Posts by Suzanne Wright | Stories

Events This Weekend Next 7 Days Next 30 Days Concerts Annual Events Spring Summer Fall Winter Holiday Events New Year's Eve Events Sports Events Phoenix Mercury Game Day Guide Phoenix Rising FC Schedule Phoenix Suns Schedule Phoenix Suns Game Day Guide Cactus League Spring Training Cactus League Spring Training Schedule American Family Fields of Phoenix Camelback Ranch Goodyear Ballpark Hohokam Stadium Peoria Sports Complex Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Scottsdale Stadium Sloan Park Surprise Stadium Tempe Diablo Stadium College Football Bowl Games WM Phoenix Open Valley Suns Submit an Event Things To Do Attractions Free Things To Do Day Trips Fun & Amusement Water Parks Aquariums & Zoos Things To Do With Kids Outdoors Parks & Preserves Hiking Biking Dog Parks Lakes Golf Your Guide to the WM Phoenix Open 2025 Gardens Arts & Culture Performing Arts & Theatres Museums Old Town Scottsdale Roosevelt Row Your Guide To First Friday Art Walk in Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Nightlife Casinos Bars Breweries Night Clubs Shopping Local Boutiques Farmers Markets Malls & Shopping Centers Wellness Spas Fitness Restaurants Cuisine Types Asian BBQ Burgers Italian Mexican Steakhouses Sushi Thai Fine Dining Kid Friendly Dog Friendly Patios & Rooftops Tours Places To Stay Resorts Hotels With Pools Pet Friendly Ranches RV Parks Vacation Rentals Special Offers Sonoran Desert Learn Plants & Animals Wildflowers Birding Zoos & Aquariums Safety Tips Weather Monsoons Saguaro Cactus Scenic Drives Parks Camelback Mountain Papago Park Phoenix Mountains Preserve South Mountain Park And Preserve Gardens Superstition Mountains Hiking Best Hikes In Phoenix Petroglyphs Trails For Beginners Long Hikes Moonlight Hiking The Arizona Trail Biking Mountain Biking Water Activities Lakes Salt River Campgrounds Guided Tours Greater Phoenix Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Roosevelt Row CityScape Area Grand Avenue The Square PHX Warehouse District Phoenix Neighborhoods Phoenix's Melrose District Phoenix Mid-Century Neighborhoods Scottsdale Old Town Scottsdale Top 10 Wine Bars in Scottsdale Scottsdale Hotel Rooms with the Best Views 11 Hidden Gems to Discover in Scottsdale Top Scottsdale Guided & DIY Tours Date Night Ideas In Scottsdale 9 Local Scottsdale Restaurants That Residents Love Scottsdale's VIP Nightclub Scene 10 Best Happy Hour Hotspots in Scottsdale Tempe Tempe Town Lake Papago Park Mesa Great Grapes! A Taste of Arizona Wine Country in City Limitless Wild About Horses An Insider's Guide to the Cougar Shadow on the Superstition Mountains Top Chinese Restaurants in Mesa Mesa, AZ, is the First Ever Autism Certified City Mesa's Asian District Sweet Treats Wine Tasting on Mesa's Beautiful Saguaro Lake Revel Surf Park Makes Waves at Cannon Beach Chandler Gilbert Glendale Peoria Surprise Moving To Phoenix Plan A Trip Visit Phoenix Offers Visit Phoenix Deals Visit Phoenix Attractions Pass Hotel & Resort Offers Visit Phoenix Marketplace Guides Travel Guides Order a Free Trail Guide Travel Trade Request Form Meeting Planner Guide Trip Planner LGBTQ+ Transportation Airports Maps Public Transportation Transportation Services & Rentals Newsletter Español Française Deutsch 简体中文 Store

