Best Drive
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
Sick of the drive between Phoenix and Tucson? So are we. Next time you head to the Old Pueblo, take State Route 79 (pictured below), which snakes through Queen Creek, Florence and Oro Valley. It takes a bit longer, but it’s worth it for lush desert foliage and views that will make you fall in love with Arizona. Bonus attraction: a monument to 1920s silent movie cowboy Tom Mix, who died driving his sports car on the highway.
Best In-State Flight
Southern Airways Express, Phoenix to Show Low
Why drive more than three hours from Phoenix to Show Low when you can take a 45-minute, nonstop flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Show Low Regional Airport on a nine-seat Cessna Caravan? It’s fast, relatively cheap if you book in advance ($69-$89 one way), and you could have the whole plane to yourself. iflysouthern.com
Best Relocation for Phoenix Creatives
Globe
The weather in this Gila County hamlet is cooler than Phoenix – and if the artists and musicians who’ve been flooding to the tiny mining town are any indication, the vibe soon will be, too. Best known as late Governor Rose Mofford’s hometown – or perhaps as a place to grab some excellent Mexican food – Globe could be the next Bisbee. globeaz.gov
Best Museum Road Trip
Last Supper Museum
This small museum in downtown Douglas touts itself as the world’s largest collection of depictions of the Last Supper. We don’t know about that, but it’s the largest collection we’ve ever seen. Some are gorgeous, most are irreverent, all are different – and the same. Don’t miss the Bert and Ernie version. 1101 G Ave., Douglas, 623-877-4596, lastsuppermuseum.com
Best High-country fest
Pure Imagination
Only in its third year, this two-day late-spring festival in Prescott has established itself as the most exciting Arizona music event outside the Valley, with an idyllic venue at grassy Watson Lake Park that brings to mind Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. Founder Candace Devine appreciably kicked it up a notch in 2024 with headliners The Flaming Lips (pictured), and we can’t wait to see who plays in 2025. pureimagination-festival.com
