From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local’s Guide to Savoring Phoenix
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Saguaro National Park: Giant Cacti and Desert Trails
With its iconic giant cacti dotting the desert landscape, Saguaro National Park offers a quintessential taste of the Sonoran Desert. Home to the largest cacti in the United States, the saguaro, this national park spans over 90,000 acres across two separate districts. Whether you choose to explore the Tucson Mountain District to the west or the Rincon Mountain District to the east, incredible scenery and adventures await.
Hiking trails wind through both districts, bringing visitors up close with the saguaro cacti. While these majestic plants can grow over 40 feet tall and live up to 200 years, they grow extremely slowly - only about an inch in the first 10 years! The shallow root system of the saguaro allows them to collect moisture from brief desert rainfalls. Birds such as gila woodpeckers create nesting holes in the trunks of the cacti, which are later used by other birds when the saguaro dies.
For one of the most iconic hikes, head to the Douglas Spring Trail in the Tucson Mountain District. This 6-mile roundtrip trek takes you through dense stands of saguaro and offers panoramic views from Spud Rock. Along the way, watch for wildlife like jackrabbits, lizards, and roadrunners. The Rincon Mountain District offers hikes like the Cactus Forest Trail, a 2.5 mile loop that showcases plentiful cacti and stunning rock formations.
To dig deeper into the human history of the Sonoran Desert, visit the Desert Ecosystems Loop Drive in the Rincon District. Interpretive signs explain how native Tohono O’odham people traditionally used the saguaro. The fruits and seeds were harvested for food, while the woody ribs were used for building and crafts. Stop at the Javelina picnic area to take in sweeping views of saguaro-dotted hillsides.
The Cactus Forest Loop Drive in the Tucson Mountain District also provides perspective on the desert ecosystem. Pullouts allow you to walk right up to massive saguaros along the path. Native American artwork and remnants of ancient Hohokam settlements can be spotted along the drive. Don't miss the Signal Hill Petroglyph site to marvel at rock art dating back over 2,000 years.
No trip to Saguaro would be complete without catching a desert sunset. Pack a picnic and drive to the top of Gates Pass, west of the Tucson Mountain District. Watch in awe as the sky ignites in brilliant color behind the silhouette of magnificent saguaros. For more seclusion, head to the Manning Camp Trailhead in the Rincon District and enjoy the sunset over the valley from the towering Manning Camp.
What else is in this post?
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Saguaro National Park: Giant Cacti and Desert Trails
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Historic Downtown Scottsdale: Art Galleries and Old West Architecture
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Chase Field: Catch a Diamondbacks Game Under the Desert Sky
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Desert Botanical Garden: A Cactus Wonderland to Explore
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Heard Museum: Treasures of Native American Culture
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Biltmore Fashion Park: Upscale Shopping and Dining
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - South Mountain Park: Hiking Camelback and Piestewa Peaks
- From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Tempe Town Lake: Watersports and City Views
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Historic Downtown Scottsdale: Art Galleries and Old West Architecture
Scottsdale may be best known today as a posh playground of palm-lined streets, upscale shopping, and sleek resorts, but at its heart lies a historic downtown that transports you to the city's rugged cowtown days. Take a stroll through Old Town Scottsdale to uncover a thriving arts scene housed in preserved 1940s storefronts, paired with Western-themed architecture and public art installations that pay homage to Scottsdale's ranching roots.
The Scottsdale Arts District is home to more than 100 galleries, studios, and museums showcasing works by local, national, and indigenous artists. Start your arts adventure at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, nestled next to a mid-century modern movie theater. Exhibits feature modern and contemporary works in a minimalist building framed by angular skylights. Nearby, stroll along Marshall Way and Main Street to pop in and out of art galleries like Wilde Meyer and Lisa Sette Gallery exhibiting paintings, sculpture, glasswork, and more by regional talent.
Many galleries embrace Scottsdale's Old West history through pieces portraying cowboys, horses, and desert landscapes. Stop by Overland Gallery to take in cinematic scenes of the Southwest captured by realist painters. Or visit Legacy Gallery, housed in a restored saddlemaker's shop, for bronze sculptures and paintings celebrating the American West. For Native American art and cultural artifacts, visitsignature galleries like Andrea Smith's or King Galleries devoted to indigenous artists.
Beyond the galleries, Old Town Scottsdale's distinct architecture pulls you back to the city's early 20th century beginnings. Wander through the Old Adobe Mission, built in 1933 and considered the oldest standing building in Scottsdale. Or pause to photograph the Little Red Schoolhouse, constructed in 1909 and relocated to its current site in Scottsdale. Western storefronts line the streets, like the Rusty Spur Saloon housed in a historic bank building with original brick facade.
