{"id":26293,"date":"2021-02-04T01:55:05","date_gmt":"2021-02-04T09:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/?p=26293"},"modified":"2021-03-21T10:15:27","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T17:15:27","slug":"phoenix-arizona-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Phoenix, Arizona Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Valley of the Sun is a top destination in the southwestern United States, especially in the winter months. People visit Arizona from around the world to enjoy this thriving desert landscape and bustling city with moderate winter temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The state is a road-tripping paradise with a lot of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myflyingleap.com\/us\/arizona\/best-road-trips-in-arizona\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amazing places to visit in Arizona<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 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.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re 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.&nbsp; Here are the top sites in Phoenix that should be on the top of your list.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26294 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/7-Thing-to-do-in-Phoenix.jpg\" alt=\"7 Thing to do in Phoenix\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/7-Thing-to-do-in-Phoenix.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/7-Thing-to-do-in-Phoenix-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/7-Thing-to-do-in-Phoenix-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/7-Thing-to-do-in-Phoenix-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/7-Thing-to-do-in-Phoenix-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-693fb13f16548\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-693fb13f16548\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Top_7_Things_to_do_in_Phoenix\" >Top 7 Things to do in Phoenix<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Mill_Ave_and_Tempe_Beach_Park\" >Mill Ave and Tempe Beach Park<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Big_Surf_Waterpark\" >Big Surf Waterpark<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Wildlife_World_Zoo\" >Wildlife World Zoo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Hiking_in_the_Phoenix-Area_Mountains\" >Hiking in the Phoenix-Area Mountains<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#South_Mountain_Park_and_Preserve\" >South Mountain Park and Preserve<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Japanese_Friendship_Garden\" >Japanese Friendship Garden<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Heard_Museum\" >Heard Museum<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Desert_Botanical_Garden\" >Desert Botanical Garden<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#When_to_Visit_Phoenix\" >When to Visit Phoenix<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#How_to_Get_Around_Phoenix\" >How to Get Around Phoenix<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Phoenix_Restaurants\" >Phoenix Restaurants<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Cibo\" >Cibo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Snooze\" >Snooze<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Ocotillo\" >Ocotillo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Rice_Paper_Vietnamese_Restaurant\" >Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Lons_at_the_Hermosa\" >Lon\u2019s at the Hermosa<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Durants_Steakhouse\" >Durant\u2019s Steakhouse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Bitter_and_Twisted\" >Bitter and Twisted<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Top_Day_Trips\" >Top Day Trips<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Sedona\" >Sedona<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Flagstaff\" >Flagstaff<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/phoenix-arizona-travel-guide\/#Why_You_Should_Visit_Phoenix\" >Why You Should Visit Phoenix<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_7_Things_to_do_in_Phoenix\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top 7 Things to do in Phoenix<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mill_Ave_and_Tempe_Beach_Park\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mill Ave and Tempe Beach Park<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tempe is home to Arizona State University and there\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Big_Surf_Waterpark\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big Surf Waterpark<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe.jpg\" alt=\"Big Surf Tempe\" width=\"700\" height=\"420\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe-200x120.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe-400x240.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Big-Surf-Tempe-150x90.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wildlife_World_Zoo\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wildlife World Zoo<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This zoo features South American and African animals and it has the largest group of exotics in Arizona. It\u2019s 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\u2019ll gain an appreciation for the animal kingdom here.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hiking_in_the_Phoenix-Area_Mountains\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiking in the Phoenix-Area Mountains<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26295 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park.jpg\" alt=\"South Mountain Park\" width=\"512\" height=\"358\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park-200x140.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park-400x280.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park-150x105.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"South_Mountain_Park_and_Preserve\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Mountain Park and Preserve<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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. <\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Superstition Mountains<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the area. The Superstitions, as it\u2019s 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\u2019s buried gold treasure being hidden in the Superstitions, so maybe you\u2019ll get lucky if you go!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Japanese_Friendship_Garden\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japanese Friendship Garden<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26296 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japanese-Friendship-Garden-.jpg\" alt=\"Japanese Friendship Garden\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japanese-Friendship-Garden-.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japanese-Friendship-Garden--300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japanese-Friendship-Garden--200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japanese-Friendship-Garden--400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Japanese-Friendship-Garden--150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re seeking a peaceful enclave in the middle of the city, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden. It\u2019s hard to believe you\u2019re 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\u2019s a quiet break from the crowds in a beautiful environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heard_Museum\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heard Museum<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s a great place to visit. You\u2019ll see Zuni jewelry, woven baskets, ceramics, Hopi katsina dolls, and more. They also often have really interesting temporary exhibits.