Who else enjoyed the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last weekend? It sure was fun to watch Tyler Reddick try to steal a win away from Kyle Larson. I thought he was going to do it, but Larson played his winning hand by pulling away in the final lap. Will we see another duel in the desert this weekend at Phoenix Raceway? There are only a few days until we find out.
In the meantime, if you are headed to Phoenix for the races this weekend and are looking for some things to fill your time between on track activity, here are our suggestions!
Attractions
- The Heard Museum showcases Native American art and culture in the U.S. It aims to reveal the cultures of tribes in the region through exhibits, demonstrations, and live performances.
(Photo Credit: The Heard Museum) The museum also displays the work of contemporary Native American artists. Artists demonstrate their work during the week and musicians perform on most weekends. The museum is open every day and you can have lunch at their Courtyard Café, which has a Southwest-inspired menu.
- At more than 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park is one of the largest municipally managed parks in the nation and consists of three mountain ranges. The park boasts more than 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The skyline views and Sonoran Desert flora aren’t the park’s only perks! Look for ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks.
If you are looking for something more family and kid friendly, here are two options:
- One of the nation’s largest non-profit zoos, the Phoenix Zoo is home to over 1,400 animals. Who doesn’t enjoy spending a day seeing lions, monkeys and rhinos? For extra fun, your kids can take a camel ride!
(Photo Credit: David Wagner Photography) - Crayola Experience is the perfect indoor family attraction any day. You can learn all about Crayola’s history as well as immerse yourself in the world of Crayola, with tons of things to do for kids of all ages. Name your own crayon, turn yourself into a coloring page, and more!
(Photo Credit: Crayola Experience Chandler | Facebook)
Restaurants
- If you are a coffee lover like I am, make sure to stop by Fillmore Coffee Co. They house-roast their own beans and offer a coffee flight (you choose four flavors for a sampler board). They also serve breakfast and lunch. I was told they have really great burritos!
(Photo Credit: Fillmore Coffee Co. | Facebook) - The Taco Guild is housed in an old historic church, so be prepared for a really neat eating environment.
(Photo Credit: The Taco Guild | Facebook) I was told their street corn is fantastic with a couple of flavor options. This is the place to go for unique tacos flavors. Who doesn’t want to try duck confit or cherry steak tacos on homemade tortillas? YUM!
- Located in downtown the Kettle Black Kitchen & Pub is a cool place for happy hour and drinks. Their pork belly sliders and pan seared salmon come highly recommended. Also, don’t skip dessert- the brioche bread pudding is a home run!
