Blue travelers who think of Phoenix may first think precisely of the Melrose area.
The city’s gay-friendly neighborhoods adjacent to 7th Avenue are fun neighborhoods with great nightclubs like Stacy’s on Melrose, Pat O’s Bunkhouse Saloon and Boycott Bar.
But in the context of the pandemic, many LGBT travelers are looking for places that offer more than traditional bars and restaurants.
Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale – there are plenty of outdoor-friendly activities to keep you excited. Here are six good reasons to book your next trip to Pedicure Phoenix.
The glory of architecture
From mid-century modern aesthetics to the beauty of local landmarks like the Biltmore, eccentric travelers will find many stunning patterns to ponder. But our favorite architectural attraction here was a visit to Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in Arizona, where he spent his last years in the winter months.
Thanks to Covid’s protocols, the usual tours have been replaced by a wonderful one-hour audio tour called Guided by Wright. The narration is excellent and includes historical excerpts from Wrights speeches on various topics.
Visitors will discover some of the aspects that make this architect’s work so fluid, such as his belief in the harmony between structures and landscape and his practice of using narrow, low entrances to make open spaces feel more spacious.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s incredible Taliesin West is a must-see in the Phoenix area. (Photo: Paul Henie)
Delays in the desert
Friends have praised the botanical gardens in the desert, and they were right. This 140-acre gem has more than 50,000 plants and succulents on display outdoors. Although the gardens usually attract half a million visitors a year, we felt safe walking along the wide paths as we were easily accommodated among other guests.
All kinds of events are organised, from dog nights on Saturday mornings to wine tastings and concert evenings at the weekend. We went to one such concert and the idea was so well thought out that people could stay socially dispersed while listening to a great local band.
The Desert Botanical Garden hosts a variety of events, including. B. Concerts in the gardens on weekends with local bands. (Photo: Paul Henie)
If you have some free time, the Phoenix Zoo is nearby and offers many animal encounters, stingray bay, giraffe encounters, a 4 dimensional theater, etc.
The bonus increase
Phoenix is surrounded by mountains and hills, and you can even sit on a camel mountain in the center of town.
We did a lot of hiking in the beautiful McDowell Mountain Regional Park. The Gateway Trail is a great walk to burn off the margaritas and dessert from the night before, and the view from Tom’s Thumb Trail across the park is one of the most beautiful in the city.
Tom Patsan’s hike in McDowell Mountain Regional Park offers great views of Scottsdale. (Photo: Paul Henie)
Other popular hikes include the Camel Trail, Piestava Peak, and South Mountain Park, although some (the Camel Trail) can be very crowded with hikers, making them less user-friendly. Whatever you choose, from your apartment or hotel room you’ll be at one of the trails in 15-30 minutes, making this activity super affordable and convenient.
Get funky with her
The Musical Instrument Museum, barely ten years old, is a unique and fascinating attraction. Divided into regions of the world, visitors walk through the vast corridors to discover and listen to the musical traditions of each country. As you approach the location, the exhibit detects your audio player and you listen to music through your headphones while a video plays on the big screen.
We spend a few hours there, not only discovering the similarities between the musical styles and instruments of the two continents, but also playing with samples in the fun gallery of experiments. For LGBT families with school-age children, this is an event not to be missed!
Accommodation in abundance
There are so many great resorts in Scottsdale, but two worth mentioning are the funky Valley Ho Hotel and the gorgeous Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. For our last trip, we decided to try something new and booked through Meridian CondoResorts, which specializes in golf packages. Our two-bedroom condo was located in the upscale Curland neighborhood in north Scottsdale and had every amenity imaginable, a fully equipped kitchen, smart TVs in every room, a luxurious pool and hot tub, and a top-notch on-site fitness center.
The pool at Meridian CondoResorts’ luxury condos was a highlight for us. (Photo: Paul Henie)
Arriving at the big day options
Phoenix has a lot to offer, but there are other options within a 3 to 4 hour drive. Tucson is a few hours south, and we enjoyed the Pima Air and Space Museum (mostly outdoors), and hiking and biking in Saguaro National Park. And in the north you can spend a few days in Sedona, Jerome, the Grand Canyon and the Painted Desert. If the hikes around Phoenix get your heart racing, the hikes in Sedona, like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge, are worth the drive up I-17.
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