Musical Roads of Lancaster and Palmdale, California

Palmdale and Lancaster, California, are hardly destinations I can recommend. But if you find yourself in the area, for work or otherwise, one of the silly, free attractions are the musical roads. Yes, roads. There are two now, one in Lancaster and one in Palmdale, the latter of which had been on my regular commute to my regular amusement.

What's a musical road? It's basically a set of rumple strips or bumps in the road set at locations and intervals such that they "play" a song when you drive over them. To get it just right, a proper and steady speed is best, although by all means, you can play with alternating the speed to your heart's content!

While both Musical Roads are probably doing once if you're already in the area and looking for something amusing to do with a local vibe, there are major differences between the two.

The one in Lancaster is wider and therefore much easier to stay "on". However, it is technically out of tune, even at the recommended speed of 55 mph. The story is that there was a miscommunication/ misinterpretation about whether the distance between the ridges was to be measured peak to peak or trough to trough, which obviously makes a difference. To make it even funnier, this was the second Musical Road that had been constructed - they had originally built it closer to a residential area but neighbors complained about the noise, so they demolished it and replicated it elsewhere - repeating the same error the second time! The Lancaster road is also a bit further out of the way of most things, unless you happen to be headed to or from the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve - a great attraction during wild flower blooming season! 

On the other hand, the Musical Road in Palmdale is right in town. However, it recommends the painfully slow speed of 45 mph. It plays the Marines' Hymn. Driving faster will still play it recognizably, just higher pitch. The challenging thing with the Palmdale Musical Road is that the width of the ridges is quite narrow and near to the edge of the road, so my car's lane keep feature keeps pushing me out of the music. First world problems, am I right?

Upsides and pitfalls and all, I still say it's worth doing once, if you're already in the area. And if you don't have plans to be there anytime soon or you want to know what to expect, I've recorded a number of videos here for you to hear for yourself!

California Bucket List: San Francisco annd Bay Area

A California Bucket List could hardly be complete without some icons of "the city", "the Bay" and/or wine country. This trip was especially significant to Jaiman and I, because we had both gone separately before we knew each other, and I found some absolute gems I wanted to encore, while his trip was largely a bust in his opinion, so we had strong urges for different reasons to go back and do it right, and together. Moving to LA county afforded us the shortest road trip from home ever for us, so it was decided that we'd finally go! We picked a weekend and I took Thursday and Monday off (I have all Fridays off already) to make it an extended weekend. We did some rather unique things as well as some typical touristy things, and I hope this post helps you find some gems as well as prepare for what to expect in the touristy things.

 

Day 0 - Wednesday

We actually left Wednesday evening when I got off work, to break up the drive. It afforded us the opportunity to stop in Paso Robles, a last minute recommendation from one of my employees that ended up being a fantastic idea. I might go so far as to add Paso Robles to the California Bucket List - it made that big of an impression on me! We arrived pretty late and checked in to the hotel before venturing out for some dinner, so our options were limited. That ended up not being a problem at all, as it led us to The Alchemist's Garden, where the way-too-cool-for-me bartenders weren't the only ones brewing up amazing concoctions! Notably, they have a fancy setup for the absinthe Jaiman wanted to try, and my mojito cocktail was also quite delish. But the food was the most interesting, there. We started with a Sweet Potato Quasadilla which wasn't too sweet potato for me, and very cheesey. I got the Duck Chalupa with spicy slaw, and Jaiman got the Coffee Rubbed Skirt Steak with sweet potato mash. There were at least a half dozen other tantalizing options on the menu that we'd go back to try. And that was just one place in the picturesque downtown Paso Robles!

Day 1 - Thursday

I wanted to split up the drive for two reasons - for one, there was something very specific on Thursday evening that I wanted to make sure we go to (more on that later), and two, I was hoping to drive up the Pacific Coast Highway a bit, which takes a lot longer, but is so much more scenic. We compromised, and decided to drive direct to Santa Cruz, and take the scenic route from there. This allowed for an unplanned stop to get additional roller coaster credits in Santa Cruz.

