What to Do? What to Do?

We spent the last week having a staycation. We chose the staycation option in part because we wanted to save money for other travel and in part because we wanted to see more of our city. In hindsight, this was a good choice given the crazy travel conditions of summer 2022.

What did we do? Well, we found that we could do far more than we had time or money to do. We wanted this to be somewhat of a rest, so we did not want to pack our days full. We did end up choosing about one activity a day, though, and here are some faves:

The Museum of Musical Instruments: This was the most spendy activity we did, at $20 a ticket. Twenty dollars got us admissions, headsets that gave us a guided tour, and several hours of activity, so it was worth it. We got to see exhibits with costumes and instruments from famous musicians, as well as instruments across the decades from all of the inhabited continents. This is definitely a fascinating experience. If you want to shell out a little more cash, there is a nice cafe on the grounds, too.

Japanese Friendship Garden:A true jewel in the midst of the desert! Set up in a hide-and-seek fashion, you can't see all of the garden at once. A walk around the three and a half acre property reveals many hidden treasures, as well as landscapes to represent the different regions of Japan. Entrance is only $10 and lasts as long as they are open. Next time, we will bring some books, coffee/tea, and snacks and hang out for awhile, as there are many shaded alcoves that give respite from the heat. As a bonus, the mosquito-eating fish in the koi pond make insects no-nuisance.

Rendezvous Cafe: This homestyle cooking joint located in the Mesa City Center is only open Monday through Thursday, 6 am to 3 pm, but it's worth checking out. The prices are very reasonable. The owner is the cook and even gave us some of her seasoning secrets when we raved about her dishes. The steady stream of regulars coming in and out of the restaurant speaks to the quality of it!

Arizona Biltmore: While I don't think we could ever afford to stay here, it is free to walk around the grounds. This is a Frank Lloyd Wright property, and the landscaping and architecture are awe-inspiring. Note: Dress up a little so you won't feel so out of place. I didn't get this memo and wore a tank top and yoga pants. Wrong attire, but I enjoyed the experience anyway.

Pinnacle Peak hike: This is a mostly reasonable out-and-back trail that wraps around the picturesque peak in Scottsdale. The 1.75 mile trail is moderate until the last 0.25 mile, marked as strenuous. Once you go down, you must come back up, and it's a bit strenuous. All in all, though, it's worth the hike!

Cornish Pasty Co: An Arizona franchise with British flair, this place is the real deal. The ambiance is dark and lovely. The food is delicious. Service was superb. We're already ready to go back and try more!

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We've got a list going of local things to enjoy, but this was what we got to of it this time. Maybe we'll have to have another staycation soon, or have to start trying to do more activities on weekends. We are blessed to have so many great areas to explore in the Phoenix metropolis and want to take advantage of all the opportunities we can!