The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson offers outdoor -- yes, outdoor -- ice skating on Arizona golf vacations.
How’s this for a unique off-course activity: outdoor ice skating…in the Arizona desert.
For those who want to escape the cold with Arizona golf vacations, but still want a taste of “home” when they’re not playing golf, a Tucson, Ariz., resort has set up an outdoor ice skating rink.
Frankly, when I’m on an Arizona golf vacation, I don’t want or need any reminders that it’s winter, but I must admit, ice skating when it’s 70 degrees outside would be a pretty cool thing to experience. Here’s where you can find it. Read more →
The Arizona Inn is a colorful and classic place to stay on a Tucson, Arizona golf vacation.
There is no shortage of worthy golf resorts to choose from on a Tucson, Arizona golf vacation, but for those who prefer to stay near the heart of the city and don’t need a golf course on site, the venerable Arizona Inn is Tucson’s shining star.
Tucked among neighborhood residences just one mile from the University of Arizona, this 1930s inn, on the National Register of Historic Places, oozes with charm.
One and two-story coral-pink adobe cottages housing four to six rooms each are scattered throughout the gardens and grounds of this 14-acre property. Read more →
Westin guests can play the private La Paloma course on a Tucson, Arizona golf vacation.
The La Paloma Country Club is home to a private, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, but here’s how you can play it on your Tucson, Arizona golf vacation.
Just book a room at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, as guests of the hotel have playing privileges on the golf course.
Now 23 years old, La Paloma was Nicklaus’ first golf course design in the Arizona desert, but he skillfully routed the course’s 27 holes over and alongside dramatic hills and ridges from elevated tee boxes to elevated greens. Read more →
Pick an odd day to play this terrific tour venue.
This week, the upper-echelon players from golf’s global tours are competing in the Accenture Match Play Championship on the South Course at the Gallery Golf Club in Tucson
, Arizona (the rest of the PGA Tour, concurrently, is in Mexico for the first time ever).
Although the club is private, you can play this John Fought-designed golf course on your Arizona golf vacation
…if you schedule your tee time for an odd-numbered day. That’s because it, and the original, North Course, alternate between public and private play. Read more →
Play Ventana's Mountain Course on even-numbered days.
You really can’t go wrong playing either Tom Fazio layout at the highly rated Loews Ventana Canyon Resort during your Arizona golf vacation, but the Mountain Course is better than the Canyon Course.
The secret to getting on this desert drama-filled layout, however, depends solely on the day you choose to play.
That’s because the resort alternates its member and public play between the courses and you could get shut out if your planned Mountain round falls on a “member” day; odd-numbered days, specifically, such as the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 9th…you get the idea. Read more →
I enjoy upscale dining as much as the next person, but sometimes after a round of golf, I just want to take a hot shower, put on a comfortable pair of jeans and settle into a good pizza.
So, whenever I get a yen for crust, sauce and cheese, I go to Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, the best place for pizza on an Arizona golf vacation.
With two locations in Scottsdale, and one each in Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson, Flagstaff and Mesa, it seems one of these 1950s-themed, Chicago-style pizza joints is never too far away. And, despite being a mini chain, each of the quirky, privately owned restaurants still feels delightfully quirky and privately owned.
The 1950s Swing and Sinatra atmosphere is homage to owner Mark Russell’s father, Lawrence Gibbilinni, nicknamed “Lawrence of Oregano” for his skill in the kitchen, which was definitely passed down to his son.
The menu features a tasty smorgasbord of traditional and modern pizzas (in thin crust and stuffed-crust varieties) such as The Southwest Signature (cilantro pesto, shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, red onion and roasted red peppers) and the Sproccoli (spinach, broccoli and roasted garlic).
While pizza is the specialty of the house, there are also a ton of other inventive sandwiches, pasta dishes and appetizers. I’m partial to the Boom Dip, a gooey mixture of spinach, artichokes and cheese served with crusty bread.
Many of the restaurants feature outdoor patios (with heaters if it gets chilly at night), which contributes to the friendly, laid-back vibe, and attract a young, good-looking crowd. I can’t think of a better environment in which to enjoy a pie.
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