Public art installations also showcase Scottsdale's Western heritage, from life-sized bronze cowboy sculptures to equine water features. One of the most recognizable works is Robert Indiana's iconic LOVE sculpture painted with a cowboy hat and boots. Hoof prints embedded in the sidewalks pay homage to the horses that once clip-clopped down the streets. At the Cavalliere's Blacksmith Shop, watch old fashioned metal working firsthand inside the 1909 forge.
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Chase Field: Catch a Diamondbacks Game Under the Desert Sky
Nothing encapsulates the spirit of Phoenix like catching a Diamondbacks game under the open desert sky at Chase Field. As the first MLB stadium in the U.S. to feature a retractable roof, Chase Field offers the best of both worlds. When the massive panels slide open, an inviting desert breeze wafts through the stands and the natural grass field soaks up the Arizona sun. Players and fans alike relish the chance to play true baseball just as it was meant to be.
Stepping into the stadium for a D-backs game instantly transports you to a laidback, festive atmosphere. Forget sterile domed stadiums - Chase Field delivers an authentic outdoor ballpark vibe whether the roof is open or closed. Locals flock to the games to rally behind the home team while visitors eagerly cross this quintessential Phoenix experience off their bucket lists.
Arrive early to wander behind centerfield and test your skills at the interactive games like a pitching speed pitch or home run derby in the Game Seven Grill. Kids can blow off steam scrambling up the playground set made out of real baseball materials like bats, balls, and bases. Stop by the Diamondbacks Authentics store to browse official memorabilia.
As game time nears, find your seat to soak up the electric energy. The pool deck in right field offers a lively scene for diehard fans eager to get close to the action. Or experience a new luxury sightline from the air-conditioned club level lounge. Wherever you sit, you'll forget you're indoors once the roof panels separate and flood the stands with sunshine.
Settle in with classic ballpark fare like hot dogs and ice-cold beer. Be sure to try one of the signature Sonoran dogs piled high with local ingredients like pinto beans, pico de gallo, and jalapeños for a taste of the Southwest. If you prefer finer dining, the exclusive Ketel One Club provides food and drinks in an upscale atmosphere away from the crowds.
No trip to Chase Field is complete without catching the famous "Racing Legends" event. Delight in your favorite Arizona icons - giant bobbleheads of Randy Johnson, Luis Gonzalez, Mark Grace and Matt Williams - comically racing around the warning track. Other creative promotions and games keep energy high between innings.
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Desert Botanical Garden: A Cactus Wonderland to Explore
With over 50,000 plants thriving on 140 acres, the Desert Botanical Garden offers a living museum where visitors can immerse themselves in the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Meandering trails reveal a tapestry of cacti, succulents, wildflowers, and trees uniquely adapted to thrive in an arid climate where every drop of water is precious. As the only botanical garden displaying plants from the desert southwest, this oasis provides perspective on the surprisingly vibrant biodiversity of the region.
Wandering through the Garden’s themed trails is the best way to take in the diversity of desert flora. The Desert Wildflower Loop comes alive with colorful blooms like fiery red Ocotillo and bright yellow Brittlebush in spring. The Center for Desert Living Trail highlights the uses of native plants for local tribes, teaching about the O’odham tradition of harvesting saguaro fruit and mesquite beans. Don’t miss the Half-Mile Mesa Trail ascending alongside sheer rock walls dotted with Jojoba, Agave, Prickly Pear and Barrel cacti clinging to tiny pockets of soil.
For up-close views, stroll through lush themed gardens like the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop’s bounty of towering saguaros and abundant flowering plants. The Cactus & Succulent Garden contains a dizzying collection of prickly pears, hedgehogs, claret cups and more. Barely making it to knee height, diminutive Ariolas and Pincushions steal the show in the Intimate Garden. Even seasoned desert dwellers will spot new curiosities, from the Dr. Seuss-like lacy Teddy-bear Cholla to the alien hoodoos of Elephant Tree cacti.
Beyond cacti, the Garden spotlights trees and plants thriving amidst the arid setting. In the Forest Loop, you’ll find native junipers, pines and cypress plus tropical imports like palm and fig trees. The Herb Garden highlights desert plants used for their fragrant oils or medicinal qualities, like lavender and aloe vera. For a shocking contrast, the Water-Wise Garden displays luscious flowers and foliage thriving with minimal supplemental water, providing inspiration for sustainable landscaping.