The main planned event for Thursday was an adults-only evening at the immense immersive science museum, the Exploratorium. I had visited before, but during the day while they allowed those short people to run around. Given our dislike of other people's kids, we were both stoked to have an adult bevvy and kick it kid-free. Jaiman's only complaint: 4 hours was not enough time! And truly, it's the kind of place at which you could spend all day. We had no problem parking at a meter across the street, and booked the first entry time reservation to maximize our time (and still left wanting more). If I were to do it again, I'd have dinner before the event because the meal wasn't super special (although it did hit the spot after we worked up an appetite playing with the exhibits) to devote more time to the museum. I thought dining there would be nice with a view, but it was too dark to see much anyways. The gift shop is a lot of fun, too, but you could also do that outside of the limited adults-only hours to maximize time in the museum.

Day 2 - Friday

For Friday we knew we wanted to do Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. We have annual passes to Six Flags, so parking and admission were free, but if you have to buy one-day admission, this is one of the cheapest parks. The annual passes are good deals, though, if you're going to go to more than one park or go a few times, they pay for themselves pretty quickly. Labor Day weekend has the best deals.

Our focus was getting on the rides, which we were successful at early in the day, even waiting out the testing of Batman in anticipation of it opening. But unlike other Six Flags parks, this one has animals, too. We touched the rays, watched the sea lion and dolphin shows and laughed at the penguins waddling around. Unfortunately, we missed the land animals, they had gone in for the night by the time we made our way over there. So if I was going to do it again, I'd pop over there first thing and then worry about the rides, so I could see some giraffes!

The bag / loose item policy is always vague and often inconsistent for theme parks, so here's some ride-by-ride info to help you plan.
    • Superman - Had cubbies - Can only have one train so you're pretty safe to leave things
    • Batman - Had cubbies - the ride is loading / unloading continuously so leave items at your own risk
    • Medusa - Had cupholders, some people left hats and other items - Can run more than one train so leave items at your own risk
    • Kong - Had cupholders - Can have more than one train so leave items at your own risk
    • Cobra (family ride) - Had cubbies, but it's mild enough you can probably just keep things in pockets or a bag at your feet - Only has one train so relatively safe
    • Joker - Had big bins to hold items

That was also the order we rode the rides in, notably, Joker was closed almost ALL DAY... we wrapped up our day - we thought - with shopping and then literally were walking out of the final turnstile when we saw the Joker run - with people on it! The staff was kind enough to let us back in since we had just exited, but normally you would need a stamp. So, if you're interested in riding something that's been closed, get that hand stamp just in case. We couldn't believe how late it had opened, we thought certainly if it hadn't opened by two hours prior to the park closing, it wouldn't open at all that day. Six Flags showed us! Again, it worked out, and while that was the longest wait all day right around 45 minutes, we were grateful to snag that coaster credit.

For dinner, we drove over to the Fisherman's Wharf area for reservations at the Bistro Boudin. The food was incredible from start to finish. The Argentinian Empanadas appetizer could easily be an entrée, and they were served with beets and cauliflower which I really enjoyed as well as  a creamy avocado-cilantro mousse, which Jaiman really enjoyed despite neither of us liking avocado normally. I went with the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich, with amazing coleslaw which I don't usually like. Jaiman had the Angel Hair Pasta with Herb Grilled Shrimp.

Day 3 - Saturday

After a late night, we slept in maybe a little too late, and groggily made our way back to the car for one of my favorite drives ever. The drive up to Six Sigma Ranch and Winery is quite a haul, but it is gorgeous, packed with windy, hilly, tree canopy-covered roads and mountainy landscapes. We saw two deer on the way back. Once you turn in, there is a 2 mile dirt road passing by the vineyards and sweeping views with opportunities for wildlife sightings. There are hiking trails at the property, they just ask you to check in with them. We opted for a low-key visit with the day's special tasting, seated on the patio eating street tacos paired with Sauvignon Blanc. As we indulged, we were treated to the sights and sounds of dozens of blue birds and woodpeckers.

I like Six Sigma Ranch in particular because of the namesake certication which has been a major enrichment and part of my career professionally. Also, my first experience here has been other-worldly. One of these days, hopefully I'll make it for an actual tour.

After buying a case to bring home (I was gladly upselled), we made our way to Lagunitas Brewing Company. I had tentatively planned both Russian River Brewing Company and Lagunitas, but given the late time of day, we only really had time and energy for one, and Lagunitas was my preference between the two. Partially because I'd been to Russian River twice and Lagunitas only once with a tour, and partially because I prefer their beers and knew their food would be off the hook. I was right, suffice it at that.

