NEW AROUND TOWN: COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA
Long admired for its colony of winery tasting rooms in historic Old Town, Cottonwood continues to pad its hospitality bona fides. See what’s new in the Valley Verde community, sometimes known as “Arizona’s biggest little town.”
Blazin’ M Ranch
Discover an immersive Old West experience in the heart of Cottonwood with “Kayaks & Cowboys.” The two-day staycation organized by Blazin’ M Ranch includes a guided 3.5-mile kayak paddle to explore the local ecology along the Verde River with Clarkdale Kayak Company (pictured) and an evening of food and entertainment at the ranch – picture a cowboy dinner under the stars accompanied by grazing cows and a comedy-musical show from Eric “Wild Man” Williams. blazinm.com
Aquí – Arizona Kitchen & Agave Bar
One of the newest additions to Cottonwood’s Main Street is Aquí, a dining destination opened this year whose seemingly simple abode belies the skilled execution of tasty Sonoran dishes within. Marrying Arizona ingredients with regional techniques – hand-pressed tortillas, for one – the restaurant also offers an impressive curation of rare agave spirits. But the best part: the welcoming service, where every guest is made to feel right at home. beaquiaz.com
The Neighborhood Coffee Shop
Opened in 2023, this spot bestows small-town charm and modern coffeehouse appeal, making for a memorable Cottonwood experience. Step inside and savor the heady aroma of roasted espresso beans and freshly baked pastries, then spark a conversation with the locals or friendly staff.
– Sommer Bailey
JUST BACK FROM Nashville with Steve Kraus
When Steve Kraus opened the first Press Coffee Roasters in North Phoenix in 2008, he had but one goal: good coffee. “At the time, we were selling specialty coffee – Arabica beans that are rated higher than 80 points,” he says. “I wanted to be able to just present that to people who didn’t know what it was.”
The java joint now boasts 20 locations across the Valley. “It’s nice to know we’ve become a staple in Arizona,” he says. “We love being a part of this community.”
The only thing Kraus loves more than a quality cup of joe is a good adventure. He often pilots an RV to campsites around Arizona, Colorado and California with his wife, 12News anchor Tram Mai, and their two children. Last October, he and Mai ventured to Nashville, Tennessee, to explore the music mecca’s nightlife and Southern hospitality. “The highlight of Nashville is Broadway… live music is everywhere,” he says. “Everyone’s having fun… the energy is just contagious.” Kraus shares his must-dos in Music City.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
“It was really cool to see some of the history and the guitars and the notable people that donated to that,” Kraus says of this 350,000-square-foot tribute to the genre’s history, influence, artists and memorabilia. During his visit, he splurged on a keepsake cowboy hat. “I get a lot of compliments on it,” he says. countrymusichalloffame.org
Puckett’s Restaurant
Kraus and Mai had lunch at this Nashville institution known for Southern comfort food. “The vibe is kind of a diner meets barbecue,” Kraus says. Mai ordered chicken fried chicken, while Kraus opted for biscuits and gravy. “It was certainly not good for me, and it was certainly amazing,” he says. puckettsrestaurant.com
The Listening Room Café
This reservation-only venue hosts regular songwriter nights that offer an intimate alternative to Broadway’s rowdy honky-tonks. “When we went, there were two musicians and a guy in the piano bar,” Kraus says. “It was a unique thing to do.” listeningroomcafe.com
Tecovas Nashville
“There’s a lot of places to shop on Broadway,” Kraus says. “There’s places with hundreds and hundreds of boots in stock.” Mai purchased a pair of white cowboy boots from this Western outfitter, which offers custom leather branding. “She did her initials in there, which was really cool,” Kraus says. “It’s a fun little element.” tecovas.com
– Madison Rutherford
Wild Chihuahua
Looking for an outside-the-box fall road trip? Las Cruces in southwestern New Mexico fits the bill with a varied dance card of culture, outdoor play and raw natural beauty in the Chihuahuan Desert. The “320 annual days of sunshine” touted by its tourism authority might not hit especially hard with Valley road-trippers, but what about the city’s self-guided film trail, which invites you to trace more than two dozen motion picture and TV filming locations, from White Sands National Park (Independence Day, Transformers) to Spaceport America (After Earth, HIM)? Or its many purveyors of classic New Mexican cuisine, conveniently gathered in one place for the 55th annual Hatch Chile Festival (September 5-6)? Or the stunning nearby wilderness, including Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (pictured), which could turn even the most mediocre point-and-clicker into Ansel Adams. “Our city is more than just one attraction or location,” says Las Cruces tourism director Rochelle Miller-Hernandez. “It is an abundance of diverse experiences that we invite visitors and locals alike to enjoy and fall in love with.” visitlascruces.com
– Craig Outhier
