, the best-preserved meteor crater on earth, how Arizona saved the unicorn, and so much more. Published by the University of New Mexico Press, the book is now available for purchase.

Attractions

Peralta Regional Park Is Officially Open
Located a few miles north of U.S. 60 near Gold Canyon, the Peralta Regional Park in Pinal County is 498 acres in size and designed as a backcountry recreation experience. The new park has nine miles of non-motorized trails, 31 camping sites, and a stargazing node for guests to view the area's dark skies. Open from dawn until 10 p.m. every day, explore the park during the day and make a reservation to camp overnight. Please note, the park has no electricity, water, or trash service, so campers must pack in what they need and pack out all waste.

Wildflower Season Has Started at Arizona State Parks
The past few months of plentiful rain has helped welcome a wonderful wildflower season in Arizona's State Parks. State Parks that have wildflowers include Picacho Peak, Catalina, Lost Dutchman, Alamo Lake and Cattail Cove State Parks. In May, the wildflowers in parks at higher elevations, like Oracle and Red Rock State Parks, will start to bloom. Enjoy stunning orange, purple, yellow, and red wildflowers while hiking and camping.

Visit the “Rebuilding Home Plate” Exhibit at Arizona Heritage Center
The “Rebuilding Home Plate” exhibit at the Arizona Heritage Center tells the stories of Japanese Americans who were placed in incarceration camps during World War II and how “America's Pastime” was a means of enduring their imprisonment. Witness a variety of artifacts at the exhibit like the hand-carved home plate made by the “Father of Japanese American Baseball” Kenichi Zenimura used at the Gila River incarceration camp. Now through May 2023.

Accolades

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Breaks Record
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recently broke its record for the single busiest day on February 13, the day following the Super Bowl, with 200,000 visitors coming through the airport.

Two Arizona Cities Ranked on Tourism Sentiment Index's Most Loved Destinations
Tourism Sentiment Index released the 2023 edition of “Leading Places: The 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World '' which highlights the 100 most loved destinations based on consumer sentiment with Scottsdale ranked 26th and Sedona ranked 36th. The inclusion of these cities means they offer a quality visitor experience.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Starts The New Year Receiving Two Awards
The Aviation Safety Advisory Group of Arizona gave Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport the Airport of the Year Award for the airport's continuous efforts in promoting aviation safety. Additionally, Phoenix Sky Harbor and its partner, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co, received a Build Arizona Award for the Terminal 2 Concourse Demolition and Apron Reconstruction Project from Arizona General Contractors.

Culinary

Ambiente™ Sedona Reveals First Look Inside Signature Restaurant
The recently opened Ambiente™ Sedona has unveiled its full-service signature restaurant, Forty1's very first menu along with a glimpse into its dining space. Led by Executive Chef Lindsey Dale, Forty1 has an ever-evolving menu of dishes centered around locally grown and seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding region such as nearby Blue Bird Farms. Guests will enjoy the robust cocktail program within the restaurant's inviting atmosphere that remains minimalist and earthy by design.

Flights

Lynx Air, Canada's New Ultra-Affordable Airline, Launched Its Inaugural Flight Between Phoenix, Arizona And Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Lynx Air (Lynx) launched its inaugural flight to Calgary International Airport (YYC) from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in early February. The airline will operate three flights per week between Calgary and Phoenix, flying brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft.

Breeze to Introduce Three New Destinations from Phoenix
Breeze recently introduced three new nonstop routes from Phoenix to Hartford, CT; Richmond, VA; and Bentonville-Fayetteville, AR. Har are new markets for Phoenix. These three new destinations are an addition to Breeze's nonstop routes to Charleston, SC and Provo, UT, from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

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For more information, please contact:

• Kim Todd at ktodd@tourism.az.gov
• Marjorie Magnusson at mmagnusson@tourism.az.gov
• Joanna Tejeda at jtejeda@tourism.az.gov
• U.S. PR Agency of Record: IT Public Relations NYC - Janet Mick at jmick@itpublicrelations.co

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Newsroom: https://www.visitarizona.com/newsroom/

Official State Travelers Guide:
http://digital.milespartnership.com/view/arizona-official-travel-guide/arizona-official-state-travel-guide/arizona-2022-23