Spa Days!

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Montelucia Resort Spa photoWhether you’re looking for a gift for Valentine’s Day, birthday or anniversary, you typically can do no wrong when you give a gift certificate for a spa day to that special someone.  Here are some of the top picks by Yelp!  Reviewers for day spas in North Scottsdale . . .

One of the top picks by Yelp! Reviewers is the New Serenity Spa located at 15609 N Hayden Rd.  This day spa is in the moderate price range and offers services ranging from facials to massage.  There are at least a dozen different massage packages.  New Serenity also offers a wide range of facials, from anti-aging and chemical peels to teen facials.  If you are looking to surprise your loved one with a spa day, there are also several combination packages offered.

Next up is Well & Being Spa, located inside the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess Resort.  This luxury spa offers a full spa day experience, thanks to spa visitors being permitted to partake of the resort amenities such as the fitness center, the lounge facilities and the resort pools.  Services offered by this spa include a dozen different types of massages, body scrubs and wraps, several different facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, haircuts and hair color.

Another popular day spa option is the Spa810 Scottsdale located at 23425 N Scottsdale Rd.  This spa features a detailed menu of services from many types of facials, massage, laser hair removal and chemical peels.   North Scottsdale spa-goers appear to be fans of the Millennium Day Spa, located at 7609 E Pinnacle Peak Rd.  This moderately-priced spa and salon offer a deep range of services from haircuts, color and style, to manicures/pedicures, makeup services, spray tanning, massages, waxing and facials.

High-Speed Adventures

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Penske Racing Museum photoSometimes, dinner and a movie just isn’t going to cut it.  Sometimes, we feel the need for a high-speed adventure.  Here are a few places to consider paying a visit, to feel that wind in your hair:

  1. Located in Eloy, approximately a 30 minute drive from Phoenix, is SkyDive Arizona, which is one of the largest sky diving facilities in the world.  You can try tandem jumping, attend ground school to learn how to skydive solo, or for those who aren’t quite as daring, enjoy indoor skydiving in the vertical wind tunnel, where every minute in the tunnel is equal to a minute of free-fall skydiving time.
  2. Located in Scottsdale just west of the 101 freeway, Octane Raceway features a 1/3 mile indoor/outdoor track where you can race one of 32 electric Sodi RTX racing karts from Europe.  These karts have 10,000 RPM for maximum torque and a top speed of 45 MPH. Minimum height requirements are 54 inches, so even those under the age of 16 can join in the high-octane fun.
  3. Another go kart option can be found at K1 Speed, centrally located near the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.  The 20HP electric carts reach speeds up to 45 mph and racers will enjoy the large track.  Junior racers must be at least 48 inches tall.
  4. For a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience some REAL speed, check out the Bondurant High Performance Racing School.   Located in Chandler, AZ, Bondurant features a 1.6-mile, 15 turn multi-configuration race track on a 60-acre facility, designed by world champion driver Bob Bondurant.  Known as “The Fastest 60 Acres in America”, Bondurant also has access to the 3 racing tracks at Firebird International Raceway.  Drivers have access to over 200 cars equipped for racing on the tracks, and will receive full instruction and safety training before beginning one of multiple programs and passes available.  Bondurant also has a SuperKart Track for go karts, perfect for group outings, corporate kart leagues, for anyone at any skill level.

Be sure to check out www.groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com for coupons and deals for the above attractions.

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Birthday Party Spots

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There are literally dozens and dozens of fun locations where you can host your child’s next birthday.  Thinking outside of the box means lots of fun for the birthday guest of honor and all of their guests:

