Travel & Adventure in Arizona

Taliesin West (Photo by Jackie Dishner)

1) Splurge at one of the top resorts. Don’t just opt for the summer savings rate. Try the spa. Rent a cabana at the pool. Play a round of golf. Sip a $100 shot of tequila at the lobby lounge. Buy a fancy schmancy gift at the gift shop. And finish the night off with room service and a bubble bath. One to consider: The Phoenician

2) See the fountain. Drive out to Fountain Hills, yes, just to take a look at “the fountain.” It shoots a stream of water up into the air every 15 minutes, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. On special occasions, the water is pumped up to a height taller than the Washington Monument. Grapeables, a nearby wine bar, has a front row view if you want to spend the evening there to watch. Or visit the first Saturday of the month and take the docent-led tour of the town’s public art, including the fountain.

3) Do the original Art Walk. It takes place in Scottsdale every Thursday, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Get there before 5, so you can find a place to park nearby and enjoy a leisurely dinner. Watch for special events (such as the Summer Spectacular on July and challenge yourself to go inside every gallery. You probably won’t be able to visit all 100 or so venues, but that just means you’ll want to return.

4) Ride, walk or jog along the Arizona Canal. Head east from 16th Street/Northern, first thing in the morning, so you can see the sunrise and catch a great view of the Praying Monk–the landmark rock formation on Camelback Mountain. You’ll see it after you pass the Arizona Biltmore, a resort developed by the guy who gave us Wrigley’s chewing gum. For an alternative view of the Praying Monk, consider dinner reservations on the patio at Elements.

5) Tour Taliesin West. I know people who’ve lived in Phoenix all their lives and have never toured this place. I recommend that you do. It’s not just for tourists. It’s a fascinating look inside the life of a really short and eccentric guy, Frank Lloyd Wright, who made a mark on the way we use architectural space. Sign up for the 90-minute Insights tour for the best overall experience.

BONUS!) Hike Squaw Peak or Camelback Mountain. If you’re going to be in Phoenix, and have a few hours to spare in the morning, use them to drive over to these landmark spots and take a walk. You have to be willing to climb and climb hard, though.

Choose the Summit Trail at Squaw Peak (now called Piestewa Peak) if you could stand to be in better shape, as it provides strategically placed benches for those who need rest on the way up. Expect heavy breathing to begin almost immediately.

Choose the Echo Canyon side of Camelback Mountain if you don’t mind getting dirty. You may need gloves for this summit, as it will require you to pull yourself up in spots. It’s very steep and rocky, lots of boulders to climb over and around. The beginning is particularly challenging.

Both climbs are worth the 360-degree views at the top, along with that sense of satisfaction you get after a few hours worth of hard work.

Whatever you do, don’t feel bad if you see people pass you twice. They’re maniacs! It isn’t normal to exercise that hard, I tell you. But you will see them. Just huff and puff your way up by them.

And drink your water. For goodness sakes, bring several bottles. You’ll want to stay hydrated for these climbs. People who say they don’t need it, don’t know what they’re talking about. Trust me. We locals see the rescue helicopters all the time flying over these landmarks. Most of the victims are tourists. So be a smart one. This is the desert. You need to bring water. And you need to drink it. Or you can die. Seriously. We don’t want that. There’s still more things to do here, and we want you to be able to do them.