Spring Fun in Phoenix, Arizona on a Budget

Many interesting all-day or just two-hour attractions unique to Phoenix's 2009 season, await young and old for great prices, with the roadside desert wildflowers flagging the way to each one. Arizona Renaissance Festival

Step into history's fun side in the medieval era at the 21st Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival. The entertainment extravaganza touts itself as a Renaissance theme park, with jousting tournaments, 12 stage theaters, street performers, arts and crafts fair, and a 30-acre circus-adventure.

Favorite stage performances include the sword and whip talents of "Don Juan & Miguel" mixed with their hysterical and slyly tinged humor. The "Tortuga Twins" leave audiences literally rolling in laughter, and there are many other talented, comedic, gifted performers throughout the fair.

1st weekend in February through the end of March, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Free parking. Tickets: $20/adults, $17/seniors age 60 & up, $10/children age 5-12, Free /under age 5, group pricing available. Call 520-463-2600, ext. 112 for directions and more information.

Chihuly Glass Sparkles in the Desert Botanical Garden

Dale Chihuly does things with glass that defies logic. His hand blown creations are admired world-wide, with one of his most famous displays across the lobby ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. From Jerusalem to Venice and Chicago to San Francisco, Chihuly's work has circled the world, and now Phoenix's Desert Botanical Garden is honored to keep some of the custom-created Chihuly hand-blown giant arts that have been there since May 2009.

The southwest sun dances off the surreal hand-blown glass forms, as visitors stroll the meandering trails through the Garden. Chihuly's sculptures don't seem like glass at all. Visitors at the Desert Oasis Exhibit have been overheard saying, "Look at the giant ice blocks floating on the water!" Hmmm. . . Giant Ice in the desert?

It's hard to keep focused on the fact that larger than life creations are truly hand blown glass at sight of each unique exhibit in the Garden. Minds are fooled at every site! Not one Chihuly pieces at the Desert Botanical Garden looks at all like hand blown glass. Dale Chihuly has outdone himself yet again, and his work looks like it has always been among the other-worldly cacti and flowers on the winding garden trails.

The garden's layout ensures quality viewing experience for all visitors. Ticket costs include $15.00/adults, $13.50/seniors (age 60 & older), $7.50/students (ages 13-18 & college with ID), $5.00/children (age 3-12), Children under age 3 are Free.

Major League Baseball

The Arizona Diamondbacks call Phoenix their home base during the regular season. As of 2011 they added their spring training schedule to that site.

Ten other MLB teams call the greater Phoenix area home during the Cactus League Spring Training season, so baseball fans have a myriad of favorite players to see from March throughout the summer. Some of the other teams represented in the Cactus League Spring Training around Phoenix are the Rockies, Angels, A's, Reds, Brewers, Giants, Dodgers, Indians, Mariners, and the Padres.

Source

Contributor, Lynn Pritchett, often visits Phoenix and has enjoyed these activities.

Copyright Notice

This article was adapted from its original publication on March 29, 2009 at Suite101.com e-magazine by Yahoo featured contributor, Lynn Pritchett.