My wife and I will soon be taking a brief, belated honeymoon in Phoenix. We’re primarily going to catch spring training baseball and just spend some time together. But as we’ll have some free time while we’re there, I figured I’d ask if there were any absolute “must-see” tourist attractions in the area. I’ve been to Phoenix two or three times in the past, but it has pretty much always been for baseball.
We’re OK with museums, but that isn’t necessarily a huge draw. And we’d probably not be looking to do anything that involves a lot of outdoor walking, as I tend to be a wimp even about moderate heat. Again, we aren’t desperate for activities – between relaxing and eating and bowling and baseball, we’ll be perfectly content. But if there’s something we absolutely shouldn’t miss, let us know!
There isn’t really a terrible lot to do in Phoenix that you couldn’t do anywhere else. If you’re willing to go eastward a bit towards Apache Junction (which is still Phoenix Area) there’s a pretty decent renaissance festival going on for a few more weeks (until about the end of March), but I don’t think there’s anything particularly compelling. Other than that it’s mostly standard malls. If you like Japanese food there’s a rather authentic tasting ramen shop near University and Dorsey, you don’t see that everywhere I guess.
I adore the Phoenix Zoo. It’s modern, advanced, humane, and wonderfully diverse.
The unique “local color” aspect is where the zoo has an area dedicated to animals found in nature in that region: bobcats, pumas, eagles, etc. Be vewwy caweful when observing the coyote and the roadrunner!
SMOCA
Thursday night Art Walk in Scottsdale Cafe Monarch (an absolute do not miss) Pizzeria Bianco
Tempe, and the Tempe Town Lake is nice to walk around.
The Desert Botanical Gardens.
Of course, there is a ton of great shopping - we really like Kierland and Scottsdale Quarter.
Also, all the resorts are nice to drop into and have a drink (The Biltmore is worth seeing just for the FLW architecture).
The weather will be perfect to have dessert and a coffee at The Royal Palms - a truly magical setting at night.
When I lived there Scottsdale was where many of us spent most our fee time. The University in Tempe had a lot of free music in a building across from the Grady Gammage Auditorium. The botanical garden mentioned by someone above may be the most unique place in Phoenix.
My dad lives way out in the western boonies of Phoenix. About five miles south of his place is where the local model rocket club comes once every couple months to fire off the big stuff. And I know where there’s a crested saguaro cactus. I wouldn’t call those “can’t miss”, though.
I’ve been to Taliesin West, though. Nice, if you’ve got an interest in architecture.
Then have dinner at Los Dos Molinos, at the entrance to the park. Historic location (Tom Mix’s house), and some of the best (and spiciest) New Mexico- style food in the world.
I have to recommend against that RenFaire. It’s incredibly hot and crowded. You can hardly move. There is hardly even any place to sit down. It does have elephants and camels, which is cool, and the permanent site is awesome looking. But for going to do RenFaire stuff? Not so great.