Day 4 - Sunday

We managed to get home Saturday night at a decent time so we could get up earlier on Sunday. Our first planned stop was the Walt Disney Family Museum. I had visited this museum on my first trip to the area 10 years prior, and I tell everyone going to the area about it for this reason: I am not a museum person, but this museum moved me to literal tears. Plus, it's about all things Disney: the man himself (and his family), the start of an empire (and how it adapted over the years), and the theme park projects. Mr. Disney's vision for EPCOT is immensely more elaborate than the park we've come to know and enjoy, and while his vision was not even close to realized, I still find a lot of inspiration in it.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located very near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, so for planning purposes, if you're going to be taking in the site of the bridge, this would be a great addition to that outing (or vice-a-versa).

We then ubered to Fisherman's Wharf to let our inner tourists out. Jaiman found a place called the Codfather at which he wanted to eat fish 'n chips, and I ate some of my own "chips" there as well. Jaiman ranked the fish very high in his taste, and that's saying something because he's quite picky in that arena. But the highlight for me, not being a fish eater myself, was the deep fried Oreos.

We wandered to Pier 39 and visited shops to our liking, most notably a Christmas store at which I found a Torii Gate ornament I just had to have.  We walked to the north west part of the pier to find the viewing area for wild sea lions. It was super windy and a bit chilly, but we braved the cold to watch and listen to the ridiculous creatures fight and bark and wrestle and cuddle.

Jaiman wanted to shop at a specific store in JapanTown so we decided to uber that way and maybe eat some Japanese food for dinner. We were a little unpleasantly surprised to find that there was a Cherry Blossom Festival that was just wrapping up when we arrived, so there were lots of crowds everywhere in JapanTown and we were too late to join in on the festivities. Nevertheless, Jaiman got into the store he wanted to go to, but they were sold out of many of the items he was interested in because of the festival. We had not brought jackets for the day, but it started to get a little chilly so we visited a Japanese grocery store and then ubered back to Fisherman's Wharf for dinner. We called it a night early, but had snagged reservations for Monday morning to go to Alcatraz.

Day 5 - Monday

I hadn't intended to do anything in town on Monday, just leisurely pack up and drive home. But instead, we got up early, packed up in a rush, checked out and left our bags at the hotel, then ubered over to the Alcatraz ferry terminal. It was a small boat over, so there weren't enough seats for everyone, but we managed to make the most of it by getting a look outside. It was chilly and rainy at the start of the morning, but the short hike up the hill to the prison got us warmed up and the sun came out by the time we finished the audio tour. The audio tour was free / included in the price - you can either use one of their devices or download the tour on your phone using the QR code and wifi at the dock. Jaiman opted to use their device while I opted to download it on my phone. I wished I had headphones, but it was just fine without. I stopped my tour to take lots of pictures. Unfortunately, Jaiman's tour restarted and there was no way to fast forward, so he missed out on the backend of the audio tour, but otherwise got most of it. After our audio tours, we walked around outside where, even though the sun had come out, it was very windy and chilly. We watched for birds and identified a few species, but the peregrine falcon alluded us.

Since we got back to the pier around lunch time, we opted to eat lunch before leaving town, so we trekked up a couple terrific San Francisco hills to a pizzeria Jaiman found on Google. "Sometimes you have to let Google take the wheel," he said. Google did not disappoint! We landed at Tony's Pizza Napoletana and were floored by the menu. It had so many different styles of pizza, let alone different and pretty unique ingredient combinations. We had Tony's Double Roasted Garlic Bread with cheese, Classic Italian Diavola pizza with hot red pepper oil (hot oil pizza, anyone?), and the Detroit Rosa. All were incredible, and I wish I could try about ten more pizzas!

Sadly then, it was finally time to turn south. We took the fastest route home to Palmdale, which took us through farmlands, and got home in time to unpack and unwind just a bit before going to bed. Back to reality Tuesday. All in all, it was a well overdue trip that lived up to our long-standing aspirations, and we are already thinking about our next San Francisco visit!

