The beautiful state of Arizona welcomes you. A Wild West influenced part of the country that has plenty to offer the anxious and excited visitor. When in AZ there is just so much that you can see and do that the list is seemingly never-ending. However, for the sake of this guide I have boiled it down to the top three destinations for a short vacation. If you are planning on making a trip down the “Cowboy Road” in the near future—this guide will show you where to stay, where to eat, and what to do while enjoying all that the beautiful Sonoran Desert has to offer.
Day One, Friday:
Phoenix, AZ
The fifth largest city in the USA has plenty of great places to stay, eat and visit while here on vacation. To help you better plan your getaway, I have highlighted some of the top destinations to see and tour while in the Valley of the Sun.
This decadent sky-rise hotel has just recently undergone a complete renovation. The end result is one of the largest and the nicest hotels in the downtown Phoenix Area. Located right smack dab in the middle of everything there is to see and do in the downtown area, not to mention five-star rooms and service. If you want the best rooms when in Phoenix, make sure that you book your reservations here.
This decadent sky-rise hotel has just recently undergone a complete renovation. The end result is one of the largest and the nicest hotels in the downtown Phoenix Area. Located right smack dab in the middle of everything there is to see and do in the downtown area, not to mention five-star rooms and service. If you want the best rooms when in Phoenix, make sure that you book your reservations here.
The Dodge theatre is world renown for hosting some of the biggest live acts around. They host concerts almost every single night of the week. Be sure and click the above link to see what major acts are performing when you are planning to visit. A show at the Dodge is unlike any other.
Flamenco Dancers at First Friday Art Walk
Dancers show their flare at a First Friday art-walk in Phoenix, AZ.
What began in 1989 as a way to liven up the downtown Phoenix area has grown substantially over the past 18 years, culminating into what is one of the largest art-walks in the United States. Hundreds of galleries, shops, and live music venues participate on the first Friday of each month. You can literally walk down the street and enjoy live music, dancing, food vendors, and of course tour the many great art galleries in the downtown area.
After having to fight the city of Phoenix in court to win the approval to display their amazingly large 40-foot, neon guitar sign, the Hard Rock Café in downtown Phoenix not only offers a taste of music history, but they also have great food and service. Quite often on the weekends top-rated local acts will perform on their very large stage, and there is never a cover charge to get in.
After having to fight the city of Phoenix in court to win the approval to display their amazingly large 40-foot, neon guitar sign, the Hard Rock Café in downtown Phoenix not only offers a taste of music history, but they also have great food and service. Quite often on the weekends top-rated local acts will perform on their very large stage, and there is never a cover charge to get in.
One of the nicest and most quiet Italian bistros in downtown Phoenix, this five-star joint prides itself on a romantic setting, amazing service and great eats. You will have to pay for this nonetheless, however, when on vacation, who is really counting? If you want some of the best Italian fare that AZ has to offer, book a table at this place—you will be glad that you did!
One of the nicest and most quiet Italian bistros in downtown Phoenix, this five-star joint prides itself on a romantic setting, amazing service and great eats. You will have to pay for this nonetheless, however, when on vacation, who is really counting? If you want some of the best Italian fare that AZ has to offer, book a table at this place—you will be glad that you did!
Day Three, Sunday:
Scottsdale, Arizona
The city of Scottsdale, Arizona offers much to the shopping-savvy tourist. The city is very elaborate, featuring both a newer North district and a more historical Southern district. No matter what part of the city that you find yourself in, you will surely be able to shop and dine at world class establishments that pride themselves on customer-service and decadence.
One of the largest and the finest resorts in the entire state is nestled coyly into the wide-range of desert that pans the Northern part of Arizona’s best-known city. The Princess is simply put, amazing. Offering more than 500+ rooms, three five-star restaurants and plenty of things to do such as, pools, tennis courts a PGA-tour rated golf course and more. You will not find a nicer place to stay when in Scottsdale, but be prepared to pay for it in or out of season, as rooms do not come cheap at the Princess.
One of the largest and the finest resorts in the entire state is nestled coyly into the wide-range of desert that pans the Northern part of Arizona’s best-known city. The Princess is simply put, amazing. Offering more than 500+ rooms, three five-star restaurants and plenty of things to do such as, pools, tennis courts a PGA-tour rated golf course and more. You will not find a nicer place to stay when in Scottsdale, but be prepared to pay for it in or out of season, as rooms do not come cheap at the Princess.
The fine city of Scottsdale boasts one of the largest and nicest malls in the world. Fashion Square takes up two square miles and crosses two of the largest streets in Scottsdale. There are more than 220 stores in the main part of the mall and the newly-built Scottsdale Waterfront connects to it; which has about fifty additional stores. No matter what you are looking for, they will have it all at this awesome shopping mall!
The fine city of Scottsdale boasts one of the largest and nicest malls in the world. Fashion Square takes up two square miles and crosses two of the largest streets in Scottsdale. There are more than 220 stores in the main part of the mall and the newly-built Scottsdale Waterfront connects to it; which has about fifty additional stores. No matter what you are looking for, they will have it all at this awesome shopping mall!
