We encourage you
to stay for the weekend following the convention
to take advantage of all the Phoenix area
has to offer. Listed below are highlights
of what you can do while in Phoenix.
The Sears-Kay
Ruins: Explore all that remain from
the Hohokam Indian village, dating back approximately
900 years. There is an easy onemile round-trip
hike to this hilltop pueblo ruin with interactive
plaques along the way to explain aspects of
Hohokam culture.
The Desert
Botanical Garden: The Garden displays
more than 20,000 desert plants from around
the world. The Desert Wildflower Trail is
a favorite as colorful wildflowers bloom throughout
most of the year. If you are visiting later
in the day, stay until after dark and catch
the night-blooming flowers and lit cacti.
www.desertbotanical.org
The Phoenix
Zoo: Home to approximately 1,200 animals,
the zoo has collections of mammals, fish,
invertebrates, birds, and reptiles, from the
Arizona desert to the tropics of Colombia
and Indonesia. One of the zoo’s most
impressive displays is the African Savanna
and the baboon colony. The Southwestern exhibits
are also of interest, as are the giant Galápagos
tortoises and the exhibit featuring monkeys
from Central and South America. www.phoenixzoo.org
Phoenix Art
Museum: One of the largest art museums
in the Southwest, the Museum’s collection
includes 17,000 works of art that span the
centuries and the globe. Exhibits include
decorative arts, Spanish colonial furnishings,
historical fashions, religious art and works
by members of the Cowboy Artists of America.
www.phxart.org
Historic Heritage
Square: Here you’ll find a small
collection of the few remaining historic homes
that are still standing in their original
locations. All of these buildings are listed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, they house museums, restaurants and
gift shops. www.phoenix.gov/PARKS/heritage.html
Hot Air Balloon
& Jeep Tours: Hot-air balloon rides
offer unprecedented 360-degree views of the
Valley. A Balloon Experience Hot Air Balloon
Company provides Sonoran Desert flights daily,
year round. (800-831-7610)
A Great American Balloon Co., L.L.C. owns
and operates six balloon ports and also takes
its flight paths over the Sonoran Desert.
(877-933-6359)
If you prefer to stay on the ground, take
a Jeep tour to explore the depths of the desert.
Companies include Wayward Wind Tours/Arizona
Desert Mountain Jeep Tours (800-567-3619)
and Arizona Bound Tours (480-994-0580)
For information on these activities, you
may contact the Concierge Desk at the JW Marriott
Desert Ridge Resort & Spa at 480-293-3989.
Representatives are at the desk from 7 a.m.-9:30
p.m. To find additional activities, please
visit the Greater Phoenix Convention &
Visitors Bureau Website at www.visitphoenix.com
