Spring vacations in Phoenix come alive with sunny-day shopping, mountain hikes and dinners under the setting sun. Book a spring hotel in Phoenix and indulge in its seasonal pleasures.With its mild dry weather, spring breaks in Phoenix draw many baseball fans. No less than nine major-league teams work out their winter kinks in one of the stadiums around Phoenix, including the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and the Seattle Mariners. Spend an afternoon under the sun, with an ice-cold beer and bag of buttery popcorn and watch rising young stars and seasoned players gear up for regular season play.
Discover Mother Nature’s beauty on a hike up Camelback Mountain. Rocky paths, dotted with stately cacti, lead to the summit, where a sweeping view of the Phoenix skyline unfolds. Marvel at the scarlet-hued formations of sandstone on a bike ride through the desert paths of Papago Park. At Desert Botanical Gardens, stroll amid colorful wildflowers on the Desert Wildflower Trail or see live butterflies flutter about in the butterfly pavilion. Be sure to stay until after dark to see the night-blooming flowers and the haunting silhouettes of illuminated cacti. Golfers can tee up amidst red-mountain majesty. Then there’s the awesome Phoenix sunset, which puts on a splendid light show imbued with hues of red, orange and purple.
On the first weekend in March, Phoenix ushers in the spring at the Heard Museum with a celebration of the area’s American Indian heritage. Artists sell colorful handmade jewelery, beadwork, pottery, paintings and sculpture. Sample Hopi piki bread and Apache corn soup. Lively traditional dance performances, storytelling and music round out the entertainment.
Shoppers on a Phoenix spring break should make the trek to the Scottsdale Waterfront. A jumble of local haute couture boutiques and stylish chains line the canal, including the funky boutiques in the Mix Shops. A short walk away is Scottsdale Fashion Square, where Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Gucci tempt fashionistas to browse under its retractable roof. On the way back to your Phoenix hotel, stop in Old Town Scottsdale to browse Southwest-inspired gifts, clothing and art housed in 19th-century single-level brick storefronts.
Unwind during a Phoenix spring break at a day spa. At Revive in Phoenix, try soothing desert sage rituals, wander in the herb garden or book a spa loft for two. Join the celebrities who go to the Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale for enticing body wraps, therapeutic massages and its stunning setting. Also in Scottsdale, bougainvillea-draped gazebos nestle next to shimmering pools in the shadow of towering red mountain spires at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa.
Enjoy sunsets over towering red mountain spires and Asian-inspired American cuisine out on the patio at elements, or go inside to soak up the ambiance of the sophisticated Zen-like interior. Come to Chelsea’s Kitchen, on the banks of a canal, for tuna tacos or drinks out on its patio bar, where there’s a cosy wood-burning fireplace. For light dining and people watching, stop at one of the many cafés along the Scottsdale Waterfront, after an afternoon of strolling and shopping.
