Travel Tips

Beat the Heat: 4 Unexpected Summer Activities in Arizona

Locations in this article:  Buffalo, NY Los Angeles, CA Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ

Miraval New Life in Balance Spa

Spa Rx

While there are many top notch spas in Scottsdale running summer deals, for a really special experience head to Miraval, just north of Tucson and experience the just opened Life in Balance Spa with Clarins.  Miraval often rates as one of the top destination spas in the world, now it finally has a spa that matches the world-class resort and programming it’s offered for years.  The 16,000 square-foot facility offers 23 treatment rooms with clean, sophisticated furnishings that enhance  feelings of tranquility, peace and serenity.

The spa manages to feel both high-end and down-to-earth at the same time and is an oasis of rest, relaxation and renewal.  Over 40 new treatments were created in conjunction with Clarins; Europe’s top selling skin care line.  Try the Hydrating Body Peel or Anti-Aging facial to counteract the effects of the dry heat on your skin, or for a completely unique experience book the Naga, a Thai massage that incorporates hanging silk ropes that your therapist can use to suspend them or you to deepen the stretching and increase your movement and mobility.  It’s like Cirque du Soleil meets the spa.

Packing Heat

If you’re bound and determined to find the Wild Wild West in Arizona, there’s no better place to channel your inner Buffalo Bill or Annie Oakley than at the Scottsdale Gun Club.  The indoor (air-conditioned!) gun range is a country club for the gunslinger.  The 30,000 sq-ft club features 32 shooting lanes, 24 open to the public and 8 reserved for Titanium Club Members ($7500 plus $200/month).  While the club offers a host of classes led by world-class instructors (including one rated 15 in the country) and over 200 guns of all types available for rent, it’s the Machine Gun Adventure that draws the visitors in.

Twenty-three machine guns are available for use including a 1928 Tommy Gun, an UZI and an HK MP-5 K.

On my own training adventure, my adventure selects the MP-5.  I’ve shot guns before and love the AR-15 Rifle, but I have little experience with a full-auto machine gun.

Before we head onto the range the instructor goes over the basic safety features of the gun, explains that he’ll do all the loading and unloading and will be at my side in case I somehow lose control of the firearm (now that’s a scary thought!).  The first three shots we take are in single shot mode to simply get a feel for the weapon.  Surprisingly, it has far less recoil than a rifle or the 9mm handguns I’ve shot.  I’m liking this one!

When we switch to full auto my first two bursts of shots are erratic and the instructor explains that I’m trying to over think it and over control the gun (sounds like life issues are reflected in one’s shooting skills!)  After his explanation my second clip goes much better.  Not all the shots were spectacular, but I can tell you, the guy didn’t make it out alive.

The Machine Gun Adventure costs $65 for the gun and $20-35 for a pair of magazines that hold 40-50 rounds.  Range rental is $15/person/hour.  Groups are welcome to share a machine gun rental.  The Scottsdale Gun Club is very family friendly, but kids must be 13 and to shoot a machine gun and eight-years-old to be on the range or shoot another type of gun.  A parent or guardian must be present.

For more Arizona ideas, keep reading with:

By Dena Roché for PeterGreenberg.com. Dena Braun-Roché, aka, The Fitglobetrotter, covers luxury, wellness and spa travel worldwide. Her work has appeared in Spa Magazine, Robb Report, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, and Bridal Guide. Follow her travels and travel tips on Twitter @fitglobetrotter