Visit Phoenix: A Surprise Destination

I've never been to Phoenix, but I've heard it's stunning. I've gotten essential oils from there due to the state having a healing touch. Recently, Visit Phoenix got in touch with time to let me know that the city is a good idea. I wouldn’t mind going to one of the spas, I mean really! I also would love to know what their wine and craft beer scene is like. On the first day of summer, it’s natural to think of any place, but the desert to go for a summer getaway. Like  you are already hot, would the desert be fun? Visit Phoenix says there are many reasons it makes perfect sense to visit this summer—10 in fact!

​Outrageous Deals at Luxury Resorts
Unlike the usual suspect list of places you might consider this summer, you can practically steal a stay at some of Greater Phoenix’s best hotels. Whether you’re looking to travel with the kids or leave them behind with your parents, you can save up to 60 to 75 percent with these summer deals. You’d be paying double or more at more traditional summer spots

They Have Beaches, Too
The region offers several lakes and rivers to cool off in this summer, whether you just want to take a dip, rent a kayak or pontoon boat for a day or go fishing.

Waterparks Galore!
In addition to Wet ‘n’ Wild and Mesa Golfland Sunsplash water parks, Greater Phoenix also offers H2Oasis at CityScape Phoenix, where Central Avenue and Patriot’s Park get transformed into a water park on Saturday, July 14 and August 11, with shade, splash pad, and slides for all ages

Chill Hotels
Hotels and resorts create the perfect oasis for chillin’, from pools, water slides, cooling mists and a 300-pound ice cube drop into an adventure pool, to spa retreats and indoor dining overlooking dramatic desert landscapes. This hotel situation sounds right up my alley.

Museums You Actually Want to Visit
Greater Phoenix offers a great variety of cool museums that you’ll enjoy, even if you’re not the “museum type,” from the Arizona Science Center and the Phoenix Art Museum to the Musical Instruments Museum and Heard Museum for American Indian art.

Evening Outdoor Adventures
Locals know there are amazing ways to experience the cool nights in the desert, such as botanical garden flashlight tours, moon rise tours of the Sonoran Desert, and glow kayaking on Tempe Town Lake

Exciting Nightlife
Greater Phoenix has its share of trendy lounges, nightclubs and casinos, but it also offers other types of colorful nightlife, from First Friday Art Walks downtown to Spark! After Dark concerts and art shows at Mesa Art Center. Or pair baseball and fireworks at half the price with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Friday Night Fireworks games.

Early Morning Flights
One of the most magical ways to cool off in the desert is an early morning hot air balloon ride, followed by a chilled champagne toast over a gourmet breakfast. I’ve never done the hot air ballon thing, it could be fun.  I would totally be for Champagne and a gourmet breakfast.

Summer Spa Specials
Pamper yourself with desert-inspired treatments. This would be a great reason to go to the city. We all could use a bit of spa in our lives. Imagine a fabulous facial and massage. Doesn’t that sound divine?

Cool Culinary Experiences
Your teens will look forward to going back to school with four-day Summer Cooking Camps, where they can test their new skills each Thursday in an Iron Chef-styled competition. They can further express their culinary creativity with made-to-order ice cream at Creamistry. Or take yourself on a culinary tour of signature Phoenix dishes or local chefs’ top picks.

If any of  this sounds like your jam, for more reasons to visit this summer, go to www.visitphoenix.com