For two people who don’t gamble, it’s funny how much Aron and I have come to love a quick getaway to Las Vegas. It’s just a 90-minute flight from Sacramento, but it’s a bit like a trip back in time—we get to visit lots of our restaurants from years spent in Los Angeles and New York, and we get to revisit that pre-kid life a bit, too (all the while knowing that our kids are plenty happy to get extra time with grandparents). We tend to keep to a fairly similar itinerary on most visits, but we discovered a few new things on this trip…
Aron and I are headed off for a kid-free weekend in Las Vegas and I can’t wait! Is it wrong that I’m especially excited for Shake Shack?! The kids have the next two Mondays off from school, so we don’t even completely miss out on family-time by going away. When we get back, we’ll make Valentines for their classes on Tuesday. Are you ready for Valentine’s Day next week?
In “5 Things,” I’ll ask locals from cities all over the world to share insider travel tips on where to eat, shop, stay, and play in their neighborhoods (plus, what to pack to make the adventure complete). This week, Rachel Whitehouse, a blogger and consultant at Maison Blanc, shows us around Phoenix, Arizona.
The Valley of the Sun is home to an awesome mix of warm desert breeze, soaring palms and saguaros, majestic mountains, Hollywood-worthy pools, inspiring architecture, and contemporary art. Cool boutiques abound; the culinary landscape is impressive; and resorts serve as oases for locals and travelers alike. Phoenix is ideally suited for year-round outdoor activity (whether for nature enthusiasts or fairway lovers), or al fresco shopping with a locally-roasted coffee in hand. And if you need some pampering, we have plenty of spas!
Phoenix has grown and changed and really come into its own in the past 15 years. The city manages to maintain a cowboy charm, while welcoming a burgeoning modern, metropolitan culture-scene. There are so many lovely pockets in this city: Charming, well-established neighborhoods; up-and-coming hotspots; corridors with urban vibes; and plenty of family appeal.
And it’s especially good for food lovers and coffee connoisseurs.