  1. Phoenix Zoo – Let your birthday kiddo be wild at the Phoenix Zoo with one of their hosted birthday party packages for ages 1-12.  The packages include admission for up to 10 kids and 12 adults, printable invitations, a reserved party ramada with party host, plus party favor bags, ice cream, lemonade and a T-shirt for all guests.  Admission to Stingray Bay or a carousel ride is included with the package.  Several add-ons include pizza and private animal presentations.
  2. Castles n’ Coasters – This outdoor amusement park is located near Metrocenter Mall off I-17 and Dunlap Avenue.  With a 10-guest minimum, and only 24-hours minimum notice, your birthday boy or girl can enjoy 18 holes of miniature golf and all-day unlimited rides (bumper boats, roller coasters, log ride, ropes course and go-kart racing) with their party guests, with some of the various packages offered.  All packages include a party room with soft drinks, pizza and ice cream.
  3. Sea Life Arizona Aquarium – Is your birthday child a fan of sea life?  Then this place is a perfect fit with its 161,000-gallon aquarium complete with underwater tunnel.  Birthday packages for ages 4-12 include a host, decorated party room, all-day admission for 15-20 guests plus goody bags.  The birthday gift for the birthday child is included thanks to the included annual pass!  Deluxe add-ons include supervised crafts, party games and a mermaid or pirate party host.
  4. AZ Air Time photoAZ Airtime – A surefire party pleaser is this indoor trampoline park, which features an extra-large free jump space, trampoline basketball, two trampoline dodgeball courts and a giant foam pit, all for jumpers 7 and up.  For jumpers 6 and younger, there’s a separate jump area with a 1,500-square foot trampoline as well as two bounce houses with slides.  Birthday packages include the use of a party room or reserved party tables, as well as jump time and a party host. Some add-ons include pizza, unlimited soft drinks, decorations and extra jump time.
  5. Childsplay – For a truly unique birthday party experience while supporting the local theatre, consider the Childsplay birthday experience.  This birthday party experience offers discounted seating for parties of 10 or more to a chosen play.  A VIP button for the birthday child, birthday sign and happy birthday wishes from the stage are also included.  Add ons include a backstage tour as well as themed toys and books.

Scottsdale Community Golf Courses

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desert highlands golfWhether you are an accomplished golfer or a beginner still learning the ropes, Scottsdale is truly a mecca for the sport of golf.  While Scottsdale is host to world-renowned designer courses, there are also several public or community courses, perfect for all levels of players from the novice to the expert.  Here are some public courses to check out in Scottsdale:

  1. Phoenician Resort Golf Course—Canyon, Desert and Oasis Courses.  With 3 different 9 hole courses, the combinations of these Homer Flint and Ted Robinson Sr designed courses are endless.
  2. Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club—This 18-hole, par 70 course was developed in 2000 by the Gilmore-Graves Architectural Design Company.
  3. Talking Stick Golf Club—North Course and South Course.  These two courses were designed by Bill Core & Ben Crenshaw.  The Golf Club also features a 17,000-square foot driving range.
  4. TPC of Scottsdale—Champions Course and Stadium Course.  Home to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, these courses are also open to the public.  The Champions Course was designed by Randy Heckenkemper, while the Stadium Course was designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf; both are par 71 courses.
  5. Camelback Golf Club—Padre Course and Ambiente Course.  The Padre Course was designed by Arthur Hills, and its 6,903-yard, par 72 design features some challenging water holes.  The Ambiente Course is a Jason Straka design, with 4 par 5 holes.
  6. Coronado Golf Course—This affordable (cash only) community golf course features a 9-hole course, as well as lighted driving range, putting and chipping greens.  Opened in 1966, this charming 1,850-yard, par 31 course is perfect for beginners!
  7. Grayhawk Golf Club—Raptor Course and Talon Course.  The Raptor Course features 7,090-yards, and this par 72 course was designed by Tom Fazio.  The Talon Course was designed by Gary Panks and David Graham, and this 6,973-yard course is also a 72 par course.
  8. Kierland Golf Club—Ironwood, Acacia and Mesquite Courses form 27 holes of golfing fun.  The Ironwood is a Scott Miller design with 3,539-yards and is a par 36 course.  Acacia is also a Scott Miller design, with 3,435 yards.  The Mesquite is 3,478-yards and is also a par 36 course.
  9. McCormick Ranch Golf Club—Palm Course and Pine Course feature 36 yards of golf play, all with gorgeous mountain views.  Both courses were created in 1972 by Desmond Muirhead.
  10. The Orange Tree Golf Club—This beautiful, tree-shaded course near Camelback Mountain was developed in the 1950s and features 18 holes in a par 72 course.

