Out Arizona Way

[ezdays]

Sightseeing III

Let’s talk a bit about sights you can see here in the Phoenix area. Now we’re not talking a few square miles here, the greater Phoenix area is comprised of some of the largest cities in the state. Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Peoria and Surprise are just a few contiguous towns that make up most of the around 4,00,000 population. The Hohokam Indians first inhabited the area as early as 300 BC. They were farmers and there are still some old canals in use today that date back to this tribe. Fortunately, some of their settlements are preserved, one being very close to the downtown area. Go visit the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park on East Washington St. to see what it was like living in the area some 2000 years ago. Or drive south on I-10 to Casa Grande to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument where you’ll see the “Great House” that was abandoned by the tribe around 1450AD and has been a national monument since 1918. Some other local museums to consider visiting are the Heard Museum and the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum; both provide visitors with a unique view of the history of Arizona.

Years ago when we had out-of-town visitors we would always take them on the desert drive between Scottsdale and Carefree. All the different desert plants, trees and cacti were marked with plaques and it was a beautiful drive. You can still go to Carefree and see the huge sundial and some fantastic homes, but don’t look for the plants or their markers now; it’s just one continuous strip of homes, condos and shopping centers. If you want to see the desert plants, it’s best to go to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Papago Park. Here you’ll see hundreds of common and very rare desert plants. There’s always something going on there and it changes with the time of the year that you go. One place you’ll not want to miss is the Pioneer Living History Village, just north of the Carefree Highway on I-17. They have a 90-acre 1800 town of authentic and recreated buildings. See an Opera House where Lilly Langtry sang; visit an old cabin that was part of an Arizona range war. Tour the blacksmith shop and jail and talk to costumed guides for a fun and educational day in the past. Two other old and odd delights are the Mystery Castle near South Mountain Park. This house made of “things” was built back in the 30’s, and is still occupied by the daughter of the man that built it. It is open for tours. Then there’s the “Wedding Cake House,” or Tovrea Castle. Built in 1928 on 300 acres of desert gardens, this Phoenix landmark and about 40 acres or the gardens are now owned by the city. It too is out on E. Washington Street and can be seen while driving on the loop 202 towards Tempe. Restorations are just about complete and you should be able to book a tour with the city soon.

For those who can’t resist going back home with more than they came here with, downtown Scottsdale gives you ample opportunity to do just that. You can find hundreds of old shops with unique arts and crafts, authentic Indian jewelry, clothing and one-of-a-kind furniture. Downtown Scottsdale is going through revitalization. A major canal running through the town is being dubbed as a “River Walk” with restaurants, shops and hotels being built along its banks. We moved away from that area in the late 90’s, so when I took some visitors there a while back and I couldn’t believe the changes I saw, so if you haven’t been there for a while, prepare yourself to be surprised.

One thing I like to do when visiting a new area is to drive around and look at some of the houses. You might want to do that too by starting in Paradise Valley. Here some of the very rich and famous live, mega-million dollar mansions in a town that requires at least a one-acre lot. For some really nice desert homes, drive out to Fountain Hills where most homes are spread out around the desert as well as Carefree with it's unique road names like, Ho-hum Dr., Rambling Dr. and Slumber St. with lots of homes and businesses in real Western desert setting.

Just one more addition come Oct 23rd, while in Scottsdale, you can stop by the worlds largest White Castle, now being built in a shopping area on the Pima Indian Reservation specifically to accommodate those that miss their slider fix. While there, you can go to the nearby casinos if you wish, but you can do that just about anywhere now days.