3 Day Trips for Spring Training Fans

Day trip 1: Mesa to Globe/Miami

Starting from Mesa (home of the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics), this trip takes you through the town of Superior, Arizona, where you can walk among the spring wildflowers in a 400-acre garden dedicated to plants from desert nations.

Heading east on U.S. Route 60, your first stop is Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Lined pathways wind through blooming plants, cacti and trees set amidst the serene mountains of the Sonoran Desert. It's a perfect complement to the action of the stadium.

Once in Globe, grab a bite at Nurd Berger, a local favorite that's won well-deserved praise for their shakes and "Next-Level Bergers." Browse the antique shops along Broad Street or request a tour of the allegedly haunted Old Gila County Jail and Courthouse.

The ruins of Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaelogical Park / Credit: Jim Lindstrom

On the return trip to Mesa, save some time to visit Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park, about a mile outside of town, for a glimpse into what life was like for the Salado people who occupied the site nearly 800 years ago.

Day trip 2: Scottsdale to Cave Creek

If you're staying near Scottsdale Stadium (springtime home of the San Francisco Giants) or Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies), this day trip will take you to three distinct experiences.

Credit: Musical Instrument Museum

Hop off State Route 101 to take in the sounds at the Musical Instrument Museum and its more than 6,800 instruments collected from around the world. A special exhibition during Spring Training, "Stradivarius and the Golden Age of Violins and Guitars" presents more than 70 of the most extraordinary and sought-after string instruments from iconic European makers of the 16th to the 19th century.

Spring training lands during a beautiful time of year in central Arizona. Take advantage of the sunshine and perfect temps with a hike at Spur Cross Conservation Area. Situated north of the Musical Instrument Museum in Cave Creek, this picturesque desert region offers difficult hikes—like the two-mile Elephant Mountain Trail with steep elevation gains—and moderate trails such as the 1.2-mile Tortuga Trail.

For an up-close wildlife experience—and a fulfilling conclusion to your day—consider spending a few hours volunteering at Cave Creek's Wild At Heart, a rescue, rehabilitation and release center for birds of prey. Before you visit, contact info@wildatheartowls.org to request a volunteer packet

Day trip 3: Surprise to Wickenburg

Wickenburg Giant Spurs / Credit: Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce

As the most northwest Cactus League location, the city of Surprise (home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers) is an ideal launch point for a road trip along U.S. Route 60 to Wickenburg.

Just before you enter Wickenburg, you'll approach the 770-acre Hassayampa River Preserve, a favorite of birders thanks to the 280 species of winged creatures spotted in this riparian corridor. A self-guided trail system explores the desert oasis—the only place where the Hassayampa River flows above ground over its 100-mile course.

For 50 years, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg has displayed the art and history of the American West, from indigenous peoples to mining, agriculture and rodeo. Special exhibits through March 10 include the bronze work of John Coleman and "Wagons West."

Heading back to Surprise, a stopover at Western Trails Ranch offers an array of activities. Food, drinks, dancing, live bands and team roping—pretty lively for a former ghost town!