Being from the East coast, some of my favorite places to visit are the western states. I think everyone has “seeing the Grand Canyon” on their bucket list, and rightfully so because it is an incredible sight to behold. When I heard my husband was going to Tempe, Arizona for work I knew this was my chance to see the Grand Canyon along with some other places that I had never been. Our trip started in Tempe and ended on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
Things to do in Tempe/Phoenix, Arizona
While in Tempe I took full advantage of the wonderful outdoors. It was beautiful in November and I did everything I could to enjoy the lovely weather. Luckily the first hike I took was right beside my hotel at the Tempe Mission Palms which is a very nice, perfectly located hotel in Tempe. Tempe Butte, or “A” mountain as the locals call it, sits in Arizona State University’s campus, and is named after the university. You can’t miss it with its large yellow letter “A” sitting right on the mountainside. While this was not a long or strenuous hike, it is moderately steep, and I found myself stopping to catch my breath halfway up. It is paved and easy to navigate until you get to the “A” where you can take a break and enjoy the view. If you decide to traverse the rest of the way up it does get very uneven and rocky with large step ups. It’s worth it to see the 360-degree views of Tempe, Phoenix, and the mountains beyond. Make sure you find the petroglyphs on your way up or down the mountain. These drawings were left by the Hohokam Indians who lived in the area between 700 and 1450 A.D.
Another great outing was Papago Park where the “hole in the rock” is found, among other hiking opportunities. This is a very short and easy hike to a beautiful view. It is also conveniently located next to the desert botanical gardens and the Phoenix Zoo. I highly recommend the zoo; it is well maintained, with very friendly staff, and a wide variety of animals.
Camelback Mountain is the most popular hike in this area but the main trail was closed while I was visiting, and it was not recommended to do this hike alone so I will have to plan for that one next time.
Tips + Tricks
My biggest tip for those who are not from the area is to drink lots of water. Always have water with you to prevent dehydration which can happen quickly when you’re not used to the climate. Know and look for signs of dehydration before doing outdoor activities in unfamiliar climates.
Take public transportation when possible. This could save you a ton of money. The city transit is a great way to get around. They make stops at Papago Park, and the Desert Botanical Gardens among many other popular stops plus it’s only $4 for the entire day. What a deal considering an Uber would have cost $12+ for one way. Always check public transportation. It’s usually faster and cheaper. Not to mention it’s better for the environment. Why not live like a local when you’re trying to get the full experience?
Hiking in Sedona, Arizona
After Tempe my husband and I traveled to Sedona where we hiked Eagles Nest in Red Rock State Park, which has incredible views and lots of history. Here we saw Mule deer, an owl, and an inactive volcano. There are many rock formations to be seen from this 300 foot incline and it was an easy to moderate hike which made it the perfect pit stop after a two hour drive.
Next we drove over to Cathedral Rock which is close to downtown Sedona and is very popular. Parking is limited and you do have to pay to park. If you plan on going to the top of Cathedral Rock make sure you’re ready for a little rock scrambling as you climb this rock you will encounter a few spots where all four limbs are needed to get to the next section. Follow the rock towers and wear good rock-climbing footwear. This was an exciting experience that my husband and I both enjoyed immensely. I love hiking but had never done any rock-climbing before so this was an experience we will never forget. Kudos to all the legit rock climbers out there who are braver than I am. From there we went to Flagstaff and stayed in an Airbnb since it was cheaper than staying in the Grand Canyon National Park.
Eats + Treats in Tempe
The Daily Jam is a great breakfast joint with fantastic food. I loved sitting outside in the morning taking in all the “city” had to offer. The Denver omelet with sourdough toast and apple jelly and fruit bowl on the side was perfect to fuel my hike up A mountain which was right across the road.
Illegal Pete’s is a chain found in the area of Arizona and Colorado. It is similar to Qdoba or Chipotle. You can customize your Mexican food order with anything you want; we indulged in a burrito and nachos that were delicious and had us licking our fingers.
Slices on Mill is a great local place with friendly staff. If you’re looking for a quick lunch, this is the place. Grab a slice of any of the many pizza options and enjoy. This is also a very popular place with the locals. There were at least three people who walked in while I was there that knew the owner, or asked if he would cater an event, which I thought was a very good sign.
The Cornish Pasty Co. comes from our friends across the pond (Europe) and reminds this southern girl of a good ole fashioned chicken pot pie. A pasty is simply pastry crust with a filling of your choosing, and gee do they have options here at the Cornish Pasty Co. restaurant. I got the Cubano, my husband got the cajun chicken, but it was a hard decision. There are also many vegan/vegetarian options. Be sure to dip your pasty in the sauce provided. My philosophy is if the chef put it on the plate, they mean for you to use it. These pocket pastries are stuffed full of goodies and will fill you up no problem. If you want sides or dessert I suggest sharing your pasty so you can enjoy everything else. The side of “chips” are just French fries but they are very good. Unlike regular fries these have a little flare. The sticky toffee pudding and caramel apple desserts are an absolute must – talk about delicious! I didn’t really have the room to finish my dessert but I did anyway because it would have been a crime to leave a single bite of something that good. The restaurant itself gives the feel of a 1930s speakeasy with the chandeliers, low lighting, and red velvet wallpaper. The pasty itself was very popular among miners who would use the crust as a handle as they ate and throw it away when they were done because it would be covered with the toxic coal dust from their hands. This restaurant is an experience all itself.
Eats + Treats in Flagstaff
Mike and Rhonda’s The Place is a cute breakfast joint with fast and friendly service. They serve good wholesome breakfasts, nothing fancy, just simple and good. The bacon was cooked to perfection, which can be hard to find, and the pancakes were fluffy the way I like. Beware the biscuits are huge, I ordered two before I knew this and it was a stretch to eat them both.
Over Easy is another popular breakfast place with amazing food. I got the waffle dogs which are sausage links skewered and dipped in vanilla waffle batter and fried, mmm! You’ll definitely be licking your lips after each bite dipped in syrup. My husband got the OG Wolfpack which was a pile of goodness composed of eggs, bacon, hash browns, and cheese. I mean what more could you want? The sourdough toast comes with a mild strawberry jelly that was the perfect complement to the meal.
Fat Olives is a very popular local favorite so be prepared to wait a little but it is so worth it! This brick oven pizza was the best I have ever had and I wanted to go back everyday for more. Step into little Italy and enjoy a casual dining experience, or take a date.
End of the Road
I will definitely be planning a trip to Arizona in the future, we had a blast the entire time we were there. There’s so much that this state has to offer it may take several trips to see it all. Arizona has beautiful landscapes that never fail to awe and inspire. I encourage you to explore more than one destination if you decide to take a trip to the state of Arizona.
To learn more about the Grand Canyon portion of this trip check out our Tips for Traveling to the Grand Canyon page. To see more about our trips subscribe to our page, and follow us on social media.
