Phoenix: A Close-In Jaunt

Phoenix, the capital of Arizona and the seat of Maricopa County, is the state's most populated city and the locus of government, education, tourism, and high-tech enterprise. Especially in recent decades, it's been a source of much growth, both economically and residentially. While the city in general sprawls, its downtown vicinity is surprisingly tight, offering visitors a welcome opportunity to explore some of the city's best restaurants and sights within a relatively contained space. It's ideal for a trip limited by time and, oftentimes, by vehicle.

That said, it's easy to take advantage of Phoenix's great amenities with just a little forethought. First item on the agenda: a home base. Luckily, the city accommodates all budgets. If you're looking for a wallet-friendly option, consider Quality Inn & Suites Downtown, which offers convenient access to local businesses and delivers everything from free high-speed Internet access to barbecue grills and an outdoor pool, not to mention a free airport shuttle.

If you need more room, book some time at Hilton Suites Phoenix, whose impressive, soaring atrium is only one of many perks, along with a business center, pool, fitness center, restaurant, and high-speed Internet access. No matter which property you choose, you can be assured of attentive service and hospitality bestowed with a smile.

To make the most of your sojourn, start early and either pick up a bite of breakfast at the hotel, or opt for morning pastries and coffee at Arcadia Farms Café, the enticing eatery located at the Phoenix Art Museum. Doing so will not only let you indulge in delectable light fare, but it'll give you a head start to see all that the museum offers.

The museum's permanent collection spans the globe and the centuries, presenting amazing works from Phoenix's own backyard and from destinations as far-flung as Asia. Along with expected media, the museum showcases a stunning assortment of fashion, including historical garb, designer accessories, and a wealth of haute couture from luminaries like Balenciaga and Galliano. In addition, the museum boasts 20 miniature rooms designed by Narcissa Niblack Thorne in the early part of the 20th century. These incredible recreations of historical spaces are perfectly scaled (one inch = one foot) and painstakingly crafted. They're a fascinating counterpoint to the full-scale architectural beauty that is the museum itself, a gorgeously, dramatically spare study of interactive planes and interior vistas.

After a morning well spent at this endlessly engaging facility, return to Arcadia Farms for a light, delicious lunch (pan-crispy Asian crab cakes, anyone?). Or, head out to Barrio Café for a noontime repast of Mexican cuisine that will forever alter your estimation of what authentic food should be. Enormously loved, the place brings to the forefront flavor, freshness, texture, and innovation without assaulting the palate with unnecessary heat. Start with a spinach salad graced by tamarind-glazed duck breast and the welcome crunch of pine nuts before digging into a restaurant mainstay, cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted pork dish that gets a welcome kick from achiote rojo and sour orange. Grilled filet mignon, chicken, and plenty of seafood also promise delectable possibilities, made even richer with black mole sauce, chorizo, queso fresco, and roasted poblanos.

With such a feast still fresh in your memory, make your way to the Heard Museum, where Native American culture is the focus. The complex, although filled with striking objects, is no stale repository of artifacts. Exquisite items from years gone by are definitely prominent, but the museum also highlights contemporary works, drawing a line of continuity from past to present. Paintings, jewelry, textiles, sculpture, pottery, and cultural items make up the collections and provide plenty to browse and to marvel at. In addition, regular exhibitions expand the potential, and year-round special events let visitors be involved first-hand in the ongoing life of the museum.