One great way to see the sites of Sedona is to take the Sedona Trolley.  Not only will you get to see all the historic sites but you will also hear the history of the area from the guide.  The trolley was first a one many operation but now it is a thriving business.

The tour guide, Armor Todd, has been taking people around the area for more than 30 years.  He will entertain you with stories, give you some history and show you the beauty of the area. You can learn about the historic landmarks, buildings, shops, galleries, scenic canyons, and best of all the red sandstone cliffs that surround the village.

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Rosemont Copper offers tours to all that are interested in seeing the development of the copper mine planned for the area just outside of Tucson.  You will see cattle grazing, detailed plans of how the mine is going to be developed with minimum impact on the surrounding beauty.

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Have you been to visit AMY with your kids yet?  Amy stands for the Arizona Museum for Youth and is totally focused on teaching children the joy of art and art appreciation.  Here you children can see different kinds of art that will appeal to them, learn how to create art and just have a great time with all there is to do.

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Join in the fun, take a chance to win the prize and help out the Cienega Rotary Club of Vail, Arizona with the projects they support in the community and world wide.  Never heard of Cow Pie Bingo?

Let me tell you about it, you take a cow (or calf in our case) and turn it loose in a pen that has been marked into a grid with 100 numbers.  Where the cow poops, that number is the winner of the raffle!  Simple and a whole lot of fun. Just visualize a group of people standing around a pen yelling for the calf to poop!!

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If you are looking to visit places that are supposedly haunted then you probably will really enjoy a trip to the Birdcage Theater in Tombstone.  Although there are other buildings in the community which are said to be haunted the Birdcage seems to be the one that gets the most attention. 

The Bird Cage Theater has a history of being something less than calm.. It is said that 26 people were killed in the Bird Cage during its reputed eight years as one of the meanest and wildest places in Tombstone.  If you want to count you will find over 120 bullet holes still remaining in the building.

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It is a town that at one time was the 4th largest community in Arizona and then fell to the bottom of the list when the copper mines closed.  The community sits on the top of Cleopatra Hill at 5,200 feet.  Where it once had a population of 15,00, in the 1920’s, it has just 450 people.  

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Here is a perfect place to test your hiking skill and see some of the most beautiful sites in the entire State of Arizona. Beginning at an elevation of 7,600 ft. you will take the 4 mile trail which isn’t heavily used.  You will be able to enjoy nature, find the peace and solitude that you are looking for and get a great workout at a moderate level of difficulty all at the same time.

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Welcome to the world of Rodeo in Tucson.  Not only is this a huge event consisting of 6 days of action, beauty and talent but the opportunity to learn more about the rodeo is also available through the museum.  Tickets for the Rodeo range from $12 to $19 and can be purchased in advance or at the gate.

There are seven professional rodeo events included in the Tucson Rodeo.  Of these events, six are sanctioned by the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association with women’s barrel racing being sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.  The six events that are sanctioned by the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association are, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping and bull riding.

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Enter the world of the past with this 21 mile long trek through history.  This unpaved, but accessible to high clearance vehicles (during dry weather only) road to take you on the journey of the past.  You will need at least 2 hours to make this trip and you won’t be able to take a travel trailer or any vehicle more than 20 feet long.  These can be left at parking areas provided near kiosks at each end of the road.

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Into this world come some stories about haunted places and the life of those that supposedly haunt them.  The Hotel San Carlos in Phoenix is supposedly haunted by a woman named Leone Jensen, who was 22 at the time, went to the roof of the hotel dressed in an evening gown. Said to be brokenhearted over the lost love of a local bellboy, she jumped from the roof to her death.  It has been said that ever since then guests have reported odd breezes, ghostly noises and the pale shadow of a woman floating in the air.

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Do you remember the tragic end of the Challenger mission from NASA?  Because of this tragedy the Challenger Space Center of Arizona was built to memorialize these brave souls and yet continue with the excitement, education and inspiration of those interested in the space program and all it has to offer.

The affiliation the Center has with the Smithsonian Institute offers access to national quality museum exhibits that would not otherwise be available in Arizona.

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The Organ PIpe Cactus National Monument was founded to celebrate the life and landscape of the Sonoran desert.