Planning Tips

1. Pick the main things you want to do, at least one per day, and then arrange your travel dates and activities around the specific activity restrictions. 
• Alcatraz tickets can sell out, so you may want to plan and buy those in advance. We lucked out, but had to stay longer than I expected on Monday as a result.  
• The adults-only Exploratorium events only happens every Thursday evenings.
•  The Six Sigma tours happen only on Saturdays. We didn't make it for a tour, but landed ourselves at an event anyways.
•  For difficult-to-get-in restaurants, look at what reservations you can get on OpenTable if it's available.   
2. Check for festivals / events that may alter your ability to visit areas and/or may be of interest to add to your itinerary. 
3. Then arrange other far-flung activities around geographic proximity. 
• The two breweries I wanted to visit (Lagunitas and Russian River) were both relatively on the way back from the winery, so we opted to them the same day (even if that did imply a lot of drinking - ah well, vacation, right?).  
• The Charles M. Schulz Museum is in the same area (Santa Rosa), so if that's of interest, you may want to plan that in.  
4. Finally, arrange the remaining items based on expected crowds.
•  We opted to do Six Flags on a Friday which would limit the crowd because some people would be in school or at work. Monday or Thursday would have likely been even better, but it was minimal on Friday so that worked out nicely.  
• We went to the Walt Disney Family Museum as soon as it opened on Sunday to minimize interactions with crowds, and then dedicated the rest of the day to the tourist stuff at Fisherman's Wharf. 

 

Japan Guide: Tips for First-timers and Returning Visitors to Japan

I've recently returned from my third trip to Japan, and it has spurred a lot of conversation with colleagues, friends, and total strangers like Uber drivers and the girl at the DMV. For those who haven't been, Japan can seem like an "exotic" place to visit, but for Jaiman and I, it's as natural as any adventure. There are some really neat aspects of Japan that make it very friendly to tourists as well some aspects that are a little daunting to newcomers. After a number of these conversations, I thought I'd put together a semi-comprehensive guide to visiting Japan.

Embedded in this guide are tips for what to do and what to expect in certain situations. I believe knowing what to expect helps people feel more comfortable when confronted with something so completely different like a whole new culture. Here is a summary with links to each of the sections:

Getting There / What To Bring (below)
Training It - The Best Way to Get Around in Japan (Trains) - What to expect at the train station and how to prepare and navigate for using trains as your primary mode of transportation in Japan.
Where to Stay - What to look for in hotels.
Eating Out - No tipping, and taxes are usually included! And other tips for what to expect at Japanese restaurants.
Things To Do - My recommended Must-Dos as well as some other fun ideas for your itinerary.
Key Phrases - Don't Miss This Section! Most people in Japan are not great at English, so it is very helpful and respectful if you have some basic Japanese phrases under your belt when you go.

Bonus: Japan Is Weird (Different) and Confusing (Unfamiliar) and I Want to Go Back - Some quirks and our favorites from our previous trip are discussed here. 

Getting There

Narita is the bigger airport in Tokyo, but both Haneda and Narita are fine to fly into and out of. Most itineraries will go through Tokyo, even if you're going elsewhere in Japan. As such, I'd recommend flying to Tokyo and staying there for a few nights if your schedule permits, and then you can always take a bullet train to other parts of the main island instead of getting back on an airplane. If you plan to ride the shinkansen, or bullet train, I would recommend you look into the JR Pass for Visitors before you go, you can get a really good deal and save hundreds of dollars, but you have to buy it before you get to Japan.

Flights from the US are lengthy, at least 10 hours and up to 15 hours depending on where you're flying from. When you land, you'll be about 12 hours off from your previous timezone, so it's important to sleep a little but not the whole time on the plane. The best way to ward off jetlag is to stay up most of the arrival day, and then make sure you go to bed at a decent time the first night.

Many major airlines have personal screens with entertainment, and free alcohol for international flights. You'll also notice that announcements will be made in Japanese and English, and potentially Chinese or Korean as well. While checked luggage may be free for the international flights, I prefer to pack lightly (at least on the way there) so that I can limit myself to carry-ons. If you plan to do a good amount of shopping, it may be a good idea to bring an empty collapsible bag to fill up with your goodies to bring home. Don't worry, though, if you forget, because you can find cheap bags for this purpose in Japan, too (Jaiman got a huge duffle bag for about $16 USD). 

