 FEATURE
STORY
Cactus League fever
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The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort is offering a spring training package February 27 through March 26 for $130 per night, single or double occupancy. The package includes a spring training gift basket upon arrival, a full American breakfast buffet, and transportation to and from Scottsdale Stadium. Stays of three nights or more will receive two free rounds of golf at the Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club. For more information or to make reservations, call 800-852-5205 or 480-991-2400 or visit www.sunspreeresorts.com/scottsdale-rst.
Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas is offer a spring training package from March 1-31. The package includes one-night accommodations, continental breakfast and a special San Francisco Giants key chain. Cost varies for single/double occupancy as follows: Monday-Thursday costs $231/$252 per night and Friday-Sunday costs $164/$185 per night. For more information or to make reservations, call 800-528-3119 or 480-948-7750 or visit www.scottsdaleresort.hilton.com.
The
Hampton Inn Scottsdale at Shea and the Comfort Inn Scottsdale
are offering a spring training package from February 25 - March
31. The package includes complimentary sun visors and sun screen,
a $10 gift certificate to Romano's Macaroni Grill (one per room),
and daily breakfast. The package is $99 per night, single or double
occupancy, at Hampton Inn, and $89 per night, single or double
occupancy, at Comfort Inn. For more information or to make reservations
at the Hampton Inn, call 1-866-444-0992 (602-910-6821) or visit
www.hampton-inn.com/hi/phoe-scottsdale. For more information or
to make reservations at the Comfort Inn, call 888-296-9776 or
visit www.zmchotels.com.
Resort Suites of Scottsdale is offering a spring training package. Stay three nights at Resort Suites during March and receive a $50 gift certificate for JimE's Grill. During spring training, JimE's is offering a special baseball-themed menu with items such as Babe Ruth Baby Back Ribs, Willie McCovey fries, Mark McGuire Mac 'n Cheese and more. For more information or to make reservations, call 1-866-444-0992 (602-910-6821) or visit www.arizonagolfpackages.com.
OTHER GREAT DEALS FOR SPRING TRAINING FANS
Village Tavern, located in The Shops at Gainey Village, is offering a free appetizer or dessert to anyone who brings in a ticket stub from a spring training game. For more information, call 480-951-6445 or visit www.villagetavern.com.
Desert Botanical Garden is offering $1 off admission to any person wearing an item with a logo of a Cactus League spring training team. This discount is available from February 25 - March 31. For more information, call 480-941-1225 or visit www.dbg.org.
Scottsdale Fashion Square, The Borgata of Scottsdale and The Shops at Gainey Village are offering any visitor who shows a spring training ticket at the concierge desk a complimentary Westcor Shopping & Dining Incentives Book with more than $500 in savings. For more information, visit www.westcor.com.
At Sugar Daddy's Blues, a short walk from Scottsdale Stadium, enjoy an eclectic menu and live music seven nights a week. During spring training, baseball fans can catch a glimpse of baseball celebrities who will be signing autographs. Call for specific appearance dates and times. For more information, call 480-970-6556 or visit www.sugardaddysaz.com.
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is offering "Batter Up Lager" from February 27 - March 28. Also, beginning March 4, a Spring Training Specials Menu will be offered each week through March 28. For more information or to make reservations, call 480-998-7777 or visit www.rockbottom.com.
OUT AND ABOUT IN SCOTTSDALE
We know you plan to spend most of your days at the stadium, but during those other few hours each day, Scottsdale hosts a myriad of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Celebrate Scottsdale's love affair with the arts and fine cuisine, watch the pros go head-to-head in tennis, or sit back and relax during an evening concert. Following is a list of just some of the things to do in March in Scottsdale. For a complete listing of events and activities, visit the Scottsdale CVB website at www.scottsdalecvb.com.