Whether you want to hike, take a drive on a lonely road, backpack, camp in the desert or just soak in the warmth and the beauty of the Southwest this is the place to do it.

There are extraordinary plants and animals in the Sonoran Desert for you to enjoy.  These creatures adapted themselves to the extreme temperatures, intense sunlight and little rainfall of this Southwest region.  There are Twenty-six species of cactus living here, including the beautiful park’s namesake and the giant saguaro.

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In this area of the state, which was settled by Mormon John D. Lee, there stands a trading post built in 1913 and a stone fort built in 1874.  They are still standing to allow visitors to see what life would have been like in that time of unrest between the Navajo and the settlers.  The trading post has the small fortified windows (gun ports) on the right side of the building to protect it from attacks.

Lees Ferry was the first ferry crossing on the Colorado River for 260 miles prior to the building of the Navajo and Glen Canyon Bridges which were built in the 20th century.  Everyplace else along the Colorado River is all limestone cliffs and sandstone from Moab, Utah to Laughlin, Nevada which made it impossible to ford.

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This is the newest karting facility in the United States.  It is located directly across the street from Tucson Raceway Park and is a replica of the famous Suzuka Kart Circuit in Suzuka, Japan.  That track is known by professionals kart drivers as the best circuit in the world.

This is a spot that works for both the serious and recreational karters with a comfortable environment for families and spectators.  Because of the fabulous weather in Tucson this track is open year round.

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Enter the world of the beautiful past when you step into the entryway of the glorious Fox Theater.  This theater was built in 1929 to serve a dual purpose, to be a vaudeville/move house. The Fox was originally to be called "The Tower" but was changed to the Fox prior to opening.

Opening night, April 11, 1930, proved to be the biggest party the small community of Tucson had ever seen. With Congress Street closed and waxed for dancing, four live bands, a live radio broadcast and free trolley rides Downtown, the party was one not to be missed. Those lucky enough to have bought tickets in advance—3,000 or so people—enjoyed the show inside as well as out. The film "Chasing Rainbows," a Movie Tone short, and a Mickey Mouse cartoon were well received by both audiences that evening, and the Fox Theatre began its 40­year life as the center of Tucson’s entertainment world.

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The Tucson Opera Company has offices in both Tucson and Phoenix.  The Company began in 1971 and has consistently provided quality opera to the area since that time.

The operas are preformed in their original language with English subtitles on the screen overhead.  No need to be afraid to go since you will be able to understand (or read) the entire story of the opera.

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Come and enjoy this scenic desert oasis at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains.  You can camp, hike, ride the equestrian trails, view the wide displays of natural plant and wildlife and enjoy a picnic.  

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Legends are wonderful and the legend of Hi Jolly is one that attracts thousands of people to this community annually.  Hi Jolly is Quartzsite’s most famous citizen.  He was a dreamer, adventurer and entrepreneur although he never achieved greatness with his visions.

In this community cemetery the gravesite of Hi Jolly is the largest tombstone in the city topped with a copper camel.  

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Traveling on the highway south of Tucson you will see the signs that are reminiscent of the Wall Drug Store signs of years ago.  Every few miles (and sometimes closer than that) you will see a sign promoting The Thing.  It may say something like "Mysteries of the Desert" or "The Thing, Mysteries of the past."

They go on for miles asking if you’ve seen it and so forth.  Of course your curiosity is awakened by this marketing ploy, you really want to know what The Thing is!

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Tom Mix was a silent-movie cowboy who died in 1940 but his legend still goes on today.  He told a great story about himself, most of it not true, about his life prior to entering the movie business.  He claimed to have been a Texas Ranger, to have fought in the Boer War and other wondrous adventures.  He was a working cowboy, a night marshal in Dewey, OK and a peace officer in mining camps in Colorado so there was a little bit of reality in his exaggerations.

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Flying into Tucson International brings you to the southern most airport in Arizona where you can enjoy the wide range of activities offered in this city and surrounding area.

Getting the best Tucson airfare takes some time but is well worth the effort.  There are days of the week that the rates are less than other days, there are weeks of the month that offer a better rate so you may want to spend some time checking on the different options.  If you can book your ticket way in advance it is often a less costly way to go than to wait until a week or two before you want to arrive.  When the airlines first schedule a flight they want the seats filled so they have discounted rates available, sometimes.

