With the suspension of large events and many of our favorite Valley venues shut down until further notice, it’s time to get creative when it comes to things to do. Here are five things to see, do, eat and drink over the weekend and next week.
1. Get a jumpstart on your Halloween staycation.
It’s almost spooky season! Great Wolf Lodge is celebrating early this fall with a scary good deal this Monday, September 14. The one-day Monster Monday Sale offers a discounted rate of $31 per person for Sunday to Thursday stays throughout the month of October. Just use promo code MONSTER when booking. October 1 through 31, Great Wolf Lodge will be hosting its Howl-O-Ween celebration, which includes socially distanced and seasonally themed activities such as a trick-or-treat trail, pre-packaged crafts and “boo bingo.”
2. Experience Mesa Arts Center at home.
Mesa Arts Center’s campus and facilities remain closed due to COVID-19, but art appreciators can still get in on the artsy action from the safety of their own home. The arts center recently launched a new series of virtual classes and at-home activity boxes. Online art classes include basic sketching, ceramics, watercolor workshops, fused glass explorations and more, and cost $65 to $140 per session. Mesa Arts Center offers free art classes for veterans and service members. If you’d rather take matters into your own hands, purchase an Art To Go Box, which includes all the materials needed to complete two at-home crafts such as a ceramic luminary or mosaic flower pot. The Art to Go Boxes range from $25 to $30 and also include detailed written instructions and access to a tutorial video. Art studio materials and services like firing for glass and clay are also available.
3. Celebrate National Guacamole Day.
That’s right, everyone’s favorite spicy spread has its very own day of celebration. This year, it falls on Wednesday, September 16, so start planning! Here are some ideas. Stop by Macayo’s for $5 house-made guacamole all day. Dip into deals at Urban Margarita, where its grilled pesto-cilantro focaccia topped with fresh guac is just $7 or get $2 off any size order of house-made guacamole with cotija cheese, onion and cilantro on this joyous holiday. Or make your own with this recipe from Tocaya Organica.
4. Try the new menu at Hash Kitchen.
Chef Joey Maggiore recently unveiled a new seasonal menu available at all four Hash Kitchen locations in the Valley. The innovative menu shakes things up with bacon beignets, a brunch burger and breakfast pasta and is also available for takeout. Starting in October, Hash Kitchen will cater to the late-night crowd with the debut of Hash at Night. The weekend-only soiree will serve Hash Kitchen’s famous brunch from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. while a DJ spins the soundtrack. Stay tuned!
5. Try a new brew.
Celebrate Thirsty Thursday next week with brand new offerings from Valley breweries. Check out this week’s beer blog and select which stout you’re going to savor – from a Russian imperial red brewed with local coffee to a pumpkin porter.
