You won’t need a sleeping potion here. “The coyotes will howl you to sleep,” my driver joked as he picked me up at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for the short drive to the historic Wigwam, a storied resort I last visited as a child. I was eager to return, to stay in the resort’s adobe casitas and wander its acres of Sonoran Desert landscape. Despite the driver’s coy warnings, I gazed at the otherworldly saguaros standing like sentinels, their arms raised to the sky. They dotted the roadside and softened the horizon all the way to purple-tinged Camelback Mountain, a premier hiking destination that gleamed in the sun. Enormous pinkish boulders, seemingly ancient, scattered across the desert like oversized petrified tennis balls. A roadrunner zipped across the highway and the driver laughed, “At least it wasn’t a Gila monster.”
The Greater Phoenix Area, the Sunbelt’s gem, sits in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and is framed by surrounding mountain ranges. Spanning more than 500 square miles and home to roughly 5 million people, the region includes 24 distinct municipalities, from upscale Scottsdale to lively Tempe, home to Arizona State University and its Sun Devils athletics.
Phoenix blends a lively urban scene with a strong outdoor culture, attracting retirees, entrepreneurs, athletes, snowbirds, families and young professionals alike. Outdoor options are abundant: nearly 200 city parks, more than 30,000 acres of desert preserves and hundreds of miles of trails invite early-morning activity to beat the heat. Whether guests prefer horseback riding, biking, trail running, or playing a round of golf, the area offers endless ways to stay active. Luxury resorts, spas and pools add options for relaxation, making Phoenix a well-rounded choice for business travelers and groups.
PHOTO: © WREN & WOLF
For early risers, a sunrise hot-air balloon ride over the desert or an early tee time sets a memorable tone. Afterward, enjoy a power breakfast or a leisurely weekend brunch at The Henry, known for its Bloody Mary cart, cinnamon swirl French toast and California burrito with Havarti. Local professionals also favor Wren & Wolf for inventive dishes like cheddar broccolini quiche or a grilled chicken chopped salad with dates.
Phoenix has earned a reputation for standout Mexican cuisine—Gallo Blanco is a casual favorite for lunch, while Bacanora highlights Sonoran specialties and signature cocktails. The city also takes steaks seriously: The Stockyards Steakhouse has served 24-ounce, bone-in ribeyes since 1947, and Durant’s, set in a pink stucco house, has been welcoming locals for classic martinis and hearty dinners since 1950. Pizzeria Bianco, which began in a grocery storefront in the 1980s, is often credited with helping popularize artisanal, wood-fired pizza in the United States.
Cultural attractions include the Phoenix Art Museum, which houses a collection of some 20,000 works spanning multiple periods and cultures and offers public and private group tours. The Heard Museum celebrates Indigenous art and culture and has drawn visitors for decades. For a contemporary, local experience, The Churchill—a community of food, shops and entertainment built from shipping containers—offers a lively scene, while Old Town Scottsdale remains a go-to area for boutiques and galleries.
© VISIT PHOENIX / @EMITOMS
As the day winds down, consider a sunset horseback ride—Cave Creek Trail Rides is a popular option—or a restorative spa treatment at a five-star property such as the Arizona Biltmore or The Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Many venues provide dramatic sunset views, perfect for toasting a productive day.
Phoenix’s cocktail scene is creative and well suited to winding down. Quartz offers cocktails inspired by gemstones and geology, blending mixology with imaginative presentation. Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlour occupies what was once the Arizona Prohibition Headquarters and serves inventive drinks in a theatrical setting. Little Rituals is known for playful presentations, including the Big City Nights cocktail served with a nod to the bar’s Phoenix-themed mural.
I left the Valley of the Sun without ever hearing a coyote’s howl. After days of exploration at a brisk pace, I didn’t need a lullaby from a roaming creature to sleep soundly—just a comfortable bed. The Wigwam provided exactly that, a fitting end to a visit filled with desert landscapes, lively dining, cultural stops and outdoor adventure.