DH and I had planned to go to Atlanta at the end of January—looking to get to warmer temps out of town. But then the arctic freeze hit the east coast. The day before we were supposed to go we realized that if there was freezing rain or even the tiniest bit of snow, the whole city would shut down. Not wanting to sit in a hotel for 4 days because nobody could get anywhere, we pivioted to Phoenix. I scrambled to change flights, hotels, restaurant reservations, and get a car. For someone who plans months in advance, this was a challenge for me!

We flew out on Friday morning and got to Phoenix around noon-ish. Our first stop was the Penske Racing Museum. DH is a big car racing fan so I figured he would like it. The museum is just one room with some really cool cars and it’s free. It is also in the middle of a luxury auto dealer complex—Ferrari, Rolls, Bentley, etc. So we had to wander the lot a bit and drool over the inventory  Next, we went to the Musical Instrument Museum. I didn’t expect much—was I ever wrong. It is incredible!! We just made it through the US/Canada and then zoomed through Europe. We only had about 1.5-2 hours. We could have easily spent another 2 hours there going through other parts of the world. We aren’t musicians, don’t play any instruments, and this place was captivating. Highly recommend!

We stayed at the Fairfield Marriott Midtown. That was a great location for most of the places we wanted to see. The hotel is nice and clean—staff were very good.

The first night we ate dinner at Rusconi’s American and it was truly fantastic. We love farm to table restaurants and this place did not disappoint. The service was fantastic and they had a great wine list.

Saturday morning we started at the Phoenix art museum. I was hoping for some more Georgia O’Keefe and other western artists. The museum was ok—we spent a couple of hours there. Then we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens for lunch. I had an awesome salad with duck breast and some street corn as an appetizer. Then we spent hours at the gardens. It was just beautiful. We walked every trail and just loved all of the plants. Highly recommended!!!!

That night we ate at Beckett’s Table, which is more southern. Everybody was ordering the deviled eggs, which are apparently amazing—not my taste but the tables around us were very happy. The place was really busy and had some big parties so the service was not as attentive as it could have been. My meal was ok but what was AMAZING was the dessert. Holy cow! It was a deconstructed smore with whipped peanut butter, 2 graham cracker sticks, 2 small made from scratch marshmallows, and 2 strips of bacon dipped in dark chocolate. That could have been the last thing I ever ate and I would have been ecstatic!

Sunday morning, we headed to my favorite place—the Heard Museum. I just love this place. We walked through the entire thing—took us 3-4 hours. And had a really good lunch at the café there. And, of course, a successful shopping trip in the museum store. In the afternoon, we went to the Pueblo Grande museum where I learned so much more about the Hohokam canal systems and the Great Houses in the area. That was a quick 1.5 hour visit but there is a ball pit there, and I had never seen one before. That night we did not have the stomach for another big dinner so we got snacks from the grocery store.

Monday morning we went out to Old Town Scottsdale and walked around the galleries. Many places are closed on Mondays but enough were open. I bought some earrings and we really enjoyed perusing some amazing paintings and sculptures. Then it was back to the airport and a quick flight home.

It was a much needed weekend and I’m so happy we could make it work last minute.

Hi StantonHyde

Thanks for this trip report to a U.S. city I’d never really visited having only vaguely seen on a trip to the Grand Canyon when I was a teenager and my Dad picked to use Phoenix airport for our point of arrival. All I remember was sprawl leaving the city, so it’s nice to know there are interesting things to do—the Pueblo Grande Museum sounds particularly appealing.

Best wishes—Daniel

Even though we live in Phoenix, I still got some tips from your report. Thanks!!

It sounds like a very nice trip and one without kids which I seem to recall you doing great TRs on a while ago.

Yep--no kids! The kids in question are now in college But we are spending spring break in NYC with the kiddo who is on the east coast. The best part is after all of the times they whined about being dragged to all of these National Parks, my younger son's boyfriend (who had never been west) came to visit last year and my son took him to ALL of the places and hikes we used to do!!!! No more whining, just wonder!!!

Sounds like a perfect last-minute pivot — Phoenix was a great call! Loved the mix of museums, gardens, and food spots… that dessert alone sounds worth the trip 😄