Arizona Bash Buffs Grand Canyon State Credentials

From towering mountains lined with Saguaro cactus to luscious golf courses and first-rate hotels, Arizona has been luring Canadians south for decades.

It's not hard to see the appeal; legendary spas, fabulous restaurants and craggy canyons lined with cactus and spring wildflowers can be found all over the state. Not to mention some of the world's best-known resorts, including The Biltmore, The Phoenician, Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Arizona Tourism was nice enough to come north to Toronto on a cold winter's night (which no doubt helps boost the appeal) on Tuesday, showing off some tasty tacos and handing out prickly pear margaritas as the crowd practiced its bull riding and line dancing at a downtown western-themed pub.

Doug MacKenzie of Visit Phoenix told me the Arizona Cocktail Weekend wiill be held in booming downtown Phoenix Feb. 16-18. I was happy to hear that my favourite Arizona bartender, the talented Ross Simon from Bitter and Twisted in downtown Phoenix, is taking part. He's a great guy and makes a mean drink at a bar that's fashioned out of an old bank and has tons of character.

He also said the Devour Culinary Classic, a classic Phoenix food festival, will run Feb. 25-March 4. The festival is moving to its new location at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Even better for a former baseball reporter like me is that spring training games start Feb. 23, with 15 teams in action in the Greater Phoenix area.

MacKenzie said there's plenty of hotel news, as well. Mountain Shadows in nearby Scottsdale opened last fall (I had the chance to stay a couple nights in November and loved the sleek ambience, the pool and the par-3 golf course), and The Biltmore recently underwent a $35 million renovation that included the lobby and all the rooms. In addition, The Phoenician is oipening a massive new spa in June.

There are tons of flights to Phoenix from Toronto and western Canada. MacKenzie told me Air Canada will begin direct, seasonal flights to the city from Montreal on Feb. 22, which is great for desert-loving Quebecers.

Down in Tucson, Mary Rittman of the city's tourism department told me the new Tucson bike loop will be opening next month; a 211-kilometer (yikes) circuit around the entire city that's meant for cyclists and walkers. I cycled a little of the trail a year or so ago and found it terrific. I also loved the city's coffee culture, emerging downtown and craft beer, not to mention some surprisingly tasty wineries an hour or two south of the city.

Rittman told me the Sonoran Dog, a Tucson-style hot dog prepared in a soft bun and topped with onions, tomatoes, Mexican beans, hot peppers and salsa (sometimes other things, depending on the restaurant) was recently one of five iconic American foods recognized for a coveted James Beard award. I had my first one in November of last year and instantly fell in love.

On the hotel front, Rittman said there's a new AC Marriott in downtown Tucson (it opened last fall and has a lovely cocktail bar and sleek rooms I got to check out) and several new downtown restaurants. The city's famous Congress Hotel turns 100 next year, she said, while Tanque Verde Ranch is celebrating its 150th birthday this year and is recognized as the oldest private business in the county.

Back up near Phoenix, there's a new Homewood Suites/Home 2 Suites by Hilton Hotels in Tempe, along with a Tempe branch of the popular Phoenix Public Market Cafe.