Horses and the Wild West are still very much part of Old Scottsdale

Get your cowboy on

Visit Old Town Scottsdale and you almost feel like you should be purchasing a cowboy hat and boots.  The theme is horses and the Wild West.  Native American shops also show some really gorgeous craft items from pottery to jewelry.

Even the street signs are western in Old Town

Next door to Old Town you’ll see 5^th Avenue Shops.  The streets remind you of Boca and Palm Beach with many small, unique shops and eateries that pride themselves on having the right vibes to attract the crowds of Scottsdale.

Fifth Avenue Shops

More shops in Fifth Avenue

Nearby, you’ll also find the several blocks of the Scottsdale Arts District, with galleries waiting to tout the newest artiste.

Hop in your vehicle and head up the road

Travel up Scottsdale Road and your “shop ‘til you drop adventure” really begins. Scottsdale’s Fashion Square is the location for Nordstrom’s, Anthropologie, an array of other stores, both on the street and inside the mall.

Marquis for Scottsdale Fashion Square

If you’ve never been in an Anthropologie, it is a very unusual store that features clothing, but also has dishes, cookbooks and other eclectic gadgets.  The floors are rough wood and some of the displays are hard to describe, so I won’t.  I didn’t dare take a photo, because I got the distinct feeling that it wouldn’t have been appreciated!  The owner/buyer, I read in an article, travels the world to find the items for the stores and he does snag some of the most unusual finds.

A courtyard at The Borgata

An arcade at The Borgata

Next up, several miles up the street, stop at The Borgata.  Fountains splashing and a courtyard that makes you want to explore all the nooks and crannies leads you to probably my favorite shop of the day: Two Plates Full.  A gift shop, Two Plates Full has a colorful array of gift items.  And, color is the operative word here!  Such a profusion of colorful gadgets, doodads and gift items is a joy!  My special favorites were the funny mugs equating the months of the year with Jewish food, like a Chinese calendar (the Year of the Ram, etc.) but with bagels, knishes, and the like! Hilarious! Cards, fused glass, woven items, pottery, you name it!  I had to restrain myself or I would have bought out the place.  Terri, the owner has a real eye for the special and irresistible.  Twoplatesfull.com

Two Plates Full - a great gift shop

(The above was an unpaid endorsement – I just viscerally loved that shop!)

Come back next week and we’ll finish our short shopping tour of Scottsdale.

In Arizona, south of Phoenix, the Gila Indian Reservation has some welcomed guests – wild horses.  Although during some seasons, you might not see them, these wild creatures may be viewed just along the highway.  Invariably, I haven’t had my camera with me, but sometimes I have managed to get some photos.

Wild horses

Wild horses watching us watching them

The Gila Indian Reservation has vast acreage where the animals are able to roam – somewhat – free.  (The lands are fenced from the roads to keep the horses safe and people out of these private lands.)  Since the Gila River Indian Communities are good stewards of their lands, the horses literally have free reign – and no reins in open areas.  In warmer weather, the horses take refuge in more sheltered area, but often in the spring, they can be seen in plain view.

How many major metropolitan areas can claim such a refreshing and unusual glimpse of such an inspiring sight?

Wild horses see us and leave

Next week we’ll offer another, lesser known, but scenic, Arizona spot.

Coming soon: If you’ve just been thinking of traveling and would – at least secretly – consider yourself a Couch Potato – you’ll be excited when we launch our new e-book.  We’ll share more next time.

Actually, Saguaro National Park is two parks – located about an hour away from each other.  Saguaro National Park West  (Tucson Mountain District) – and Saguaro National Park East – or the Rincon Mountain District offer two different views of cacti.

Of the two parks, we preferred the West version.  For sheer thrills just getting to the Saguaro Park West is a daredevil ride down the mountain, with curving, narrow roads and a fabulous view of mountains in the distance.  The driver, however, should be concentrating on the road.  It is that hairy a drive.

Once at Saguaro West, there is a modern visitor center and amenities (there is no food at this or the Saguaro National Park East.)  In the immediate area, they have spectacular views with saguaro and other Arizona flora and fauna on view.  Park Rangers give talks and there are exhibits on display.  One fascinating exhibit we saw was of a “boot” that is formed as a bird invades the saguaro.  In response to the bird, the saguaro forms a hard coating around the chamber, which can serve as a refuge for the birds.  When the cactus eventually dies, those “boots” have been picked up people.  Symbiosis at its finest! (Two living things working together.)

