'm thinking you'd enjoy the current Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens... The gardens themselves are worth the effort as you get a nice cross section of plant life from the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mohave deserts. Add the Chihuly glass sculptures and you get a great outing.. best enjoyed in the early evening given the current weather patterns..
If this is your first trip to the Southwest, Sedona is recommended. A short walk at Red Rock Crossing and lots of fine dining opportunities as well as a lot of great art galleries. Add in the spiritualist atmosphere and it's an altogether great outing.
..and, of course, if this is your first trip to the Southwest, missing the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon would be close to criminal. maybe see if you can pick up some activity in Flagstaff to warrant spending an evening and pop up to the Canyon from there.
The Valley has Old Scottsdale to offer but other than that, it's a soulless expanse of asphalt and concrete with little history and less culture 
I would not say it is "soulless" but there is not the same number of cultural activities as New York, but a quick drive up to Cave Creek to see some of the local crafts and have some coffee at one of the many coffee shops would be a good time. Therevis also the Cosanti bell shop in PVP. They are wonderful bells and sound great in a nice breeze. The gardens are beautiful and are worth a visit though.
Posted By: LoboGris
I'm thinking you'd enjoy the current Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens... The gardens themselves are worth the effort as you get a nice cross section of plant life from the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mohave deserts. Add the Chihuly glass sculptures and you get a great outing.. best enjoyed in the early evening given the current weather patterns..
If this is your first trip to the Southwest, Sedona is recommended. A short walk at Red Rock Crossing and lots of fine dining opportunities as well as a lot of great art galleries. Add in the spiritualist atmosphere and it's an altogether great outing.
..and, of course, if this is your first trip to the Southwest, missing the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon would be close to criminal. maybe see if you can pick up some activity in Flagstaff to warrant spending an evening and pop up to the Canyon from there.
The Valley has Old Scottsdale to offer but other than that, it's a soulless expanse of asphalt and concrete with little history and less culture
Posted By: LoboGris
I'm thinking you'd enjoy the current Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens... The gardens themselves are worth the effort as you get a nice cross section of plant life from the Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mohave deserts. Add the Chihuly glass sculptures and you get a great outing.. best enjoyed in the early evening given the current weather patterns..
Sadly enough I feel like the Chihuly exhibit is not how it was years ago. They don't have as many of his pieces around the gardens as they did back in 2010 or so. Don't get me wrong...it's still lovely to see.
I would suggest that if you go to the Chihuly exhibit go when the butterflies have arrived.
Considering the length of your stay:
Rent a car, drive up to Sedona, and spend a night up there if your appointment schedule allows it.
If not, get up early and make the drive. About 90 minutes each way. Along the way, you must stop at Cordes Junction and see Arcosanti, the futurist vision of Paolo Soleri.
Excellent suggestion for the Desert Botanical Garden and the Chihuly exhibit. Try to go there late afternoon before sunset and stay for the exhibit lighting.
Scottsdale area: Musical Instrument Museum. 4725 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix. Many amazing exhibits from around the globe. You may not be able to make it all the way through.
Cosanti Bell Studio: 6433 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Paradise Valley. The local sales location for Paolo Soleri's studio.
Hermosa Inn: 5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley. LON's is a lovely restaurant, and beautiful boutique hotel.
Sanctuary Resort: 5700 E McDonald Dr, Paradise Valley. One of my favorite activities is a couples massage, dining on the patio, and fun in the sun beside the pool and spa. My date said it was the best three hours of foreplay she's experienced.
I've got some additional ideas, so let me know if you'd like to discuss further in detail.
-- Modified on 3/11/2014 9:19:28 PM
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