Recently, I had the chance to travel to one of my favorite cities in the nation- Phoenix, the capital of Arizona!
It’s amazing to think that Arizona only became a state in 1912. It truly is an oasis in the middle of the desert. Adding to its wonder are some new city improvements that have helped travelers like me get from point A to point B a little bit smoother.
About two years ago, the skytrain was officially opened to the world, eliminating the need of waiting for a shuttle bus to the rental car facility. Now, there’s an easy access point between the rental car facility and the terminals. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport dubs itself “America’s Friendliest Airport”, an interesting moniker especially when one thinks of the deep south for America’s hospitality.
When driving around Phoenix, be on the lookout for the white crossover SUVs that have an odd looking bubble on the roof. These vehicles are owned by the company Waymo, and they’re actually self-driving cars! While at the airport, I saw numerous passengers getting in and out of the Waymos which can be ordered by using the Uber or Waymo app. It is a fascinating sight to be driving down the road and pull up to a driverless car at the intersection. I kept waiting for an invisible driver to acknowledge and wave at me that I was next to make my turn at the stop, but alas, it never came.
If you’re in the mood for great food, live music, and a super fun atmosphere, I highly recommend stopping for lunch in Old Town in Scottsdale. I had lunch at Dirk Bentley’s restaurant right in the heart of Old Town, a delicious chicken Caesar wrap which included the unique twist of fresh corn – loved the spin on that, and I look forward to the opportunity to eat it again someday soon.
Phoenix is also home to Cold Stone Creamery! Even in Spring, it is not uncommon to have a triple digit heat day, as I did on my trip. A great local way to cooldown is to enjoy a Cold Stone creation- my personal recommendation? Strawberry shortcake. Cold Stone even gave mine a savory birthday cake remix!
The city is a clear growing metropolis, and I met many Midwesterners who have relocated to the Phoenix area during my visit. It was not uncommon to see restaurants based in Chicago having locations open in the Phoenix area.
Additionally, Phoenix is surrounded by mountains, so it’s easy to get one’s bearings. One of the most famous mountains is known as Camelback Mountain. Just look for the traditional camel’s hump and you will know where that mountain is located. And right at the base of the mountain is Scottsdale, which I wholeheartedly recommend as a must check out spot!