By defending Sunday, one defends human freedom..threatened by a kind ‘bullying’ by the demands of work. ~ Pope Benedict XVI #quote
Phoenix, Arizona is one of my top 5 favorite cities and one that I gratefully call home. Consider yourself invited to enjoy this wonderful place, and when you do, here are a few places, activities, and tips to consider.
1. Pack light. It’s casual here and hot most of the year. Take advantage of this and leave behind anything heavy and formal.
2. Shop around and stay at the hotel that gives you the best rate. Ask for discounts (military, AAA, etc.) and be persistent, especially off-season. This weekend we stayed at the Sheraton, which has yummy pastries and breakfast burritos at their Link Cafe. We also enjoy staying at the Hyatt Regency and for something more intimate, The Palomar Phoenix. We’re eager to give the Renaissance a try, too.
3. Go to the Heard Museum. This is one of my favorite museums in the country! It’s mission is:
The mission of the Heard Museum is to educate people about arts, heritage and life ways of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, with an emphasis on American Indian tribes of the Southwest.
The HM is welcoming, user-friendly, and gorgeous. The way they smoothly organize many small artifacts is impressive and the building in which it is housed is just as much a historical artifact as all that it protects. The architecture blends seamlessly with the museum’s mission. Priced right, located downtown, and free parking make this a must-see.
3. Eat anywhere! Really, the eats are that good in Phoenix. For location convenience consider Networks Bar and Grill. The food is delicious and priced right, but they are chronically understaffed which equals long waits. Most museums, like Heard, and venues, like Chase Field, have cafe’s or full-blown restaurants with great food at great prices. A favorite breakfast place is Matt’s Big Breakfast which was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.
4. Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, is truly home for our family. Yes, we’re wild about baseball but even if you aren’t baseball fans (but do consider trying) you’ll visit an amazing facility that is air-conditioned, has a retracting roof for pleasant weather (the pic shows the roof in the process of opening) and offers many options to make your visit comfortable and fun. Check out these glowing reviews for Chase Field at Trip Advisor to include “Best Family Friendly Ball Park in the Country.”
5. There are many places of worship downtown that have spiritual and historical significance. We attend St. Mary’s Basilica and are swept heavenward by the beautiful high rising cathedral ceilings, the glistening stained glass, and all the beautiful architectural details. This community is very welcoming, inclusive, and comfortable. And their choir is angelic with a truly amazing organist plus male and female voices singing in perfect harmony.
While I feel that I can’t do Phoenix justice due to my photography and eloquence limits, I hope that my love for the city makes up for it and spills out into this post. In addition to the city herself, the parallel reason our family enjoys our time in Phoenix is because we are together. That simple. We’re doing things we love without pressure and away from our usual duties and commitments. Families need such time to focus, relax, and reenergize. Year round, Phoenix provides us with a much appreciated safe haven for our family.
What are your favorite cities? Why? Do you travel as a family? What are your favorite travel tips?
Sending Arizona sunshine to all friends ❤ ~~~~~~~~ Angie Mc
Family Love Does More 
I have never been to Phoenix but it looks like a great family vacation spot. My two favorite places to visit are Napa Valley, CA for the wine, food and beauty and Sante Fe/Taos for the spectacular art work and pottery.
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I love Napa Valley; gorgeous! And I still need to get to Sante Fe. Maybe in the fall? Thanks, Jovina 🙂
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Soudn like a beautiful place that I would love to visit one day, Angie.
I hope you and your family are doing great,
Sending you my best wishes, as always,
Aquileana 🙂
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We’re very fortunate to have visited many lovely places in this country. I haven’t traveled internationally, yet, but hope to get to Europe, especially Rome, some day. Do you travel often Aquileana? Thanks always ❤
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Hi Angie…
I travel from time to time. I have been in beautiful places in America, such as USA (just Florida), Mexico, Brazil and Dominican Republic.
I also went to Europe, but Just France /Paris( and England (London)…
It is a wide world, isn´t it… I´d love to go back to the States and visit your whole country…And so many other places!
Thnaks for sharing, Angie.
I hope you are having a great day over there,
Aquileana 😛
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What lovely places you have visited, Aquileana! I have the travel bug now 🙂 Today is a great day and I hope yours is as well ❤
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I hope to visit U.S.A. in the near future and I will love to include Phoenix in my list of sights to check out. Well done Angie 🙂 Wishing you all a great and memorable family retreat!! 🙂
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Oh yes, please do! And thank you for your encouragement. This post took a bit longer than usual for me to write. I guess I won’t become a travel writer, lol 🙂 Happy Wednesday, shade!
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Hi there! I’m Heather and I have a question regarding your blog that I was wondering if you would be able to answer! If you could email me at Lifesabanquet1(at)gmail(dot)com I would greatly appreciate it 🙂
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Hmmmm…. http://catchingkellen.wordpress.com/about/ and http://www.amandajanejonesblog.com/2013/02/were-having-girl-sweet-baby-girl.html and http://mjohnson101.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/590/ . Letting this comment and reply stand for the benefit of new bloggers 🙂
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I’m happy to hear you and the family had a great time. Sounds and looks very inviting. Hopefully the Diamondbacks faired well during your visit. Thanks Angie for sharing.
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My poor Diamondbacks are suffering this season, Sylvester! But Saturday night when we attended they had a record-breaking night against Kershaw and the Dodgers http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/05/17/dbacks-score-record-18-runs-against-dodgers-in-rout/ YAY!
Happy weekend…we’ll be (mostly) home 🙂
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Wow! That was a breakout night with the bats and runs. Have a happy memorial day weekend : )
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Someday I hope to get to Phoenix and when I do, I will check out some of the places you recommend, and maybe even get to visit you. 🙂
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Lived there for eleven years. 🙂
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Tis the season to love it, Kev! Do you ever visit? Not in August, I bet 😀
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I was there in both May and Sept of 2012 🙂
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Smart man!
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