Peoria, AZ Outdoor Activities

Seeking a way to share her love of the equine arts, Joni Fitts opened her school in 1980, living by the motto "Teaching is Our Business" while helping riders discover the nuanced craft of horsemanship. Her instructors—all of whom are certified by the American Riding Instructor Certification Program—lead students 6 and older in riding programs tailored to all skill levels, covering both English and Western riding styles. Programs are not breed specific, helping students get to know different horses' gaits, idiosyncrasies, and favorite seasons of The Real World.

In addition to running her school, Joni is also a certified CHA site visitor, a designation that lets her qualify aspiring ranches for accreditation by the Certified Horsemanship Association and the American Horse Sign Language Society.

Powered by 270cc Honda engines, the SODI go-karts at Speed Street Indoor Race Track generate 9 horsepower while rocketing around the 1/3-mile track at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Fit for drivers of all skill levels, aged 7 and older, the karts and their pilots whiz through the track as tire walls, helmets, and the ghost of Henry Ford protect them at all times. Races mimic the action of big-league sprints, and onlookers can watch the action on the track or on TV screens around the complex. Speed Street Indoor Race Track welcomes birthday parties and corporate events, outfitting its media rooms with A/V equipment and full-service catering. It also organizes league racing, giving drivers the opportunity to compete for a spot in Speed Street's elite hall of fame.

Under the red, rocky peaks carved by Arizona's waterways, The Hook Up Outfitters's expert guides lead chartered trips in search of trophy-size largemouth and striped bass. During each all-inclusive daytime adventure, the staff equips anglers with necessities such as G.Loomis rods, Shimano reels, tackle and gear, and refreshing beverages. The Hook Up Outfitters's team includes Bassmaster Classic competitors and nationally profiled elite fishermen who tailor expert guidance to participants' individual goals, such as learning how to fish a particular spot or identify their aquatic doppelganger.

Born in 1945, Fred Amator's Arizona-bound life began on a dairy farm southwest of Phoenix. Later, work took him across the state, from the Sonoran Desert and Mogollon Rim to the Grand Canyon. During his Jeep tours, the CPR-certified driver's intimate knowledge of Arizona comes alive as he escorts two–four guests on desert journeys full of historical anecdotes, rather than mirages of Benjamin Franklin greedily chugging water.

During expeditions, Amator’s passengers take in panoramic views of the Gila Bend Mountains, off-road past the native trees and cacti around the White Tank Mountains, or potentially spot coyotes and rabbits at Margie's Peak. Amator also accompanies guests on three-hour trips to a farm in West Phoenix, where they observe fields full of growing cotton and the beginning of vegetable season before touring a dairy.