Phoenix is chock full of things to do for adventure seekers, outdoor enthusiasts to museum lovers and those who like to play it safe. Thanks to our ideal 3-day getaway itinerary curated by Visit Phoenix.
Our first excursion was with Hot Air Expeditions for me to take a hot air balloon ride! For an in-depth read on my experience with Hot Air Expeditions, check out my blog. It was an empowering and life-changing experience for me, and what a magical way to see the Sonoran Desert! My daughter joined me on the trip to Phoenix, and she did NOT want to ride in the balloon, so she rode along with the Chase Team as they followed the balloon to where we finally landed.
Visit Phoenix did a great job centering our trip around BIPOC businesses and experiences. We stayed at the beautiful Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, which is adjacent to Native land/a reservation. We were able to take enjoy some pampering at their Aji Spa, where I had an amazing body treatment with Stella, who is half Pima Indian and has created many of the products used at the spa and incorporated some of her traditional rituals into the body treatment! Part of what I loved about staying at the Sheraton Grand are the native elements in the artwork throughout the hotel.
If you also like street art, Phoenix is a must! There are murals of all sizes from small to stories high and city blocks long throughout the city by local artists. The must-sees for us were the extraordinary Prince, complete with real mirrors and nine-story high James Baldwin murals.
Tied for my other favorite experience in Phoenix was horseback riding in the Sonoran desert with Robert, our tour guide and wrangler of Koli Equestrian Center. As the sun rose, we headed out into the cool morning desert air, passing jack rabbits frolicking about and different varieties of cacti to a pasture of wild horses. We chatted with Robert about everything from him growing up on his reservation there in Phoenix, to how he became involved in his family business of owning and running the horse stable, to what he feels are some of the most pressing issues for his people today. He was hilarious and engaging, and I would say when you visit Phoenix, you must take in the sunrise horseback ride in the desert with Koli Equestrian Center!
Our next activity was to the stunning Desert Botanical Garden. A desert within the Sonoran Desert, this 140-acre desert garden boasts “unique and beautiful plants that thrive in some of the hottest and driest parts of the world”. Hike or walk the trails through the Garden and watch out for the adorable quails that scurry about!
To immerse yourself in Native American culture and become educated in the Native American history of the Arizona and New Mexico areas, visit the Heard Museum. With the mission of the museum being “to be the world’s preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation and advancement of American Indian art”, you will leave with a greater understanding and compassion of not only American Indian art, but the culture as well.
A great way to see downtown is on the back carriage of a pedal cab! Billy from Arizona Pedal Cab Company, with his unique brand of dry humor and eclecticism, pedaled us around downtown and told us about old haunts, modern architecture and artwork, and downtown Phoenix history peppered with his own thoughts and anecdotes along the way. He truly is a downtown treasure not only for his wealth of knowledge but the delight in seeing so many locals would shout “hi” to him.
Finally, go to the Musical Instrument Museum. We weren’t sure what to expect but, as soon as we walked in, we could see why Visit Phoenix recommended we go. The best part to me was the fact that this museum actually has instruments from every country in the world that are recognized by the US State Department! It’s a display unlike anything else I have ever seen. There is a fun hands-on exhibit where patrons can try to play instruments from around the world. Nothing does it justice but a visit to the museum itself!
We had an action and adventure-packed, cultured and educational, tasty time in sunny Phoenix!
Don’t miss these restaurants:
- Fry Bread House – It was a first for both my daughter and me dining at this James Beard award-winning local spot famous for their traditional Native American food of fry bread. Almost like an elephant ear, for a meal, it’s laid flat and filled with refried beans, lettuce, and cheese, and different types of meats if you choose. There’s also sweet fry bread which is the same base but topped with honey and or powdered sugar – yum!
- Tia Carmen – World Renowned Chef Angelo Sosa opened this restaurant with dishes inspired by his Tia Carmen, which mix traditional favorites and the modernity of the local Arizonan landscape. My ribeye was one of the best of my life!
- Barrio Café – Another James Beard award-winning restaurant for me! Featuring “comida chingona” or “really bad a** food”, is some of the best Mexican food not just in Phoenix, but nationally.
- The Larder + The Delta – A new Southern, Black-owned restaurant in Phoenix, with a menu that features southern dishes with an Arizona flare.
- Ko’Sin – A wonderful restaurant in our hotel, The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. Ko’Sin means “kitchen” in the Pima language and the menu offers traditional American cuisine with just enough spice that you know you’re in the Southwest!
My daughter and I definitely enjoyed practicing our mother-daughter travel skills in sunny Phoenix where there’s indoor or outdoor activities for Baby Boomer and Millennial travelers to GenZ.