🇺🇸 Phoenix Day Trip

I actually stayed for two days (almost extended due to a flight cancellation 😅), but one day is enough to cover the highlights! 🌵 Desert Botanical Garden 🎫 $35 Originally planned to visit Saguaro National Park, but the 3+ hour round trip from Phoenix was too long. This garden was a perfect alternative! Simple trails with great views, giant saguaros, and the world’s largest cactus species—the cardon 🌵✨. 🍩 Hole in the Rock - Papago Park Located near the botanical garden — easy to combine both! Ancient sandstone weathered by wind and water forms porous, textured surfaces (like terra cotta for succulents 🪴). A short trail leads to the cave overlooking Phoenix 🏙️. 🔔 Cosanti Even though I stayed overnight at Arcosanti, I still visited their Phoenix studio. Wind chimes sing through bronze bells, and the colorful tiles are stunning 🎨. A square tile embedded in a plain wall would add unique charm—breaking uniformity with a touch of restless energy. Fridge magnets: $20 (pricey but one-of-a-kind!) Practical choice: I bought a $30 circular tile that doubles as a coaster 😉. 🏫 ASU (Arizona State University) Huge campus! The art museum is free 🆓, but the main draw is the architecture itself. Exhibitions are limited—wrap up in an hour. Phoenix Art Museum (nearby) is the real gem—features Yayoi Kusama’s installation art! Heard Museum (Native American art): Visited the gift shop for turquoise rings 💍—no luck, but the courtyard café was super chill ☕. #Phoenix #WestUSATravel #HiddenGems #GiantCactus #BotanicalGarden #USRoadTrip 🇺🇸✨