I started my Arizona trip in the Old Town area of Scottsdale. This tourist area is full of shopping and dining.  The area is broken into different sections on both sides of the canal. I mainly explored the south side of the canal which includes the arts district, 5th avenue shopping, Historic Old Town, and Southbridge. While I pursued several stores, the aspect of Old Town that I really enjoyed was the public art scene.  From trash cans and benches to grand sculptures, the art added vibrancy to the town.

A walk along the Scottsdale canal was a nice way to get away from the crowds a little bit and enjoy the play between water, nature, and architecture. The Soleri Bridge that spans the canal is a work of art in itself. Designed by Paolo Soleri, the bridge was constructed at the true north axis so it can also serve as a solar calendar.  Paolo Soleri is also the mind behind Arcosanti (see “Immersing Myself in Arizona” for information). The bridge also includes a large plaza for community gatherings, so the city often hosts markets and festivals around this spot.

I also made a quick stop at the Old Adobe Mission: the oldest church in Scottsdale was handmade by the Mexican immigrants who settled in the area in the early 1900s. The Spanish revival design is simple and unadorned, allowing the beautiful stained glass windows to shine. 

I continued my art adventures by walking around the Phoenix murals. While there are murals all over the city of Phoenix, there is a large concentration of them in the Roosevelt Row section of town. Roosevelt Row Arts District is made up of murals around every corner as well as small galleries, stores, and breweries. I especially enjoyed the 1 ½  Street Mural Project: Phoenix’s unofficially “Mural Alley” &  Xico: a community art space that works to promote the Latinx and Indigenous people of Americas. I was not lucky enough to be there for their First Friday Art Walk, but with over 70 participating galleries and venues, it is said to be one of the largest in the country. 

However, I was lucky enough to be in the area for the Desert Botanical Garden’s annual Las Noches de las Luminarias. The event featured lighted walkways, lights throughout the plants, lighted sculptures, a variety of live music, and food and drink options.  As I walked through the gardens, the night came alive. Because both the music and lights varied from section to section, the atmosphere changed from place to place.  The luminarias event is also a way for people to celebrate their lost loved ones with dedicated candles set along the path. The whole night was peaceful, magical, and immersive. 

My visit also coincided with New Years Eve, so I took advantage of the warm weather to spend the night outside celebrating with the New Year’s Eve block party on Mill Avenue in Tempe.  It required a ticket, but for all of the options within the gated space, the price was worth it. The block party was crowded and loud with several live bands, numerous food stands, and interactive games. Most of the neighboring bars and restaurants were packed. At midnight, they set off a fireworks display. It was a fun, intense night – something that was perfect for New Year’s Eve.

I started New Year’s day with a short hike up the A at ASU (Hayden Butte Preserve). While it’s not a long or hard hike (less than a mile round trip), it is fun to see Tempe from above. The path is rocky and steep at times, but features steps and railings for parts of it. After a late night out, it was a good way to wake up and start the new year. 

Another nice hike just to the west of Phoenix is Lost Dutchman State Park, which includes trails around Inspiration Mountain. The 2 ½ mile Treasure Loop trail went part way up the mountain to a picnic ledge for some lovely views of the area. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen because there is very little shade on these desert hikes. 

While I didn’t spend a lot of time in Phoenix proper, the art and nature of the outlying urban area filled up my time pretty easily.