Click on images to view larger versions. And where I attended my first car show, a live buying and selling spree of 2, gleaming collector and classic vehicles. The motorized spectacle, produced by Mecum Auctions, is said to be the biggest in the nation.
The stadium, opened in , is most notable for its retractable roof and retractable grassy playing field, and a seating capacity of 70,plus. Its robust schedule of mega events alone anchors Glendale as the sports and entertainment hub of Metro Phoenix, but there are many ways to play, and more on the horizon.
I packed in as much as I could in a few days. Westgate Entertainment District, adjacent to State Farm Stadium, is a glittery mixed-use development of trendy restaurants, chic boutiques, live entertainment, and games galore.
A parade of statuesque palm trees and a dancing fountain choreographed to light and music stand at the heart of it all. Other nearby options are a new Aloft Hotel as well as several branded hotels on the opposite side of North 95th Street by the Tanger Outlets mall. For many visitors, soaring over the Sonoran Desert in a hot air balloon is an aspiration, and we were no exception.
Our sunrise flight with Rainbow Ryders was well worth the pre-dawn wakeup call. The feeling is one of floating as you pass over a rugged landscape speckled with saguaro cacti and occasional wildlife. Your flight lasts about an hour and ends with a celebratory toast.
