Travel Diary: March in Arizona
Every year for my birthday I like to take an annual trip. I usually go somewhere I’ve marked on my travel bucket list. Last year was NYC, the year before that was Tulum. It’s a really nice chance to explore new sights and usually a nice break from rainy Portland weather before spring comes around. This year, I decided to visit a dear friend who recently moved back to Phoenix, AZ. It has been a year since we last spent time together and I knew getting out to a warm and sunnier destination was something I needed anyway—so I booked it! In addition to reconnecting with old friends, this birthday trip was also a great chance to reconnect with nature and visit new places. So, in case AZ is on your travel destination list, I put together this handy post as a guide to refer back to when you plan your trip. This post includes some of my favorite places we visited, and the sights we saw throughout my time there. Enjoy!
Food + Bev
Scott Resort / Canal Club
One of my favorite destinations from the trip! I loved it so much here that we came back twice. The Scott resort is a beautifully decorated modern hotel complete with palm-springs feel complete with cozy couches and pools. Canal club is their drink and dining experience; the overall atmosphere being bright and colorful. We came for lunch and brunch on my birthday and I swear if I come back I’m staying as a guest!
Diego Pops
A lot of the establishments in Scottsdale have a modern palm springs vibe going on and Diego Pops fits right within that description. A casual eatery, we came to Diego’s for the corn! Delicious roasted corn on the cob topped with cheese and hot cheeto dust—yes you read that right. A filling snack after brunch that I would definitely eat again.
Růže Cake Shop
Another Scottsdale gem—this place was such a pleasant surprise! We went looking for boba and this spot came up. Little did I know they were also a beautiful sweets shop who also top off their drinks with cotton candy! Loved the atmosphere here and the attention to detail they brought to their products.
Chop Shop
My decision fatigue really jumped out at Chop Shop. A local health-food chain based in AZ, I was blown away by the amazing menu options. I clearly couldn’t decide (see photo of my order) and opted for the turkey club, orange ginger juice and a kale caesar. All were delicious. I also grabbed a coconut chia pudding to eat the next morning—possibly my best decision of the trip.
Sights
Antelope Canyon
This spot needs no introduction, but I do think it’s necessary to shed a little light on this experience because it was easily the highlight of the trip. As soon as I decided I was flying our to Arizona I knew Antelope Canyon was going to be part of the itinerary—a cannot miss destination. We drove about 4hrs outside of Phoenix to take the lower canyon tours with Dixie’s Canyon Tours. The tours take a little over an hour and there are lots of opportunities to stop and take photos. We purchased our tickets ($50 per person) about 2 weeks in advance, just to be sure as most tour companies only offer 3-4 time slots throughout the day and we wanted to be sure we would get in. We also learned upon arrival that they do not allow bags at all (purses backpacks, fannypacks) unless they are 100% clear so keep that in mind when planning the trip. There are a lot of steep staircases and railings you will want to hold onto throughout the tour so make sure you bring a camera that has a strap and wear clothing with pockets to hold any other belongings.
Horseshoe Bend
Another iconic spot that happened to be less than 20 minutes away from Antelope Canyon! Since Horseshoe bend is recognized now as a state landmark, there is much more construction allowing easier access to the sight. You will find there is a $10 parking fee to access the paved lot you can park your car at before beginning the 0.5mi easy and level walk to the site itself. The size of the bend is nothing short of amazing, even with rails nothing obstructs the view and its sheer magnitude. It’s stunning here and I highly recommend stopping by this sight on your way back from the canyon.
That’s it for this post! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or just a comment to let me know if you plan to visit AZ sometime soon.
For more adventures and everyday content, be sure to keep up with me over on my Instagram!
-C
