Arizona enters February and March 2026 with a packed slate of openings, anniversaries and travel updates, from fresh stops along Route 66 to major hotel launches and milestone celebrations across the state.
This bi‑monthly brief brings together the latest developments — including new culinary openings, spring training season, luxury resort upgrades, dark‑sky events and expanded flight routes — offering a snapshot of what’s shaping travel across the Grand Canyon State right now
New to Route 66
Highway Hot Dog Opens On Route 66
Road trippers can enjoy all-beef hot dogs at the newly opened Highway Hot Dog in Seligman.
Families can stop here for hot dogs, sandwiches, lattes and gelato before exploring Seligman’s history and gift shops. Located in a historic building that was a theater and a sweet parlor, Highway Hot Dog is owned by the same restaurant entrepreneurs of Seligman’s beloved Westside Lilo’s Cafe.
GPS Guided Route 66 Audio Tour
The recently launched GPS Guided Route 66 Audio Tour provides road trippers historic information and driving instructions as they cruise along Arizona’s Route 66.
Created by the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona and developed by the Guide Along, the audio tour offers intriguing tidbits and tips. Visitors can purchase the tour for $26 from the Guide Along website, the App Store or the Play Store. Drivers can also purchase additional tours for area attractions including the Grand Canyon National Park South Rim and the Petrified Forest National Park.
Sports
2026 Cactus League Spring Training Begins in February
The 2026 Cactus League Spring Training season starts in late February with baseball games occurring daily across central Arizona through late March. Watch 15 Major League teams compete while you enjoy Arizona’s weather, affordable ticket prices and energetic fan-filled stadiums. After a game, fans can explore Metro-Phoenix or extend their stay to explore Northern and Southern Arizona.
Hotels
AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town Opening February 2026
Visitors can stay footsteps away from Old Town Scottsdale’s nightlife and charming Arts District at AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town, a new hotel opening in February 2026.
Here, guests can spend their day poolside at the rooftop pool before dining at Cielito, the rooftop restaurant that offers Northwest Mexico-inspired cuisine and stunning views of the city. After long days of exploring or attending conferences, guests can wind down in their desert-inspired, pet-friendly rooms.
New Luxury Residence Opens at Enchantment Resort in Sedona
Families seeking a longer-term stay can book the Canyon Vista, a new private residence offered at Enchantment Resort, located in Boynton Canyon in Sedona. Canyon Vista is a two-bedroom home with a fully equipped kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room so guests can soak in views of the canyon. The home’s patio overlooks the heated pool and offers stunning views of Sedona’s dark skies at night.
Guests can enjoy the resort’s amenities including the spa, golf course, onsite restaurants and the Trail House, an epicenter for outdoor adventures.
New Atari Hotel Announced for Downtown Phoenix in 2028
Atari Hotel has announced plans to open a 11-story video game-inspired hotel in downtown Phoenix in 2028. This retro-futuristic designed hotel inspired by the video game brand will be a world-class entertainment destination with an esports arena, a sportsbook and an interactive gaming space with augmented reality and virtual reality experiences.
In between gaming and live events, guests can enjoy high-tech rooms or VIP suites, see a concert, dine at the onsite restaurants and shop at the onsite retail. Located on Roosevelt Row, guests will be footsteps away from the city’s popular street art and close to downtown’s biggest attractions.
Reimagined Spa at Miraval Opens
Guests can rediscover wellness at the recently reimagined Life in Balance Spa at Miraval in Tucson, which has a refreshed design and offers new spa treatments. Guests can enjoy the spa’s renewed welcome room, hot tubs and saunas before trying the new cold plunges. There is a new spa menu for expectant mothers offering treatments for all stages of pregnancy including a curated spa menu for the first trimester and an expansive menu for the second and third trimester.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Completes $7 million renovation
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale completed a $7 million renovation of 8,000 square feet of its indoor and outdoor spaces so their design is in harmony with the resort’s desert setting. Also, architectural improvements were made including adding storefront windows to the West and North buildings along with The Views Lawn and Terrace now having flexible seating options.
Anniversaries
Flagstaff Celebrates 25 Years as the World’s First International Dark Sky City
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff being designated the world’s first International Dark Sky City. To celebrate, Flagstaff is hosting stargazing events year round so visitors can get lost in the stars.
Stargazers can glimpse into the galaxy at International Dark Sky
Week in April, dance under the stars at the Full Moon Concerts in Buffalo Park held throughout the summer and participate in the 25th Anniversary Celebration events occurring on October 24, 2026. Space enthusiasts can learn and observe Flagstaff’s dark skies anytime by visiting Lowell Observatory and the Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell.
Two Arizona Dude Ranches to Celebrate Centennials this Year
There are two dude ranches in Arizona celebrating their centennial anniversaries this year: Circle Z Ranch in Patagonia and Kay El Bar Guest Ranch in Wickenburg. Circle Z Ranch is tucked away in the Sonoran Desert at the base of Sanford Butte, surrounded by dramatic landscapes in every direction. And, at Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, visitors can discover saguaro forests and slot canyons along rocky mountain trails.
Industry News
MICHELIN Guide Launches Southwest Edition
MICHELIN Guide announced the launch of the MICHELIN Guide Southwest edition to showcase the culinary gems of the Southwest including Arizona along with Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. This marks MICHELIN’s second regional guide in North America created to highlight the unique restaurants in both the metropolitan hubs and rural areas of the Southwest that provide the best experiences and regional flavours. The guide is expected to debut later this year.
Accolades
Lake Havasu Named Among Best Beaches in the US
Lake Havasu State Park in Lake Havasu City was recently named the 13th best beach in Condé Nast Traveler’s 15 Best Beaches in the US as part of their Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.
Despite being landlocked, Arizona still offers a beach experience thanks to Lake Havasu’s sandy shoreline amongst the desert, creating a desert oasis. Lake Havasu’s beaches offer clear blue green water and countless water recreation opportunities including boating, fishing and kayaking.
Six Arizona hotels recognized in Condé Nast Traveler’s 10 Best Resorts in the Southwest
Arizona dominated Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 list of the 10 Best Resorts in the Southwest by having six hotels recognized with the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess earning first place. Guests can enjoy a luxurious stay at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess enjoying the sandy beach along the pool, unwinding at the acclaimed spa and creating new traditions at the resort’s popular holiday events.
Visitors can have remarkable stays at all the Arizona resorts recognized which include: Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, the Scottsdale Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Enchantment Resort in Sedona, L’Auberge de Sedona in Sedona and the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists in Arizona
The James Beard Foundation, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the individuals transforming America’s food culture, announced the 2026 semifinalists for the 40th annual Restaurant and Chefs Award. Twelve of Arizona’s chefs, mixologists and resturants made the list including some past nominees and new additions.
Flights
Porter Airlines New Seasonal Flights to Phoenix
Porter Airlines now offers Canadian visitors new seasonal routes to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport from Vancouver, British Columbia, and will soon launch routes from Ottawa, Ontario, starting February 7. Porter launched its first-ever transborder service from Vancouver on February 2, 2026, a nonstop flight to Phoenix that operates daily until April 19, 2026. The upcoming Ottawa service marks the first nonstop route between Phoenix and Canada’s capital city, with the flight operating three times a week until April 18, 2026.