Travel: Phoenix, AZ
Visiting our ex… home!
Moving from Phoenix was bittersweet for us because we would be leaving my side of the family that lives there, but we looked forward to living in a place that wasn’t constantly trying to BAKE us.
Speaking of baking, not all seasons in Phoenix are in the hell temperatures. Winter is the only time when you get comfortable weather. Sure early in the morning and late at night, you usually need some coverage, that being a simple sweater or lightweight jacket. But for the most part, daytime temperatures in Phoenix during winter range from 60 to 80 degrees F. Which, if you ask me, it’s the perfect range.
Bottom line is if you want a perfect time to travel to Phoenix, winter is the time to do it!
Visiting Phoenix in the winter means you should do as many outdoor activities as you possibly can because you really can’t enjoy such pleasures when it is 120 degrees out. Here are some places that you should definitely visit:
// Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain State Park
South Mountain State Park is located in South Phoenix on Central Ave, just North of Baseline Rd. Drive (or hike) up to the top to the designated lookout spot where you can get a view of the whole city. There are picnic tables at the top as well as around in lower ground with some providing charcoal grills. Best part, it is free to enter! You can also visit Ponderosa Stables on your way up to look at or rent a horse!
Tempe Beach Park is located in Tempe on Rio Salado Pkwy, just West of Mill Ave. It offers boat rentals, beautiful views of the town lake and downtown. Also, if you wander around you can walk to Tempe Center for The Arts which has great outdoor art displays and a bridge you can stroll. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Segway of Scottsdale offers segway tours at Tempe Town Lake.
// Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo is located in East Phoenix on Galvin Pkwy, just North of Van Buren St. They offer a variety of animals to see and often host special event exhibitions such as their current one that’s happening through April, Dinosaurs in the Desert.
We love Phoenix and the variety of food and culture it has to offer. But mostly for the food. It’s really all about the food. Here are some places we love to eat at in the Phoenix Area:
// Morning Glory Cafe at The Farm
Morning Glory Cafe is one of 3 restaurants on The Farm, which is located in South Phoenix on 32nd St just south of Southern Ave. It is an outdoor breakfast/brunch restaurant that offers delicious food that is farm grown at reasonable prices. Mimosas and bloody marys are also available! They are open seasonally, usually from September through May. While enjoying your meal, you are surrounded by greenery and you almost forget that you are in the middle of a city.
Detroit Coney Grill is located on Broadway Rd in Tempe just West of Hardy Dr. This little quaint place is where the best burgers are at! They specialize in hot dogs, but their in-house ground beef burgers and hand cut fries are to die for. They are open daily with the exception of Sundays.
// Bobby-Q
Bobby-Q is located in North Phoenix on 27th Ave, off the I17 just South of Dunlap Ave. If you’re looking for barbecue, this is it. Best pulled pork sandwiches and instead of handing you mints at the end of your meal, they give you mini donuts which are made in-house! They are open every day and offer happy hour Monday through Friday from 2pm to 6pm.
One thing we did not miss was the traffic but we had such a great time visiting family and eating lots of great food while enjoying the beautiful 70-degree weather, that the traffic didn’t matter as much!
Have you visited Phoenix? What are your favorite places?
2018 @ Little Conquest
I actually went to school in Tucson, but I’ve only been to Phoenix a couple of times. I really love Arizona, and I’d love to bring my family for a visit. Winter would definitely be the time we would go to get out of this Wisconsin weather too 🙂
They would love it! Especially getting out of the harsh cold! I’ve only passed through Tucson a couple times, but would love to visit there too!
Phoneix looks like a great place! I’ve never been there, but definitely would love to go!
It is a great place! Just have to pick the right time to go. If you in the middle of summer, you’ll regret it, haha. 🙂
I live here in the Valley of the Sun and have to agree our winters are beautiful! After living here 22 years the summers still get to me LOL so I escape back to my hometown in Cali June thru August and relax on the beach 🏖 Most of the year it’s just beautiful here though! I’ve never been out to that farm but I’ve heard such great things about it! I’ll check it out with my little boy!
How cool, being able to escape the heat! haha. But yes, you definitely have to try the farm. In my opinion the best time to go is between April and May because there’s more greenery with the leaves on the trees!
never been to phoenix but it’s on my list!
You’ll love it! as long as it’s not during summer. It’s one of the cleaner cities I’ve been to, in my opinion.
These look like great places to visit! I loved hiking to Hole in the Rock in Papago Park, but will definitely check these places out on my next visit
I love the Hole in the Rock! If you like hiking, South Mountain will definitely give you a kick! It’s steep enough to make you feel the burn within minutes! haha!
I went to Phoenix for a college tour but never got to really check it out. I definitely want to go back!!
There are TONS of things to do for college students! So many things to do every day, so you’ll always catch a special event!
I am originally from Tucson! I miss Arizona so much. It is such a beautiful state
I lived in Phoenix for 9 years before I moved to SC. I miss it too, but I don’t miss the heat! haha
Sounds like a great family trip. I used to live in Phoenix and was born in Glendale. All the places you mentioned are great destinations and eats.
What a small world! Our favorite is Morning Glory, we only discovered it 2 years ago!