Arizona is known for excellent golf, and Maricopa County property owners can enjoy some of the best golf in the state at The Duke at Rancho El Dorado. In 2003 Travel golf named it “Best New Course in Arizona”. Since then, it’s just gotten better, and The Duke consistently ranks among the top courses. With a prime location just 15 minutes off I-10 on Queen Creek Road, it’s easy for golfers to relax on this lovely piece of Maricopa County real estate. The course is meticulously maintained as a brilliant oasis of green in the austere beauty of the desert.

The Par-72, championship style course is available for daily-fee use. Avid golfers should consider a membership to access all the great benefits of The Duke Golf Club. Saguaro Club membership allows you entrance to four championship courses, as well as member-only discounts at the grill and pro shop, 14 day advance tee time reservations, and many other benefits.

After your game, be sure to stop at the Silver Spur Grill for a drink, a snack, or a great meal. The grill is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its patio has a panoramic view of the 18th hole and the Estrella Mountains. Be sure to visit thedukegolf.com to find out more about membership and the schedule of events for Maricopa County property owners.

One of the great reasons to own Scottsdale real estate is the proximity to the Sonoran Desert. Far from being a barren place, the desert is full of life. Get to know this fascinating area on one of the many excellent tours offered by Desert Wolf Tours. Ride in a Tomcar, a military-grade off-road vehicle, perfect for getting up close and personal with the austere beauty of the desert. You can even take a turn driving one of these awesome vehicles.

Whether you’re entertaining guests in your Scottsdale home or looking for an adventure close to home, these tours are a great choice. A half-day Tomcar Tour will take you to the habitats of javelinas, wild burros, coyotes, and many other desert creatures. You’ll also get a close look at some of important sites in Arizona history, like Indian ruins, an abandoned mine, or an old stage coach trail. When the sun goes down, the desert changes. Take a Tomcar Sunset Tour to meet some nocturnal animals, such as scorpions, Western diamondback rattlers, and maybe a bobcat or mountain lion.

A Desert Wolf tour will give you a whole new perspective on Scottsdale real estate. The spring and summer are the busy season, so be sure to book your tour soon. Go to DesertWolfTours.com to learn more about the tours and to make a reservation.

Chocolate lovers unite! All sweet tooths living Scottsdale homes or are in the local area should be sure to check out Chocolate Tour of Scottsdale. This walking tour is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. In fact you may actually think you are dreaming or in this case, sleepwalking. What could be more dreamy than a pleasant stroll through downtown Scottsdale with short stops along the way for tasty chocolate indulgences. Points on the tour include chocolate shops, bakeries, pastry shops and an ice cream parlor. Tour guide and owner, Ofelia Montelongo delights walkers with bits of local information and bites of delicious chocolate treats including cupcakes, hot chocolate, ice cream, candy, mousse and more.

Those living in Scottsdale properties will agree that the best part of Chocolate Tour of Scottsdale is of course the chocolate. The added bonus is you will feel better about indulging because you are exercising along the way.

The tour takes place rain or shine, so bring your walking shoes and your sweet tooth! Tours are about two miles long, broken up nicely with tastings and restroom breaks, and last around two and a half hours. Groups are limited to 12 participants, just the right size to meet new friends but not get lost in the crowd. Private tours are also available.

Chocolate Tours of Scottsdale are perfect for unique date nights, or birthday celebrations for residents of Scottsdale homes and their friends. For more information or to make reservations for this one of a kind chocolate extravaganza go to chocolatetourofscottsdale.com.

The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a nonprofit organization that rescues local wildlife that are in need of care, whether from losing their homes, injury, or other mishaps. The animals are released back into the wild when they are ready. If they are incapable of living in the wild again, the organization provides a permanent and nurturing home for them. Those who own Scottsdale properties can even visit these animals in guided tours for a personal and close-up experience. Tours must be booked in advance.

There are several animals you may see here, including mountain lions, black bears, Coatimundi, bobcats, several species of hawks, and more. They also take care of the endangered Mexican Gray Wolf, as the organization is a participant of the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan. This is a rare opportunity to see one of these endangered species near Scottsdale homes.

You can make donations to help out these animals in need. Or volunteer to help take care of them. Participate in Wild Workshops, if you are eighteen and over. Early registration is recommended since there are only twenty spots available per workshop. These are held from January to April on the first Wednesday of every month. You will learn about wildlife, nature, conservation, and research. There are four different workshops to choose from. This is a great learning experience available to Scottsdale property owners. See the complete schedule at southwestwildlife.org.

Arizona property owners interesting in the state’s history should plan a visit to the Mission San Xavier del Bac. Located near Tucson, the mission is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. You can join docent-led tours throughout the mission at various times throughout the day from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The current standing mission was finished in 1797, and still functions as a church. This landmark has breathtaking architecture and fine details. The sanctuary is decorated with many beautiful statues and murals.

Arizona home owners can help raise money to support the restoration of the mission, while enjoying an exciting guitar concert. Patronato, the group dedicated to preserving the mission, is hosting the seventh annual Spring concert on April 12th. Gabriel Ayala, the well known Native American guitarist will perform his Jazzmenco style music. He is returning for his second year here after his spectacular performance last year. Tickets are only $75 to attend.

Even if you can’t attend the concert, Patronato invites you to donate to the restoration of the East Tower. This is the last major work to bring this historic Arizona property to its full glory. Go to patronatosanxavier.org to plan a visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac and find out more about ways you can help preserve the mission for generations to come.

Located in downtown Phoenix the Arizona Science Center is the perfect place to jump into the mysteries of science. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Science Center is dedicated to educating the curious about all kinds of science from biology to ecology to technology. There are seven permanent exhibits for exploration including All About Me, the W.O.N.D.E.R. Center, Forces of Nature, My Digital World and more. Arizona property owners are lucky to have this one of a kind, versatile museum close by to learn about a variety of sciences.