What’s a saguaro?

Saguaro

(pronounced – sah-wha-ro) It’s the image you see of Arizona – other than the Grand Canyon –that straight-looking cactus with arms reaching toward the sky. The large ones that you see are very old, as they only grow about an inch a year for the first eight years.  Typically, they live for as long as 125-200 years.  And, there are some interesting variations with rarer saguaro that have crests and curvy arms.

A hillside of saguaro - notice the one with arms waving

(Information courtesy of Saguaro National Park Web site. http://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/upload/The%20Saguaro%20Cactus.pdf )

Flowers bloom, really showy, gorgeous white flowers, after about 35 years. As a custom, Native Americans removed the buds before they flowered and brewed them into a rich, intoxicating drink for their harvest feasts.

Saguaro on a slope

We have seen saguaro north of Phoenix and as far west as California.  They also grow in Mexico.  However, they do not grow everywhere.  So, a sight of them is exciting – especially a whole hillside of them.

Back to the Parks…

Given a full day and children with a good attention span, visiting Saguaro National Park West, Old Tucson Studios (in the vicinity and detailed on Monday, January 25) and Sonoran Desert Museum (also in the vicinity, but we won’t be discussing this right away) might be possible.  But, start early and expect to spend some time at each location.  Bring snacks, as only Old Tucson Studios and Sonoran Desert Museum have food.

Saguaro National Park East is an hour away from the Eastern version.  We found it to be flat and less interesting geographically, however you can see mountains in the distance.

Hiking trails are available at both locations.  Views are memorable. The visitors centers have exhibits and friendly National Park Rangers who will answer questions.

Saguaro National Park East and West –

Admission – $10 for a car-load of people.  The receipt you receive for your admission is good for a week at either of the two Saguaro National Parks, just show it to gain admission to the other park.

Saguaro silhouetted at sunset

The Parks open at 7 AM until sunset, but the visitor centers are only open from 9 AM until 5 PM. daily.  Especially in the summer, we recommend an early visit as it gets very hot by late morning!

There are picnic tables on a first come-first-serve basis.

http://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

The front desk service was efficient, genuinely cheerful and thorough.  None of that “whisk through the monolog, whew, on to the next check-in.”  And, there were several people in line.  Perhaps another front desk clerk at 3:00 PM check-in might have helped, but our wait was very brief. The hotel, owned by the Yavapai Indian Community, is managed by Grace Hospitality.

The Room

We had an end room on the third floor.  We opened the door and were astonished to see- one of the largest rooms we have ever had.  (Even more remarkable was the rate for the room – we had a special for $101.) While some of our view encompassed the workings on the roof, we did have some view of Granite Dells in the distance (more on Granite Dells on Monday) and the area east of downtown Prescott.

Our spacious King-sized room at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center

Our King-sized bed had walking room around it – you know how some rooms are crammed with almost no space between the foot of the bed and the opposite wall’s furnishings?  This room had room.

A giant credenza housed a small refrigerator, a room safe and a three-drawer dresser with a desk at the end.  There was a couch with an ottoman PLUS a single armchair.  Cozy, comfortable and spacious.

Each side of the bed had a night table – a large one with a full-sized lamp on it. One of the few criticisms we had – and we always have – is that with all of the lights on, it is still dim in the room.  Great environment for a romantic evening, but difficult if you’re planning to work in your room.  After all, it is a conference center with meeting rooms.

Facilities

Hotels are switching to LCD lights, which we commend, but the new and old lighting should be better.  (We’re mentioning that as a commentary on all hotels.  I know people who bring light bulbs to use to brighten up their rooms.  With security and luggage restrictions, that isn’t easy these days.)

The rest room had the dimmest lights of all and that is not good from a safety perspective.  Otherwise, the recent remodeling in the room and bathroom were understated and attractive.  A subtle Native American motif was restful, with earth tones, and followed a pattern in both the carpet and on the headboard.

The only other issue we had was a difficulty connecting to the wireless internet.  When we tried to log repeatedly on at 10:00 PM and couldn’t, we called the front desk who very emphatically said he couldn’t help us, that everyone with that expertise had gone home.  A little less emphatic and a little more apologetic would have been appropriate.  He also could have offered us a cable so we could connect with a wire, but he didn’t.  Amazingly, when I hung up with him and tried again, the connection worked. So, a little spotty on the wireless connection and how to handle that out of hours, but otherwise, good amenities.

