Welcome to paradise in the desert.
Phoenix offers residents and visitors the ultimate combination of great weather, amazing restaurants, first-class accommodations, and plenty of things to do. If you are in search of big city amenities with a desert climate, this is exactly where you were meant to be.
The only real negative about exploring Phoenix is that there is so much to do that you might find yourself overwhelmed with options. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular places to eat, stay, and play in the Phoenix area.
Phoenix Restaurants
With it’s location close to our country’s southern border, one of the most popular types of food in Phoenix is obviously going to be Mexican. One of the best local spots to grab quick tacos, nachos, and burritos is Most Wanted Taco Shop. They have an awesome selection of meats, salsas, and toppings available to custom build your meal from scratch.
Another thing that Phoenix does right is BBQ. And one of the best BBQ joints in town is definitely Little Miss BBQ on East University Drive. Everything here is smoked using Arizona oak and pecan and served on brown butcher paper.
You might not expect to be able to find great seafood in the middle of the desert, but anything is possible in Phoenix. The Angry Crab Shack serves a killer combination of seafood and BBQ. On the seafood side, you choose the type of shellfish you want, add some sauce and some spice, toss in a few sides, and they’ll boil the whole meal for you.
If you are looking for more upscale food choices in a casual environment, Ten Handcrafted American Fare & Spirits should definitely be on your list. Everything on the menu here is absolutely fantastic, and the attention to detail on each dish will blow you away.
Phoenix Hotels
The Royal Palms Resort and Spa is one of the most luxurious and romantic resorts in all of Arizona. This hotel is the perfect combination of elegance and history with a fantastic pool and relaxing spa services…and the restaurant here is excellent too!
Another great resort option is JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Phoenix. If you are looking to stay somewhere that features an excellent quality golf course, this is the perfect resort destination for you. The other amenities are equally impressive.
If you aren’t interested in the full resort atmosphere, then the Homewood Suites Phoenix North – Happy Valley might be a good fit for your visit. This hotel is known for excellent front desk service and exceptionally spotless accommodations.
Phoenix Attractions
So what is there to do once you get out into the Arizona desert? A lot.
If you are an outdoorsy person, exploring the desert is definitely going to be on your to-do list. You can do this through multiple options for horseback riding tours, or their more exciting cousin: off-road ATV tours! You might also want to try hiking Camelback Mountain or South Mountain Park while you are in the area.
For the less adventurous nature lover, a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden can be just as rewarding and a whole lot less work. This is a great way to get to know the local plants…and some of the local lizards as well!
It might not sound exciting at first, but one of the attractions that gets the most attention is the Musical Instrument Museum. Even if you aren’t a musician, the history and presentation here is well worth spending a few hours exploring.
Another popular thing to do while you are in Phoenix is check out a baseball game at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Whether you are a big baseball nut or not, there is so much to see and do inside the stadium that you might not have time to bother with the game on the field. (Seriously…they have a swimming pool in the outfield!)
Whether you are looking to explore the desert, relax at the spa, take in a baseball game, or just eat some fantastic southwestern food, you can do it all here in Phoenix. And as with any location in the Arizona desert, the weather is always perfect!