102 FUN & GAMES SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | WWW.BESTOFPHOENIX2025.C0M | BEST OF PHOENIX 2025 self when you book a deluxe room with an ensuite hot tub at Scottsdale Parkview Resort. The hot tubs are spacious enough for two to three people, making this a great romantic getaway. And they’re also in full view of the television (if you want to watch a rom-com) and the windows (for you exhibi- tionist types). e e e B E S T P L A C E T O R E L A X A N D R E C H A R G E CIVANA WELLNESS RESORT AND SPA 37220 N. MULE TRAIN ROAD, CAREFREE 480-653-9000 CIVANACAREFREE.COM We were a little skeptical before our daylong retreat at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa. How retreat-like can it feel when we’re still in town? How much of an impact can just one day make on us? We’re happy to report that Civana is the real deal, a tranquil space devoted to health and wellness, both inside and out. The Carefree location takes you just far enough out of the center of town to make it feel like a real getaway. Classes and semi- nars include topics like aerial yoga, a ropes course, journaling, barre, guided meditation, cacao ceremonies and many more. The world- class spa and two eateries serving healthy, delicious food add to the experience. The “Quiet Please” signs around the grounds are a reminder of the point of a Civana visit: This is a place to decompress from the outside world. Whether you’re there on a day pass or you’re staying at the resort, you’ll leave Civana feeling better than when you arrived. e e e B E S T S TA Y C AT I O N S P O T WESTIN KIERLAND RESORT & SPA 6902 E. GREENWAY PARKWAY, SCOTTSDALE 800-354-5892 WESTINKIERLAND.COM Here’s what we want in a staycation: enough stuff to keep us happy and occupied at the resort, but good nearby options in case we feel like leaving the property. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa fits the bill. The 735-room north Scottsdale property has a laundry list of amenities: a water park with slides, a lazy river and a FlowRider; an adults-only pool; three nine-hole golf courses (where kids golf free); a full-service spa; multiple bars and restaurants, including the 300-bottle Scotch Library; and events such as Kierland After Dark that feature live music and other entertainment. And in the unlikely event that we think we need some- thing more, the Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter retail complexes are within easy walking distance. If you can’t find something to entertain you during a staycation at the Westin Kierland, you may just be allergic to fun. e e e B E S T L U X U R Y R E S O R T ARIZONA BILTMORE 2400 E. MISSOURI AVE. 602-955-6600 ARIZONABILTMORE.COM It’s hard to decide what we love most about the Arizona Biltmore. As fans of local history, we treasure the resort’s 96-year legacy of luxury; it’s been the site of visits by genera- tions of presidents and movie stars, and, according to legend, it witnessed the creation of the Tequila Sunrise (the jury’s still out on that one). As architecture nuts, we can’t get enough of the iconic design — the hotel was built by Albert Chase McArthur, but you can see the influence of consulting architect Frank Lloyd Wright all over the property. As hotel guests, we love what the Biltmore has to offer. Even the basic rooms are stylish, comfortable and feel like an indulgence. The resort has seven swimming pools, a golf course, a spa and multiple bars and restau- rants, among other features. A perfect blend of luxury, legacy and lifestyle, Arizona Bilt- more is tops in a crowded field of high-end Valley resorts. e e e B E S T C A S I N O TALKING STICK CASINO 9800 E. TALKING STICK WAY, SCOTTSDALE TALKINGSTICKRESORT.COM When you enter a casino and the doors close at your back, the outside world becomes easily forgettable until it’s time to return to reality. Talking Stick Casino offers a perfect escape for those who like to drop money, hoping to leave with even more dough. The floor is packed with over 1,000 slot machines, if you like to sit ’n’ spin. There are also table games such as roulette, craps and blackjack. No matter the time of day, it’s a high-energy venue with more than enough activity options. And whether you’re into luxe or casual dining, you’re covered with restaurants like Tash, the Mediterranean eatery, and Orange Sky for top-notch bistro fare. There’s also a fully loaded concert schedule year-round, a pool area that’s acti- vated with entertainment and cozy rooms that take the place beyond just a spot to gamble. e e e B E S T D A Y T R I P JEROME Jerome: It’s not just Jerry Seinfeld’s real first name. It’s also one of Arizona’s most delightful getaways. At just two and a half hours north of and many degrees cooler than Phoenix, the tiny former mining town has become quite the artsy tourist hub. Once the biggest city in Arizona during a mining boom in the 1920s, Jerome now has roughly 450 residents — you probably have more contacts in your phone — but it’s stuffed with historic buildings, wineries, art galleries and interesting shops. Don’t miss Caduceus Cellars, a tasting room for the winery owned by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, or Nellie Bly Kaleidoscopes. (Really, you cannot imagine the stunning variety of kaleidoscopes in that place.) Your parking brake will get a workout while you explore. The town is settled on the steep slope of Cleopatra Hill at an altitude of 5,000 feet. But the attractions — and, on a clear day, the view — are more than worth the drive. e e e B E S T T O U R I S T A T T R A C T I O N RAWHIDE WESTERN TOWN 5700 W. NORTH LOOP ROAD, CHANDLER 480-502-5600 RAWHIDE.COM Sans hyperbole, Rawhide is the Statue of Liberty of the Phoenix area. Yes, it’s historic. It’s also the very definition of a tourist trap. Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you’ve got visitors, and/or you need a refresher after a decade, Rawhide satisfies a specific itch for experiencing old-timey Western culture. (It’s like “Westworld,” but less sexy and mysterious.) There’s a stunt show, a parade, a proper steakhouse, a train ride and several themed areas, with every attraction offering a warm if not slightly hokey re-creation of local life circa 1889. Or, host your own event at the on-site venues; that way, you can get the true Western expe- rience during, say, your nephew’s bris. Rawhide has basically always been here, and even if we’ve all been there, like, 40 times, it’s a reminder of a history central to Phoenix. Toss on that duster and your boots, and lean into the down-home good times. e e e B E S T I N D O O R G U N R A N G E SCOTTSDALE GUN CLUB 14860 N. NORTHSIGHT BLVD., SCOTTSDALE 480-348-1111 SCOTTSDALEGUNCLUB.COM No membership is required to shop and shoot at Scottsdale Gun Club, but members get perks like discounts on apparel, priority lane use and no range fees. Memberships cost $34.95 a month for an individual to $200 per month for the Titanium Membership, which includes access to locker rooms and a private lounge with dark wood paneling that resem- bles an old-world hunting lodge. The 32 air- conditioned lanes here are soundproofed with automatically adjustable targets and the gun selection is one of the largest in the state, with a massive selection of handguns, rifles and shotguns from manufacturers like Glock, Smith & Wesson and Beretta. Myriad gun safety and instruction classes are offered, from free family firearms safety classes to Holster Draw and Shoot sessions. There’s even a Cosmic Shooting event in which black- lights illuminate a mural by local artist Ruben Hernandez and your gun changes colors while shooting red lines with Streak ammo.