What to Bring

Definitely bring plenty of Japanese cash (yen) to avoid costly ATM fees, you'll need cash at the train stations and at many restaurants, street vendors, vending machines, etc. Major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover) are accepted at many places, but not all. Make sure you know which credit cards have foreign transaction fees. My Discover card doesn't have foreign transaction fees, for example, so I prefer using that when possible, but sometimes places don't take Discover, so then I'd have to use cash or another card and pay the small fee.

Umbrellas are a good idea generally, but they can be purchased pretty readily if you need one while you're out and about.

Bathing suits are a good idea if you plan to go to a public hot spring / onsen. Many are separate by gender and are only used in the nude, but some will have coed spaces for those with bathing suits.

Comfortable shoes are a must, it doesn't matter how little you expect to walk, you'll probably walk more than you expect. 

More Japan Guide

Getting There / What To Bring 
Training It - The Best Way to Get Around in Japan (Trains) 
Where to Stay
Eating Out
Things To Do 
Key Phrases

Arizona Bucket List

They say you never know what you have until it's gone, and that's true of your home's proximity as it is of anything else in life. So many people live near tourist-drawing attractions and never visit because they keep putting it off (like the guy who has lived in Arizona all his life and never been to the Grand Canyon, or the woman who lived in Chicago for decades but never visited Sears/Willis Tower). With our move to Connecticut drawing closer, we put together a list of things to do and places to visit in Arizona. (Side note: I have a broader Life List, and I usually shy away from the term bucket list because I think it's morbid, and I like to focus on living life. In this case, however, our departure from this great state is not death, so I'm ok with calling it a bucket list.)

Anyways, I thought it'd be helpful to share our list for others visiting, living in or moving to Arizona to share our list and some recommendations so others can get the most out of this place I've called home for most of my life.  Some of these places are things we've only done recently as part of checking off our Arizona Bucket List, but I've also added things that we've done prior to planning to move that I think are important to include on such a list.  

Arcosanti
What is it: An experimental community based on combining ecology and architecture.
Who should go: Architects, futurists, anyone interested in sustainability or looking for inspiration. Really, it's just an interesting place for anyone to visit. Kids may not really get it much.
Why you should care: I am always an advocate for challenging the norm and seeing if there's things we can do better. Arcosanti is the epitome of challenging the norm, and while I'm not planning on moving there anytime soon, I did gain some learnings and inspiration you can read about on this blog post.
What to do: The main thing is the walking guided tour. The food isn't very good, but if you're willing to lower your standards for accommodations, I thought it was kind of neat to stay the night and be able to wander around; as a guest you are granted more freedom than a tour participant. We didn't get the Skysuite like I wanted, but it looks really cool.
Getting there: The turn off the freeway just north of Phoenix is well marked, but there is a dirt road to the parking lot. If you plan on staying over night, the road to the rooms is even rockier so I'd recommend an SUV or a vehicle with high clearance if one is readily available, although my Chevy Volt made it ok.
What to bring: Sunblock, insecticide, fly swatter, dress for light hiking.
When to go: We went on the weekend and the community seemed pretty dormant. Our tour guide recommended that people come during the week so you can see the ceramics and metal being worked. I would recommend going in early spring or late fall, since the rooms don't have A/C.
Warning: Food was very ordinary, and there really wasn't much to drink besides water. Accommodations are just marginally better than camping, must have an open mind!


Grand Canyon Skywalk
What is it: The Skywalk is a glass walkway hanging off the cliff and hovering above the Grand Canyon, offering views straight down the sheer rock. It's part of a self-paced kind of bus tour, get off and get on as you please, consisting of three stops. You can't do the Skywalk by itself.
Who should go: Every resident of Arizona should visit the Grand Canyon, and this is a great way to do it, honestly. Great for families.
Why you should care: Definitely not the only way to see the Grand Canyon, but this tour offers some good educational opportunities and the Skywalk itself is pretty unique.

