By Miachelle DePiano | Senior Member
Phoenix offers a wide variety of activities and adventures, many that are truly unique. Phoenix is also a great central location to exploring the state if you decide to stay a little longer, whether you go to Tucson and explore historic gems such as the San Xavier Mission, go to Sedona, or go to the Grand Canyon to view nature’s majesty at its finest.
For those looking for things to do specific to Phoenix, here is a list of places to explore.
Desert Botanical Garden. Think the desert is a boring, dry place with little flora and fauna to soothe the nature lover’s soul? Think again. The Desert Botanical Garden, located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, is a truly beautiful experience nature lovers won’t want to miss. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the garden contains a variety of exhibits representational of the different desert ecosystems found in Arizona. In addition to the garden and research efforts, there are always artist exhibits and performances presented at the Desert Botanical Gardens. And if that wasn’t enticing enough, during the time of the STC conference it is likely saguaro cacti will be in bloom, a truly beautiful sight at the Desert Botanical Garden. For more information, visit www.dbg.org.
Phoenix Art Museum. For those who may not be used to the warmer temperatures, the Phoenix Art Museum, located at 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, offers an inspirational respite from the heat. The largest museum in the Southwest, the PAM presents a variety of artwork, with a vast art collection including fashion, modern art, contemporary art, photography, Latin American art, and more. The PAM has a close relationship with the Center for Creative Photography and visitors benefit richly from the access to some of the most historic photography collections and exhibits in our nation’s history. For more information on current exhibits and operating hours, visit www.phxart.org.
Taliesin West. No trip to the Phoenix area would be complete without a respectful nod to famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin West. Located in Scottsdale, Taliesin West is preserved the same way Wright created it, down to the furniture he designed and built for the property, as was his habit. Taliesin West wasn’t just a home he designed, it was and still is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Numerous tours are available throughout the day, and there is even a sunset tour available for photographers to take advantage of. For full details, visit www.franklloydwright.org/about/TaliesinWestTours.html.
For the Old West experience. What trip to Phoenix would be complete without a bit of the Old West experience? Two locations are sure to give you a glimpse of Phoenix’s colorful past. Goldfield Ghost Town (http://goldfieldghosttown.com), located at 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Road, Apache Junction, sits at the base of the beautiful and legendary Superstition Mountain. Goldfield offers a mine tour, a ride on Arizona’s only narrow gauge train, gun fights, a reptile exhibit, gold panning, and more. Stop in the saloon and enjoy a fresh, cold sarsaparilla and enjoy the boots and hats of past visitors hanging from the ceiling.
For an adventure with a bit more action, Rawhide Western town in the Gila River India Community is the home of the Arizona Roughriders stunt group, and offers stagecoach rides, gold panning, and burro rides. Feel really daring? See how long you can ride the mechanical bull. And when you’ve built up your appetite, Rawhide Steakhouse provides fantastic food and live music to dance to. For details see www.rawhide.com.
Rustler’s Rooste. Phoenix has many highly acclaimed restaurants and you won’t have a hard time finding your favorite style of food. Perched in the foothills of South Mountain at 8383 South 48th Street, Phoenix, Rustler’s Rooste offers a menu of cowboy-style food, live country music seven days a week, and dancing. For a truly unique Arizona experience, Rustler’s Rooste is one of the few places where you can bravely try an appetizer of rattlesnake (it tastes like chicken). Find out more at www.rustlersrooste.com.
Tempe Town Lake. Tempe Town Lake, located by downtown Tempe/Mill Avenue, offers a variety of things to do and see. A man-made reservoir of the Salt River, it’s a favorite locale for walking and running, and is flanked by the Tempe Center for the Arts, another fantastic venue for performances and exhibits. In the evening, the Light Rail bridge is beautifully lit and is a favorite spot for photographers. Tempe Town Lake offers kayak and hydrobike rentals. Crews can be seen rowing in their morning workouts. Visit http://boats4rent.com/tempe-town-lake for more information on boat rentals. Parking is available for free by the Tempe Center for the Arts, but if you choose to explore the Downtown Tempe/Mill Avenue district, parking elsewhere is not free.
Mystery Castle. Mystery Castle, located at South Mountain, is one of the Phoenix area’s most eclectic tourist sites. Built by Boyce Gully, Mystery Castle is a native stone castle encompassing 18 rooms, 13 fireplaces, and numerous nooks and crannies. The story of Gully’s illness and desire to build his daughter a castle will keep you intrigued as you wander through this unique home. See www.mymysterycastle.com for more.
Tovrea Castle. Tovrea Castle, recently renovated, is one of Phoenix’s most well-known and curious city landmarks. Sitting atop a knoll and surrounded by an amazing saguaro garden, it resembles a wedding cake. Built in 1930 by Alessio Carraro and his son Leo, what began as a vision of a hotel in the center of a resort destination and housing subdivision is now a 501(c)(3) public landmark. Tours are available year round but are limited to groups of 14. For more information, visit www.tovreacastletours.com.
Historic Downtown Chandler. The downtown Chandler district is a great place for dining and entertainment. There are a variety of restaurants offering menus sure to please the most discerning palates. Here you can find sushi, Mexican, European, and Irish cuisine, as well as gift shops and boutiques. And quite frequently there are events being held in the Downtown Chandler area, offering something for everyone who visits. Looking for art? The Vision Gallery, Xico Art, and the Chandler Center for the Arts offer a variety of artistic experiences. See http://downtownchandler.org.
Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. The Bondurant School is one of those true Phoenix gemstones. Bob Bondurant, famed race car driver, opened the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in 1968 following an impressive career in racing. The school offers a variety of classes for all levels of experience. It also offers nightly go-karting classes, and we’re not talking the lawn mower engine go-karts of your youth. See www.bondurant.com for more.
Hike in Phoenix. Hiking is a favorite pastime of both residents and visitors. Depending on your skill level, these three hikes should whet your appetite for exploring nature and getting a different view of the Phoenix area. The Wind Cave at Usery Pass, located by Apache Junction, offers beginner to intermediate hikers a breathtaking view of the East Valley of Phoenix. Identified by a large stripe of quartz across the top, the Wind Cave will challenge you but not wear you out. For those who want more of a challenge, Piestewa Peak, located in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and named for Lori Piestewa, the first Native American to die in combat, is an intermediate to advanced hike. It provides a very rocky, stair stepper-type climb. Piestewa Peak is second to Camelback Mountain in height. Due to the heat typically experienced in May, please bring plenty of water. For a great article on the top 10 hikes in Phoenix, visit www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/features/features/5253-10-best-hiking-spots-in-phoenix.html.
