Though summer is winding down and the kids are heading back to school, there are still plenty of opportunities for grown-ups to savor the season. From fun runs for a cause to cool cooking classes, here are three of our favorite end-of-summer activities in Arizona.
COOKING CLASSES – Before autumn rolls in, book a course to beef up your kitchen skills. Scottsdale’s Sweet Basil Academy offers several September courses focusing on a range of genres, from spicy Southwest fare to sweet cookies and hearty traditional Irish meals. If you’re more in the mood for a laid-back evening of culinary education, check out the Classic Cooking Academy in Scottsdale’s Five Course Wine on Friday evenings from 5pm to 7:30pm—this experience is led by chefs and sommeliers, who craft a tasting menu with specially paired wines.
FULL MOON HIKE – On Friday, September 13, head to Sedona to take part in a Full Moon Hike in Red Rock State Park. This unforgettable moonlit trek is led by a naturalist and gives participants the rare opportunity to enjoy the sunset and moonrise. The 2 to 2.5-hour hike will also touch on park archaeology, geology, botany, and riparian wildlife info.
9/11 HEROES RUN – On Saturday, September 14, lace up your running shoes and head to the Sun Devil Fitness Complex at Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus for the 7th annual 9/11 Heroes Run in Mesa. This popular local 5k and 1 mile walk honors all those lost on 9/11—from first responders and civilians to subsequent war veterans. The race typically attracts up to 1,000 participants. Proceeds from registration fees support the Travis Manion Foundation’s mission to empower the nation’s veterans and families of fallen heroes.