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February 4, 2022
Spring break is right around the corner. If you’re looking to avoid the wildness that can be Lake Havasu (which has grown in popularity in recent years thanks to the London Bridge and water sport activities), some of your better opportunities for springtime fun is to kick back in one of the larger metro areas, like Phoenix and Tucson.
The weather is great, the sun is perfect, and you’re still close enough to some water activities you won’t need to drive to the other side of the state to experience it. If you’re considering a fun vacation destination around the two largest metro areas in the state, here are a few locations to consider.
Sometimes you don’t want to travel very far or deal with large crowds, yet still want to have a bit of outdoor fun. Top Golf is the perfect opportunity to do just that, and best of all, there are locations in both metro Phoenix and Tucson.
You don’t need to be a major golf fan to enjoy all the perks of visiting the facility. Whether you just want to practice your drive, take some test swings from the third level of the driving range, or you want to grab a drink and play pool in between turns with your friends, Top Golf is basically a driving range meets arcade meets bowling alley meets bar. It’s perfect for all ages as well, so whether you’re looking to go with kids or you want your 2022 spring break to be laid back, you can’t go wrong here.
Arizona is the perfect destination for spring training baseball. The Major League Baseball teams split in two, with half the teams heading to Florida and the other half to Arizona. The good thing is all 15 teams are in metro Phoenix, so from central Phoenix you can usually make it to any of the ballparks in 30 minutes or less. In Florida, you’re forced to drive around the entire state.
Spring Training is perfect for seeing your favorite players up close. Parks are lush and cared for, yet the stadiums are closer to the size of a minor league stadium than anything else. Visiting the parks is also a great way to experience food from different regions.
Ever try to find a Chicago-style hot dog in Arizona? It’s next to impossible. But you can watch a Chicago White Sox spring training game and order yourself a dog exactly how it’s made in the Windy City. Plus, you can nab yourself a spring training hat with the official Arizona patch on it. If you’re a fan of baseball and want to scout out half of the majors, spring training throughout metro Phoenix is the place to be.
Nothing says summer is around the corner like a day trip to the lake. If you’re not a fan of crowded waters, springtime is the best time to hit up the nearest lake with your friends and family. Although it may be a little too chilly to swim just yet, there’s plenty of other things to do during your visit.
Rent a boat, kayak, or set up camp at the beach. All you need is an eegee’s Fun Pak and 3-foot sub to keep everyone happy and their bellies full.
This has been a Tucson spring break favorite for generations. The official name is Puerto Peñasco, in Mexico, but referred to as Rocky Point by Arizonans. The beach town is right in the northeast corner of the Gulf of California, and just a short drive from Tucson. When you want sand, sun, and plenty of margaritas, Rocky Point is by far the place to go.
In terms of border crossings, this is about as pain-free as it gets, as it’s not a busy border crossing here. The beach area also isn’t as busy as other Mexican beach destinations. California travelers will hit up Baja California, while most locals in Mexico will head further south. And, as it’s right in the Gulf, the water is always pristine and warm.
Tucson is the only real city where you can go skiing up on Mount Lemmon and then hit a tropical beachfront in Mexico in the matter of a few hours. And, of course, you can always grab an eegee while on the road.
Arizona is one of the best states in the country when it comes to hiking. This is also the best time of year to do it. The weather is warm but it’s not blistering hot (don’t worry, that heat is right around the corner).
There are plenty of hiking spots around Tucson, including Saguaro National Park. In Phoenix there are some smaller spots around the metro area, or you can head out to Tonto National Forest, or keep heading north and make your way to Prescott, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon. Summertime is when the Grand Canyon really sees an influx of visitors, and the winter months see snowbirds from up north heading to Arizona. Spring break is right in that sweet spot for locals.
If you want a unique destination and a history lesson all at the same time, head out for the Picacho Peak State Park. This is just about the mid-point between Phoenix and Tucson. This is a nice change of pace hiking destination, but what really sets it apart is the Battle of Picacho was one of the western most “battle” of the Civil War.
There were a number of dustups and skirmishes between Confederate and Union soldiers in Arizona. During the Battle of Picacho, three men were killed when California scouts met up with Confederate soldiers from Texas. There’s even an annual reenactment of the fight every year.
The perfect thing about staying in Phoenix or Tucson is you’re always close to an eegee’s restaurant. Whether you’re craving a grinder, have been searching for ranch fries, or want to cool down with the legendary frozen eegee treat, you’re in luck.
You’re not going to find an eegee’s out in Lake Havasu, Yuma, or in the rest of the state, which means you’d be out of luck grabbing the delicious food that’s always made fresh, just for you. So, whether you’re having a stay-cation, or you’re going to take advantage of some of the local attractions around town, make sure to take your eegee’s with you wherever you go.
