3 great days in Phoenix

Kick-start your long weekend by exploring centuries of Indigenous creativity at the Heard Museum, or dive into the largest art collection in the Southwest at the ever-engrossing Phoenix Art Museum. If music is more your vibe, heed the melodic call of the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), home to more than 15,000 instruments from around the world—including historic items belonging to icons like Elvis and Johnny Cash.

A vibrant mural-splashed enclave, Roosevelt Row is Downtown’s walkable arts district, stuffed with galleries, cafés, bars and boutiques. Not only is this a brilliant way to discover up-and-coming local artists, but traditional spots like Huarachis Taqueria and Taco Chelo also offer great introductions to Sonoran cuisine. The neighborhood is particularly lively on First Fridays: The monthly mini festival includes a popular art walk, plus street vendors, live music, food trucks, and general outdoor frivolity until 10 p.m.

Turn back the clock in style at Century Grand, a unique cocktail temple featuring three architecturally exquisite bars inspired by bygone eras. The conceptual spaces offer distinct menus and immersive experiences: UnderTow, based on the lower deck of an antique Clipper ship; Platform 18, channeling the luxury of an old Pullman train; and Grey Hen Rx, conjuring a 1920s curiosity shop in New York’s Chinatown. Locals are split on which bar boasts the best cocktail—but there’s one way to know for sure…

Phoenix has a reputation for serious hiking, but anyone can ease in among the gentle trails and natural beauty of Papago Park. The iconic Hole-in-the-Rock Trail, which starts at the Papago Park Visitor Center and finishes at the eponymous wind-eroded chasm, is an ever-popular option that’s suitable for all ages and abilities. From here, you can walk or drive the mile to the park’s Desert Botanical Garden, with its bristling forests of cacti, saguaros and flowering ocotillos, plus its own easy quarter-mile loop trail.

To make the most of your vacation rental, grab some fresh food and snacks at the Uptown Farmers Market on North Central Avenue. Held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the market showcases local produce and traditional dishes—as well as quality handmade goods that make for great gifts to take home. (Downtown Phoenix also hosts a smaller Farmers Market on Saturdays.)

Enjoy the Sonoran Desert in all its rugged splendor with a guided horseback ride at sunset. At the KOLI Equestrian Center, a family-run business owned by a local tribe member, guides teach you about Native American cultures from the area (the Pima and the Maricopa), as well as pointing out the native flora and fauna as you ride past Hollywood-worthy mountain vistas.

Greater Phoenix boasts some of the finest (and most reliable) ballooning conditions in the world. There are few better ways to start your day than gliding high through the riot of reds and oranges that paint a Sonoran sunrise, followed by a delicious champagne breakfast, courtesy of Hot Air Expeditions. 

The beloved winter home and desert laboratory of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West is a must-visit during any trip to Greater Phoenix. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the sprawling property is a fascinating example of “organic architecture” which incorporates elements of the surrounding desert, and the location itself commands incredible views over pretty Scottsdale. 

Bid farewell to the Valley of the Sun in style with a high-end dinner at local favorite Valentine. Situated in Phoenix’s Melrose District, the restaurant is famed for its clever, locally sourced dishes celebrating the vibrant flavors of the Sonoran Desert. Better still, they’re accompanied by one of best natural wine menus in the Southwest.