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A Brief Update of News Around Arizona
May 2017
The Arizona Office of Tourism is pleased to provide this monthly update of new and noteworthy items within Arizona’s tourism industry. For more information, contact Becky Blaine at [email protected], Kim Todd at [email protected] or Marjorie Magnusson at [email protected].
Culinary
Bearizona opens a new restaurantBearizona's new sit-down restaurant, Canyonlands is now open in Williams. The themed restaurant features soaring canyon walls and ancient ruins that immerse diners in the spirit of the Southwest. Canyonlands at Bearizona will be managed by Kennelly Family Concepts who also owns and operates Station Route 66 Bistro, Historic Brewing Company, Historic Barrel and Bottle House and Grand Canyon Winery. The restaurant will only be accessible to those who pay admission into the park as well as annual pass holders.
Canyonlands in Bearizona
Arizona Office of Tourism May 2017 Brief Page 1http://newsroom.visitarizona.com/
Culture/Heritage
Glen Canyon Dam debuts new visitor center displaysThe Glen Canyon Dam Visitor Center just completed its first full redesign and replacement of all of the educational and information visitors’ center displays since the facility opened in 1968. The new informational and interactive displays are updated with the latest science and data and apply the latest educating techniques focusing on STEM (Science, Technical, Engineer, and Mathematics) careers. The Carl B. Hayden Visitor Center is located 700 feet above the Colorado River overlooking Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge. More than 600,000 visitors tour the facility each year. Guided tours of Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant are provided by the Glen Canyon Natural History Association and begin at the visitor center.
American flags line Glen Canyon Dam to commemoratethe reopening of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center
National Landmark continues to unveil Arizona desert’s modernist legacyThe National Trust for Historic Preservation marks a milestone in the ongoing revitalization of the Painted Desert Community Complex at Petrified Forest National Park—the successful restoration of the Modern masterpiece’s original glass storefront and part of last remaining Richard Neutra-designed structure in the National Park Service. The restoration reveals the Complex’s original, forward-looking vision and builds on the increasing recognition of its bold design and innovative visitor center concept. The return of the Painted Desert Community Complex’s glass Oasis Building storefront, which once again features unobstructed views of the courtyard and Complex, was made possible in part by a $150,000 grant from American Express, to help undo the inappropriate alterations made to this prominent building decades ago. The Park Service has allocated upwards of an additional $7 million to complete the rehabilitation of the entire Complex by the end of 2022. Restoring the Painted Desert Community Complex’s historic integrity and addressing years of deferred maintenance will give visitors a new chance to recapture and experience the optimistic spirit of the original design’s intention. Reopening the original storefront—on the heels of a National Historic Landmark designation—represents another step towards safeguarding the Painted Desert Community Complex as a key example of desert-based modernism and as the operational headquarters of Petrified Forest National Park.
Arizona Office of Tourism May 2017 Brief Page 2http://newsroom.visitarizona.com/
Hotel News
A fresh and stylish Home2 in Glendale, AZ Home2 Suites by Hilton, opened its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Glendale-Westgate . The hotel features 127 all-suite accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and modular furniture, allowing guests to customize their suite. The hotel features complimentary Internet, communal spaces, and Home2 Suites amenities such as Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area, Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, and the Inspired Table, a complimentary daily breakfast, a complimentary shuttle service within seven miles and an outdoor heated pool. It is also pet-friendly. Located at 6620 North 95th Ave., Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Glendale-Westgate it is next to the University of Phoenix Stadium as well as the Tanger Outlets and Westgate Entertainment District.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Glendale-Westgate
General
Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo bringing dinosaurs to the desert in the Fall of 2017The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC)/Phoenix Zoo announced that 23 prehistoric creatures will descend onto the Phoenix Zoo’s Desert Lives Trail October 2017 and offer guests an expedition into the land of the lost. The Dinosaurs in the Desert exhibit is a paid experience and will take approximately 25-30 minutes to roam, or visitors may stay longer if they choose. The self-guided tour includes animatronic dinosaur structures which move and make various sounds including the infamous roar of a tyrannosaurus rex. A fossil dig will also be found along the trail as well as a photo op with a pachyrhino. The Zoo received the first dinosaur of the collection which is currently on display along the Africa Trail; the citipati. This species measures nearly six feet tall and has been painted in the color scheme of the Chiricahua leopard frog – a conservation success story of the Phoenix Zoo. So far, the Zoo is responsible for the release of more than 23,000 leopard frogs to the wild! As part of the exhibit, educational signage with each dinosaur will highlight size and interesting facts known about that particular species. Interpretive guides from the ACNC/Phoenix Zoo as well as local experts will be on hand to answer guest inquiries and provide insight into the fascinating world of the prehistoric era. The prehistoric exhibit will also be on display during the Zoo’s annual holiday light show; ZooLights and will continue through April 30, 2018.