Restaurant – Thumb Butte

The restaurant, Thumb Butte, has an eager young staff working hard to please diners.  They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a Sunday brunch.  Unlike most hotels, their rates for a hotel meal were not astronomical.  My husband loves Egg Benedict and thought the $8 price tag quite reasonable for that, especially at a hotel.  I had the Steak and Egg breakfast for $10.50 that included a tender, properly cooked 8 oz. steak (I asked for medium rare and got it!) and eggs cooked to order along with hash browns and toast.  On probably the most expensive breakfast on the menu, I thought they did a good job.

Our waitress was appropriate in her checking back (maybe a little too eager, but she was working hard.)  Cami, who filled our water glasses and acted as back-up, was extremely friendly and competent.  We got into a discussion about folding napkins (she was setting up napkins at tables) and I found her very friendly. Since it wasn’t busy as the official breakfast hours were over, it was nice to have her chat with us.

In general, Prescott Resort & Conference Center was a great place to stay.  We recommend it for the value and accommodations.

Tomorrow… We visit some other restaurants in Prescott for good food and atmosphere.

Note: For those who check in early, my apologies for my late posting today.  Work commitments are crowding my schedule.  Starting in 2010, the blog will have three postings a week (or more, if time and inspiration allow.) If anyone cares to write for us – on a one-time basis or more often, we’d love to have some guest writers.

We thank you for your readership this year!

Please take a look at our SHOP tab and consider a purchase.  We do not have a charge for this blog, but the costs of our travels are not subsidized by any of the hotels, restaurants and locations we visit.  So, we could use a little help from our readers.  Isn’t it comforting to know that we are not corporate shills, paid to write our reviews?  Even if someone comps us to an admission fee, we write what we see and experience – objectively!

We wish our readers a very happy new year with health, prosperity, love and joy!

For the culmination of the last four weeks, we decided to get out of town and head for Prescott, Arizona, less than 2 1/2 hours northwest of Phoenix.

Although containing only 1400+ acres, the Yavapai-Prescott tribe has done well within that small amount of land.  Originally, its economy consisted of timber, mining and agriculture along with a sand and gravel company.

Today with less than 200 tribal members they have managed to secure a Business Park, a 250-acre shopping center, a hotel and two casinos at the entrance to the city of Prescott.

Gaming at Bucky’s

The larger of the two gaming facilities, Bucky’s Casino sits atop a hill adjacent, and directly connected to the Prescott Hotel and Conference Center. The view from atop the hill is incredible which is attractive for hotel guests, but not so much for casino patrons who probably aren’t that enthralled by the view.

The casino is unique to others we have seen in the last few weeks in that a closed double door connects the hotel to the gaming floor.   Elsewhere, the hotel to casino entrances have been large and free flowing with no forbidding access.  (There are also two outside entrances directly into the casino).  The answer might lie in the fact that the hotel is a non-smoking property and the narrow hallway that connects from the front desk to the casino is much closer than the other properties we have seen.

Inside you find that there are actually three levels of gaming each with slot machines, but interspersed with table games on two of those levels.

As I walked in from the hotel entrance, I was greeted by a security guard, another startling addition to what I had seen over the last several weeks.  Guards were transparently scattered throughout the facility.  Maybe it was the smaller size of the casino that made them that much more visible, but I don’t recall feeling “watched” by humans as much as I did at Bucky’s.

I had the opportunity to actually see inside of a gaming machine as one was being repaired.  The internal electronics and maze of wiring was amazing.  This was nothing like the old “one-armed bandits” with the pull arms.  It was interesting that the maintenance tech was still working inside the machine when I made my way back around to that area.  He even seemed a little baffled by all of the electronics himself.

I had to chuckle as the gambler next to him was not the least bit interested in the inner workings of the identical machine on which he was playing.  It was his steely focused gaze on the screen of his own machine that was almost scary!

Other Diversions

Although the majority of the evening’s gaming were taking place at slot machines, there are Blackjack and Poker tables along with Keno.

If you need some food, Bucky’s Café is located on the third floor and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Just outside is a full service bar.

I will have to say that Bucky’s is a much more intimate casino atmosphere than any I had encountered in the last few weeks as it does not have high ceilings, huge gaming floors and non-smoking gaming areas.

