Activities in Southwest
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TOP SELLER
Ultimate Grand Canyon 4-in-1 Helicopter Tour
6 hours 30 minutes (Departs Las Vegas, Nevada)
by Viator
Take the ultimate Grand Canyon tour! You'll fly from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon by helicopter, cruise the Colorado River, then spend time at the West Rim.…Not LP reviewed
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Canyon Trail Rides
You can make reservations anytime for the upcoming year but, unlike mule trips on the South Rim, you can usually book a trip upon your arrival at the park; just duck inside the lodge to the Mule Desk. Mule rides from the North Rim don't go into the canyon as far as the Colorado River, but the half-day trip gives a taste of life below the rim.
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Pole Position Raceway
Dreamed up by Nascar and Supercross champs and modeled on Formula 1 road courses, this European-style raceway boasts the USA's fastest indoor go-karts (up to 45mph).
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Spa by Mandara
At this full-service salon and spa, which mixes Balinese and European influences, the most luxurious treatment rooms have handcrafted tropical hardwood, Matisse-styled artworks and silk carpets. Mandara’s specialties are facials and romantic couples’ packages. There’s another branch at Planet Hollywood.
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Phoenix South Mountain Park
Phoenix South Mountain Park offers more than 40 miles of trails to hike or bike, where civilization feels thousands of miles away, as well as dozens of Native American petroglyph sites. Drive to the top along small crazy-curving roads and you're rewarded with a view of the valley below. Horseback riding is also available.
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Spa at New York–New York
In New York–New York’s top-rated fitness room, the cardio machines have personal flat-screen TVs, and circuit-training weight machines overlook the outdoor swimming pool. The women’s spa has private hydrotherapy tubs, while men have a whirlpool. Both men and women get steam rooms and saunas. Massage and spa treatments available.
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Desert Highlights
Canyoneering and combo raft trips here are big on personal attention. Regulations are being reviewed, but in the past they've had canyoneering permission for Fiery Furnace and other Arches National Park trips.
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Latir Lakes
Take NM 522 north past the El Rito turnoff, which accesses the elk-infested Latir Peak Wilderness, with mesas at 12,000ft and higher, administrated by the Questa Ranger District. Privately owned Latir Lakes, eight alpine gems set into 12,700ft Latir Peak, are worth the hike that begins here.
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Aloha Precision Ski & Snowboard
Plan ahead online and you can use the Quick Start Program (www.parkcityinfo.com/quickstart) to trade your airline boarding pass for a same-day, free afternoon lift ticket at Park City’s three resorts. Rent equipment at resorts or in town at Aloha Precision Ski & Snowboard.
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Roni Josef Salon & Spa
Before you pop into a wedding chapel on Las Vegas Blvd north of the Strip, stop by the Stratosphere’s shopping arcade, where this international designer’s salon offers everything for that special day: updos, mani-pedis, vitamin facials and massage therapy. Expert staff work with all hair and skin types.
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Las Vegas Athletic Club
This local independent chain has big aspirations, having opened a half dozen locations. Closest to the Strip, the central branch boasts a private women-only training area; an Olympic-size indoor pool; racquetball courts; pumped-up group fitness classes; a co-ed sauna, steam room and whirlpool; and a fresh juice bar.
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Backroads, Inc
For travelers with a limited amount of time or specialized interests, tours may be the best option. Always read the fine print; tour prices may or may not include airfare, meals, taxes and tips. Backroads, Inc offers hiking and cycling trips for all ages across Arizona, New Mexico and southern Utah.
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Open Road Tours
Most people arrive at the canyon in private vehicles or on a tour. Be advised that finding parking can be a chore in Grand Canyon Village. Open Road Tours runs shuttles from Flagstaff ($27, two daily) and Williams ($22, two daily). It can also arrange helicopter tours (from $145) over the canyon.
