Sports Tourism

2025 Cactus League Spring Training
Baseball fans can see their favorite Major League Baseball teams play during the 2025 Cactus League Spring Training season which kicks off in late February 2025. With multiple games occurring daily at 10 stadiums across central Arizona until the end of March, visitors get to watch 15 Major League teams compete while enjoying sunny spring weather. Fans are invited to extend their stays to discover Arizona's countless outdoor adventures, wellness retreats and culinary experiences.

New Tourism Experiences

Witness Western Film History Touring the Mescal Movie Set 
Tour the Mescal Movie Set in Benson, in southern Arizona, to see where classic Western TV shows and movies were filmed. Spring guided tours kick off in February, enabling visitors to explore this fictional town set where legendary wild west movies including “Tombstone”, “The Quick and the Dead” and “The Outlaw Josey Wales” once filmed pivotal scenes. On the tour, attendees will feel like Doc Holiday and Wyatt Earp as they roam around this old west set learning behind-the-scenes facts about their favorite movies and the operations of this active movie set.

Enjoy American Indian Art on the New Salt River Arts Trail 
Observe baskets, paintings and sculptures made by members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) while venturing along the new Salt River Arts Trail woven throughout the Talking Stick Entertainment District. Visit all 13 stops along the trail to experience SRPMIC's culture, creation stories and meaningful symbols. Those who visit the majority of the artwork along the trail will earn enough points to receive a free, exclusive t-shirt made by SRPMIC artist Dwayne Manuel at the Salt River Visitor Center. Visitors can then rock their custom t-shirt while gaming at Talking Stick Casino or catching a baseball game at Salt River Fields, spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, just to name a few other fun activities available within the area.

New Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks Opens West of Metro Phoenix
Visitors can try their luck at the new Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks in Waddell, west of Glendale, that opened in December 2024. Owned and operated by the Tohono O'odham Nation, visitors can play roulette and poker before trying for the jackpot at one of the facility's 900 slots. Guests can celebrate their winnings by rewarding their taste buds at the casino's Morton's Steakhouse, pub or food hall while enjoying a cocktail or pint. After some fun at the casino, make plans to explore Waddell's popular White Tank Mountain Regional Park and Wildlife World Zoo.

Industry News

Discover Oro Valley with the New Explore OV App
Easily plan a getaway to the Southern Arizona city of Oro Valley (OV) with the new Explore OV app that highlights attractions, hotels, events and parks visitors can enjoy. After downloading the free app from the Apple Store or Google Play, travelers can select attractions, hotels and restaurants to visit to create a mapped-out itinerary that can be shared with friends and family. With the new app's help, visitors can find the nearest biking trail, learn about the world-renowned Tohono Chul Park and discover all the upcoming free events. 

Grand Canyon Railway Green Efforts
A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation is enabling the famous Grand Canyon Railway to convert one of its classic diesel engines into a zero-emission battery-powered locomotive, an innovation that will continue the organization's ongoing eco-friendly efforts. The new power source allows the Grand Canyon Railway train to carry passengers from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on a single charge, which produces no diesel exhaust. Dedicated to sustainability, the railway's owners, Xanterra, expect passengers to be able to ride the battery-operated train starting in 2027. Until then, the train will continue operations using its converted historic steam engines that run on waste vegetable oils, allowing visitors to visit the Grand Canyon in an exciting and sustainable manner.

Accolades

Tucson Recognized in BBC's 25 Best Places to Travel in 2025
Southern Arizona's largest city, Tucson, earned a spot on the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) 25 Best Places to Travel in 2025 for its cultural experiences and thriving culinary scene. Head to this vibrant city in 2025 to celebrate both the 250th anniversary of Tucson's founding and the 10th anniversary of Tucson becoming the first U.S. city to earn recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Culinary

Arizona Restaurant Earns Recognition In Yelp's Best New Restaurants in 2024 
COURSE in Scottsdale was named the seventh best new restaurant in the nation in Yelp's Best New Restaurants in 2024 list and was the only Arizona restaurant to receive the honor. Devour elevated comfort food such as lobster-stuffed corn dogs and caviar-topped donuts at COURSE, with the restaurant's approachable fine dining making it a must try for foodies. Crafted by 'Chopped' champion Cory Oppold, the seasonal, multi-course menu changes depending on the day of the week with guests enjoying either a 10-course or 5-course meal during their culinary experience. This recognition comes shortly after the restaurant earned both the Emerging Restaurant of the Year in 2024 and Top Chef in 2024 at the Arizona Restaurant Association's Foodist Awards. 

Arizona James Beard Award Semifinalists 2025
Arizona's innovative culinary scene was recognized by having fifteen semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Awards. The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the individuals transforming America's food culture by awarding chefs and restaurants who uphold a standard of quality food and practice sustainability. From honoring the best chefs to recognizing wonderful new restaurants, foodies can add dining at these semifinalist restaurants, bakeries and bars to their itinerary to taste the Grand Canyon State's one-of-a-kind culinary scene.

February Fun

Celebrate Black History Month
Celebrate the influential impact of African Americans on Arizona culture this February. There are numerous businesses, celebratory events, experiences and museums which provide opportunities to learn about black history and support black entrepreneurs. Participate in the monthlong "Taste of Melanin" Event series in Tempe, which immerses attendees in black culture through performances, exhibits and educational workshop events. Visit the African American Museum in Southern Arizona in Tucson to hear about African American history in Southern Arizona or schedule a tour at the George Washington Carver Museum & Community Center in downtown Phoenix.

Valentine Day's Adventures in Arizona
Arizona's diverse experiences ensure couples enjoy romantic getaways filled with bucket list adventures and hidden gem resorts. Embark on an adventure together floating along the Colorado River in Glen Canyon in Page or cruise down Arizona's Historic Route 66 for a romantic road trip exploring small towns and quirky attractions. Stay at Arizona's off-the-beaten-path resorts such as the boutique Strawberry Inn in the small town of Strawberry, or unwind in the remedial hot springs at Castle Hot Springs near Phoenix for tranquil quality time together. Known as the “Heart of Verde Valley Wine Country,” the charming small town of Cottonwood offers couples the opportunity to feel “drunk” – on love of course – when visiting its five Arizona wineries' tasting rooms. Embrace the spirit of the Wild West at Arizona's all-inclusive Dude Ranches that offer endless activities to ensure couples become Western legends while staying at Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg or White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, just to name a few.

Flights
Air France to Increase Service between Phoenix and Paris in Spring 
Air France will increase service between Paris and Phoenix to five times weekly beginning May 2025. Ever since the successful launch of Air France's first-ever nonstop flight between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Charles de Gaulle International Airport in May 2024, the route has significantly increased capacity within its first year, creating demand to increase the frequency of the flight for 2025.  

American Airlines Non-stop Flights between Phoenix and London returns this Spring 
American Airlines will once again offer non-stop flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and London Heathrow Airport starting March 29, 2025. 

New Flight Between Phoenix and Southern Arizona
Thanks to Grand Canyon Airlines' new flight between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Safford Regional Airport, visitors and locals can conveniently explore breathtaking state parks, authentic Mexican restaurants and lively cities in Southern Arizona. Since launching in January 2025, the new route provides twice-daily service with both a morning and evening roundtrip.