Arizona Tourism in February
Arizona has a host of tourist activities available in February from sports to outdoor recreation to arts and crafts to native cultural events. Arizona is in the Southwest U.S. and has a desert climate and mild winters. It also features mountain ranges in the northern high country, with cooler weather and snow in the winter.
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Climate
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Desert climates are found in central and southern Arizona, including the metro areas around Tucson and Phoenix. The average elevation in desert climates is 1,200 feet and the average high in February is 70 degrees. Mountain climates are found primarily in northern and north central Arizona, including the Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. The average elevation in mountain climates is 7,000 feet and the average high in February is 46 degrees.
Sports
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Cactus League---a group of 15 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams---Spring Training is held from late February through early April each year. Games are played at 11 stadiums and sports complexes in Tucson and the Phoenix metro area. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tempe's home team, plays at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Tickets start at just a few dollars. The Arizona Tourism site indicates that golf courses in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Lake Havasu and other warm spots are in their peak season during the winter months.
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Outdoor Recreation
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Ski resorts are located in northern Arizona, southern Arizona and north central Arizona and are typically open from December until mid-April. The state features hundreds of hiking trails, with trips ranging from short, easy loops in the heart of the city to multiple-day treks in wilderness areas. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed during February. The South Rim, however, is open all year. All visitor services, such as camping, lodging and restaurants are also available year round, according to the National Park Service. You can also hike the Arizona Trail, a National Scenic Trail, an 800-mile path from Mexico to Utah.
Arts and Crafts
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Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, every February, features displays from museums and private collections along with more than 250 mineral, gemstone, jewelry and fossil retail dealers. It also features hands-on exhibits only for school children. Part of the gem show is the Indian America New Year's Competition Pow Wow and Indian Craft Market held at the Flamingo Hotel Ballroom. The market features 10,000 years of culture and 150 tribal nations with American Indian Art and food.
Native Cultural Events
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Several Arizona events occur every February. La Reunion de El Fuerte is an annual celebration that features cavalry drills, music and self-guided tour to historic sites not normally open to the public at the Fort Lowell Museum in Tucson. The Southwest Indian Art Fair, at the Arizona State Museum in Tucson, features artists in pottery, baskets, jewelry and rugs along with demonstrations, educational programs, music, dance and Native foods. World Championship Hoop Dance is held at the Heard Museum in Phoenix the first weekend of February. This annual event attracts Native hoop dancers from throughout the U.S. and Canada. The intertribal hoop dance incorporates creative designs, difficult manipulations of the hoop and intricate footwork, according to the Arizona Heritage Traveler.
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References
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- Photo Credit sedona, arizona image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com
