# What's "can't miss" on a short vacation to Phoenix? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 5, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775 "2012-03-05T02:40:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/1 "2012-03-05T02:40:17Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/2 "2012-03-05T03:05:09Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/3 "2012-03-05T04:12:50Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/4 "2012-03-05T04:31:18Z")
[SMOCA](http://www.smoca.org) Thursday night Art Walk in Scottsdale [Cafe Monarch](http://www.yelp.com/biz/caf%C3%A9-monarch-scottsdale-2) (an absolute _do not miss_) [Pizzeria Bianco](http://pizzeriabianco.com/) Tempe, and the Tempe Town Lake is nice to walk around. The [Desert Botanical Gardens](http://www.dbg.org/). 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. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/5 "2012-03-05T04:33:10Z")
Carlos O’Kelly’s, order the Chilli. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/6 "2012-03-05T04:33:13Z")
Depending on when you are coming you could attend a Desert Dopefest that we could set up now, when are you coming by? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/7 "2012-03-05T04:37:41Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > Carlos O’Kelly’s, order the Chilli. I think you mean [Carlos O’Briens.](http://www.carlosobriens.com/) ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/8 "2012-03-05T12:15:33Z")
I really enjoyed the Sonoran Desert tour. The open-air jeep ride was very nice, and the tour of the desert was outstanding. If you’re into architecture, Taliesin West is a living memorial to Frank Lloyd Wright. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/9 "2012-03-05T13:52:54Z")
I give you the Musical Instrument Museum: [http://themim.org/](http://themim.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/10 "2012-03-05T14:03:57Z")
If you want to drive north out of town you can visit Arcosanti. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/11 "2012-03-05T15:38:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/12 "2012-03-05T17:16:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/13 "2012-03-05T18:21:10Z")
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**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/14 "2012-03-05T18:59:09Z")
> [@campp](#): > > I give you the Musical Instrument Museum: [http://themim.org/](http://themim.org/) This place really is pretty awesome. Don’t miss it, if you have any interest in music at all. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/15 "2012-03-05T19:45:38Z")
You could drive up to the top of South Mountain just before sunset and watch the city lights come on. Nice view from up there. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/16 "2012-03-05T19:48:15Z")
> [@Bumbershoot](#): > > You could drive up to the top of South Mountain just before sunset and watch the city lights come on. Nice view from up there. 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. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/17 "2012-03-06T17:39:16Z")
Hot air balloon ride and third the botanical gardens. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/18 "2012-03-07T17:44:55Z")
These are great suggestions, and we’re very intrigued by the musical instrument museum. Thanks, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/19 "2012-03-07T19:37:58Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > here’s a pretty decent renaissance festival going on for a few more weeks (until about the end of March) 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. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775/20 "2012-03-07T19:52:38Z")
[The Buttes](http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxtm-the-buttes-a-marriott-resort/) is my favorite place to stay in the Phoenix area. If I’m not staying there, I just pop in for a drink at the outdoor bar. If you are into the local flora, just drive north of town (toward Carefree) and have fun stalking the wild Saguaro with your camera. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-cant-miss-on-a-short-vacation-to-phoenix/614775.md?page=2)