Stories All Posts Meetings Booking a Meeting Convention Center Downtown Hotels Downtown Transportation Medical Meetings Specialty Meetings Downtown Phoenix Technology Meetings Sports Meetings Planning a Meeting Convention Center Venues Resorts & Hotels Explore Downtown Charitable Opportunities Restaurants Transportation Vendors Why You Should Choose Phx Meet Outdoors State-of-the-Art Stays in Downtown Phoenix New Stays for Your Next Meeting in Greater Phoenix Intellectual Capital In Greater Phoenix Why Diverse and Inclusive Content Makes Meetings Better - For Everyone Immersive Outdoor Venues Set the Stage for the Future of Meetings Spacious, Inventive Meeting Spaces Are the Way of the Future Why Focusing on Wellness Contributes to Successful Meetings Virtual Hybrid Meetings: Bridging the Gap and Driving Connection Greener & Cleaner Meetings Have Arrived - And They’re Here to Stay Phoenix's Walkable Downtown Strategic Downtown Investments Help Send Greater Phoenix Soaring in Destination Rankings Unique Greater Phoenix Venues Thinking Ahead: Sustainability Awards and Accolades Sustainable Ways to Meet in Phoenix The Best Restaurants Near the PCC Top 10 Reasons to Meet in Phoenix Why Phoenix Is the Hottest New Spot for Meetings and Events 8 Reasons to Extend Your Work Trip in Phoenix Submit RFP Submit Services RFP Submit Proposal Request Guides Travel Guides Order a Free Trail Guide Travel Trade Request Form Planning Guide Planner Toolkit Collateral Phoenix Facts Photos & Videos Creative Convention Services and Resources Contact Us Members & Partners Become a Member Resources & Benefits Maximizing Your Membership Member Guide Request Winning Convention Business Phoenix Facts Member Events Member Directory FAQ Meet The Membership Team MyPHX Portal Press Story Ideas In The News Photos & Videos Media Tours Phoenix Facts Travel Trade Destination Materials Travel Trade Request Form Group Travel Itineraries Day Trips Family Fun Free and Cheap Iconic Southwest Luxury Travel Outdoor Adventure Relaxing Getaway Sports Fans Travel Like a Local 5 Nights and 6 Days of Lavish Luxury in Phoenix 3 Nights and 4 Days of High-End Luxury in Phoenix Brittney Griner's Favorite Phoenix Spots Sophie Cunningham's Favorite Places in Phoenix The Ultimate Guide to a Girls' Staycation Weekend in Phoenix Semana Santa Itinerary in Phoenix A Taurus' Guide to Greater Phoenix Hotels Resorts International Spanish (Español) French (Française) German (Deutsch) 正體字简体中文 Tour & Travel Newsletter