Low ceilings and a nearly packed house on the main slot machine floor reminded me of some of the small casinos in downtown Las Vegas.

www.buckyscasino.com

Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the excellent hotel property attached to the casino that is managed by small boutique firm with international holdings.

Take a look at our SHOP for gifts for yourself and others.

Architecturally, the two churches give you interesting looks at two massive buildings that still “shine.”

St. Augustine’s Cathedral

Saint Augustine’s Cathedral is at the edge of downtown Tucson.  Originally built in the 1860s, the church was restored in 1968.  St. Augustine’s sits right on the street and takes up most of a block.  The architecture, complete with stained glass, is impressive.

St. Augustine's Cathedral -with impressive architectural detail

St. Augustine’s still serves its Catholic parishioners of Tucson with daily masses, some held in English, some in Spanish and some are sung.

http://www.staugustinecathedral.com/history.html

San Xavier del Bac

On the Tohono O’Odom Indian reservation, San Xavier del Bac Mission looks like a gleaming temple in the desert.  Since it is likely that the Mission was built by the Indians, it is fitting that the church is on their land. Masses are still celebrated in the mission, which is open every day.

San Xavier del Bac - near the "water" - gleaming in the desert

According to their Web site the architecture is a “graceful blend of Moorish, Byzantine and late Mexican Renaissance architecture.” The current building is over 200 years old.  It really does seem to gleam in the desert in contrast to the earth tone browns and scrub brush.  A current refurbishment makes the white very startling as you drive down Interstate 19 to visit.  What is surprising is that the architecture which looks symmetrical suddenly appears irregular on closer observation.  The two tours are not identical, since one does not contain a bell tower.  There is a dome that is noticeable from certain angles as well.

Open to tourists, there is no fee to visit, but donations are, of course, appreciated.

http://www.sanxaviermission.org/

Happy holidays to all, no matter what you celebrate!

Don’t forget to visit our SHOP for some unique gifts and memories of our scenic visits.

Next week:  We’ll visit Prescott, Arizona – sometimes called the Christmas city of Arizona

This week we’re featuring the only casino/hotel in southern Arizona.

DESERT DIAMOND CASINO & HOTEL

From a tent containing a bingo hall established in1984 to a $120 million hotel- casino, the Tohono O’odham nation completed its newest casino project in 2007 including its first hotel.

The quite new Desert Diamond Casino

Located adjacent to the Tucson International Airport, Desert Diamond Casino & Hotel is owned and operated by the Tohono O’odham Nation, the second largest tribal area in Arizona.  Another Desert Diamond Casino without a hotel property is located I-19 & Pima Mine Rd., approximately 10 miles south.

The 323,000-square-foot casino-hotel is located at 7350 S. Nogales Highway.  A 149 room hotel is connected to the 165,000 sq. ft. casino by an 8,000 sq. ft. conference center.

GAMBLING

The casino complex boasts over 1000 slot machines

• 500 Seat Bingo Hall
• 35 Seat Keno Room
• Separate non-smoking slot machine room
• Separate non-smoking poker and table game room

** Note: Smoke Alert!!!  After visiting several casinos over the last few weeks, all which allow smoking on the gaming floor, my opinion is that The Desert Diamond Casino ventilation system is not as adequate as the previous properties we have reviewed.

ENTERTAINMENT

Monsoon Night Club

Hours: Friday & Saturday 8:00PM

DINING

The Steakhouse

Cost: Prime Rib/Steaks: $16.95-$29.95

Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. 7 Days a Week

The Buffet
Cost: Lunch $9.99, Dinner $12.99

Monday Seafood Buffet $16.95

Sunday  Brunch $14.95

Lunch: $8.85
Dinner: $10.85

Food Court

Diamond Grill / Diamond Wok

Cost: Grill – Average Entrees 4.95   Wok – Average Entrees $5.95-7.95

Hours: 24 Hours

HOTEL

As an added benefit to your wallet, there is no lodging tax – a savings of 12.5% per room.

Desert Diamond Hotel with a Vegas kind of look

Facilities

Heated outdoor pool

Exercise facilities

Near the pool

Rooms

King and double rooms are available along with Executive Suites and Luxury VIP suites with one or two bedrooms.

