ARIZONA NEWS

Verde Valley cracks list of top U.S. travel destinations

Dec 6, 2012, 5:00 AM | Updated: 7:17 am

Phoenix-area residents have a short drive to one of the top travel destinations in America.

Verde Valley, about a 90-minute drive north, was named to Lonely Planet’s Top 10 U.S. Travel Destination List for 2013.

While some towns were on the list because of their scenery or wildlife, Casey Rooney with Cottonwood Economic Development said the Verde Valley, No. 9 on the list, is all about the wine.

“If you follow the wine industry, we’re the rapidly emerging, small, beautiful region that a lot of people haven’t been to,” he said. “Now they’re hearing about it and now they’re coming here.”

Other locales included Fairbanks, Alaska — home to the Northern Lights — and American Samoa.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Joseph Keller was is accused of first-degree murder in a 2016 Phoenix homicide. (Pexels File and Ma...

KTAR.com

Suspect arrested 8 years after fatal Glendale apartment shooting

A man was arrested on Thursday eight years after he allegedly fatally shot a victim inside a Glendale apartment, authorities said.

1 hour ago

A file photo shows flight information monitors at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport...

KTAR.com

Technical problem impacts flight schedules at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

A technical problem impacted flight schedules at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Friday, official said.

3 hours ago

Barbara Davis was last seen near 16th Street and Broadway Road on April, 25, 2024. (Arizona Departm...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert activated for 84-year-old woman last seen in Phoenix

A Silver Alert was activated early Friday for an 84-year-old woman who was last seen in Phoenix the previous night, authorities said.

5 hours ago

Trunk Space moving after eight years eight years at the Grace Lutheran Church campus in Phoenix....

Bailey Leasure

Trunk Space event venue looking for new home after 8 years at current Phoenix location

The Trunk Space, a Phoenix nonprofit venue that hosts art, music and theater events, will be looking for a new home at the end of May.

5 hours ago

AZ Political Podcast: Ben Toma talks fake elector scheme...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma talks fake elector indictment

This episode of AZ Political Podcast features Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, who shares his thoughts on the fake elector scheme.

6 hours ago

Part of State Route 88 that closed in 2019 is getting repairs...

Serena O'Sullivan

Work underway to restore limited access to stretch of State Route 88 east of Valley

The Arizona Department of Transportation said on Thursday it kicked off initial repairs for a part of State Route 88 closed in 2019.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Desert Institute for Spine Care is the place for weekend warriors to fix their back pain

Spring has sprung and nothing is better than March in Arizona. The temperatures are perfect and with the beautiful weather, Arizona has become a hotbed for hikers, runners, golfers, pickleball players and all types of weekend warriors.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

(KTAR News Graphic)...

Boys & Girls Clubs

KTAR launches online holiday auction benefitting Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley

KTAR is teaming up with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley for a holiday auction benefitting thousands of Valley kids.

Verde Valley cracks list of top U.S. travel destinations