🌵 Phoenix, Arizona Travel Guide ✨

Drove 5.5 hours from Los Angeles to Phoenix, Arizona! 🚗💨 Visited in late March—daytime temps around 30°C, very dry! Make sure to bring moisturizer, sunscreen, and plenty of water! 💧☀️ This was a 4-day, 3-night trip. Here’s my review in order of visits: 🌵 Papago Park 🌟🌟🌟 A free municipal park featuring the famous Desert Botanical Garden and Hole in the Rock 🪨, plus a beautiful desert oasis where you can fish, bike, or relax under palm trees. 🏝️ It’s a 5-minute walk from the parking lot to Hole in the Rock—decent views overlooking the city, especially at sunset! 🌆 🌵 Desert Botanical Garden 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Located inside Papago Park, this garden is packed with plants from the Southwest desert. 🌵✨ The landscaping is neat and artistic, with plenty of restrooms, food, and drink spots. They host various exhibits and interactive activities, including a free butterfly exhibit 🦋—great for families with kids or seniors! Educational and relaxing. 🌵 Lost Dutchman State Park 🌟🌟 Less than an hour’s drive from Phoenix. A quiet, less-crowded park—entry is $20 per vehicle. 🚗💵 However, about 2/3 of the park is reserved for camping. Without camping, there’s not much to do besides a few short trails. Pretty small overall. 🌵 Sedona 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Way more tourists than expected! 🧭 Most attractions and trailheads had limited parking—go early! Chapel of the Holy Cross had the worst parking situation ⛪😅—the view outside was more impressive than the chapel itself. We hiked two shorter trails due to the heat: Secret Slickrock Trail (0.8 mi) Bell Rock Loop Trail (1.9 mi) Highly recommend Bell Rock—easier path, more shade, stunning mountain views! 🏞️❤️ Also visited Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village 🎨—full of galleries, restaurants, and boutiques in a historic, artsy setting. 🌵 Old Town Scottsdale 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Loved the souvenir and craft shops here! 🛍️ Lots of Native American and desert-themed goods—well-made and unique. Perfect for picking up decorative items and gifts! #USATravel #Arizona #VisitArizona #ArizonaTravel #DesertVibes #Phoenix