What to do: There were actually a lot of family-friendly activities at the first stop, from horse-drawn hay rides to lasso lessons, and the chance to shoot at someone. We skipped the activities there, but we did go the Restaurant for the ribs meal included with the tour package. It included the meat, two sides, cornbread, a cookie and a founding drink. Based on reviews I've read, I'd speculate that this was the best value. The second stop is the main attraction, but there are also great views on the ledge leading up to the Skywalk, as well as some mockups of various native homes that you can enter and explore. The third stop has more breathtaking views and some hiking/climbing opportunities.
Getting there: Google GPS was very accurate getting us there, nothing special needed to get there.
What to bring: You can take pictures everywhere except on the Skywalk itself, so bring a camera for sure. Good hiking shoes are recommended but not required, I did it in flipflops.
When to go: Don't go if there is adverse weather in the forecast, because they don't refund your tour money if they close the Skywalk.
Warnings: Keep your expectations in check, and it's a great experience. If you recognize who it is run by, and that it's not like a fancy resort or amusement park, you'll be fine. Give yourself time to enjoy all three stops, make the best of it, and the pricetag is more reasonable. The second and I think the third stops had only outdoor seating for your meal, and it is windy out there pretty much all the time, all the more reason to go to the first stop for food.
Other recommendations: I'd also recommend sitting near the front of the bus if possible, because many of the drivers point out rock formations and tell you about the place, and we couldn't hear in the back. Also, since you can't bring cameras on the Skywalk, you can have your picture taken by them, and you can always decide later if you want to buy them or not. Just be patient with the process and enjoy the views!


Organ Stop Pizza
What is it: Silly eatery with a giant organ that is played while you eat. It's much more then just the organ, though, drums and cymbals and marimbas hang from the ceiling and all around the room, and they get played by the organ somehow, and there's lights and silly puppets and bubbles and such.Who should go: Families and visitors, anyone who wants to be entertained. Good for birthdays and anniversaries, you'll get your name called out.
Why you should care: It's very popular with the snowbirds, so it must be worth a visit.
What to do: Pretty straightforward, order your food, get a table with a decent view.
Cheesy garlic bread was awesome. I wasn't a fan of the pizza.
Getting there: It's easy to find in Mesa, but if there's no parking, realize that it's going to be packed inside.
What to bring: Cash, an appetite and a sense of humor.
When to go: Since it is popular in the winter, you're probably better off going in the summer months, or at least on a weekday so you don't have a long line to wade through. The place gets PACKED!
Warnings: Cash only, bring plenty because the only ATM is one of those generic ones.
Other recommendations: Rather than ordering the nasty pizza, you could just get a few beers here, or ice cream, and still be highly entertained.


Lake Havasu City & London Bridge
What is it: Cute drinking town on the water, surrounding the actual London Bridge.
Who should go: This would be a great place for a group to party.
Why you should care: There's an ounce of history or so.
What to do: I loved our room at The Heat (we booked the Inferno Suite with a view of the London Bridge). There was a bar upstairs, and other bars within very short walking distance, as well as a beer store like 30 ft from our room. You can play corn hole and dance to the dj'ed music at the hotel bar.
Warnings: Don't stay near the London Bridge if you plan to go to sleep early and need silence because the party is a little loud. After one drink each, however, we managed to pass out, so it's not that loud.  If you like to party, then disregard this advice and have a blast!


Low Key Dueling Piano Bar
Who should go: Seems great for birthday celebrations, fun for anyone who likes pop music (of old and current)
Why you should care: Far from an ordinary bar with live music, these artists are catering the show on the fly and adapting to different instruments as needed.
What to do: Get a reserved table upfront if you can. If you're feeling generous, buy the musicians a shot!
Getting there: I prefer taking the light rail into Tempe because parking sucks and then you don't have to drive away from the bars (which cops look for).
What to bring: Cash for tipping... these musicians are awesome and they are happy to take requests... if there's a bill accommodating it. :-D You may want to bring ear plugs, it was really loud in the front and our ears were ringing for hours after.
When to go: Thursday nights were the most fun on Mill Ave back in my college days, I assume that's still a good night to go out. Weekends are fine too.


Spring Training Game
Who should go: Sports fans, Chicago transplants, and people who like to eat and drink and have fun!
Why you should care: Even if you don't love baseball, these are professional athletes playing here in Arizona, and the opportunity to see them so up close should not be squandered.
What to do: Come hungry, there's so much to eat and drink!
Getting there: Light rail is a good alternative to driving and parking, but our tickets came with a parking pass so we used it. 
What to bring: Hats and sunblock. If you're sitting in the grass area, bring blankets and folding chairs if you can.
When to go: Spring, duh! 


