BEn'S TRAVEL BLOG

My favorite city in the greater Phoenix area was the charming and hip town of Mesa, Arizona. It features trendy cafes, antique shops, and tons of art murals.

One of the most popular things to do on a trip to Phoenix is to visit the Arizona Boardwalk. Its Butterfly Wonderland is a fairly expensive tourist attraction with a great butterfly conservatory, an emergence gallery, and a small aquarium.

The best reason to visit the Tucson Botanical Gardens is for the art and the special exhibits. Here's everything you'll see in a visit.

The Bajada Loop Drive is a 6-mile dirt road that makes an oval-shaped loop around the westernmost section of Saguaro National Park West. The Valley View Trail is a really easy out-and-back hike totaling less than one mile and, as promised, offers excellent views of Wasson Peak and the surrounding valley.

While Saguaro National Park West is more popular among tourists, the east side is definitely worth a visit, too. Here's what you'll see on the trip, including a trek down the best hike, Javelina Rocks.

Hunt's Tomb is a twenty-foot tall pyramid at the top of a hill in Papago Park. It's a great spot for views of downtown Phoenix, the Hole in the Rock, and the surrounding desert park.

One of Phoenix's most popular tourist attractions is Papago Park, home to the Hole in the Rock. An easy hike leads up to a beautiful view of downtown Phoenix and, if you time it right, a gorgeous sunset.

The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix houses more than 7,500 musical instruments from over 200 countries and territories. It was a highlight of my trip to Arizona and is a must-see Phoenix attraction.

During my long weekend trip to Arizona, my mom and I popped over to the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures. Here is my review of the experience and some of the pieces you can find within.