[Phoenix, AZ, Feb 22 – Mar 1, 2025,]

Are you’re running low on vacation days and/or live in a colder climate? Spending a week in Phoenix, AZ while working from there can be a great way to soak up some vitamin D without putting a dent in your PTO balance. That’s exactly what we did when we found ourselves in Phoenix for a Saturday night wedding in February 2025. We extended our trip to the following Saturday, which gave us a full day on Sunday and 5 weeknights to explore.

We stayed at the Hyatt House Tempe near ASU, and we loved having a full kitchen and the campus nearby to walk/run on. Several lunch breaks were taken at the outdoor pool on the top floor.

Sunday – Sedona and Montezuma Castle

I hadn’t been to Sedona since Thanksgiving 2016, and have been wanting to come back and hike ever since. The drive from Phoenix is about 2.5 hours. There are many popular hikes so it was not easy to pick one, but I finally decided on Devil’s Bridge.

There are two different routes to Devil’s bridge – via Dry Creek Road or from Mescal Trailhead via Chuckwagon Trail. Dry Creek Road is open to 4×4 vehicles and it’s not pleasant at all but parking there is free and no passes are required. I recommend starting from the Mescal trailhead instead but you’ll need a Red Rock Pass if you park there. To get the best of both worlds, park at Dry Creek but take the Chuckwagon trail instead of the road. We took Chuckwagon trail up and Dry Creek Road down to make our own loop.

To avoid dealing with these packed parking lots altogether, we took the #11, Dry Creek Vista/Mescal shuttle from the SR-89A Park & Ride. This is the most convenient way if you’re coming from Phoenix and don’t want to go into Sedona itself.

On the way back to Phoenix, we went to Montezuma Castle National Monument. It preserves a set of well-preserved cliff dwellings. The Sinagua people built them between AD 1100 and 1425. I had visited the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park in 2023, and I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to see another one! Be sure to check the hours, as last entry is typically at 4:45 pm.

Monday – Old Town Scottsdale

If you’re looking for Old West charm with modern urban amenities, Old Town Scottsdale fits the bill. The vibrant mix of cute boutiques, great restaurants, art galleries and nightlife venues make this walkable area a pleasure to spend a few hours in. We had dinner in this area and did some shopping. There are several museums in this area as well.

Tuesday – Hole in the Rock in Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden

Papago Park and the Desert Botanical garden are right next to each other, making for a fun-packed evening outside. The Hole in the Rock trail is short but scenic.

We arrived a few hours before sunset to beat the crowds, and to leave time for the botanical garden, which was open till 8 pm.

Wednesday – Wrigley Mansion, Arizona Biltmore Hotel

Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr built this mansion between 1929 and 1931. It sits atop a knoll with great views of Phoenix. You can take a self-guided tour inside the mansion. Scan the QR codes on the tiny plaques found in most of the rooms to learn more about that specific room. Grab a drink at the bar on the main level, or even stay for dinner – there are two restaurants on the property.

Nearby is the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, which Wrigley also owned. It’s easy to see both while you’re in the area. Famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright worked on the Arizona Biltmore, so this is also a chance to see his work before you visit his Phoenix home and studio, Taliesin West.

Thursday – Taliesin West

I first learned about Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory when I visited the King Kamehameha Golf clubhouse in Maui, which is based on his designs. Taliesin West is a must for anyone interested in architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, too! The hours make it a little hard to visit if you’re working during the day. Double check the self-guided tour times though – some months, the first tour is as early as 9 am, which is what I did. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Friday – Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix Art Museum is open till 8 pm Wednesday-Friday, which makes it easy to visit after work. The Thorne Miniature Rooms, one of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirror rooms, Greatest Fits Vol 1 (fashion) and Carlos Amorales’ Black Cloud were our favorites.