Phoenix Girls' Weekend

Founded in 1871, Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, situated in the biologically unique Sonoran Desert at an elevation of 1100 feet.

Why would anybody want to start a city in the middle of the desert? The answer is, surprisingly, agriculture. The Salt and Verde Rivers of central Arizona were exploited for large-scale agriculture by Native Americans as early as the 11th century. The area that now encompasses Phoenix was a center of the Hohokam culture, which built large canal systems and a network of towns and villages, whose remains may be viewed in the city to this day. The city's name reflects its status as a city "reborn from the ashes" of the previous settlement.

Due to the warm climate in winter, Phoenix benefits greatly from seasonal tourism and recreation, and has a particularly vibrant golf industry. Other activities include hiking at Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park and many other parks around town, viewing amazing art and architecture in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley area (including Frank Lloyd Wright works) and checking out one of the area's many professional and semi-professional sports teams.

Featuring 738 guest rooms and a full-service spa, the historical Arizona Biltmore The Waldorf Astoria Collection is a 39-acre resort at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, and is approximately nine miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Local attractions include downtown Phoenix, approximately nine miles from the property, and Sun Devil Stadium, located 12 miles away.Hotel amenities include airport shuttles, babysitting referrals, 24-hour business center, cellular phone rentals, tour assistance, beauty salon, supervised child care, high-speed Internet access (for a fee), limousine services, shoe shine services, shuttles to Biltmore Fashion Park, spa, massages, beauty treatments, fitness center, sauna, locker rooms, power showers, spa shop, gift shops, yoga classes, aqua aerobics, whirlpool, laundry services, bicycle rentals, two golf courses, a free putting course, eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, tennis instructor, and a fitness center. Dining options include five onsite restaurants.Guest rooms feature minibars, work desks, two telephones, voicemail, double sinks, hairdryers, and scales. The incidental fee is 28.

Local movers-and-shakers have been making power deals at this venerable venue for decades, over classic continental cuisine. Interior here features classic dinner house decor from the over-stuffed banquettes to the dark-wood paneling. Servers are Valley veterans who have been with the restaurant for many, many years. It is a known as the Valley's premier 'beef-and-booze' house, where dry martinis are never out of fashion. Among traditional menu offerings are big and beefy steaks and grilled calves liver.

This cute Thai cafe has long been a favorite exotic ethnic choice for ASU students and residents of the downtown Tempe neighborhoods. It offers well-prepared Thai classics, polite and knowledgeable service, and a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. The most distinctive feature of the decor is the delicate, authentically costumed dolls that grace the walls of the dining room. Appetizers, soups, noodle and rice dishes and curries combining the spice of Thai chilies and the pungency of lemongrass, mint and ginger. Dishes may be prepared to your desired degree of spiciness. Asian beers and wines are available.

Arizona's world-class shopping experience is found at this destination mall near the Biltmore Resort. Setting this facility aside from the mundane is the exquisite garden, which is utilitarian as well as beautiful. Culinary herbs, grown in the garden, are harvested and utilized by chefs from Biltmore's award-winning restaurants. Renowned names such as Neiman Marcus, Gucci and Sak's Fifth Avenue are cornerstones of this center. Fine eating establishments include Christopher's Fermier Brasserie and Ayako of Tokyo.

Power shop in this exclusive destination mall. If you know what you are looking for, you will most certainly find it amongst the 225 retailers and food vendors here. The concierge desk is a place for personalized friendly service. Unparalleled shopping is to be had at mall anchors Neiman Marcus, Dillards, Nordstrom and Robinsons-May. This facility is the largest shopping mall in the Southwest. Dine at the fabulous Kona Grill or, if you prefer, try Z Tejas Grill which offers a casual Southwestern charm.

Many shopping facets of downtown Scottsdale encompass a wide swathe, from the enormous Scottsdale Fashion Square at the northwest corner of Camelback and Scottsdale Roads south—to Old Town's Second Street, then east to Drinkwater Boulevard and west to 68th Street. Areas of interest include the distinctive Fifth Avenue, Western-style Old Town and Main Street sectors, which features respected galleries including the Legacy and quaint gift shops like Anthony's. East of Old Town is a grassy area called the Scottsdale Mall, which harbors the Civic Center, Scottsdale Historical Museum and the Museum of Modern Art. Within these areas you will find delightful shops of fine furnishings, Native American jewelry, a performing arts theater, the Scottsdale Symphony and merchants that include Bischoff's Shades of the West. Many merchants here provide Southwestern-style artifacts, fine jewelry, hand-woven rugs and an infinite variety of fine cuisine from Western-style at Cowboy Ciao to Cajun at Callaloo's.

Come to Element's Restaurant for delicious American cuisine with Asian flavor to it. Located within Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa, this place has amazing view of the mountains. The community table made of African wood, meant for single diners, is one of the main attractions of this elegant diner. Chef Beau MacMillan comes up with a different menu every month so that seasonal and fresh ingredients are used to create the most amazing meals that whet your appetite. Team it up with wine and you have a meal to remember.

Distinctive Asian shops and cuisine are surrounded by a traditional Chinese garden. Visit the upscale Asian supermarket for fresh fish daily. Gardens surrounding the area feature ponds and replicas of statuary and pagodas from cities in China. Restaurants like the Sampan Seafood Restaurant offer a variety of carefully prepared Asian cuisine. These gardens are located just south of Interstate-10 and 44th street, directly across from the Marriott Residence Inn downtown location. See website for complete visitation particulars.

A destination for the savvy shopper, more than 90 antique and specialty shops and restaurants are offered for leisurely shopping. USA Today named downtown Glendale as one of the top ten antique destinations. Hop on the town trolley as it loops through the area. On the third Thursday of each month, businesses stay open late for Glendale Gaslight Thursdays. The Catlin Court Shops District consists of bungalows listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Murphy Park features an open-air market every Saturday October through May. Business hours, access and credit card acceptance will vary by merchant.