Sedona Scenery

When you take the scenic drive on Highway 179 into Sedona, you catch glimpses of red rocks that take your breath away and leave you peering ahead for the next one. The red rock oasis is 116 miles north of Phoenix and showcases a unique vista of towering red rock spires spotted with green plants. The Sedona area has cacti, agave, and prickly pear plants and sits along the banks of Oak Creek. You can experience the high desert while enjoying the creek by kayak or strolling by foot with your camera ready to capture the spectacular views. 

Hiking in Sedona

Sedona has many public hiking trails that take you through different types of habitats as you explore the beautiful areas. Grab your hiking trail map and bring along plenty of water, sun protection, and your camera! Going hiking in the morning at sunrise is the coolest time, avoiding overhead sunshine and the late afternoon heat. 

You can find hikes for all levels of hiking experience. Boynton Canyon is a well-known area for hiking but can be congested depending on the season and time of day so it is worth considering other less-trafficked hikes if you want to avoid the crowds. Teacup Trail to Coffee Pot Rock is a kid-friendly hike that has spectacular views at the end of the out and back trail. Oak Creek also has a variety of hikes that offer a bit of shade from the steep canyon walls and trees. 

Exploring Sedona

You can take tours that focus on specific areas of interest like Vortex Tours, ATV tours (self-driven or guided), or even kayaking or canoeing. Sedona has spiritual energy in specific areas called “vortexes” and you can experience one for yourself. ATV tours provide a fun and adventurous way to explore areas not easily accessible by car and getting out on the river by boat or wading in the water for fishing is another way to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

For adventurous travelers who want to explore on rough backroads, check out the Pink Adventure Tours. We reserved our slot for the early morning Sedona Pink Jeep Tour to get a head start on the day and stay a little cooler. Reservations are highly recommended (even months ahead for busy tourist season) and the Pink Adventure tours also go to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon for day trips. The Broken Arrow tour is their most extreme off-road adventure tour. Our tour guide provided interesting information about the area and native plants in addition to driving us up, down, and around the extremely steep rocks as part of our tour. Get ready for an adventure! 

Where to Eat in Sedona

Sedona has an array of fine and casual restaurants.

For delicious and unique South American-inspired foods and tasty drinks with gorgeous views, head to Mariposa. Mariposa is one of five Sedona restaurants in the Dahl Restaurant Group which follows Chef Lisa Dahl’s mantra “When you cook with love, you feed the soul.” The Macho Supremo Salad at Mariposa combines romaine and arugula with red onions, tomatoes, chipotle Caesar dressing, gorgonzola, grilled filet mignon, and crispy shoestring potatoes for an unbelievable flavor combination. The prickly pear swizzle drink was as pretty as it was an interesting way to try the local cactus. 

For American Southwestern food, try the El Rincen Restaurant in the Tlaquepaque Shopping Center.  El Rincen has mouthwatering favorites like tacos, tamales, and enchiladas but most memorable was the Navajo pizza which uses a sopapilla crust and refried beans using red or green chile sauce (instead of red tomato sauce) which is then topped with cheese and veggies plus optional meat. It’s the combination of pizza and Mexican (or in this case New Mexican) foods!

For a fun outdoor eating area with a vegan and gluten-free menu, try ChocolaTree in West Sedona. They offer organic, farm-to-table options for dine-in or take-away.

Happy Hours

Happy hour at Javelina Cantina included enjoyable margaritas, crispy chicken tenders, and cheesy nachos (plus other wonderful appetizers). Elote Café is a local hotspot for happy hour and dinner and even their own cookbooks!   

Arts & Culture in Sedona

Sedona has many local artisans with beautiful artwork and multiple shopping areas where you can find a variety of galleries and shops. You will have plenty of opportunities to buy vacation mementos.

Tlaquepaque is an Arts and Shopping Village with Mexican-inspired architecture featuring shops with local artists and artwork. You will find southwestern fine art paintings, bronze sculptures, and many other crafts here. Across from Tlaquepaque village is the Center for the New Age if you want to get find sparkling crystals, book a psychic reading, or sit quietly by the bubbling creek just behind the building.  

Uptown Sedona has many little clothing, jewelry, snack, and souvenir shops tucked into buildings lining the main roadway which leads past the Sedona Arts Center and out to Oak Creek Canyon. It can be challenging to find parking and can be congested at times so plan accordingly. 

