2022-08-30 11:49:53
With big-city excitement, outdoor adventures and the state’s largest concentration of luxury resorts, the Greater Phoenix area offers the best of both worlds. Explore the lively downtown and quiet neighborhoods, high-end shopping down the road from quirky boutiques, James Beard Award-winning restaurants alongside local dive bars, and world-renowned museums that share the same zip code as independent art galleries and artisan studios. IN THIS REGION Fort McDowell, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Superior, Tempe Area Highlights ARIZONA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, MESA Spanning continents and millennia, this comprehensive museum delves into the ancient histories of people, land and creatures large and small. See colossal dinosaurs in the recently renovated Dinosaur Mountain exhibit, glittering gems and minerals, archeological excavations and insights into some of the Southwest’s first civilizations. WESTGATE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, GLENDALE Anchored by Gila River Arena and State Farm Stadium, this sprawling complex is a hot spot for entertainment of all kinds. Watch a movie at AMC Theatres, play games at Carousel Arcade Bar or Dave & Buster’s, test your sleuthing skills at Escape Westgate and have a laugh at Stir Crazy Comedy Club—then take your pick from dozens of eateries. WESTERN SPIRIT: SCOTTSDALE’S MUSEUM OF THE WEST, SCOTTSDALE Explore a variety of perspectives on Western cultures, history and beauty at this Smithsonian-affiliated art museum. Be sure to catch the striking collection of early 20thcentury photographs of American Indians at Light and Legacy: The Art and Techniques of Edward S. Curtis, on view through spring 2023. AGRITOPIA FARM, GILBERT Local flavors intertwine with local makers at this farm-community hybrid. See the orchards at Agritopia Farm and pick up gourmet food items, from artisanal flour to small-batch honey, at the farm store. Then, stroll through maker studios and shops inside Barnone before lingering on a patio with a glass of wine from Garage-East or a craft beer from 12 West Brewing Co. TEMPE BEACH PARK, TEMPE Perched on the southern shore of Tempe Town Lake, this 25-acre urban park offers recreation on land and water. Stroll more than 5 miles of trails, drop in a fishing line (buy a fishing license at azgfd.com/ license), or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for water fun at Boat Rentals of America. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, PHOENIX With a vast collection of more than 8,000 instruments from more than 200 countries, this museum celebrates the rich diversity of cultures and craftsmanship through the shared language of music. Peruse the galleries, engage with interactive media and watch live concerts to hear sounds of all kinds. CITY LIMITLESS BEERS & BREWS PASSPORT, MESA AND EAST VALLEY This new digital passport combines the best of both worlds—craft beer and gourmet coffee—inviting folks to discover 12 places to enjoy these two libations in Mesa and the East Valley. The free digital passport serves as a tour of the breweries, tap rooms, sports bars and coffee shops, and when you check in at each location, you could win prizes. WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB, FORT MCDOWELL Play on two award-winning golf courses set in the scenic Sonoran Desert on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains as you sink your putt. A world-class practice facility is also on-site. HEARD MUSEUM, PHOENIX With an impressive collection of more than 40,000 objects, this comprehensive museum includes intricate Navajo textiles, Zuni jewelry, Hopi Katsina dolls, prehistoric ceramics and contemporary fine art to interweave a diverse perspective on Native arts and cultures from the Southwest and around the world. Perfect Pour BY ELIZABETH EXLINE Can getting a drink expand your horizons? It can at Little Rituals. The speakeasylike hotel bar relies on handcrafted syrups and infusions to create showstopping libations like the Big City Nights cocktail. Building on blackberry gin, vermouth and herbed cinnamon syrup, the drink is topped off with printed foam (yes, you read that right) featuring a Phoenix-inspired panorama. CURATE YOUR HOME BAR Make your bar cart the toast of your house with these local cocktail enhancements. SHRUBS Tart, fruity and herbal, the vinegar-based shrubs by Shrubwell infuse cocktails with layers of flavor. Watermelon finds true love with fennel and lime in one, while pineapple pairs with tamarind in another. MINI SPIRIT PACKS Looking to host an island-themed party? Want to explore citrusforward sours? Then check out the thematic spirit packs by Iconic Cocktail Company: each box includes four miniature mixers plus recipes. AROMATIC FINISHING SUGARS Terre Botanicals takes fair-trade, organic cane sugar and elevates it with botanicals and essential oils to put a sophisticated spin on cocktails and simple syrups. Sight + Sound BY ROGER NAYLOR Cosanti, created by influential Italian architect Paolo Soleri, rises from the lush desert in Paradise Valley and somehow manages to appear both futuristic and ancient simultaneously. Soleri came to Arizona to study under Frank Lloyd Wright but the two men clashed over differing visions. Soleri eventually settled north of Phoenix in 1955 where he built Cosanti, his residence and design studio. Cosanti features subtle curves and flowing shapes that create a