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Events This Weekend Next 7 Days Next 30 Days Concerts Annual Events Spring Summer Fall Winter Holiday Events New Year's Eve Events Sports Events Phoenix Mercury Game Day Guide Phoenix Rising FC Schedule Phoenix Suns Schedule Phoenix Suns Game Day Guide Cactus League Spring Training Cactus League Spring Training Schedule American Family Fields of Phoenix Camelback Ranch Goodyear Ballpark Hohokam Stadium Peoria Sports Complex Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Scottsdale Stadium Sloan Park Surprise Stadium Tempe Diablo Stadium College Football Bowl Games WM Phoenix Open Valley Suns Submit an Event Things To Do Attractions Free Things To Do Day Trips Fun & Amusement Water Parks Aquariums & Zoos Things To Do With Kids Outdoors Parks & Preserves Hiking Biking Dog Parks Lakes Golf Your Guide to the WM Phoenix Open 2025 Gardens Arts & Culture Performing Arts & Theatres Museums Old Town Scottsdale Roosevelt Row Your Guide To First Friday Art Walk in Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Nightlife Casinos Bars Breweries Night Clubs Shopping Local Boutiques Farmers Markets Malls & Shopping Centers Wellness Spas Fitness Restaurants Cuisine Types Asian BBQ Burgers Italian Mexican Steakhouses Sushi Thai Fine Dining Kid Friendly Dog Friendly Patios & Rooftops Tours Places To Stay Resorts Hotels With Pools Pet Friendly Ranches RV Parks Vacation Rentals Special Offers Sonoran Desert Learn Plants & Animals Wildflowers Birding Zoos & Aquariums Safety Tips Weather Monsoons Saguaro Cactus Scenic Drives Parks Camelback Mountain Papago Park Phoenix Mountains Preserve South Mountain Park And Preserve Gardens Superstition Mountains Hiking Best Hikes In Phoenix Petroglyphs Trails For Beginners Long Hikes Moonlight Hiking The Arizona Trail Biking Mountain Biking Water Activities Lakes Salt River Campgrounds Guided Tours Greater Phoenix Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Roosevelt Row CityScape Area Grand Avenue The Square PHX Warehouse District Phoenix Neighborhoods Phoenix's Melrose District Phoenix Mid-Century Neighborhoods Scottsdale Old Town Scottsdale Top 10 Wine Bars in Scottsdale Scottsdale Hotel Rooms with the Best Views 11 Hidden Gems to Discover in Scottsdale Top Scottsdale Guided & DIY Tours Date Night Ideas In Scottsdale 9 Local Scottsdale Restaurants That Residents Love Scottsdale's VIP Nightclub Scene 10 Best Happy Hour Hotspots in Scottsdale Tempe Tempe Town Lake Papago Park Mesa Great Grapes! A Taste of Arizona Wine Country in City Limitless Wild About Horses An Insider's Guide to the Cougar Shadow on the Superstition Mountains Top Chinese Restaurants in Mesa Mesa, AZ, is the First Ever Autism Certified City Mesa's Asian District Sweet Treats Wine Tasting on Mesa's Beautiful Saguaro Lake Revel Surf Park Makes Waves at Cannon Beach Chandler Gilbert Glendale Peoria Surprise Moving To Phoenix Plan A Trip Visit Phoenix Offers Visit Phoenix Deals Visit Phoenix Attractions Pass Hotel & Resort Offers Visit Phoenix Marketplace Guides Travel Guides Order a Free Trail Guide Travel Trade Request Form Meeting Planner Guide Trip Planner LGBTQ+ Transportation Airports Maps Public Transportation Transportation Services & Rentals Newsletter Español Française Deutsch 简体中文 Store

Stories All Posts Meetings Booking a Meeting Convention Center Downtown Hotels Downtown Transportation Medical Meetings Specialty Meetings Downtown Phoenix Technology Meetings Sports Meetings Planning a Meeting Convention Center Venues Resorts & Hotels Explore Downtown Charitable Opportunities Restaurants Transportation Vendors Why You Should Choose Phx Meet Outdoors State-of-the-Art Stays in Downtown Phoenix New Stays for Your Next Meeting in Greater Phoenix Intellectual Capital In Greater Phoenix Why Diverse and Inclusive Content Makes Meetings Better - For Everyone Immersive Outdoor Venues Set the Stage for the Future of Meetings Spacious, Inventive Meeting Spaces Are the Way of the Future Why Focusing on Wellness Contributes to Successful Meetings Virtual Hybrid Meetings: Bridging the Gap and Driving Connection Greener & Cleaner Meetings Have Arrived - And They’re Here to Stay Phoenix's Walkable Downtown Strategic Downtown Investments Help Send Greater Phoenix Soaring in Destination Rankings Unique Greater Phoenix Venues Thinking Ahead: Sustainability Awards and Accolades Sustainable Ways to Meet in Phoenix The Best Restaurants Near the PCC Top 10 Reasons to Meet in Phoenix Why Phoenix Is the Hottest New Spot for Meetings and Events 8 Reasons to Extend Your Work Trip in Phoenix Submit RFP Submit Services RFP Submit Proposal Request Guides Travel Guides Order a Free Trail Guide Travel Trade Request Form Planning Guide Planner Toolkit Collateral Phoenix Facts Photos & Videos Creative Convention Services and Resources Contact Us Members & Partners Become a Member Resources & Benefits Maximizing Your Membership Member Guide Request Winning Convention Business Phoenix Facts Member Events Member Directory FAQ Meet The Membership Team MyPHX Portal Press Story Ideas In The News Photos & Videos Media Tours Phoenix Facts Travel Trade Destination Materials Travel Trade Request Form Group Travel Itineraries Day Trips Family Fun Free and Cheap Iconic Southwest Luxury Travel Outdoor Adventure Relaxing Getaway Sports Fans Travel Like a Local 5 Nights and 6 Days of Lavish Luxury in Phoenix 3 Nights and 4 Days of High-End Luxury in Phoenix Brittney Griner's Favorite Phoenix Spots Sophie Cunningham's Favorite Places in Phoenix The Ultimate Guide to a Girls' Staycation Weekend in Phoenix Semana Santa Itinerary in Phoenix A Taurus' Guide to Greater Phoenix Hotels Resorts International Spanish (Español) French (Française) German (Deutsch) 正體字简体中文 Tour & Travel Newsletter