For visitors interested in unique architecture, the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It’s a Roman Catholic chapel that is built right into the red rock. It is open to all visitors and is a stunning destination.

Sedona Sunsets

After your adventures, hopefully, you experience a sunset while you are in Sedona. The red rocks glow with the setting sun and look like they are on fire. You can see from a high vantage point if you drive up to the Sedona airport. Yes, they have their own airport! The Sedona airport has a restaurant or you can pull over and park on the way up if you are lucky enough to find a spot. You can also go for a hike. Regardless of how you choose to take in the sunset, prepare to be spellbound as the sun sinks and the surroundings brighten with a memorable vibrance. Once you go to Sedona, it is just a matter of time until you make plans to return! 

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Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Sedona Arizona Travel Guide appeared first on Mommy Travels.

If you’re like me, you want a few days with your best girlfriends that include hiking, relaxing, shopping, eating, and lots of laughing!

One of the absolute best trips I’ve ever taken was to Sedona for a five-day adventure. Follow these tips and it’s a guaranteed great time! You can’t go wrong!

Sedona is located in the northern Verde Valley region of Arizona and is renowned for its stunning red sandstone formations. The red rock illuminates at sunrise and sunset, creating magical views. Sedona is a haven for people who love a rugged landscape, hiking, biking, and a charming town with a vibrant arts community. 

Sedona is also home to ancient vortexes which are places identified as energy centers that promote healing and meditation. 

Sedona is ideal for a Girlfriends’ Getaway because it offers some of the most spectacular hikes you’ll ever take, is always gorgeous and has excellent vacation rentals. Sedona is a popular place for spa and wellness retreats, wine tasting, and plenty of shopping and dining for when you get off the trails.

How Many Days in Sedona?

It’s recommended you plan on 5 days for this trip. You’ll have time to fly to Phoenix, rent a car, and drive the 2 hours to Sedona before checking into your hotel or vacation rental. 

Enjoy the next 3 days in Sedona, completing 3 major hikes, one each day. If you take the hikes very early in the morning, then your afternoons and evenings can be free for relaxing, hot tubbing, touring around, shopping, and eating!

Your final day gives you time to get back to Phoenix, return the car, and catch your flights back home.

Pro Tip for Trailhead Parking

You’ll need a Red Rock Pass to park at any of the trailheads. Your vacation rental may supply one for you, but if not, you’ll have to purchase one at the trailhead, or online before you go. The pass costs $5 per day or $15 for a week and must be displayed in your dashboard to avoid a ticket.

The Three Best Hikes in Sedona:

1. Brins Mesa & Soldier Pass Cave Hike

This hike is a 6 Mile Loop.

It’s Easy to Moderate Difficulty.

Park at the Brins Mesa/Jim Thompson Trailhead early because the lot will fill up quickly as this is a very popular hike. (Don’t park at the Soldier Pass Trailhead parking lot at the end of Forest Service 9904 Road.) There are toilet facilities in the Jim Thompson trailhead parking lot.

The Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness is within the Coconino National Forest in Sedona. The Soldier Pass/Brins Mesa Trail is one of the top hikes in this forest. This trail includes several landmarks along the way. You’ll find the vast Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole, the sandstone Seven Sacred Pools, and the hidden Soldier Pass Cave.

Hike the trail Clockwise starting at the Brins Mesa Trailhead /Jim Thompson Trailhead. You’ll come to the Devil’s Kitchen first, then the Seven Sacred Pools, and then the Soldier Pass Cave. There’s a little challenge on the .5 mile spur trail into the cave and as you climb to the Mesa.

You’ll hike alongside the beautiful red rock that Sedona is famous for, along with sacred Native American sites, and experience the land where dinosaurs once roamed and was once covered by ocean. 

2. Subway Cave Hike

This hike is a 7.5 mile Round Trip.

It’s Moderate Difficulty.

Park in the Boynton Canyon Road lot. If you don’t get a spot in the lot, then you can park on the side of Boynton Pass Road. There are toilet facilities in the trailhead parking.

This is a gorgeous hike that leads to an unusual spot known as the Subway Cave. You’ll hike through vortexes and will see ancient Sinagua ruins. Climbing into the cave is not very easy, but if you can do it, you won’t be disappointed! Be sure to take the spur trail on your descent to the Boynton Canyon Vista as well. There you’ll find the rock formation known as the Kachina Woman, a spiritual figure for the Hopi Indians.