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Cheap Airfare Phoenix

Are you looking for cheap tickets to fly into Phoenix?  There are a number of websites that can help you find the best rate for your trip.  It will depend on when you are planning to fly and how flexible you are on those dates.  If you can mark the area that allows for a 3 day difference on your departure or arrival date you may find that you can save quite a bit of money.

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Where are you planning to fly into?  Are you going to Phoenix Sky Harbor or Tucson?  How about Mesa-Willianms Gateway?  Where you are flying into can make a difference in what rate you pay for your ticket.  Occasionally it is considerably less expensive to fly into a different airport and rent a car then to fly directly to the destination you are going to ultimately want. 

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When you are planning to come to Arizona and fly into Sky Harbor you will want to keep your eyes on the specials that are offered by the airlines.  It may mean that you will fly on a weekday rather than a weekend, but you may be able to save a bunch by making this adjustment.

Sky Harbor has 20 airlines that fly into it.  That offers you a wide range of options to book your flight.  If one of the following airlines is in your area check out their rate for a flight to Phoenix.  Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Tran, Alaska Airlines, American, British Airways, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Great Lakes, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Midwest Airlines, Northwest, Southwest, Sun Country, TED (part of United), United Airlines, US Airways, and WestJet. 

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Enjoy Family Fun at Enchanted Island Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. Enchanted Island Park in the heart of Phoenix’s beautiful Encanto Park is a wonderful attraction for families with young children. Enchanted Island Park features a diverse assortment of fun and entertaining rides specially designed for kids aged 2 to 10. There’s plenty of ways for adults to have fun with their kids at Enchanted Island, too, including pedal-boats, a delightful train ride, an arcade and more.

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CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports - Scottsdale, Arizona

Visit Scottsdale’s Premier Family Fun Attraction: CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports Park. CrackerJax Family Fun and Sports Park in Scottsdale, AZ is a terrific attraction for families with kids of all ages. The Park is all about fun, and there’s a wonderful assortment of attractions to keep everyone entertained. CrackerJax features go-kart racing tracks, water balloon competitions, miniature golf, an arcade and much more, all available at very affordable rates.

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At the Saguaro National Park you will experience the beauty of the towering saguaro cactus.  The park covers approximately 91,000 acres and is filled with saguaro which are multi-pronged plants which can live more than 150 years!  Some even grow to over 50 feet in height.  There is also teddy-bear cholla, hedgehog and a wide range of the cactus for you to learn about and enjoy.

The Rangers at the visitor centers (there are two centers) offer a wide array of activities such as guided nature hikes to discussions about Saguaro’s unusual make up of flota and fauna.  The majority of these programs are schedule from October thru April.

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This museum was founded in 1988 and highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe.  There are some collections that are over 100 years old and all the animals at the museum were donate by people that wanted to share their knowledge with others.  The Museum is an educational program of the Safari Club International Foundation.

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This museum isn’t huge but it is packed with interactive exhibits, the daily hands-on activities and monthly special events to keep children interested and learning.  There area "Adventure Learning Tours" including the Dinosaur Adventure, the Power Up electricity tour, Depths of the Sea and wonder about grown up life with a When You Grow Up experience.  Maybe you want to take the World of Wellness tour and learn about how to be the best you can be!

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Situated in the foothills is the South Mountain State Park, the largest city owned park in the nation.  If you want to hike, horseback ride, play outdoor sports in an ideal setting then you will want to visit this community just outside of Phoenix.

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There are approximately 15 unique park areas included in the Tucson Botanical Gardens which are open to the public with special events and educational programs available.  There are historical gardens, herb gardens, cactus & Succulent gardens and on and on, all to capture your eye and interest.

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in 1775 there was a fort built by the Spanish called El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson where they staked their claim to the northern frontier of New Spain.  Where Old Town Artisans is located was the site of the stables and the north wall of the fort area assisted in repelling Apache attacks.  The other adobe buildings construction began in the 1850’s.

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This beautiful canyon offers a wonderful opportunity for hiking on its many trails to enjoy the canyon.  There is also a tram for those that would rather ride than hike.  The canyon is located in the Coronado National Forest and is the home to spectacular desert landscaping and a variety of wildlife.

