Things To Do
The Brickyard Downtown
Tapas style dining with creative and unique cocktails. Quan and I hosted dinner after our wedding ceremony here
Spirit House
One of our favorite cocktail spots in Downtown Chandler. All spirits served here are distilled locally here in Chandler. The bar is very subtly Star Wars themed and if you order a smoked drink, you'll catch the bar tenders sporting a Mandalorian, Boba Fett, or Storm Trooper helmet. They often have a fun/seasonal cocktail menu.
Desert Botanical Garden
An iconic desert experience. Winter in the garden is the perfect time to explore outdoors and wander the many paths through the garden. They often have art installations and there are a few Chihuly glass sculptures!
Quiches & Pies
A local, family-run French Bakery. Enjoy one of their many slices of quiche or indulge in a sweet pistachio & chocolate croissant
Carry On
A unique and fully immersive cocktail experience. This bar is themed like a 1970s airplane, built inside a custom Boeing 747. Reservations REQUIRED and tickets are released every Monday for the following week. Quan and I highly recommend this bar if you want to do something off the beaten path
Japanese Friendship Garden
Traditional Japanese gardens in the heard of downtown Phoenix. We visited on one of our first dates. It's a beautiful garden to walk through and spend a few hours. They also regularly host events, including a Japanese tea ceremony. Reservations not required.
Sedona, AZ
Sedona is a 1.5hr drive north of Phoenix and is an easy day trip. Famous for its red rocks, Sedona offers tons of hiking and outdoor activities. It's also known as an energy vortex, which means you'll find numerous options for spiritual experiences as well, including psychics and aura reading. We spent several Halloweens camping in the Oak Creek Canyon. Our favorite hike is West Fork, which weaves through the canyon and over the creek.
Jerome, AZ
About a 2-hour drive from Phoenix. Jerome can certainly be done as a day trip. Quan and I visited this famous ghost town built for one of Arizona's copper mines on our first vacation together in January 2020. Jerome is known for its haunted sites, including the Jerome Grand Hotel (a former hospital. The town is now a thriving tourist and artist destination tucked into the mountains of North West Arizona. We recommend trying out Haunted Hamburger while you're there!
Flagstaff, AZ
About 2.5 hrs from Phoenix, Flagstaff can be done as a day trip. Flagstaff is a special place for us! We have spent birthdays, summer weeks (to beat the heat), and fall & winter days in Flagstaff. Most significantly, Flagstaff is where Quan proposed in January 2025! We love how easy it is to walk around and just enjoy the outside. Downtown Flagstaff has so much to offer in the way of food. One of our favorite spots is Pizzicletta, which can be enjoyed at their restaurant or through one of our favorite breweries, Dark Sky. There is a plethera of outdoor activities, including hiking trails, disc golf courses, and a ski lodge. Flagstaff in January can be quite cold, windy, and possibly snowy. If you plan to make a trip, make sure you're prepared with the right wardrobe. If you have more time in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is only a 2-hour drive from Flagstaff. You can also take a train to the Grand Canyon, that departs from Williams, AZ (about 20 minutes West)