3. Devil’s Bridge Hike

This hike is a 4.2 mile Round Trip.

It’s Easy to Moderate Difficulty

Park at the Mescal Trailhead parking lot on Long Canyon Road very early because this is a small lot and a very popular hike. If you don’t get a spot there, then park at the Dry Creek Road for the Dry Creek Vista Trailhead. This will add a half mile to your hike and its not as nice as the Mescal Trail.There are NO toilet facilities in the Mescal trailhead parking, but there are pit toilets at the Dry Creek lot.

The Devil’s Bridge hike is also in the stunning Coconino National Forest. This trail brings you up to the remarkable natural sandstone arch known as the Devil’s Bridge. The bridge was formed 300 million years ago when a fallen rock and eroding stone created this special bridge. You can wait your turn in line to walk onto the bridge with your girlfriends and have your photo taken by another hiker in line. 

When to Go to Sedona

Sedona is known for being a year-round destination. That being said, the summer can be extremely hot with temps in the 90’s F. Fall and Spring weather is considered perfect – 70’s F – 80’s F. The winter can be quite cold but also has fewer tourists. I found a November visit to be the best time to enjoy all the outdoor activities.

Where To Stay in Sedona

Knowing a little bit about Sedona’s primary neighborhoods may help with planning where to stay.

Uptown Sedona is the city’s busy tourist neighborhood with all the shops, restaurants, and galleries. This neighborhood is walkable and at the center of things, but will be a bit farther from the hike trailheads.

West Sedona has many hotels and restaurants as well as residential neighborhoods. This makes finding a vacation rental here very easy. The homes are huge and have many bedrooms, ideal for a girlfriend getaway. 

Where to Eat in Sedona

The most popular restaurants in Sedona offer a wide variety of foods and many have stunning views of the Red Rock surrounding the town.

• Elote Cafe was my favorite restaurant on the trip. Its Mexican and Southwest cuisine.

• The Hudson offers  American cuisine, is near the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village and has a lovely patio.

• Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen is a great spot for lunch or dinner. We actually ordered delivery from here to our VRBO.

What To Pack for Sedona

Any trip to Sedona will include a lot of outdoor activities as well as some nights out, so you’ll want to be prepared!

• Hiking clothes and socks enough for 3 hikes

• Hiking backpack

• Lightweight hiking jacket

• Hat

• Water bottle

• Camera

• Hiking boots

• Bathing Suit

• Sunscreen

• A couple of casual evening outfits

• Sandals or casual sneakers

Other Sedona Activities 

• Sedona has many natural and man-made landmarks to keep you and the girls very busy and inspired.

• The Red Rock Scenic Byway is an 8-mile drive on Highway 179 that passes some of Sedona’s most famous sites. Begin at the Village of Oak Creek and end at Back O Beyond Rd.

• Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Catholic chapel that was built in 1956. It is considered a man-made wonder of Arizona because it is literally built into and around a rock formation and has views overlooking Sedona. You’ll find the chapel at the end of Chapel Road.

• The Bell Rock is a huge bell-shaped rock on the side of Highway 179. You can see it from the road or stop and hike to the iconic rock north of the Oak Creek village.

• Cathedral Rock is another giant rock formation on the side of Highway 179. You can drive by or stop for the hike to Cathedral Rock.

• Shop at Tlaquepaque Village with its 50 boutiques featuring arts and crafts made locally.

• Do some wine tasting on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. With many wineries in Sedona and nearby Cottonwood, you can stay pretty happy for a while. The wineries on the trail offer a passport stamp as you progress from vineyard to vineyard!

• Four Wheel Driving is a popular activity. You can find many tours to take you on the roads through the Red Rock.

Conclusion 

A girlfriends’ getaway to Sedona is truly an unforgettable trip! It combines your favorite things – breathtaking natural beauty, rejuvenating hikes, relaxation and your best girlfriends! You’ll enjoy the sunrises and sunsets against the backdrop of the most awe-inspiring red rock formations in the world. 

Sedona has something for everyone from 4 wheel drive adventures to incredible hikes, and the great arts and culture scene. What can be better after a beautiful day than hanging out in the hot tub, sipping wine, and building lasting memories?

Grab the gang, make your plans, and get to Sedona!

Guest author: Carrie Green Zinn is the owner and author of Carrie Green Zinn – A Travel Blog, which helps travelers become inspired to explore and step out of their comfort zones. Carrie focuses on family vacations, empty nest travel, and girlfriend getaways. 

