If you had only one day in Phoenix, what would you do or see? Believe it or not there are just too many factors to give a simple answer. Will there be children along? Do you like to walk or drive? Is it summer or winter? Do you like museums or shopping? Metro Phoenix has so much to offer. Here are places/activities that are unique and not to be missed when visiting the Phoenix area.
Saturday Night at the Pavilions
If your a car enthusiast this is a must see. Every Saturday Night for the past 22 years the local car nut's gather at the Pavilions Shopping Center.
On any given Saturday you will find from 200 to 500 cars and motorcycles on display. This show is in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest continues car show in the world. You will find everything from stock classic cars, hot rods, rat rods and muscle cars at this show. Just a fun way to spend a few hours on a Saturday night and the price is right....it's free!
Heard Museum
Every major city, and most minor ones, have museums. The Heard Museum is unique, however, not only in the exhibits that are displayed, but the style and grace with which it displays them. You will never tire of visiting the Heard Museum, with its more than 32,000 pieces of cultural and fine art.
There are permanent exhibits, like the famous Barry Goldwater collection of Kachina Dolls, as well as special exhibit year-round.
Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ballpark)
Chase Field was the first baseball facility in the world to combine a retractable roof, air conditioning, and a natural turf field. Chase Field's retractable roof can be closed in less than 5 minutes, in case we get one of those rare days of inclement weather. If you are a baseball fan, a visit to this state-of-art facility will be a special treat. There are also trade show, religious events and concerts held at Chase Field. If you aren't that interested in going to a game, or when isn't scheduled when you'll be in town, you can still see it. Just go to lunch or dinner at Friday's Front Row Sports Grill. It is located in the left-field corner of the Ballpark.
Friday's Front Row is open 363 days a year from 11 a.m. to 12 midnight. If it is a game day, you have to call them to buy tickets to eat there. Fifty percent of the ticket price is credited to your food and beverage bill.
Chase Field is located at 401 E. Jefferson in downtown Phoenix. Guided Tours of Bank One Ballpark are also available.
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden has one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. It is one of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums. At the Desert Botanical Garden you will find 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Home to 139 rare, threatened and endangered plant species from around the world, there is no finer place to enjoy desert beauty than the Desert Botanical Garden. The Garden is located in Papago Park in Central Phoenix.
Climb Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak, formerly known as Squaw Peak, is part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. The elevation of Piestewa Peak is 2,608 feet; the total elevation gain for the Summit Trail is 1,190 feet. That might not sound high, but hikers of all levels can get a great workout climbing this mountain, and get a great view of the city when they get to the top. If you decide to hike the Summit Trail, though, you won't be alone. According to the City of Phoenix. it is one of the most heavily used trails in the nation with 4,000 to 10,000 hikers per week. Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the Summit Trail.
Scottsdale Art Walk
There are more than 100 art galleries in Scottsdale. You can enjoy Scottsdale ArtWalks every Thursday evening, year-round (except Thanksgiving) from 7 - 9 p.m. Each week, Scottsdale Gallery Association members host special exhibits - many with artist receptions - and join together for an informal come-and-go “open house” throughout the district. Casual and eclectic, it’s a great time to visit the galleries and learn about featured artists. Several times per year, the Scottsdale Gallery Association holds Special Event ArtWalks with live music along the streets and special themed events.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum brings together plants from the Earth's many and varied deserts and dry lands. Approximately 3,200 different desert plants can be found within the arboretum, and most of them can be seen along the 1.5 mile main trail. During wildflower season, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is especially beautiful, displaying all the wonderful colors of the desert. Are you a bird lover? More than 250 species of birds have been recorded at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the younger zoos in the country. Not only is it a successful zoo, but it is a privately owned, nonprofit zoo. That means that it operates strictly without any government funding. The Phoenix Zoo is totally supported by donors and private organizations. Recognizing the important role that zoos must play, the Phoenix Zoo has been very active in wildlife conservation programs. The Phoenix Zoo is open every single day of the year, including December 25th. In the summer it is advisable to get there as early as possible, since many animals head for shade and hide during the heat of the day.
Drive Apache Trail
The Apache Trail will be one of the most memorable drives you'll ever take.
Your adventure will begin in Apache Junction, about 25 miles east of downtown Phoenix. The 46 miles between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Lake provides not only the most scenic part of the trip but also the most challenging driving. Please don't close your eyes! Along the way, you'll pass (or you can stop) at the Lost Dutchman State Park, Goldfield Ghost Town, Saguaro Lake, the Canyon Lake Recreation Area, the Theodore Roosevelt Dam site, and the Tonto National Monument. The Apache Trail has been designated a USFS Scenic Byway by the U.S. Forest Service, as well as an Arizona Scenic Historic Byway. It's a great day trip! Seriously--if you are a nervous driver or passenger, this drive might not be for you.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is relatively new in the community, and focuses on modern and contemporary art, architecture and design. There are five galleries that showcasing changing exhibitions and works from the Museum's growing permanent collection. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art features an outdoor sculpture garden. The Museum presents a variety of educational programs and special events for adults and families, including lectures, docent-led tours, workshops and classes.
South Mountain Park
At over 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park and Preserve often is considered the largest municipal park in the country. There are more than 50 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. Dobbins Lookout, at 2,330 feet, is the highest point in the park accessible by trail. If you aren't into hiking, biking or riding, you can simply drive to Dobbins Point to get a fantastic view of the Valley of the Sun. It's just over 5 miles from Central Avenue to Dobbins Lookout.
Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot
About one and a half hours north of Phoenix are two National Monuments that are well worth a day trip from the Phoenix area. Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot are managed by the National Park Service, and there is small fee for entry. The museum at Montezuma Castle provides good information, but needs a bit of refurbishment. The Visitor Center at Tuzigoot, however, is very well done. Both monuments are very interesting, but for the younger crowd Tuzigoot will be the more popular of the two since you can actually walk up, in and around the structure. Hiking is involved unless you stay in the museums, so if that isn't appealing to you, you might have to skip this trip.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West
A few miles northeast of Scottsdale, Arizona there is a living memorial to a great American architect. Nestled in the foothills of the rugged McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the spectacular Sonoran Desert lays a sprawling 600-acre complex called Taliesin West. It was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Taliesin West today houses The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, The Frank Lloyd Wright Memorial Foundation, and The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. The Taliesin Association of Artists, a group of architects dedicated to the spirit of the founder, is also onsite at Taliesin West. To get the full impact and understanding of the project and the man, we recommend you take the tour.
Shop at Scottsdale Fashion Square
Scottsdale is known for many things, and shopping is one of them. A list like this would not be complete without a recommendation for a shopping destination. There are newer malls in the greater Phoenix area, but none are as appealing as Scottsdale Fashion Square. In a city that's not known for haute couture, you'll be able to satisfy that urge here. When the rich and famous, locals and visitors, need an upscale mall, this is where they go!