magical world amid desert vegetation, a blending of manmade and natural environments. Soleri coined the term “arcology” to describe the concept of architecture shaped by ecology to create a more sustainable lifestyle. South-facing half-domes, known as apses, create year-round workspaces as they provide summer shade while embracing winter sun. Many structures are partially underground for insulation. Set amid garden paths and terraced beds, Cosanti maintains an otherworldly feel, and visitors can take a guided tour to explore this unique style. After your tour, immerse yourself in the musical cascades of Soleri’s famous bronze windbells, which artisans handcraft using techniques introduced by Soleri. Like snowflakes, no two bells are alike. In the onsite shop, choose your very own windbell—as well as other special items—to bring home. POWER SHOPPING RETAIL DISTRICTS & MEGA MALLS From renowned retailers to affordable outlets, Greater Phoenix has some of the best shopping you’ll find anywhere in the Southwest. SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE This luxurious indoor mall caters to discerning shoppers and diners with restaurants such as NOBU and Ocean 44; brands such as Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Cartier; and concierge amenities such as luggage storage and valet parking. BILTMORE FASHION PARK High-end retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue and Tumi line the walkways of this open-air mall in Phoenix, where you’ll also find restaurants including Zinburger, True Food Kitchen and The Capital Grille. PHOENIX PREMIUM OUTLETS Stroll more than 90 outlets—we’re talking Cole Haan, Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs—and enjoy discounts of up to 65% off at this retail center in Chandler. DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE Twinkling lights and palm trees set the scene at this outdoor retail center in Phoenix with 50 shops, from H&M to Target, as well as dozens of eateries. TANGER OUTLETS Save on brand-name clothing and home goods (everything from Le Creuset to Saks Off 5th) at this outdoor complex in Glendale. Just hop on the free shuttle to and from area hotels and the Westgate Entertainment District. Fresh Air & Fun Adventures When you’re visiting Phoenix, you don’t have to go far to revel in the beauty of nature. Experience the great outdoors with these quick escapes. The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix is the perfect place to unwind. Curving paths cross the grounds, and a 12-foot waterfall adds a relaxing note to the garden as it feeds a koi pond and gently flowing streams. Anchoring the far western edge of the Phoenix Valley is White Tank Mountain Regional Park, a roughly 30,000-acre park with desert lowlands and sharprising peaks. Beautiful during the day, White Tank proves equally spectacular once the sun goes down. This is where stargazers come to admire the glittering canopy above. At the base of the Superstition Mountains is Lost Dutchman State Park. Named for a fabled gold mine hidden deep in the volcanic fortress of the mountains, the park is crisscrossed with hiking trails and adorned with wildflowers, most prominently poppies and brittlebush. When the days turn hot, it’s time to hit the water. Go Paddle AZ in Peoria rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at Pleasant Harbor Marina on Lake Pleasant, a 10,000-acre reservoir with miles of coastline. Water in the desert attracts wildlife as well as people. The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch creates a lush oasis in the heart of Gilbert, providing a welcome habitat for mammals, reptiles and nearly 300 species of birds. Showstopping Experiences BY KERIDWEN CORNELIUS Ready to make this the greatest trip of all time? Arizona’s capital is a hub for unforgettable indulgences and bucketlist pursuits. Think of the $240 tasting menu at Binkley’s Restaurant in Phoenix as an epicurean odyssey into a sublime realm. Chef Kevin Binkley, a James Beard Award finalist, conducts gourmands from the garden to the bar to the dining room as they delight in a succession of 20-ish dazzlingly creative delicacies. Sunsets and Sips—the happy-hour program at Taliesin West in Scottsdale— allows culture vultures to contemplate Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of deeply connected desert living. Venture into various parts of this UNESCO World Heritage site and relish the way the sunset is reflected in thoughtfully designed water features. Ever fantasized about blasting around a racetrack in a roaring Ferrari? The seasoned pro instructors at Chandler’s Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park teach motorheads to race exotic supercars including Lamborghinis, Porsches and Corvettes. If you prefer slower sports, Troon North in Scottsdale represents the platonic ideal of desert golf. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the two courses’ pristine fairways—occasionally prowled by bobcats—undulate among saguaros, golden boulders and dramatic mountains silhouetted against an endless blue sky. With dreamy views of palm trees and sienna peaks, the Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley fuses sumptuous settings with a Zen sensibility. Harmonize your yin and yang in a Golden Lotus Balancing Ritual, or melt into the meditative sounds of singing bowls during a Nidra Sound Voyage. There’s no wrong way to indulge.
©Arizona Official Travel Guide. View All Articles.