So, say you are heading to Arizona to see the KC Royals during spring training, but you only want to attend a few games, not spend your whole vacation at a ballpark.

There are PLENTY of things to do in Arizona and not far from the Royals spring training home of Surprise, Arizona.

You can head over to the Cactus League’s website, where they have a link to a trip planner that takes you to the towns’ in Arizona (that have spring training facilities) visitors bureau sites.

You can also check out Arizona Scenic Tours, which tells you about popular destinations in Arizona and different types of tours you can take. They offer a variety of Day Tours that pick you up and drop you off at your Metro Phoenix location. They include tours such as a wineries tour, a Tuscon tour, a Grand Canyon tour, a Historic Route 66 loop, and a Sedona tour.

Or you can request an Arizona travel guide or a Phoenix area travel guide (especially if you plan on flying into the Phoenix airport).

Maybe you just want to stay in Surprise, which is considered one of America’s fastest growing cities. According to About.com, here are some things to do in Surprise:

• There is a 10,562 square foot Aquatics Center
• West Valley Art Museum
• White Tank Regional Park, where there is a rare desert waterfall. There is also Waterfall Trail, which is popular and an easy hike. It is also a great place to have a picnic lunch with beautiful views.
• Eight championship golf courses, like Cimarron at San City Grand
• Speedworld Dragstrip
• Surprise Tennis and Raquet complex, where from February 18-24 the USTA Pro Circuit Event will take place.

I mentioned in yesterday’s first post that Glendale is about 20 minutes away from Surprise. On their site, they have a link to 101 Things to Do in Glendale and West Valley. Yup, 101. However, the list isn’t exactly updated (like a few of the places have closed).

Maybe you like animals and would like to visit the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium, where they just opened a fourth building to their aquarium. Or would like to see what it would be like to go to space at the Challenger Space Center, where they offer Family Star Nights from 6:30-9pm to check out stars such as the Orion Nebula (February 23rd), the March Sky (March 9th), and the Equinox and Solstice (March 23rd).

Maybe you are into gardens and would like to check out what Arizona has? Head on over to the Xeriscape Botanical Garden (which is at the Glendale Main Library). It is open every day of the year and is considered the best demonstration garden in the state. You can also visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, which has more than 50,000 rare plants. It is open from 8am-8pm every day. They have two exhibitions running now (Whispers of a New World and Philip Haas’ Four Seasons).

West Valley’s only casino is Vee Quiva Casino, which offers $25 in free bonus play for new members (it is located in Laveen). They also offer Bingo on Saturdays at noon, 6:30pm, and 11pm. Bingo Eclipse at 11pm includes a DJ. There are two more casinos in Chandler (Lone Butte and Wild Horse Pass).

If you love candy, then you will want to stop by the Cerreta Candy Company, the largest in Arizona. They even offer self-guided video factory tours Monday-Saturday from 8am-6pm. Or you can go on a 30-minute guided tour Monday-Friday at 10am and 1pm.

You could decide to watch sports other than the Royals, like the Phoenix Coyotes in the NHL (now that the lockout is over) or the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. If you like NASCAR, then head on over to Phoenix International Speedway March 1-3 for three days of racing, including the Nationwide Series 200 and Talking Stick Resort 60 on the second.

*I have never been to Arizona, but I am looking in to going to spring training (either this year or sometime soon), so I have been checking out things to do. The above list is things I have been checking out.