Say Hello To Phoenix, The Southwest Capital Of Cool
Ringed by an army of lean and lanky saguaro cacti and punctuated by dreamy mountain peaks that stand shoulder to shoulder with towering downtown spires, Phoenix dazzles at first sight. But the Valley of the Sun’s largest city is no mirage. Thanks to buzzy boutiques, funky Indigenous art, a surprisingly awesome food and nightlife scene, and energizing hikes for adventure seekers of every skill level, this desert metropolis offers the perfect weekend playground for every traveler type. Just you wait and see.
Create Your Own Cultural Itinerary
Phoenix is a true melting pot. Start at the Heard Museum to view artifacts from the Native American tribes who first lived in the area, then hit up The Phoenix Art Museum where the works of Southwest icons like Georgia O’Keefe and Ernest L. Blumenschein line the same walls as Picasso and Monet. Be sure to swing by Oak Street Alley, a hidden neighborhood gem featuring a smorgasbord of colorful murals.
Put The “Art” In Culinary Arts
Gastro adventures for the indecisive should begin at food hall Churchill where nearly a dozen indie food stalls and retail shops frame a large, central gathering space packed with grazing tables. Craving a belt-loosening brunch? Don’t miss Matt’s Big Breakfast, a local institution. Shortleash Hot Dogs & Rollover Doughnuts offers a one-two savory and sweet punch of elevated street food, while Restaurant Progress enlivens a drab strip mall with cheerful chic décor and the best New American fare for blocks around.
Do Downtown (The Right Way)
A night out in Cityscape is a night to remember. This happening hub stretches across two city blocks, and offers live music, stand-up comedy, fantastic food, and luxe lodging. Catch an NBA game, then relax with a carrot and ancho cocktail. Next, stroll on up to Roosevelt Row, an arts-focused thoroughfare lined with galleries, breweries, and hip hangouts like Cobra Arcade Bar and Châm Pang Lanes—a hybrid bowling alley and pan-Asian eatery featuring fowl-forward snacks like popcorn chicken.
Revel In Epic Desert Vibes
The Sonoran Desert has been inspiring artisans and outsiders for generations. From painters taking their creative cues from the likes of Dreamy Draw and Camelback to chefs whipping up culinary delights sourced with local ingredients like saguaro fruit and wolfberries, the desert’s influence is everywhere. Fuel your fix at places like Barrio Café, where top nosh Southwest cuisine and vibrant Mexican murals rule or at the multi-acre Phoenix Desert Nursery, an arid wonderland of spiky succulents and prickly pears.
Have A Grand Time
Phoenix’s creativity is on full display in the boutiques and galleries lining free-spirited Grand Avenue, a street that once connected The Valley of the Sun to the City of Angels. Up your vinyl game at Grand Avenue Records, chew on crickets (yes, crickets) at El Charro Hipster Cafe, and capture the ultimate souvenir of your sunny weekend by getting inked at Electrik Needle Tattoo.
Take A Hike
Arizonans live for the great outdoors so when in Phoenix, do as the Phoenicians do and hit the trails. Papago Park contains both a zoo and botanical gardens, but also numerous loop trails including famous Hole in the Rock, a beginner’s trek featuring a rock formation with a large, open hole created by erosion. South Mountain Park and Preserve, the largest municipal park in the U.S., offers numerous trails like Telegraph Pass which boasts fabulous Valley views and the humorously named Midlife Crisis Trail.
Sleep It All Off
Boasting nearly 300 sunny days annually, waking up in Phoenix gives new meaning to the phrase “rise and shine.” Do it at Rise Uptown Hotel, a relative newcomer to the Valley’s lodging scene where guestrooms are decked out in playful, mid-century vibes coupled with splashes of vibrant wallpaper. At the hotel’s Lylo Swim Club, relax poolside while sipping photo-worthy cocktails like rum-spiked pineapple soft serve and enjoying irresistible Hawaiian-Japanese fusion munchies.
More Articles With Features
According to Expedia’s 23rd annual Vacation Deprivation Report, global vacation deprivation levels are the highest they’ve been in 10 years.
Finding wheelchair-accessible things to do in London can often be a tricky task that require extra research and planning but a new app will help you find all the best accessible attractions and restaurants.