Welcome to the Valley of the Sun.
Yes, you live here, but when did you last explore where you live?
Sometimes when you live somewhere, you get caught up in life's day-to-day. You get set in a routine, visiting favorite locales, eating at the same restaurants, and staying close to your home.
So, take a day—or more—and play tourist in your town. There’s so much to see and do—and no airline flight is required.
Cosanti
Tour this destination, which was the home and studio of architect and urban designer Paolo Soleri (1919-2013). Soleri was known for his concept of “arcology,” a blend of architecture and ecology. View the unique spaces, and watch as artisans still hand-make Soleri’s world-famous Cosanti Originals windbells. Paradise Valley; Cosanti.com
Dolly Steamboat
Take a steamboat cruise of the secluded inner waterways of Canyon Lake aboard the Dolly Steamboat. Choose from a scenic tour, a twilight dinner cruise, an astronomy tour, or the Game & Fish Bighorn Sheep Cruise (Arizona Game and Fish biologists join guests on this one). The tours range from 1.5 to 3 hours each. Learn the legends and lore of the area as you take in the stunning scenery. Tortilla Flat; DollySteamboat.com
Rosson House
Step back into Victorian times at this home, located on Block 14 of the original townsite of Phoenix. The Rosson House—named for its owners Dr. Roland Lee Rosson (who was the mayor of Phoenix) and his wife, Flora Murray Rosson—was built between 1894 and 1895 by architect A. P. Petit. The now-fully restored Queen Anne Victorian house is a museum, with tours available Wednesday through Sunday. Downtown Phoenix; HeritageSquarePHX.org
Rainbow Ryders
See the sights from above as you float above Phoenix in a hot air balloon with Rainbow Ryders. Start your day with a sunrise flight (sunset flights are available from November through March only). You’ll launch just after the sun comes up. Upon landing, you’ll celebrate the experience with a celebratory toast and receive a commemorative flight certificate. RainbowRyders.com
Organ Stop Pizza
The state’s oldest pizza restaurant also has another huge claim to fame—it is one of only two remaining pizza and pipes restaurants in the United States. And, its pipes are the massive 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, which is the largest and most valuable theater organ in the world. The restaurant, which offers pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads, seats 700, and the theatrical performances, performed by professional organists, is complete with a light show, dancing cat puppets, a disco ball, and bubbles. Songs range nighty from classical music and Disney favorites to pop and rock hits. Mesa; OrganStopPizza.com