Spring Training Online

If You Go ...

Scottsdale is a big part of greater Phoenix, and it has one of the few legitimate attractions in the area. Architecture fans will want to check out Taliesin West, conveniently located on Frank Lloyd Wright Drive in Scottsdale. Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Fellowship wintered at Taliesin West, and today that unique set of buildings set amongst 600 acres of desert is open for tours.

In addition, the stadium is located in downtown Scottsdale. You'll want to arrive early and wander around the downtown a little before the game, especially if you're a Northerner who has been cooped up indoors for the last three months.

Otherwise, the pickins are slim in terms of must-see attractions in Phoenix. You may want to do what the natives seem to enjoy: relax and commune with nature. Of course, most of that communing takes place on a golf course.

There are 12 other teams with spring-training venues in the Phoenix area: Chicago Cubs (Mesa), Seattle Mariners (Peoria), San Diego Padres (Peoria), Chicago White Sox (Glendale), Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale), Cleveland Indians (Goodyear), Cincinnati Reds (Goodyear), Milwaukee Brewers (Maryvale), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Tempe), Oakland Athletics (Phoenix), Texas Rangers (Surprise) and Kansas City Royals (Surprise). Tucson -- spring-training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies -- is 115 miles southwest of Phoenix. It's not really a bad drive -- it's mostly freeway, along I-10. 

Where to Stay: If money is no object, have I got the place for you: The Phoenician. It is the place for pampering and relaxation.

But if you're a working stiff like the rest of us, then you'll want to stay someplace closer and cheaper. Located in downtown Scottsdale is Comfort Suites Scottsdale, Courtyard Scottsdale Downtown, Amerisuites Old Town, Hampton Inn Old Town, and Marriott Suites Scottsdale Old Town.

Flying In: The closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It's served by all the major airlines, including United, America West, Delta, Northwest, Air Canada, American, Continental, US Airways, and Southwest. It's a pleasant enough airport.

You may also want to consider flying into Tucson and then driving to Phoenix if the fare to Tucson is significantly cheaper. The drive is 117 miles and takes a couple of hours on I-10, but it's a pretty drive if you like the desert scenery.

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