Explore the intricacies of the human body in the All About Me exhibit, including the skeletal system, cardio system, and digestive system. Here you can journey through a “working” replica of the stomach and hear, smell and see how the human body works. In the Heart Surgery Theater Center visitors can watch actual surgeries, and work out muscles by participating in wheel chair races. Live scientific demonstrations take place throughout the day and encourage the curiosity of patrons with audience participation.

Discover the mysteries of the human brain at the W.O.N.D.E.R. Center. Budding neurologists can explore the brain hands on with a realistic model of the brain, symmetric in size, weight and texture. The Brain Museum contains specimens of different animal brains and an actual human brain for comparison.

Forces of Nature teaches about the magical mysteries of Mother Earth. In the Immersion Theater one can experience volitalle forces of nature such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and volcanic eruptions. Global weather patterns are also showcased and studied.

Technology is explored in the My Technology Zone exhibit where patrons can delve into the world of physics and digital technology. Play with digital sand and be creative with digital art while exploring pixels. Temporary traveling exhibits are set up to thrill visitors to the Center. Past exhibitions include Titanic and Van Gogh live. See what’s new at the Sybil B. Harrington Gallery.

The Arizona Science Center boasts a state of the art, five story high screen 3D IMAX Theater and a state of the art Nano Dome, creating cinematography experiences you have to see to believe. Arizona property owners come from all over the state just to enjoy science in these bigger than life atmospheres. Shows and show times are subject to change.

This is also a perfect place for a one of a kind birthday party kids will never forget. Whether for a day trip or party location, the Arizona Science Center will not disappoint. Museums like this one are one of the great reasons to own Arizona property. For more information please visit azscience.org or call (602) 716-2000.

Dance and dine under a Queen Creek, Arizona sky filled with stars at San Tan Flat. A casual western barbeque joint, San Tan Flat is a favorite amongst local Arizona real estate owners and out of towners alike. This indoor/outdoor restaurant is one of a kind due to its unique set up. Seat yourself in the large outdoor eating area that resembles a campground complete with picnic tables and individual fire pits.

A vast menu has plenty of options for everyone’s taste buds. The kids will love tasty chicken strips and fries or a juicy bacon burger. If you are in the mood for steak, there are plenty here from rib eye to New York to filet. Feeling like lighter fare? The menu offers a selection of salads and wraps as well. Don’t forget dessert, including decadent cheesecake options, traditional drizzled with chocolate or raspberry sauce or deep fried. The San Tan Flat’s menu even offers a S’mores kit so the kids can roast marshmallows over their own fire pit as mom and dad supervise while enjoying a cold beer or two. Arizona real estate owners will enjoy all the fun of camping without actually having to pack!

After dinner is over the dancing begins, showcasing live bands. The laid back atmosphere at San Tan Flat makes it a great place for parties. Contact the restaurant for more information on how to hold your event here at (480) 882-2995. Visit www.santanflat.com for their live music line up. For a great place for Arizona real estate owners to eat by firelight and moonlight while listening and dancing to live music experience San Tan Flat.

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a unique and fun place for families to visit. With train and antique carousel rides, and several exhibits to explore, it provides a fun and exciting day. Located right in Scottsdale it is perfect for people living in homes in Arizona to visit.

Ride the Paradise and Pacific Railroad, this exciting train will take you on a one mile course through the park. It is an elaborately designed train that is modeled after the Colorado narrow gauge railroad. Then ride the Scottsdale Charro Carousel, a beautifully restored antique. This carousel was completed in 1950 and is registered in the National Carousel Association for antiques. Tickets start at only one dollar to ride.

See the Magma Arizona Railroad No. 6, a stunning train that was built in 1907 and used for coal transportation for over fifty years. It is now the only one of its kind left in Arizona. The Roald Amundsen Pullman Car is the next must-see in this park, built in 1928 and one of the last Pullman ever made. Its main purpose was to transport presidents through the country. This is a great place for history buffs from homes in Arizona to visit, as every president from Hoover to Eisenhower toured our country within this car. President Franklin Roosevelt even signed the Ogdensburg Declaration right inside. Also see the baggage car houses, the Gabe Brooks metal shop, and so much more that captures our country’s history.

There is so much for people with homes in Arizona to see within this park. It is interactive and informative. The entire family will find something they love at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Go to therailroadpark.com to plan your visit.

Living in Arizona provides many unique opportunities for recreation and exploration of the region’s cultures. For those searching for recreational options in Arizona, the Museum of Northern Arizona is a gateway to the Colorado Plateau. Visitors can really dive into the culture of the Plateau and learn about its rich history. Located on over 200 acres in Flagstaff, Arizona, the museum has research labs and an exhibit building on its campus, as well as state of the art collections facilities. More than five million Native American artifacts, fine art pieces, and natural science specimens are maintained there. For those living in Arizona this internationally recognized museum is easily accessible, which makes its high quality exhibits, collections, and festivals readily available.

Since its founding in 1928, the Museum of Northern Arizona has been inspiring a love for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau in all its guests. Through collecting, preserving, studying, and interpreting the area’s cultural and natural heritage for visitors, MNA hopes to instill in them a sense of responsibility for the protection of the region. The museum works with the native peoples of the Southwest, especially those living in Arizona, to help foster the cultures, traditions, and beliefs of the Colorado Plateau. By encouraging cultural artistic expression and educating visitors about the various cultures and art of the Southwestern Native people, MNA hopes to foster the protection of the region’s history. For more information see their website at musnaz.org.