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended but doesn’t cost you any extra. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

The post Girlfriend Getaway to Sedona Arizona appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park has one of the world’s largest collections of petrified wood. It is also home to fossils from over 200 different animal species. With lots of educational fun on offer, you can have a good time and collect information to fuel enough school projects to get all the kids through geography class with A+ marks!

Standin’ on the Corner Park

Have you ever been to a place immortalized in song? If you visit Standin’ on the Corner Park, you can join the ranks of thousands of people who have been “standing on a corner, in Winslow, Arizona” just like in the song “Take It Easy” by The Eagles. Now that’s a story!

Meteor Crater

Of course, you can’t miss Meteor Crater. The view of the crater is spectacular during the day, and at night you can witness impressive meteor showers. The nearby Meteor Crater Campground has an indoor pool and sets you up with discount coupons for local attractions if you stay there. Don’t forget the camera when visiting this one!

Lowell Observatory

If you’ve ever been interested in the majesties of the cosmos, Lowell Observatory is a stop you don’t want to skip! With plenty of kid-friendly fun like Mars movies, interactive presentations, telescope viewing, and guest astronauts, your family will feel like they can touch the stars!

Grand Canyon Deer Farm

Have an animal lover in the family? Check out the Grand Canyon Deer Farm, where you can walk amongst the deer, pet them, and feed them out of your hand. The adorable, friendly creatures are just begging for your love and attention, so what are you waiting for?

Grand Canyon

You can’t take a trip through Arizona without visiting its most stunning natural formation: the Grand Canyon. With a breathtaking view, the Grand Canyon is one of the biggest natural tour stops. The nearby Grand Canyon Caverns is a hotel within the natural limestone caverns and caves. Guided hikes and horseback riding are just some of the fun experiences available to be had. Top off your trip by having fun and getting some breathtaking photographs of one of nature’s most stunning works of art.

Arizona is a state with much to offer your vacation, and there are plenty of attractions right along Historic Route 66 that will give you and your family memories to cherish forever.

Read Next:

The Ultimate Road Trip Planning Guide for Route 66

10 Must-Visit United States Destinations for the Ultimate Classic Car Road Trip

The post Route 66 Attractions In Arizona appeared first on Mommy Travels.

The post 11 Best Dude Ranches for Families appeared first on Mommy Travels.

The state is a road-tripping paradise with a lot of amazing places to visit in Arizona like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Tucscon. Phoenix is perfectly positioned in the center of the state to provide a great launching point for day trips and longer road trips. 

Whether you’re going to Arizona to visit the sites in Phoenix or those around the rest of the state, there are so many incredible things to do.  Here are the top sites in Phoenix that should be on the top of your list.

Top 7 Things to do in Phoenix

There are a lot of fun things to do in the Phoenix metro area. Here are some of the popular places to visit to give you a feel for the city and the uniqueness of the area.

Mill Ave and Tempe Beach Park

Tempe is home to Arizona State University and there’s a lot to do in the downtown area. Stroll Mill Ave to people watch. Or pop into the fun and quirky boutiques. If you love ethnic restaurants, there are some incredible places here offering Irish, Lebanese, Ethiopian, and other foods, as well as more traditional and local fare. Go to Tempe Town Lake for sailing, kayaking, and even fishing. There are a lot of great festivals and events held in this area as well. 

Big Surf Waterpark

When the temperatures start to heat up, locals and tourists alike head to the water. A popular place to go that has been around for more than 50 years is Big Surf. There are lots of slides, and some with warnings that they are not for the faint of heart! Or check out the wave pool where you can boogie board, surf, or even raft.

Wildlife World Zoo

This zoo features South American and African animals and it has the largest group of exotics in Arizona. It’s both a zoo and an aquarium and does a really great job providing a natural habitat for the animals with a very different feel from other zoos. You can see wild cats including jaguars, lions, cheetahs, tigers, and even some lesser-known ones like servals and ocelots. See kangaroo, rhinoceros, sea lions, and feed giraffes. You’ll gain an appreciation for the animal kingdom here. 

Hiking in the Phoenix-Area Mountains

There are mountains all over the Phoenix valley, both surrounding the valley and right in it. The Phoenix area has a lot of protected park space and hiking in these areas is a great way to gain an appreciation for just how beautiful the desert can be. If you visit in the spring, you may even get to see the parks sprinkled with beautiful little wildflowers. Here are some favorite spots.