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The Phoenix Zoo covers 125 acres in total with approximately 2.5 miles of walking trails.  There are 4 different trails such as the Africa trail, the Tropics, The Arizona and the Children’s trails.  There are approximately 1,200 animals on exhibit with everything from mammals, fish, invertebrates, birds and the fascinating reptiles.

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For greyhound racing fans the Tucson Greyhound Park offers you greyhound racing Tuesday - Saturday nights at 7:30 pm.  There is a pari-mutuel betting and OTB betting available. The Tucson dog racing track has been in operation for over six decades. 

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Phoenix Greyhound Park - Phoenix, Arizona

This dog track is located directly north of Sky Harbor Airport at 40th St. and Washing.  The park has been operating for ore than 40 years.  The park offers pari-mutual wagering on live greyhound racing seven nights a week at 7:30 pm with simulcast racing beginning daily at 4:30.

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Here you will have the opportunity to not just look at the deer but walk among them, tough them and they will let you feed them right out of your hand if you want.

Started in 1969 and after a few owners the current owners, Randy and Pat George and their sons have expanded the store and the animal population.  They now include Reindeer, Axis Deer, Talking Birds, Wallabies, Coatimundi, Marmosets, Mini Cattle, and a Baby Camel and two Baby Bison.

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Come and see the fountain that has made the Guinness Book of World Records as the "world’s tallest fountain"(it no longer holds that record but did for over a decade).  The fountain shoots water 560 feet into the air from the lagoon in the center of the 32 acre Fountain Park. 

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If you are a candy fan and would like to take a tour of the factory where Almond Toffee and other wonders of the confectionary world are created you can take a tour of this factory.  Have you always wondered how cream centers are enrobed in luscious chocolate or how the caramels get wrapped?  If so you will learn all of this if you take the 30 minutes guided tour of the factory. 

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One of the less known parks of Arizona is the Chiricahua National Monument of Southern Arizona. This park has some of the most beautiful scenery in the state and should not be overlooked.

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2009 (Spring) Schedule for tours: Saturday only with tours at 8 and 10 am.  Cost: $15 per person.  Tickets available at their site online or at any of the community centers in Phoenix.  This is for the Cactus Garden only.  The Castle should be open for tours in late fall of 2010.  They plan to have tours from November until April.

Situated in Phoenix is the Tovrea Castle which was built to resemble a wedding cake by Alessio Carraro.  He had the idea to build it as the hotel for a development he wanted to do in the area in 1928.  He bought 277 acres of land, hired a Russian gardener names Moktachev to develop the gardens while the castle was built and was off on his dream.  The problem was that he lost interest when adjoining property owners began construction sheep and cattle pens to supply a nearby meat packing plant which was owned by the Tovrea family. 

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Want to get up close and personal to a dinosaur?  At Bedrock City, halfway between the Grand Canyon and Williams, you have the opportunity to do just that.  Here you will see Greg and Barney, Wilma and Betty along with Pebbles and Bamm Bamm from the Flintstones cartoons as well as the giant dinosaur that you can slide down the tail, like a slide, just like Fred on the intro to the cartoon.  This unique stop is located between the Grand Canyon and Williams on Arizona Hwy 54 at the junction of US 180 in Valle.  Created to look like Fred, Barney, Wilma, Betty, Pebbles and Bamm Bamm from the Flintstones cartoons they will bring a smile to your face, regardless of whether you are still a kid or just remembering how the Flintstones made you laugh.  The statues are stationary, they are huge and they are fun.

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Have you seen those old travel trailers in the back 40 of some farm where it sits falling apart and having everyone wonder why the heck they didn’t get rid of the "piece of junk" years ago.  Well, if you come to Bisbee you will see how someone took the past and has converted them into a lodging facility to accept guests.

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Are you looking for something different to do?  Do you enjoy the unusual?  Then you will want to visit the small community of Oatman.  Oatman was a gold mining town until the 1930’s.  At that time there were nearly 10,000 people living in the town, today there are must 150.  The town is just 4 blocks long but filled with Old West charm which attracts nearly 500,000 visitors per year!

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