Spring is here. The temperature is warming up, the skirts are getting shorter and the Uggs are finally fading from the scene.
The kid sitting next to you in class will not shut up about the trip he is planning to Rocky Point. You do not pay much attention to him until it hits you like a tequila shot -- spring break is next week, and you have absolutely no plans.
No Mexico, no Lake Havasu, nothing.
But don't fret. You can still have a little bit of Mexico, right here in the valley.
Pointe-Hilton Resort
7677 North 16th St., Phoenix
(480) 997-6000
Best for: Clean water and tanning
It is true that there is no oceanside beach in Arizona, but the swimming pool at the Pointe-Hilton Squaw Peak Resort on 16th Street and Northern Avenue might be as good.
Just a 30-minute drive from ASU, the Pointe offers guests a four-acre water land area full of waterfalls, swimming pools, waterslides and a lazy river.
So, instead of dehydrating on the crowded beaches in Mexico, where you might feel self-conscious about your newly acquired beer belly, you can spend your time floating in a tube, shooting down a waterslide or walking under cascading waterfalls.
The only drawback to the pool area at the Pointe-Hilton is that it is for guests only. If you want to stay legal, be advised that you might want to take advantage of some cheaper spring rates and get a room.
Gardunos Margarita Factory and Blue Agave
In the Chandler Fashion Mall, off Loop 101 and Chandler Boulevard
(480) 857-8700
Best for: Those seeking a close imitation of Mexican food
What is better than that authentic Mexican food that you get from a stand in the heart of Mexico? OK, nothing is better than that, but Gardunos comes close.
With two locations about equidistant from ASU, one in Scottsdale and the other in the Chandler Fashion Mall, the tasty dishes at Gardunos are more expensive, though much more convenient than authentic Mexican meals.
The decor at Gardunos definitely adds to the experience. The ceiling is painted like the sky, and large, rustic metal horses and stars hang down over the tables. And while you enjoy enchiladas, burritos, tacos or other Mexican cuisine ranging from about $9-11, a mariachi band will keep you entertained and make you feel as if you were in Mexico.
To top it off, you can build your own margarita with a wide variety of flavors including strawberry, banana, peach, chocolate, cantaloupe and others. With this wide variety of Mexican food, margaritas and the accompaniment of real mariachi, the only thing more authentic than Gardunos Margarita Factory and Blue Agave is Mexico itself.
Old Town Scottsdale
Scottsdale Road between Indian School and McDowell roads
Best for: Buying knick-knacks you'll never use
The only thing you'll miss by not going to Mexico for spring break that is more difficult to capture in the Phoenix area is all of the useless junk that people tend to buy to remember their trips, including T-shirts that read something like "I went to Mexico for spring break and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" and shot glasses imprinted with phrases such as "One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor."
Never fear -- Old Town Scottsdale will satiate your junk cravings. The stores in the area sell sombreros, ponchos and goofy tourist items just like the ones in Mexico.
After shopping in the area, walk to one of the many local restaurants for nourishment. The Old Town Tortilla Factory, 6910 E. Main St., features 80 premium tequilas and a full selection of Mexican beers, not to mention the killer food. Call (480) 945-4567 for more information.
Reach the reporter at 5tara.brite@asu.edu.
