Phoenix in January
In retirement, we have tried to take a short trip during January. Last year, we visited Los Angeles, Escape from the Cold to Los Angeles. This year, to get away from the cold and dreary that seems to go on forever, we spent a few days in Phoenix. It was our first time to stay in the city, though we have visited nearby Tucson.
The weather was beautiful—clear blue skies with daytime highs in the mid sixties. Above all, it was 10 to 15 degrees higher in the daytime than at home in Alabama. The sunsets were incredible from the rooftop bar at our hotel and the bartender makes an incredible Old Fashioned, our new favorite drink!
A Downtown Hotel
We chose the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn because of its location and great reviews. There are many nice restaurants nearby and the Phoenix light rail is just a few blocks away.
The hotel is a newly remodeled historic landmark building, the 1931 Professional Building. Though the building is historic, its interior is modern and comfortable. Also, the Art Deco building was in the opening scene for the movie, “Psycho”, and there are references to the movie on several hotel walls. A lighted revolving sign, once atop the building, was said to be the country’s largest revolving sign.
Phoenix Attractions
We wanted to see all the highlights of the Phoenix area. Most of our travel is in an 18-foot camper, but we only pass through large cities. It was nice to be in the heart of downtown.
Desert Botanical Garden
The garden is one of the most popular attractions in Phoenix and it was truly beautiful. It is located in Papago Park. There were two other attractions in Papago we did not visit, the Zoo and Hole in the Rock. For younger, more active visitors, they would be something to consider.
Arizona Capital Museum
This free museum devoted to the history of Arizona was worth the time. It is in the 1901 State Capitol Building. It has information on the history of the Arizona Constitution, an enormous model train, some touching artifacts from the USS Arizona, and some really cool petrified wood.
Phoenix Art Museum
The museum is one of the largest in the Southwest. A bonus for my husband, there was a temporary exhibit devoted to race cars, Legends of Speed. I was happy there was something he really liked.
Taliesin West
Taliesin West was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, certainly the most famous architect ever in North America. Our tour guide, Jane, was very entertaining and shared lots of personal details about the architectural legend. It was quite a distance from downtown Phoenix, but I would have regretted not seeing it while in the area. Today, the building houses an accredited master’s degree program in architecture.
Scottsdale
We took the light rail to Scottsdale, a nearby city that is east of Phoenix. It is known for spa resorts and golf courses. While we did neither, we enjoyed walking around Old Town, which has an abundance of restaurants and shopping. We had a delicious lunch at Barrio Queen, rode the trolley around the area, and checked out some of the shops.
Fantastic Food
We had several outstanding meals while in Phoenix. The absolute best meal as at Harumi Sushi, which was just a few blocks from our hotel. It was also the best sushi ever for both of us.
We also visited MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain, which is like stepping back in time. A 1928 pharmacy and soda fountain was sold to Fred MacAlpine in 1938 and it has continued in the same location ever since. It has wooden booths with juke box selections, 50s-style food and drinks, and vintage decor. Additionally, there is an antique store in the building and it spills into the restaurant. The food was good, but the ambiance was excellent.
We also had excellent breakfasts at Breakfast Club (delicious Herve Rancheros) and Centrico, located in the historic San Carlos Hotel.
Getting Around
Uber was our primary mode of transportation and we loved using it because all our drivers were amiable and helpful. However, I wish we had utilized the light rail earlier in our trip. The stops were just a few blocks from our hotel. One can ride all day for $4 ($2 for seniors). We took the light rail to Tempe on our last full day and got off at Mill Avenue and Third. This stop is at the main shopping and restaurant area in Tempe.
Conclusion
Phoenix was a nice break from winter in Alabama because it offers warm temperatures, great food, and plenty of interesting things to do! Everything about our trip was positive except for the impact the dry climate had on our sinuses. We both had sinus issues during our stay. If visiting, I strongly advise the frequent use of a saline nasal spray.