If you are craving a taste of the Wild West, head to Old Town Scottsdale, which has more than 500 hundreds stores and restaurants. Many of them feature a western flare and offer visitors tons of cool trinkets and jewelry that can not be found anywhere else. This part of the city also hosts all of the worthwhile art galleries, better than a hundred of them. So if fine art is your fancy, you will be happier than a bug in a rug.
Day Two, Saturday:
The Grand Canyon
The Seventh Wonder of the World attracts millions of tourists from around the world each and every single year. The illustrious beauty of the Grand Canyon is impeccable and when in Arizona it is a must-see. There are many places that offer great vacation packages and deals on hotel stays and tours of the Canyon. I have outlined a few of them for you in this guide to better help you plan your vacation.
A small, Native-American themed lodge that is literally five minutes walking distance from the actual rim itself—surprisingly rooms here run about $80 per night. I recommend staying at this hotel as it is the closet to the Canyon itself. You will not have to spend a lot of money to stay here and a few footsteps outside of your room, and you will be able to enjoy the beauty and the splendor of the Grand Canyon.
Booking a tour of the Grand Canyon is a definite must if you want to fully experience everything that Northern Arizona has to offer. There are several types of tours that you can book, depending on your budget and your wants. You can go horseback riding, or book guided mule tours of the Canyon floor. There are also plane and helicopter tours which are a bit more pricey, and last but not least, a train tour of the Canyon; your choice.
These are simply put, an amazing experience in and of themselves. They will run you a few hundred bucks for two people, however they are well worth the investment. You can book balloon tours over the Canyon, or many other parts of Northern Arizona. Make sure that you remember to bring your camera with you as you take in the red beauty of the natural rock formations that are strewn about the valley floor.
Probably the best-known and the most famous eatery near the Grand Canyon, Rod’s has been serving up perfectly grilled fine cuts of meat for many years. They have every kind of steak that you could ever want and they also serve chicken and fish for those who do not take to cow. When in this area, make sure that you drop in for dinner at one of the most famous steakhouses on the notorious route 66.
Probably the best-known and the most famous eatery near the Grand Canyon, Rod’s has been serving up perfectly grilled fine cuts of meat for many years. They have every kind of steak that you could ever want and they also serve chicken and fish for those who do not take to cow. When in this area, make sure that you drop in for dinner at one of the most famous steakhouses on the notorious route 66.
A smaller and decadent, European-themed café with a southwest flare offers many tasty eats to the hungry visitor. Best known for their fresh-baked pastries and cakes, Tusayan also makes some damn tasty sandwiches too. Many a hungry tourists makes their way into this little café every day to grab a quick and cheap bite to eat. Make sure to buy some pastries for the morning, your tummy will thank you!
A smaller and decadent, European-themed café with a southwest flare offers many tasty eats to the hungry visitor. Best known for their fresh-baked pastries and cakes, Tusayan also makes some damn tasty sandwiches too. Many a hungry tourists makes their way into this little café every day to grab a quick and cheap bite to eat. Make sure to buy some pastries for the morning, your tummy will thank you!
Quite possibly the best Italian bistro in the city, Veneto is the moniker of true and very authentic Italian cuisine. A smaller and very romantic setting greets hungry visitors and you will be hard-pressed to find better tasting food or more intimate service anywhere else. You will have to pay for such grander of course, to the tune of about $50 per plate. But after experiencing the delicacies that this fine restaurant has to offer you will know it was well worth it.
Quite possibly the best Italian bistro in the city, Veneto is the moniker of true and very authentic Italian cuisine. A smaller and very romantic setting greets hungry visitors and you will be hard-pressed to find better tasting food or more intimate service anywhere else. You will have to pay for such grander of course, to the tune of about $50 per plate. But after experiencing the delicacies that this fine restaurant has to offer you will know it was well worth it.
This is the most famous restaurant in the city, and has been here for more than thirty years and running. They pride themselves on service and the whole eating experience. Most notable are the servers, better known to locals as the “Brioni Boys” and are featured annually on the restaurant’s calendar. Trying to actually get a copy of the calendar is another story, as it has consistently sold out of supplies for ten years and running. However, if you seek great Italian food, amazing prices and excellent service, make sure that you do not pass this eatery up while here.
This is the most famous restaurant in the city, and has been here for more than thirty years and running. They pride themselves on service and the whole eating experience. Most notable are the servers, better known to locals as the “Brioni Boys” and are featured annually on the restaurant’s calendar. Trying to actually get a copy of the calendar is another story, as it has consistently sold out of supplies for ten years and running. However, if you seek great Italian food, amazing prices and excellent service, make sure that you do not pass this eatery up while here.
The Valley of the Sun Welcomes You!
A beautiful panoramic shot of the Sonoran Desert depicts just how gorgeous and still relatively untouched this place is.
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