Arizona Office of Tourism May 2017 Brief Page 3http://newsroom.visitarizona.com/
The Salt River Indian community officially opened its newest enterprise The Salt River Indian community officially opened its newest enterprise - the Beeline Highway Pit Stop. Located on the corner of McDowell Rd and highway 87/Beeline Highway, the Beeline Pit Stop features photos and a video displaying footage of the historic beeline dragstrip. In addition to the typical drinks and treats of a convenience store, it also sells tepary beans from Ramona Farms.
The Beeline Highway Pit Stop
Butterfly Wonderland Unveils New “Rainforest Reptile” ExhibitButterfly Wonderland, in Scottsdale, opens their newest exhibit Rainforest Reptiles - the last weekend of May. Visitors enter the new area following their journey through the Chrysalis Emergence Gallery, the Butterfly Conservatory and the Spineless Giants area. Continuing through a new entranceway, they are greeted by a “Welcome Wall” with interesting facts about the rainforest’s eco-system including how these reptiles interact in the rainforest with the butterflies. Visitors then follow a path to 12 large exhibits, each custom-designed to depict the natural environment of the reptiles and amphibians that hail from the world’s most exotic locales – from Madagascar to Asia and Africa to South America. The exhibits display Poison Dart Frogs, the Mata Mata Turtle, the Green Tree Lizard, Peacock Tree Frogs, the Asian Water Dragon, the White-eyed Crocodile, the Giant Leaf Tail Gecko and many more of the rainforest’s most intriguing reptiles and amphibians. A variety of interactive activities educate guests about these animals in an up-close-and-personal way and include “Animal Talk” presentations. After visiting the new Rainforest Reptile exhibit, visitors then continue to the Tropical Waters exhibit and the rest of the Butterfly Wonderland experience.
Poison Dart Frog
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Accolades
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa recognized with coveted Condé Nast Traverler’s 2017 Hot List Award Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa is proud to announce its recognition on Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 21 st annual Hot List, the highly coveted list of the world’s best new hotels. The newly opened desert retreat made the editor-curated list of just 22 properties in the United States and 75 worldwide. The Hot List is featured in the magazine’s May issue. Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa is highlighted for its connection to the local community and partnership with nearby CattleTrack Arts & Preservation compound, offering guests hands-on arts and culture experiences. Located on 23 acres in Paradise Valley, less than two miles north of Old Town Scottsdale, the mid-century inspired resort features 201 bungalow-style guestrooms and suites. The resort was also recently recognized as the #3 Best New Hotel in the 2016 USA Today 10Best™ Readers’ Choice Awards.
Andaz Pool Guestroom Outdoor Patio King-size Guest Room
Connect: @arizonatravel @visit_arizona
www.youtube.com/user/ArizonaTourismNewsroom: http://newsroom.visitarizona.com/Official State Visitors Guide: http://www.visitarizona.com/visitors-guide Additional inspiration: http://www.visitarizona.com/planning/local-word
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