Rooms include:

• Contemporary decor
• 32″ flat panel television (42” flat panels in suites)
• Large work desk
• Complimentary wireless internet access
• Refrigerator

www.desertdiamondcasino.com

As I mentioned last week, the newest and largest in the casino business often has only a fleeting chance to be on top of the heap.  Currently in its final construction phases is the soon to open Talking Stick Resort just east of Scottsdale.

East of I-101 is the Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community.  Up to this point they have opened two Casino Arizona properties (the oldest currently next to the Talking Stick Resort).  Within minutes of Old Town Scottsdale, unique shopping, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, the Talking Stick Resort property is bound to be a mecca for high rollers … did I mention Scottsdale?

Access to the property is simple with easy on-off exits at I-101 and Indian Bend Road.  The property is located 1 mile east and easily visible from the highway.

Talking Stick Resort - under construction

Current specs for the property include:

- 497 room, 15-story luxury hotel

- 240,000 sq. ft. casino floor (poker, table games, slots, keno)

- 900+ Vegas-style slot machines

- 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space (indoor/outdoor)

- 750-seat showroom

- 8 restaurants (including fine dining on the15^th floor)

- 10+ night clubs/lounges

- 2, 18-hole golf course managed by internationally recognized Troon Golf, LLC

- 13,000 sq. ft. spa (massage/fitness center, etc.)

- 2 parking garages

As with its sister casino several miles south, the showroom will feature “tribute shows” rather than nationally known entertainment.

Current rates are not available, although reservations will be accepted starting January 1, 2010.

Talking Stick Resort looks to be a major destination in the East Valley of the Phoenix area.

As soon as the property opens, we will update our blog.

www.talkingstickresort.com

www.talkingstickgolfclub.com

www.casinoarizona.com

We’re back with Wacky Casino Wednesday! NO!  The casinos aren’t wacky, it’s Wednesday that’s wacky!  (Just wanted to clear that up…)

This week we’re featuring a casino that’s been around for a while with a new hotel property.

RADISSON FORT MCDOWELL RESORT & CASINO

Located 24 miles from the Phoenix airport, just south of Fountain Hills, Arizona on highway AZ-87 (Payson) is the home of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.  Although not a name you might be familiar with, the Yavapai were instrumental in forcing Arizona into a gaming compact creating this states tribal casino system.

As I mentioned in my first article last week, the Federal government passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988.  The catch was that each state was responsible for signing contracts between themselves and the tribes who wished to participate in gaming.  Unfortunately, the governor of Arizona was opposed to tribal gaming so signing anything was not going to happen.

Ft. McDowell's Indian commemorating when they asserted their sovereign nation status

Unfortunately for the state, five casinos were already in operation around the state so in a desperate move, the Governor asked the FBI to raid the establishments, including Fort McDowell.

When the FBI loaded up 349 slot machines into trucks they found that they were not going to get too far.  Yavapai members blocked the casino access road with all types of vehicles and stood their ground for three weeks.  The governor finally (and surely reluctantly) signed a compact with the Yavapai.  This in essence created the legalization of Indian gaming in Arizona.

If you want to celebrate with them, May 12^th is a tribal holiday!

GAMBLING

With a 150,000 sq. ft. gaming floor, there are 866 machines, 55 table and poker games, keno, poker, and bingo.

ENTERTAINMENT

Lucky 7 Saloon

Friday & Saturday: 9:00pm-1:00am

Sunday: 4:00pm-8:00pm

Outdoor Concerts

Throughout the summer outdoor concerts are presented with nationally known entertainers

FOOD

Fort McDowell Casino Dining

Cottonwood Café: Open Daily – Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Featuring: Asian, Italian, Mexican, Prime Ribs, Sandwiches

Redrock Buffet: Open Daily – Friday-Sunday Buffet with “All you can eat” Crab Legs $14.50

New York New York Deli: Sandwiches / Pizza $5.00 – $12.95

Noodles Sushiya: Sushi Bar in the non-smoking area of the casino $2.95-$7.95

Outside The Casino

Ah-Ha-Qwah-Ja Pool Bar and Café: Beverage & light entrees.
We-Ko-Pa Grill (We-Ko-Pa Golf Clubhouse):  Open daily serving breakfast & lunch.

HOTEL

Radisson Hotel at Fort McDowell Casino

In December 2005, Radisson opened its property next to the casino.  It’s interesting that although it is next to the casino, the Radisson is not physically connected to it or to the conference center that forms a buffer between the two buildings.  Fortunately, the southwestern desert climate makes inclement weather a rarity so even on a brisk winter evening the walk is invigorating.