The following events are located just blocks from Scottsdale
Stadium in downtown Scottsdale or at the Scottsdale Civic Center
Mall: Scottsdale 
ArtWalk,
Thursday Evenings, Year-Round: Scottsdale ArtWalk is perfect for
a casual evening of browsing. Many special exhibitions, demonstrations
and entertainment are offered Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Native Trails, January 14 - March 22: A free festival of Native
American music and dance held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
from noon to 1:30 p.m. In addition, Native American artists will
sell their works, and attendees can taste traditional foods including
Indian tacos and Indian fry bread. Sunday A'Fair, March 2, 9 and
30; April 6: This little arts festival is held from noon to 4:30
p.m. Enjoy live music, culinary delights, kids' crafts, artists'
booths, guided art tours and more. Scottsdale Arts Festival, March
14-16: Every year, nearly 200 juried artist booths line the Scottsdale
Mall featuring arts and crafts from across the state. All day,
every day art is showcased on eight different stages and live
concerts are held on Friday and Saturday evenings. Market in the
Village, March 1 - May 31, Saturday Mornings: This farmers market
features fresh produce, baked breads and pastries, fish, flowers,
coffees, tamales and much more. The market also features cooking
demonstrations and entertainment. Chicago Fest, March 21-23: A
free celebration of food, blues, jazz and polka from the windy
city. Located on Fifth Avenue in downtown Scottsdale. Other activities
to enjoy in Scottsdale include: Hike the new Pinnacle Peak Trail
Learn about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert at the Desert
Botanical Garden See Frank Lloyd Wright's desert retreat, Taliesin
West Encounter the wild kingdom at Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Enjoy a breakfast horseback ride in the McDowell Mountain foothills
Venture out on an off-road Jeep or Hummer tour Take to one of
Scottsdale's championship golf courses Relax and rejuvenate at
a world-class Scottsdale spa
HOMETOWN LEGENDS THAT WILL STICK TO YOUR RIBS
Each year, baseball fans flock to some of Scottsdale's most
notable establishments including the Pink Pony and Don & Charlie's
restaurants. For decades, both restaurants have served as friendly
hosts to returning visitors, all wanting to recapture the quintessential
Scottsdale experience during spring training. And, they are only
blocks away from Scottsdale Stadium. The late Charlie Briley opened
the Pink Pony, Scottsdale's first restaurant, 51 years ago and
has been serving classic American cuisine 
ever
since. Famous for their prime rib and steaks, the Pink Pony has
become a refuge for baseball fans seeking good food and great
fun. Baseball memorabilia from seasons past and present cover
the restaurant walls providing eye candy for diners. Serving as
a home away from home for travelers during the spring, the Pink
Pony offers special afternoon spring training specials and stays
open late for post-game parties. When you go, create your own
bit of history and get a seat at booth No. 3 where legendary singing
cowboy Gene Autry dined frequently. For more information, call
480-945-6697. Don Carson, owner of Don & Charlie's and self-proclaimed
San Francisco Giants' fan, has been serving up championship food
at Don & Charlie's since 1981. Since its inception, the restaurant
has been a haven for sports collectors, baseball fans and locals
wanting to get a taste of some of the best food in town. Frequent
diners include many of the visiting coaches and players - all
digging into Don's famous BBQ ribs or prime steaks. The restaurant's
walls and even the ceiling are lined with one of the largest collections
of sports memorabilia west of the Mississippi. Diners waiting
to be seated can be seen gawking at all the celebrity photos and
pointing out their favorite players. As George Will wrote in Newsweek
magazine, "So, this is March in Arizona: baseball, then Don
& Charlie's. Life really does not get any better." For
more information, call 480-990-0900.
PLANNING TO VISIT? START WITH THE SCOTTSDALE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Visitors making their spring training pilgrimage to Scottsdale find it easy to start their planning with the Scottsdale CVB. Serving as the one-stop-source for tourism information, the Scottsdale CVB web site, www.scottsdalecvb.com, offers several tools for travelers. From sample itineraries offering a wealth of activity ideas to detailed information on events and activities in and around Scottsdale, the site also features complete listings of area hotels, resorts, golf courses, restaurants, spas, art galleries and attractions. For spring training packages, visit www.springtrainingpackages.com. Those who don't have access to the Internet are encouraged to call toll-free 866-399-4701 and request a complimentary Discover Scottsdale destination guide.
For more information on the spring training packages and events listed, call the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-866-399-4701 or visit the Scottsdale CVB's web site at www.scottsdalecvb.com.
Pusch Ridge Course at Hilton El Conquistador