Attractions

NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four & Championship Game Comes to Arizona 
Witness a new champion of the legendary college basketball tournament be crowned in Arizona. Fans can enjoy attending the NCAA Men's Final Four on April 6th before going to the NCAA Men's Championship Game on April 8th hosted at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale. In between games, enjoy the Men's Final Four Fan Fest and Music Festival in downtown Phoenix, the Tipoff Tailgate at the Stadium near the entertainment center Westgate, and explore the thrilling cities of Metro Phoenix before embarking on adventures across the state.

Celebrate International Dark Sky Week & Global Astronomy Month In Arizona
Soak in breathtakingly clear star-scattered skies by visiting Arizona's 7 Dark Sky Communities, 12 Dark Sky Parks, and 1 Urban Night Sky Place. Stargaze in Flagstaff, the first ever Dark Sky Community and home to the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered. Then start making plans to return to Lowell this fall to participate in the opening of its new Discovery Center. All three of Arizona's National Parks have been recognized for their limited light pollution with both the Grand Canyon National Park and Petrified Forest National Park being designated International Dark Sky Parks and Saguaro National Park being an Urban Night Sky Place. Catch sight of the Milky Way while exploring Sedona, Fountain Hills, Chiricahua National Monument in Willcox and Mt Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory in Tucson.

Stay within a Navajo hogan at Shash Dine Eco-Retreat
Live within an earth and log hoghann (Hogan) and enjoy a traditional Navajo dinner thanks to the Navajo Experience offered by Shash Dine Eco-Retreat located near Page. During your two-night minimum stay, hear Navajo stories while eating savory lamb, bread and desserts underneath an endless starry sky before waking up for the morning walking tour to witness an unparalleled sunrise. Add additional BMW convertible tours that explore the desert, night sky and sunrise to reconnect with nature.

Sustainability

Arizona will have the First Native American Electric Vehicle Chapter in the US
The establishment of DRIVE Electric Three Rivers Tribe in Arizona marks the first Native American Electric Vehicle Chapter in the US. Serving three native tribes, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima - Maricopa Indian Community and Gila River Indian Community, this organization is dedicated to the advancement of adopting eclectic vehicles within these three communities. Three Rivers Tribe is a part of Drive Electric Arizona (DEAZ), a new Arizona-based non-profit that is also starting a Route 66 Kingman chapter as part of its mission to accelerate EV accessibility all across the state. Kickstart Drive Electric Earth Month by attending DEAZ's electric vehicle car show occurring at all three native communities on April 6, 2024.

Celebrate Earth Day with Arizona's Sustainable Adventures
Embarking on Arizona's sustainable adventures allows visitors to have a positive impact on the communities they visit as they make memories and learn about preserving the environment. Have a volunteer vacation staying on a houseboat to help clean up trash along the shoreline with Lake Powell's Trash Tracker Program or help maintain the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail by joining the Arizona Trail Association's events, the largest outdoor volunteer service project in the state. Enjoy sustainable tourism activities such as rafting down the Colorado with Arizona Rafting Adventures, touring the Arizona Worm Farm in Phoenix, supporting native artists on the Hopi Arts trail at the Hopi mesas, and exploring the Biosphere 2 research facility near Tucson. Follow Arizona's AppreciateAZ's Leave No Trace Principles to respect the environment when exploring.

Accolades

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Earns A Double Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award in 2024
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana, Arizona earned a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star rating for both its resort and spa. This year marks the fifth consecutive year the resort has earned a double Forbes Five Star rating, a world-renowned authority in authenticating Five Star service. As the only hotel in the state to achieve the honor this year, guests can expect a luxurious stay spending their days relaxing at the spa's infinity pool, dining at the renowned CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar and golfing next to saguaros at The Golf Club's courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Mexican Restaurant in Tucson Recognized by Yelp as the Best Restaurant in the US to eat at in 2024
Tumerico, a vegetarian Mexican cuisine restaurant in Tucson has been named the best restaurant in the US to eat at in 2024 by Yelp for redefining Mexican cuisine and vegetarian dishes by serving Latin vegetarian food that will delight even meat lovers. After opening its doors in 2014, chef-owner Wendy Garcia took beloved recipes, handed down through her family and transformed them into plant-based cuisine using ingredients such as jackfruit carnitas and her famous flavorful salsa. A 2024 James Beard Semifinalist, Garcia offers an experimental seasonal menu within her colorful welcoming restaurant.