- 248 rooms (4-star resort)

- Sleep Number Beds available

- $10 in casino play with free Fort McDowell Fortune Club membership

- Amethyst Spa

- Ahnala Mesquite Room restaurant

- Wassaja Conference Center (25,000 sq. ft.

- Heated outdoor pool/Jacuzzi

- We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (two, 18-hole courses)

http://www.radissonfortmcdowellresort.com

http://www.fortmcdowellcasino.com

http://fortmcdowelldestination.com

Tomorrow – We’ll take a quick look at what will soon be the newest, and largest, Resort Casino to open in Arizona.

If you’ve exhausted your roll of pennies, nickels and quarters and are tired of standing in line at the ATM for more money, there are other distractions within and outside of the casino that are part of the Gila River Indian Community.

(Hint: there are several ATM/Casino Card machines throughout the gaming floor – - not just the one everyone seemed to be lined up down the aisle to use.)

SHOWROOM

For the first time in any casino in Arizona is the inclusion of a large (1400 seat), first class, Vegas-style showroom.  Already those who have appeared in the just less than one month since it’s opening are Lee Ann Rhimes, Jay Leno, and Debbie Reynolds.  Coming soon: Shirley Jones, Rita Moreno and Mitzi Gaynor (do we see a “it’s “snowbird” season” in Arizona skew to the entertainment).

So, at least for the other end of the generation, it’s a good thing that Paul Rodriguez will be headlining in mid-December.  But, in a genius “bring in the baby boomers” idea, January 21^st, 2010 will feature the rock band, Styx (with at least two, possibly three, of its original members on stage.)FOOD

Okay, so you’re not a Football fan.  But, it’s possible that you have heard of Don Shula, former coach of the Miami Dolphin’s.  It seems that coaching led to a new life for the restaurateur.  Don Shula’s American’s Steakhouse, one of several across the country, is located on the second floor just off an escalator, or elevator ride, from the main gaming floor.

In an interesting twist to menus, it seems that you can see the price of all items, except the steaks. 

I overheard a hostess tell a potential guest that all steaks are UNDER $40.00.  I guess it’s true, “if you have to ask .…”

In their defense, the restaurant only uses a “high roller” aged, Black Angus Beef of which a selection is even available on their Website.

And, for those of you who love your steak at 6:30 A.M. in the morning, seven days a week, this IS the place to go.  (Remember, this is a 24-Hour a day casino)

www.donshula.com

We opted to have dinner at Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar & Grill, a four-restaurant chain located just off of the gaming floor.  Although smoking is allowed on the gaming floor, it didn’t seem to go past the front door of the restaurant.

We decided to try two different appetizers: Kung Fu Coconut Shrimp (8) and Crispy Crab Wontons (8). Unlike many appetizer menus, there were actually several selections that were NOT fried. 

Our selected entrees were Honey Walnut Shrimp: crispy shrimp, mushrooms, honey sauce, and candied walnuts ($13.99) and Buddha’s Feast with Chicken ($12.99) accompanied with a slightly sweet brown sauce.

www.lingandlouies.com

OTHER FOOD OPTIONS

Another sit-down option off of the gaming floor is Cafe 24/7.  Entrees such as Mac & Cheese, Idaho Trout, and NY Steak mix with sandwiches and burgers in this upscale 24-hour diner.  

In what might look like the food court at a mall, there are four fast food alternatives just off of the gaming floor. They include Tamales (Mexican), Boar’s Head Deli (Deli Sandwiches), Famiglia Pizzeria (Pizza), and Fatburger (Burgers).  Prices for the four establishments ranged from $5.00 – $10.00 for the main menu.

OTHER GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY ATTRACTIONS

For a list of other tourist attractions associated with the Gila River Indians (and there are several) visit their Website at:

www.wingilariver.com

…and also see Rawhide at their adjacent property, which we visited  - see our blog – on July 9th.

Click on Tourist Attractions under Tourism

Next Week: Ft. McDowell Casino/Radisson Ft. McDowell Resort and a look at the final construction phases of the soon to open Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale

Note: Photography in the casinos is frowned upon, so we cannot take many photos in areas near casinos – which includes most of the adjacent restaurants. 

Tomorrow: We visit several fun things to do within 15 minutes of the airport – in  another direction!