What makes the Desert Botanical Garden truly unforgettable are the creative elements human hands have sculpted amidst nature’s canvas. In the Doubleday Native Garden, rock-lined streams wind past gatherings of indigenous plants while ramadas provide shade. Living art installations, like a mosaic turtle sculpture made from succulent plants, add whimsy. Seasonal events like Las Noches de las Luminarias, where thousands of hand-lit luminarias turn the Garden into a twinkling winter wonderland, provide magical evening experiences.
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Heard Museum: Treasures of Native American Culture
With over 130,000 square feet of galleries and exhibition spaces, the Heard Museum provides an expansive look into the art, cultures and histories of Native American tribes across the Southwest. As one of the country's foremost museums dedicated to indigenous arts, the Heard offers a treasured opportunity to gain insight into the experiences and creative voices of Native peoples.
The core exhibit at the Heard, titled Home: Native People in the Southwest, takes visitors on an immersive journey through the region while introducing themes critical to understanding Native American life. Galleries detail the beliefs, traditions and ingenuity that enabled tribes like the Navajo, Hopi and Apache to thrive in the dramatic desert landscapes. For many visitors, it's a chance to grasp the sophistication of these cultures so often reduced to stereotypes. Interactive displays allow you to try grinding corn with traditional tools and inspect architecture adapted to the environment. The exhibit presents a balanced perspective on colonization and events like the Long Walk, when tribes were forcibly removed from ancestral lands. Visitors come away with a deeper appreciation for the resilience of these communities.
Beyond Home, the Heard showcases 12 additional long-term exhibits spanning art, interactive environments, textiles and more. The Barry Goldwater Collection holds over 600 katsina dolls and Hopi artifacts collected by the late Senator in his dealings with Arizona tribes. In the Jewelry and Fashion gallery, intricate patterns on pottery, textiles and silverwork highlight how Southwest native designs influenced trends like Navajo prints. For a contemporary lens, the Here, Now gallery displays provocative works tackling issues like identity and stereotypes from today's Native American artists. Visitors remark on feeling emotions from joy to discomfort, but always gaining perspective.
Special exhibitions provide opportunities to engage with unique artifacts and works on limited display. Recent shows like Woven Lives spotlighted woven treasures from the Textile Collections rarely available for public viewing. Events like the annual Hoop Dance Competition celebrate the evolution of indigenous dances and artforms. The Heard's dedication to presenting authentic Native voices has cemented it as a premier institution for cultural exchange.
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Biltmore Fashion Park: Upscale Shopping and Dining
Nestled in the exclusive Biltmore neighborhood, Biltmore Fashion Park offers an indulgent mix of upscale shopping, dining and services against a backdrop of sophisticated Southwestern architecture. For visitors and locals alike, an afternoon or evening spent strolling through this open-air oasis provides a taste of luxury in central Phoenix.
With over 70 retailers ranging from boutique shops to high-end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s, Biltmore Fashion Park is a shopper’s paradise. Alice + Olivia, Diane von Furstenberg and Vince offer chic clothing perfect for Phoenix’s stylish set. Find statement jewelry and accessories at Kendra Scott or David Yurman. For the latest sneaker drops, the massive Foot Locker House of Hoops stocks it all. Even non-shoppers will find plenty of people watching and window shopping inspiration.
But where Biltmore Fashion Park truly excels is in its curation of chef-driven restaurants that give visitors a reason to linger into the evening. The dining options run the gamut from casual eateries to special night-out venues ideal for date nights or celebrations.
For a light lunch or coffee break between shopping, try True Food Kitchen’s antioxidant-packed healthy fare. Grab artisanal gelato from Angel Sweet, or toast with bubbly at Postino WineCafé’s indoor-outdoor space. Seeking happy hour with a view? Head to Suite B Rooftop Lounge for craft cocktails and small plates as the sun sets over Camelback Mountain.
As the sun goes down, Biltmore Fashion Park takes on a lively yet refined ambiance. In a nod to its namesake neighborhood, the classic Italian cuisine served with a modern twist at Dominick’s Steakhouse evokes the sophisticated supper clubs of yesteryear. Fresh seafood shines at Ocean 44, where diners take in views of the adjoining canal from the sprawling patio. For farm-to-table Mediterranean dishes made from Arizona-sourced ingredients, Olive & Ivy provides a buzzing upscale atmosphere. Craving Brazilian cuisine? Fogo de Chão is known for their traditional rodizio service of endlessly rotating skewered meats fresh from the fire.
