I’ve had a west coast road trip in mind for years, and I finally got the chance to do so during my trip to Arizona. However, instead of going straight up north, I found a ton of things to do in Glendale, Arizona! Keep reading to see my top recommendations for your trip to the area.
Stay
I spent my time at the Holiday Inn Glendale, a centrally located and newly renovated hotel outside the State Farm Stadium, where the Superbowl LVII will be hosted for 2023! Amenities include a jacuzzi, pool, spacious rooms, Dove products, and The Crooked Pint, their restaurant right downstairs. Make sure to try the breakfast tacos!
Play
For those looking to get your steps in, watch the sunrise at Thunderbird Conservation Park, a short hike to the top makes for a great start to your day. Another way to see nature up close during your trip to Glendale is to stop by the Desert Botanical Garden, which is open from 8 am – 8 pm.
For the adventurous spirit, there is a sunrise hot air balloon experience with Hot Air Expeditions. Unfortunately, due to high winds, my excursion was canceled ( I went in early October for reference). However, this excursion is on my list for my next visit, as it comes with a balloon ride, champagne breakfast, and round-trip transportation.
Spa Botanica has everything you need if you’re like me and are always on the hunt for a spa treatment. I thoroughly enjoyed my spa day, starting with their 50 Minute Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, a relaxing lunch, and followed up with their 80 Minute Classic Facial with an LED Light Treatment. The spa comes with valet and is located downtown, so you can go shopping at Tanger Outlets right after. Downtown Glendale has plenty of things to do, including axe throwing, photo opportunities, and restaurants galore.
Eat
If you’re a fan of Diners, Drive In’s, and Dives, you must check out Haus Murphy’s since it was featured on the show! Some other food recommendations I have are La Piazza Al Forno for dinner and Kiss the Cook for brunch, make sure to get the biscuits and gravy.
If you’re craving something sweet, head to the famous Cerreta’s Candy Company, a real-life Willy Wonka Factory! I got a behind-the-scenes look into how they make their delicious candy and their impact on the community. My favorites were the French Mint and the Orange Dream candies. Ceretta’s is a family-owned business and a staple in Glendale, servicing hundreds of companies all over town. During your visit, get a tour and make your own candy pizza.
Drink
What’s a vacation without an adult beverage? So I stopped by the Turquoise Wine Cellar and Tasting Room for a beautiful wine-tasting experience. I got to try several wines from all over the world, focusing on woman-owned brands. Turquoise plans to expand with outdoor seating, tasting events, and more. So make sure to stop by during your visit and get the bruschetta; you won’t regret it.
As you can see, there are plenty of fun things to do in Glendale, AZ! it was the perfect place to start my road trip before heading north to Sedona, Williams, and Page.
This post is in partnership with Visit Glendale, all opinions are my own
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