Industry News

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Broke Visitation Record in 2023
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page is one of the 20 national parks in the US that broke visitation records in 2023 with 4,581,190 visitors. Here visitors can witness a colorful sunrise over Horseshoe Bend, explore Lake Powell in their houseboat or kayak, embark on hikes and set up camp to go fishing. With summer around the corner, Glen Canyon's water recreation adventures such as paddle boarding, canoeing, waterskiing and boat tours on Lake Powell make it an ideal summer getaway.

Castle Hot Springs Inducted into Historic Hotels of America
Luxury wellness resort, Castle Hot Springs, was recently inducted into the Historic Hotels of America for its historical significance and ongoing preservation. Ever since its opening in 1896, many celebrities and worldwide travelers have stayed at the resort to experience its remedial hot springs including the legendary Roosevelts, Vanderbills and Wrigleys families in the early 1900s. Continuous restoration efforts ensure the resort maintains its historic integrity, architecture, and ambiance which makes it one of the finest historic hotels in the country.

Hotels

The New Fairfield Inn & Suites Tempe and TownePlace Suite in Tempe is Now Open
The new dual-branded Marriott International hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites Tempe and TownePlace Suite is now open in Tempe. Located in the heart of the Phoenix metro area, guests can easily explore countless retail, restaurant, entertainment, and sports venues before returning to the hotel's comfortable Fairfield Inn rooms or TownePlace Suites. During their stay guests can lounge in the pool, soak in the hot tub, and dine at The Way Station, the onsite restaurant and bar serving braised short rib and local brews.

Culinary

Visit Tucson Launches America's Best Mexican Food Field Guide
Visit Tucson's new America's Best Mexican Food Field Guide helps visitors discover the authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine that makes Tucson home to America's Best Mexican Food. The guide highlights the best Mexican restaurants, taquerias and food trucks within this UNESCO City of Gastronomy that will delight every foodie's tastebuds. On this food adventure, enjoy dining at El Charro Café, where the chimichanga was invented, and try Tucson's iconic Sonoran hotdog with a twist at Ruiz Hot Dogs los Chipilones, just to name a few. Click here to log in via a free mobile web app to access the guide and earn points by visiting each restaurant for rewards.

Los Milics Opens a New Tasting Room in Old Town Scottsdale
Award-winning winery, Los Milics recently opened a new tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale for visitors and locals to enjoy their exquisite red, white and rosé wine. Sip Arizona-grown wine from Los Milcis winery in Elgin, an American Viticultural Area, paired with a charcuterie board at this cozy tasting room that is the newest addition to Scottsdale Wine Trail. Los Milics has a reputation for providing a remarkable wine-tasting experience with its breathtaking tasting room in Elgin recognized by USA Today as one of the top three New winery Experiences in the US in 2023.

Flights

Scottsdale Airport Welcomes PrismJet, a new charter jet company
Locally owned, PrismJet now operates at Scottsdale Airport chartering and managing private jets with concierge assistance. Whether chartering PrimJet's Challenger plane or flying in on one's private plane, PrismJet handles the operational aspects so visitors can travel stress-free and simply focus on exploring Arizona. Along with managing planes, the friendly team enjoys helping those seeking to acquire their own plane by aiding them through the entire process.

Sky Harbor has a New Flight to Mexico
Frontier Airline, for the first time, has flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Los Cabos, Mexico. This new flight comes shortly after American Airlines made Sky Harbor the only U.S. international airport to offer service between Mexico's Tijuana International Airport and the U.S. The airport now offers non-stop flights to 12 cities in Mexico.