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Holiday Excursions Perfect for Children

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christmas tree photoIt’s that time of year again, and what better way to get your kids in the mood for celebrating than an excursion up north?  One of the most popular holiday events is the North Pole Experience.  This interactive experience is set in the “North Pole” which is entered via a trolley ride through a magic portal in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Families will board the trolley from the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona, and after a short ride to the portal, families will alight from the trolley at the North Pole.  Elves will whisk the trolley passengers away to Santa’s Workshop, where families will work side by side with elves making toys for Santa to take to children around the world.  Each room of the expansive workshop features a different activity, snack or story.  This experience lasts about 90 minutes and ends with the children sitting on Santa’s lap.

To continue this magical experience, consider staying at the Little America Hotel, which beginning in mid-November, decorates its hotel and grounds with millions of holiday lights, making for one of the largest light displays in Arizona.  The hotel also offers a special breakfast with Santa as part of its partnership with the North Pole Experience, so your little ones will get to spend additional time with the big guy.

Another popular holiday experience that’s perfect for families with younger children is the Polar Express.  Hosted by the Grand Canyon Railway, this highly interactive train ride is based on the Polar Express children’s book written by Chris Van Allsburg, and is an adorable hour-long adventure to the “North Pole”.  Families will board the train at the train depot in Williams, Arizona at 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. and will return back to the depot.  The depot is adjacent to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, which also offers special booking rates to Polar Express passengers.  Be sure to check out the adorable gift shop too!

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Popular Halloween Haunted House Attractions-2016

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happy-halloween clip artCan you believe it’s already October?  While the chill of fall may not quite be in the air, the time for ghosts, goblins and glittery princesses will be here before you know it.  To that end, here are some upcoming Halloween haunted houses that will be around the Valley of the Sun this year.

First up is AZ Field of Screams, a maze in a haunted corn field, which was planted over an old cemetery.  Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and this attraction is not recommended for children under 10 years old.

Next, is Fear Farm, which features 30 acres showcasing 5 different haunted experiences, including: Mouth of Madness, Legends: Goatman, Undead, Slaughterhouse and The Bunker.  This year there is also a Haunted Hayride attraction.  This is considered a PG-13 attraction, so is not recommended for small children.  (Located at 2209 N. 99th Avenue in Phoenix, beginning September 23.)

The Crypt offers a trio of haunted attractions: The Asylum, Chaos Maze and The Crypt.  These are not recommended for children under 10.  (Located at Fiesta Mall, 1445 W. Southern Avenue in Mesa, beginning September 23.)

Consider checking out 13th Floor Haunted House, with two attractions spread out over 60,000 square feet.  This haunted house is not recommended for small general, and sports a PG-13 general guideline.  (Located at 2814 W. Bell Road, beginning September 23).

Scarizona Scaregrounds is home to two different haunted houses: Epic Fear and Slayer’s Slaughter House.  An interactive paintball attraction, Operation Zombie Storm, features 16-passenger military trucks which are driven through a wave of zombies.  Scaregrounds also hosts live music on the weekends, as well as a beer garden and other entertainment.  (Located at 1901 N. Alma School Road in Mesa, beginning September 23.)

Jack and Jill’s Haunted Hill is an indoor, two-story live interactive experience, with parental discretion advised.  (Located at 3401 W. Greenway Road, beginning September 30).

The Gauntlet at Golfland Fright Nights features a terrifying maze, and a multi-level haunted house featuring animatronics and skilled actors, all mostly indoors.  This attraction isn’t recommended for children under 13 years old.  Children may enjoy  Spooktacular Golf, a miniature 18-hole golf course full of spooky and festive decorations.  (Located at Golfland, Mesa, beginning September 30).

Finally, Zombie WarZ is a zombie apocalypse where you fight off zombies in a Zombie Assault Vehicle using “flesh-eating” Zombie paint slugs   This attraction is recommended for adults and teens, but parents may choose to bring younger children (minimum age is 5).  (Located near Rawhide in Chandler.  GPS directions given on the website).

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