Travel Guide

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Author

Suzanne Wright

Suzanne Wright first stepped into the Sonoran Desert some 30 years ago and was immediately smitten. She has written for national publications such as National Geographic Traveler, USA Today and American Way, but she’s happiest exploring and writing about Arizona for regional outlets like AAA Arizona Highroads, Arizona Highways and the Official Travel Guide to Greater Phoenix.

Wild horses on the Salt River

PHX Stories: Paddling the Salt River

By Suzanne Wright on May. 03, 2024

Float trip douses desert stereotypes and puts paddlers up close and personal with wild mustangs, blue herons and bald eagles. In Arizona, encounters with wildlife are frequent yet never commonplace…

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The Wigwam Resort

PHX Stories: The Wigwam Resort

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

A resort built on cotton has a soft spot for families, neighbors and loyal employees. By Suzanne Wright I strode across the hardwood floors at The Wigwam Resort, the heels of my cowboy boots making…

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Southern Comfort

PHX Stories: Southern Food in Phoenix

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

A transplanted Southerner satisfies her hankering for the tastes of home. By Suzanne Wright I’m an adopted daughter of both the South and Southwest. After living more than 35 years in the Deep South…

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Pizzeria Bianco

PHX Stories: Slices of Heaven

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

One pizza lover eats her way through the upper crust of Phoenix’s formidable pizza scene Most pizzas are consumed quickly and then forgotten. But the part of my brain that catalogs food memories is…

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spur cross ranch wildflowers

PHX Stories: Spur Cross Wildflowers

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

400 species of desert grow in this tiny county park, and ranger Kevin Smith knows (almost) all of them. I fell in love with flowers in Phoenix. Before I moved here, I liked the plastic-wrapped, cut…

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catalina pool arizona biltmore

PHX Stories: The Catalina Pool

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

The Catalina Pool, circa the 1930s This Arizona Biltmore pool is where Marilyn Monroe preferred to sunbathe, and Irving Berlin first dreamed of a ‘White Christmas’. By Suzanne Wright Pools have…

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Linger Longer Lounge

Dark Bars

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

Phoenix’s summer sunshine compels local barflies to step out of the light and into the darkness. By Suzanne Wright In Scandinavia, where winter days are short and the sun sets before 3 p.m., some…

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Japanese Friendship Garden

PHX Stories: Japanese Friendship Garden

By Suzanne Wright on Sep. 27, 2021

Less Din, More Zen: A Secret Garden Above I-10 Creates a Cocoon of Placidity in Downtown Phoenix. By Suzanne Wright When you think of Phoenix, a Japanese garden isn’t the first (or fifth) thing that…

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Watson's Hat Shop

PHX Stories: Watson's Hat Shop

By Suzanne Wright on Nov. 15, 2019

At his shop in the cowboy town of Cave Creek, Eric Watson crafts hats that last a lifetime. By Suzanne Wright In the town of Cave Creek, north of Phoenix, cowboy hats are commonplace. “It’s not…

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Curious Nature

PHX Stories: Curious Nature

By Suzanne Wright

Taxidermist’s shop in CenPho is the place to go for freeze-dried bats and beetle earrings. By Suzanne Wright Though my teacher’s name is lost to the years, I vividly remember my fifth grade science…

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