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - South Mountain Park: Hiking Camelback and Piestewa Peaks
Rising high above the Valley, the iconic twin peaks of Camelback and Piestewa Mountains offer challenging hikes with payoffs of panoramic views, cool rocky summits, and that satisfying sense of accomplishment. Forming the northern tip of South Mountain Park, the third largest municipal park in the U.S., these mountains provide quick but strenuous urban getaways.
Camelback gets most of the hype, while Piestewa - named after fallen Native American soldier Lori Piestewa - flies under the radar. But for many Phoenix locals, Piestewa is the peak worth summiting. At just over 1,200 feet of elevation gain across 2.4 miles, the hike is shorter yet steeper than Camelback, with cables and chains to assist you up sandstone slab near the top. While more rugged, Piestewa lures far fewer hikers, offering a solitary summit experience. Watch sunrise alpenglow fill the valley from an uncrowded peak.
Meanwhile, Camelback remains iconic for its camel head shape, visible from miles away. The walk up is no picnic, gaining 1,300 feet over 2.2 miles on the Echo Canyon Trail. The route starts out gradual then turns into rocky, uneven climbing punctuated by heart-pumping switchbacks. Clutching a handrail bolted into the rocks, you’ll scrabble your way up the notorious final “Stairway to Heaven” section. Climbers dotted along the sheer cliff trail look like tiny ants marching upward as you pass them. Reaching the 2,700 ft pinnacle feels like an accomplishment, where you're rewarded with 360 degree views of Phoenix and Scottsdale below.
Whether you choose Camelback or Piestewa, get an early start to avoid intense desert sun and aim to summit before 9am. Arrive at least an hour before sunrise to catch first light. Pack at least 3 liters of water per person. Dress in breathable, sweat-wicking layers and lightweight hiking shoes with good traction. Consider gloves to assist gripping chains for the steep sections. Bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks, phone charger, and a headlamp if hiking in the dark.
Check trail conditions and weather forecast before setting out. Avoid after heavy rains when sandstone becomes slick. Summertime heat can be dangerous. If you’re new to desert hiking, consider a guided tour to safely conquer these iconic peaks. Companies like Arizona Outback Adventures offer sunrise trips complete with trail snacks and water.
From Desert Hikes to Downtown Delights: A Local's Guide to Savoring Phoenix - Tempe Town Lake: Watersports and City Views
Nestled in the heart of Tempe just east of downtown Phoenix lies the gleaming Tempe Town Lake, an oasis for watersports, recreation and taking in panoramic views of the city skyline. Though manmade, for locals and visitors alike, the scenic lake has become a beloved fixture of life in metro Phoenix.
Tempe Town Lake emerged after the dry Salt River bed was dammed in 1999, creating a 2 mile long reservoir. Though sometimes erroneously called a river, the lake itself contains no natural river or stream inlets. Its sparkling waters come directly from stored CAP water and rain runoff. The shoreline coexists with the buzzing Mill Avenue district, Arizona State University campus, and residential highrises.
During the day, the lake pulses with activity. Paddlers in kayaks and stand up paddleboards meander along the shores, while teams of dragon boats synchronized in motion cruise the waters. Sleek rowing sculls with college crews and elite athletes glide by, training for their next regatta. Diehard open water swimmers plow through laps around the buoys. Small electric Duffy boats putter around for leisurely sightseeing.
Tempe Town Lake provides a unique way to soak in desert scenery and city views. Paddle boarding along the north shore, you’re surrounded by red sandstone Papago Park bluffs and Four Peaks looming on the horizon. Glance south to marvel at downtown Phoenix skyscrapers glistening in the sun. As you traverse from east to west, the evolving skyline tells the story of Tempe’s development from modest college town to cosmopolitan center.
Like any desert oasis, early mornings and evenings prove most popular. Serious athletes grab their gear for an intense workout before the heat rises, while those seeking tranquility or stunning sunrises opt for the peaceful dawn hours. Night paddles become otherworldly escapes, with the dark waters reflecting the twinkling lights of the Mill Avenue bridges overhead. Full moon stand up paddleboard tours reveal the lake and city in a new mysterious light.
Special events provide additional opportunities to get out on the water and take in one-of-a-kind views. Community paddling events like the paddle relay race bring teams together on the lake for friendly competition and camaraderie. During the summer concert series, paddle up and securely tie off your vessel to enjoy tunes from bands like Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire drifting over the water. Don’t miss the spectacular July 4th fireworks show from Tempe Town Lake, where pyrotechnics reflect and explode over the water.