Springtime in Phoenix is Mother Nature’s pièce de résistance. The sun is shining and the temperature is glorious – warm but not scorching. It’s like she purposely used her magical powers to ensure a yearly moment of perfection.This is not to say that winter is intolerable in Phoenix. Hardly. When it’s snowing and blowing up north, the city aptly nicknamed “Valley of the Sun” remains an alfresco paradise. But spring is a special gift that brings with it unlimited opportunities to celebrate the season outdoors, and here are some of our favorite different activities in Phoenix to do so!
Desert Botanical Gardens
Meander through the 140 acres of winding paths that showcase the world’s finest collection of desert plants. From huge saguaros to the most delicate of flowers, this garden features more than 50,000 arid plants. There are five themed trails that focus on issues like conservation, desert living, wildflowers and the people of the Sonoran Desert.
Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden was designed as a sanctuary to promote tranquility and provide and escapes from the stress of everyday life. The unique landscaping, waterfalls, koi ponds and tea house focus on relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind, body, and spirit. Visitors may stroll at their leisure through the meditative 3.5-acre oasis.
Named Ro Ho En – Japanese words for heron, Phoenix bird and garden – the garden is a joint project between the city of Phoenix and its sister city, Himeji, Japan.
S'edav Va'aki Museum
The S’edav Va’aki Musuem, formerly the Pueblo Grande Museum, is an archeological site once inhabited by the Hohokam people. As the gateway to Phoenix’s rich cultural history, the museum is focused on creating experiences that link past with present and promote understanding, appreciation and respect.
Lowell Observatory
From Phoenix, hop in the car and in a couple of hours you’ll be in Flagstaff, home of the 125-year-old Lowell Observatory. Known as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, Flagstaff has a star-studded sky that will delight and amaze. If you take one of the observatory’s guided tours on a clear night, you can gaze at the moon, planets, or deep sky objects through the giant Clark refractor, built in 1986. It’s an out of this world experience.
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
One of the many benefits of choosing an Overture senior apartment community in Phoenix is the long list of attractions for the grandkids. Set in the Verde Valley, with the Mingus Mountains as its backdrop, The Out of Africa Wildlife Park is a fan favorite they won’t want to miss. Designed to create a close encounter with the wild animal kingdom, this unique animal sanctuary offers shows like Tiger Splash and Predator Feed, as well as an immersive safari tour that will bring you and kids up close and personal with animals in the wild. It will knock your grandkids socks off – and guarantee they will be visiting you regularly. That’s what you call a grandparent win/win.
Phoenix Zoo
Of course, the little ones will also love the Phoenix Zoo, a popular area attraction since 1962. You’ll want to make a day of it, exploring over 3,000 animals including Bornean orangutans, Asian elephants, Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons, and Masai giraffes.
Restaurant Week
With all that fresh air and sunshine, you're bound to work up an appetite. If you’re lucky, you’ll find yourself in Phoenix during restaurant week in May. Get ready to experience culinary talents that are out of this world for prices that are not. For 10 days – yes, they call it a week, but it’s really 10 days – you can enjoy specially crafted menus designed to showcase the work of chefs from five-star restaurants as well as fabulous hidden gems. A three-course menu will run anywhere from $33 to $55 per person. A delicious deal!
Book a tour at an Overture senior apartment complex in Phoenix today. Your community is already having fun in the sun. The only thing missing is you.
When it comes to Phoenix, Mother Nature sure knew what she was doing.