A to Z with Zachary E
On May 4th, 2017 I had a bad day at work and realized I wanted more from life than just getting by, I still had my childhood dream to see the world and I wanted to go back to a place I'd seen when I was a child - Phoenix, Arizona. So, I went home and booked a hotel for the end of the month. This was the beginning of my adventures...
Phoenix Sky Harbor
Of course, my very first experience upon landing in Arizona was the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. It's a very nice airport and has become one of my favorites over subsequent visits. Among the many reasons PHX is a great airport is how easy it is to transfer from the SkyTrain to the city's MetroRail.
Howard Johnson Airport Downtown
I really liked this hotel, it wasn't anything extraordinary, but it was clean and affordable. To this day, one of the most cost-effective stays I've had anywhere.
Tempe Beach Park
A beach is not the first thing you would expect to find on a visit to the desert. But this little park sits right there on the border of Tempe and Phoenix, a cool respite in an otherwise arid climate. I've revisited this one a few times since.
Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
One of the most incredible and comprehensive museums I've ever visited, the Hall of Flame Museum is a museum celebrating, commemorating and cataloging firefighters, firetrucks and firefighting. The massive collection of firetrucks from all over are reason enough to stop in and check it out!
Hayden Butte
Hayden Butte is a natural rock formation in Tempe, Arizona with a hiking trail to the top. I made sure to climb it in the morning while it wasn't too hot, as the daytime temperatures were reaching 110 degrees daily.
Papago Park, Hole in the Rock
Papago Park is a beautiful slice of desert with walking paths in Phoenix, Arizona and the Hole in the Rock is a unique rock formation in the park... a literal hole in a large rock, inexplicably looking out over the desert.
Phoenix Zoo
The Phoenix Zoo is a lovely zoo with lots of animals and is a nice place to spend an afternoon. This was my first visit here and I was impressed with layout and all ways to stay cool on a hot day.
Arizona Museum of Natural History
I'm always down to visit a Natural History Museum, especially if there are lots of dinosaurs. I particularly enjoyed the waterfall diorama at the heart of this museum and also, the section of the oldest county jail.
S'edav Va'aki Museum
formerly Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeo​logical Park
A museum and archaeological park with the history of local peoples on display near the Phoenix Airport. The museum was renamed in the years since I visited in June 2017.
Majerles' Sports Grill
A fun spot in downtown Phoenix, Majerle's has delicious food and is famous for its french fries. Owned by former basketball player Dan Majerle.
Metrocenter
A once-famous shopping mall, the Metrocenter was pretty desolate when I visited in 2017 and a Wal-Mart was being constructed next door.
Wells Fargo History Museum
A museum attached to the Wells Fargo bank in downtown Phoenix, the Wells Fargo History Museum is chock full of artifacts and history from the formation of Wells Fargo and the grand traditions of stagecoaches and the Old West.
Phoenix Police Museum
One of my most memorable stops on this trip, the Phoenix Police Museum isn't only full of Phoenix PD history, including the history of Miranda Rights, it is staffed by retired police officers, who were more than happy to show me around and take a few photos for me.
Arizona Center
The Arizona Center is a shopping mall + food court which is built in a fantastic southwestern style, providing shade but also allowing for the inclusion of the brilliant natural light. I stopped in here for some photos and a sandwich.
Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain has fascinated me since I was a small child accompanying my dad on a work trip to Phoenix - all of his coworkers seemed to be climbing it and I always wanted to. So, on this trip I gave it a try. Unfortunately, it proved a bit too much on this outing due to the heat. But, I promised myself to return and reach the summit.
Arizona Science Center
The Arizona Science Center was one of the stops on my list, so when I was tired of being out in the sun, I made my way here for some time indoors. It was very interesting. I took particular interest in the exhibits with the latest research on the maturation and development of the human mind and the exhibit of an actual human heart.
Historic Heritage Square
Historic buildings and streets from Phoenix's past still exist right behind the Arizona Science Center and I had some fun photographing them. It was like stepping back into another time period.
Chase Field
Chase Field is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and while I've not yet been able to catch a game, I did eat at the T.G.I. Friday's restaurant in the stadium on this visit. I was disappointed to learn that the restaurant has since closed.
Downtown & Old Downtown
A selection of photos from Downtown and Old Downtown Phoenix, and the surrounding area, taken over the duration of my visit.
Port of Subs
I almost didn't include this here, but Port of Subs was a revelation, and I loved it so much I had lunch here almost every day I was in town, and most days on return visits. The food was fresh and delicious, the staff was friendly and it was next to the MetroRail station.