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Desert_Botanical_Garden\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Desert Botanical Garden<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Visit_Phoenix\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to Visit Phoenix<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phoenix is in the low desert so it gets incredibly hot in the summer. You can expect highs of well over 100\u201dF 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless you love intense heat or a crazy hotel deal, you\u2019ll 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\u2019s generally dry and very mild during this time of year.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/towneplace-suites-phoenix-goodyear\/\">TownePlace Suites Phoenix Goodyear<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Get_Around_Phoenix\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Get Around Phoenix<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States and it\u2019s very spread out. Unfortunately, there isn\u2019t a great public transit system and most of the places you\u2019ll want to visit aren\u2019t walkable. Your best bet is to rent a car to get around.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that the streets are very grid-lined so it\u2019s 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\u2019s pretty easy to orient yourself to get around without getting too lost in most areas.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Phoenix_Restaurants\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phoenix Restaurants<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/myflyingleap.com\/us\/arizona\/best-places-to-eat-in-phoenix\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The metro Phoenix area is a foodie\u2019s paradise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019ll find them all in Phoenix. Here are some of the top spots to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cibo\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cibo<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cibo is a popular Italian hangout that\u2019s 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\u2019s very careful about avoiding cross-contamination.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Snooze\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Snooze<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be prepared to wait a bit for this breakfast eatery but it\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ocotillo\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ocotillo<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019re looking for food that is lovingly and creatively prepared, this is the place for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rice_Paper_Vietnamese_Restaurant\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a lot of Vietnamese restaurants in the valley so it\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lons_at_the_Hermosa\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lon\u2019s at the Hermosa<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a dining experience, you won\u2019t soon forget, check out Lon\u2019s 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Durants_Steakhouse\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Durant\u2019s Steakhouse<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bitter_and_Twisted\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bitter and Twisted<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re 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\u2019t miss out on their popcorn!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_Day_Trips\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top Day Trips<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have some extra time and want to head out of the city, here are some great places to visit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sedona\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sedona<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-24419 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-1024x341.png\" alt=\"Sedona Arizona Scenery\" width=\"1024\" height=\"341\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-200x67.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-400x133.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-800x267.png 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery-1200x400.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Sedona-Arizona-Scenery.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/sedona-arizona-travel-guide\/\">Sedona Arizona Travel Guide<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flagstaff\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flagstaff<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26297 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flagstaff.jpg\" alt=\"Flagstaff, Arizona\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flagstaff.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flagstaff-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flagstaff-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flagstaff-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flagstaff-150x113.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019re 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. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_You_Should_Visit_Phoenix\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why You Should Visit Phoenix<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019re having during your visit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em><strong>Guest Author<\/strong><\/em>: Sam from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myflyingleap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My Flying Leap<\/span><\/a>.<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sam is a travel-obsessed animal lover with big plans to travel the world with her dog. When she\u2019s not blogging about her travel adventures<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-26561 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix, Arizona Travel Guide\" width=\"345\" height=\"517\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-400x600.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-600x900.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Phoenix-Arizona-Travel-Guide.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 345px) 100vw, 345px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Valley of the Sun is a top destination in the southwestern United States, especially in the winter months. People visit&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":26295,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"MSN_Categories":"Uncategorized","MSN_Publish_Option":false,"MSN_Is_Local_News":false,"MSN_Is_AIAC_Included":"Empty","MSN_Location":"[]","MSN_Add_Feature_Img_On_Top_Of_Post":false,"MSN_Has_Custom_Author":false,"MSN_Custom_Author":"","MSN_Has_Custom_Canonical_Url":false,"MSN_Custom_Canonical_Url":"","rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_aToxMzYzMDE4MDA7_136301800":"","facebook_10216960885986637_122283935708":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1756],"tags":[1089],"class_list":["post-26293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arizona","tag-arizona"],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":26295,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/South-Mountain-Park-300x210.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mommytravels.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}