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Canyon Ranch Spaclub
Popular for side-by-side couples’ treatments, this health-minded place offers over 100 activities – from deep-tissue massage to cocoon body wraps to indoor rock climbing – all priced à la carte. Rates drop midweek. Day passes cover ‘Aquavana’ hydro-spa baths, a steamy herbal laconium, co-ed salt grotto and more.
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Qua Baths & Spa
Social spa going is encouraged in the tea lounge, herbal steam room and arctic ice room, where dry-ice snowflakes fall. Among the many over-the-top spas in Vegas, this one remains a favorite for its unique atmosphere and ability to provide a blissful state of calm that's a rarity anywhere on the Strip.
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Spa at the Flamingo
The oversized exercise room equipped with cardio machines, weights and stretching mats is just an afterthought, but the spa’s location is still handy for tourists on the Strip. Both the men’s and women’s sides of the spa have whirlpool tubs, wet and dry saunas, and eucalyptus steam rooms.
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Crystal Hot Springs
Get into hot water year-round at Crystal Hot Springs, 10 miles north of Brigham City in Honeyville. Adults float in different temperature soaking pools while kids zip down the water slides (open shorter hours than the pools November through February). Camping at RV/tent sites is $25/15.
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Flagstaff Nordic Center
Fifteen miles north of Flagstaff, the Nordic Center offers 30 groomed trails for cross-country skiing, as well as lessons, rentals and food. Past the Nordic Center off Hwy 180 you'll find plenty of USFS cross-country skiing pullouts, where you can park and ski for free.
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Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw Recreation Area
Dotted with saguaros, ocotillos and other local cacti, this convenient park was previously known as Squaw Peak. It was renamed for local Native American soldier Lori Piestewa who was killed in Iraq in 2003. Be forewarned: the trek to the 2608ft summit is hugely popular and the park can get jammed on winter weekends. Parking lots northeast of Lincoln Dr between 22nd and 24th Sts fill early. Dogs are allowed on some trails.
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Santa Fe School of Cooking
If you develop a love for New Mexican cuisine, try cooking lessons at this cooking school which specializes in Southwestern cuisine. Classes are three hours long and cost between $60 and $80, including the meal.
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Canyon Trail Rides
Zion's official horseback-riding concessionaire operates across from Zion Lodge. Take a one-hour ($40) or three-hour ($75) ride on the Sand Bench Trail along the Virgin River.
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Sandia Peak Ski Area
Sometimes the snow here is great, other times it's lame, so check before heading up. The ski area opens on summer weekends and holidays (June to September) for mountain bikers. You can rent a bike at the base facility ($48 with $650 deposit) or ride the chairlift to the top of the peak with your own bike ($10). Drive here via Scenic Byway 536, or take the Sandia Peak Tramway (skis are allowed on the tram, but not bikes).
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Venetian Gondolas
Graceful bridges, flowing canals, vibrant piazzas and stone walkways almost capture the romantic spirit of Venice inside the Grand Canal Shoppes, especially when viewed from the seat of a floating gondola. Rides are short (under 15 minutes), but sweet. Same-day, in-person reservations required.
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Golfland Sunsplash
In Mesa, about 13 miles southeast of downtown, Golfland Sunsplash has year-round miniature golf, a huge video game arcade, a laser tag arena (like paintball, only with lasers), a bumper boat lagoon and a go-cart racetrack. The Sunsplash water park is open from June to August.
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Hootie & the Blowfish’s Shady Grove Lounge
Navigate through the casino to find Hootie & the Blowfish’s Shady Grove Lounge, not just for the pool tables, but for coin-op miniature bowling inside an Airstream trailer – it’s fantastic fun, especially when the cocktails are snappily delivered right to your trailer by the bartenders.
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Rio Grande Stables
Based up by the ski valley, this recommended riding company offers one- to four-hour trips ($50 to $95), all-day rides (including one to the top of Wheeler Peak) and combination horseback/rafting/camping treks they'll customize just for you. Call in advance.
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