Carrie Steinweg Times Correspondent
Tourists may want to take a spring break in Glendale, Arizona.
When you talk about Arizona cities worth visiting, you're likely to hear names like Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler. One city that might not immediately come to mind is Glendale. A suburb of Phoenix, with a population of approximately 260,000 people, Phoenix is the state's fifth largest city and has experienced significant growth in recent years, providing tourists and locals with an abundance of entertainment, sports, shopping, and dining options. All are available. And that growth shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Before visiting Glendale, I knew nothing about the city. As a huge baseball fan, I was interested in attending my first spring training game. When I visited, I learned that Glendale is home to current and future sports and entertainment venues, has hosted the Super Bowl three times, and is where Taylor Swift launched her 2023 Ella Tour. I did.
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The 48 hours I spent in Glendale showed me that the city has much more to offer than just the destination of Camelback Ranch, the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. However, it is a great reason to visit.
During our trip, we stayed at the Renaissance Glendale Resort & Spa. It was the perfect base, surrounded by things to see, do, and eat. The Westgate Entertainment District is just around the corner. This expansive complex features more than 40 dining and retail outlets, a movie theater, dancing fountains, a splash pad for kids, and approximately 250 events scheduled each year. It is the gateway to Desert Diamond Arena and is adjacent to State Farm Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals play. Some of the meals we had during our trip were enjoyed there, including fine Mexican food at Tulum Modern Mexican. Sugar Factory is the ultimate celebrity hotspot for all things Instagram-worthy. Salt Taco y Tequila serves casual Mexican cuisine in a lively atmosphere, with an extensive handcrafted margarita menu and over 150 tequilas.
We worked around the time for golf and appetizers at Pop Stroke. Pop Stroke has two 18-hole putting courses on artificial turf designed by Tiger Woods, and a cozy patio area for other outdoor games. We also spent some time on the pickleball court at Chicken & Pickle. The facility is a fun indoor/outdoor entertainment complex with several pickleball courts, bocce, cornhole, battleships, and more, and features an ethically grown, additive-free menu. .
The highlight of the trip is the sunrise hot air balloon ride. Weather conditions were perfect and we set off in the dark to the launch site where he watched three balloons inflate before boarding a 16-person basket. We were in the air for nearly an hour, floating very peacefully taking in the views below. I had tried hot air ballooning in Illinois several times in the past, but the weather wasn't cooperating with me, so I was very happy to finally be able to cross it off my bucket list.
We also headed to State Farm Stadium to check out the Meecum Auto Auction that was being held during our visit. Mecum is the world's largest collector car auto auction, and the five-day event featured a live auction of 2,000 cars and his 100 motorcycles, along with fun vintage roadside signs and memorabilia. . I'm always amazed when I listen to auctioneers talk about some great cars. It was fun to see the behind-the-scenes scenes as the cars slowly rolled in for the presentation. It was also pretty cool to look outside and see the retractable field that can be moved 740 feet in and out to accommodate different events.
And when it comes to spring training, the original motivation for my trip, the facility's practices exceeded my expectations. Camelback Ranch is more than just a baseball field. And it was great to be able to watch a baseball game in early March. This state-of-the-art facility is the co-home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Inspired by the Sonoran Desert, this 141-acre facility features 13 baseball fields, three hemisphere fields, landscaped grounds, walking trails and a 5-acre lake. The warmth of the sun, the thrill of the game, and the excitement from the crowd transported me back to the Midwest, relaxing, refreshed, and ready for opening day.