South Mountain Park and Preserve

South Mountain Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. A highlight of this park is the Dobbins Lookout near the top of the mountain, a scenic observation point with incredible city views. You can drive to it or of course, hike to it. There are over 50 miles of trails through this park with hikes ranging from easy to difficult.

Superstition Mountains

This is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the area. The Superstitions, as it’s called locally, is in the far east valley and a great spot to enjoy the stunning sunrises the Phoenix area is known for. This park also has a number of hikes including one of the most difficult in the area called the Flat Iron. There are also stories about the Lost Dutchman’s buried gold treasure being hidden in the Superstitions, so maybe you’ll get lucky if you go!

Japanese Friendship Garden

If you’re seeking a peaceful enclave in the middle of the city, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden. It’s hard to believe you’re actually in the desert when you visit this beautiful and serene garden. Wander the path over stone footbridges to enjoy the lanterns, statues, and 12-foot waterfall. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony in an authentic tea house or feed Koi in the large pond. It’s a quiet break from the crowds in a beautiful environment.

Heard Museum

The history of Arizona dates back much further than the western history we think of in the state. There is a strong Native American influence in this area and this museum is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art. If you want to learn more about their culture, it’s a great place to visit. You’ll see Zuni jewelry, woven baskets, ceramics, Hopi katsina dolls, and more. They also often have really interesting temporary exhibits. 

Desert Botanical Garden

You may think the desert is just shades of brown, but if you really want to fall in love with its many subtle colors, visit the Desert Botanical Garden. Take the meandering paths to see over 50,000 plants and learn just how beautiful the desert can be. They also host great events with live music, special educational exhibits, and beautiful nights with luminaria lining the paths around the holidays. The garden is a festive celebration of the desert and well worth visiting.

When to Visit Phoenix

Phoenix is in the low desert so it gets incredibly hot in the summer. You can expect highs of well over 100”F from mid-May through mid-September, hitting as high as 120*F. Monsoon season in July and August can cool things off somewhat, though the humidity increases as well. The advantage of visiting in the summer is you can get some great deals at some of the swankiest hotels during the summertime.

Unless you love intense heat or a crazy hotel deal, you’ll want to travel from October through April. Winters are much cooler with daytime averages in the 60s and 70s and it rarely hits freezing at night. January can have some rain but otherwise, it’s generally dry and very mild during this time of year. 

TownePlace Suites Phoenix Goodyear

How to Get Around Phoenix

Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States and it’s very spread out. Unfortunately, there isn’t a great public transit system and most of the places you’ll want to visit aren’t walkable. Your best bet is to rent a car to get around. 

The good news is that the streets are very grid-lined so it’s really easy to get around. In Phoenix, Central Street runs north and south, and to the west are the Avenues and to the east are the streets: first street, second street, and so on. So, it’s pretty easy to orient yourself to get around without getting too lost in most areas.

Phoenix Restaurants

The metro Phoenix area is a foodie’s paradise. You can find nearly every cuisine you can imagine with a lot of Southwestern and Mexican. There are lots of great restaurants at any price point from upscale eateries to fantastic dive spots and everything in between. Want Moroccan, Bosnian, Cambodian, Turkish, or another kind of ethnic restaurant? You’ll find them all in Phoenix. Here are some of the top spots to eat.

Cibo

Cibo is a popular Italian hangout that’s located in a restored bungalow in a historic downtown district. You can get tasty brick-oven pizzas with ingredients imported from Italy and sandwiches made from incredible bread from their oven. They have amazing antipasti, homemade burrata mozzarella cheese, handmade pasta, and Nutella crepes. Cibo also offers incredible gluten-free options in a kitchen that’s very careful about avoiding cross-contamination.

Snooze

Be prepared to wait a bit for this breakfast eatery but it’s so worth it! Snooze offers a creative twist on breakfast with a number of Benedict options, pancake flights, breakfast sandwiches, and even some traditional classics. They have plant-based and gluten-free options as well and several places throughout the valley.

Ocotillo

Locally-sourced American fare with a touch of Arizona is what Ocotillo offers in a modern industrial location. They rotate the menu seasonally, offering the freshest ingredients beautifully served. If you’re looking for food that is lovingly and creatively prepared, this is the place for you.

Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant

There are a lot of Vietnamese restaurants in the valley so it’s hard to pick just one! Rice Paper offers traditional dishes and some creative ones, including a large list of hand rolls. They are in a convenient central location in Phoenix in a modern place offering great food.

Lon’s at the Hermosa

For a dining experience, you won’t soon forget, check out Lon’s in the beautiful Paradise Valley neighborhood. Everything about this place is stunning from the beautiful gardens to the gorgeous interior. If the weather is good, dine outside on the patio and enjoy the impeccable service and delicious food in the garden. The greens and many of the vegetables are grown in their own garden.  

Durant’s Steakhouse

Head downtown to this old Rat Pack hangout. Walk-through the kitchen to enter the restaurant with walls covered with red velour wallpaper. This is no budget evening but will be one of the best steaks of your life.

Bitter and Twisted

If you’re looking for a fun night on the town, look no further than Bitter and Twisted. It has a swanky and retro vibe with a large book of the most exquisitely crafted cocktails. They offer traditional drinks too, though why would you? Don’t miss out on their popcorn!

Top Day Trips

If you have some extra time and want to head out of the city, here are some great places to visit.

Sedona

This former artist enclave is one of the most popular destinations in all of Arizona. Hike the many trails around the striking red-rock buttes and enjoy the views of some of the named rocks like Bell Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Cathedral Rock. Tour the art galleries and enjoy the many restaurants. If you want to connect with your spiritual side, visit one of the vortexes, spiritual energy centers. 

Sedona Arizona Travel Guide

Flagstaff

This small college town has a quaint and historic town center with many fun little shops and restaurants. Visit the Lowell Observatory to learn about our galaxy or get outdoors and hike Mount Humphrey, the tallest mountain in the state. Take on the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure course for an adrenaline rush or hike through a lava tube. If you’re interested in the Native Americans, visit nearby ruins Wupatki, a large complex of striking red rock, or Walnut Canyon, a cliff dwelling. The Arizona Snowbowl offers some great ski trails in the winter, and some amazing views from the lifts in the summer.

Why You Should Visit Phoenix

The Phoenix area offers a wide variety including many fun uniquely Phoenix things to do. Learn all about how beautiful the desert can be while learning about the Native American presence and dining at the incredible local restaurants. A lot of conventions and conferences are located in the many Phoenix hotels due to the incredible weather much of the year, so enjoy a great deal in the off-season or a spa day to relax from all the fun you’re having during your visit.

Guest Author: Sam from My Flying Leap. Sam is a travel-obsessed animal lover with big plans to travel the world with her dog. When she’s not blogging about her travel adventures, you can find her volunteering with her pet-therapy cat and dog, on the top of a mountain, or enjoying a glass of bold red wine planning for her next trip.

The post Phoenix, Arizona Travel Guide appeared first on Mommy Travels.

This past week I was driving across the country, literally and I found myself staying at two different TownePlace Suites. One of them was in the Phoenix area, TownePlace Suites Phoenix Goodyear. Our room was huge. It had town queen beds. You can not tell from the picture below but there is quite a bit of floor space on the other side of the bed and it was large enough to accommodate a queen size air mattress. Yes, I travel with an air mattress. My kids are hard to sleep with, sometimes it’s just better to spread those kids out. (This hotel offers several different types of rooms, including suites.)

Things I liked about this hotel:

• Smoke free
• Complimentary wifi
• Pet friendly
• Complimentary breakfast
• Not only was there a pool there was a hot tub. (I would much rather hot tub!)
• Luxury bedding – crisp linens, thicker mattresses, custom comforters, fluffier pillows
• Kitchenette (When traveling with kids having a kitchenette is awesome!)

TownePlace Suites Phoenix Goodyear supports Military Families

Not only do they offer a military rate, but Marriott’s TownePlace Suites is dedicated to supporting the military community and making life away from home a little easier. The brand offers spacious suites with separate living and sleeping areas, fully functional kitchens, thoughtfully designed work space, free wi-fi, new complimentary hot breakfast (launched June 1), and custom elfa closet systems made available through their partnership with The Container Store. Each property features a TowneMap in their lobby, which is a guide to the neighborhood offering tips on nearby dining, local shops and more. TownePlace Suites has been recognized a leader in the extended-stay product for mid-price hotels for its on-site fitness centers, pool, outdoor space, laundry facilities and pet-friendly accommodations.

*This hotel is close to Luke Air Force base. It’s not right outside the gate or anything, but it’s a decent distance.

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