Biosphere 2
What is it: At one time, it was a fully-enclosed environment in which eight people tried to prove the feasibility of a self-sustaining ecosystem.  Now, it is (obviously) open to the public for tours and also hosts a number of interesting, albeit less captivating, experiments, in partnership with local schools.
Who should go: Everyone!  This is especially interesting for people interested in things like space colonization.
Why you should care:  Because science!
What to do:  Take a tour.
Getting there: It's just outside of the north side of Tucson, no special vehicle needed. 
What to bring: Sunscreen and a camera
When to go:  They are open most days of the year, just be cognizant of weather when you go, because you will be walking outside quite a bit.
Warnings: In my singular experience, the tour guide wasn't all that informative, so it's good to have knowledge about Biosphere 2 and the experiment before going. 
Other recommendations:  Well before your trip, I recommend you get a copy of The Human Experiment by biospherian Jane Poynter.  This first-person narrative provides much more context and insight into the mindset of the cult-like organization that made Biosphere 2 possible than what can be gained on the tour.  The places within Biosphere 2 have been transformed and re-purposed, but the tour guides will tell you what it was, and you will be able to put the pieces together better when you are already familiar with the whole concept.  

Taliesin West
What is it: Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school which his students built from materials primarily found right there in the desert landscape.
Who should go: Everyone, and specifically anyone interested in architecture, retro home furnishings or life in the desert. 
Why you should care: Frank Lloyd Wright was not only a prolific and famous architect, he is credited with inventing ideas such as path lighting and sunlights.  This little school-commune estate was his own architectural lab where he experimented with different ideas and reshaped the landscape of architecture itself. 
What to do: Take a tour (book online early because those tours fill up fast).  Also, give yourself plenty of time to visit the giftshop, there are a lot of interesting pieces and literature in there.
Getting there: Get off the 101 on Cactus and head east, and you'll run right into it.  No special cars needed, no fees for parking.
What to bring: Camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, water
When to go: There is a standard tour that runs daily, but there are also special tours you may want to consider if you're especially interested in his life, architecture or just like cool special effects (like the fire breathing dragon at night). 
Warnings: Tours book up fast, and they do take a while so give yourself plenty of time to visit. 
Other recommendations: There is only so much that can be relayed on a tour, and Frank Lloyd Wright had a devastating and absolutely crazy life and career, so I'd highly recommend educating yourself prior to your visit to give your tour that much more context.  I thought the documentary aptly titled "Frank LLoyd Wright" from PBS did a really good job and was something easy to watch together prior to our visit (versus having to read a book).  If you are from out of town and not familiar with some of Wright's other work in Arizona, you may want to make your own city tour as discussed here. 

Fossil Creek
What is it: A moderately challenging hike near Pine, AZ that brings you to a rushing waterfall, natural rock springs and water caves you can swim in. 
Who should go: Fit hikers
Why you should care: Of all the places I've hiked in Arizona, this one looks like none other.  With almost no signs of desert, this area is a green oasis teeming with beauty and adventure.
What to do: There used to be overnight camping available near the waterfall, but I've heard that is no longer an option.  However, it is totally manageable as a day hike, but be sure to leave Phoenix early in the morning to give yourself sufficient time to enjoy the watery paradise before the moderate climb back up to civilization.  It is about 7 miles roundtrip, and entering is downhill, which means you have to climb uphill coming back out.  Wear your bathing suit underneath your hiking clothes so you can take a dip. 
Getting there: Set your sights on Strawberry, AZ (which is near Pine) and you'll know just about where you're headed, but use better GPS as you get there.
What to bring: At least 3 liters of water per person, sunscreen, bathing suit, sunglasses, good hiking shoes, a towel, maybe water shoes, protein and carb-rich snacks, a flashlight, hat, camera and general hiking gear. 
When to go: September is just about the perfect time to go.
Warnings:  There are very dangerous parts of the water, so be very cautious.  The rocks and even branches in the water are mineralized, which means they are incredibly slick, and the current can be very strong in places.  I was personally dragged about 70 feet downstream and got severely bruised and battered, but luckily escaped with no major injuries.  There are also leeches in the water, so that was fun too (pro tip: if you see tiny things that look like leaves on your skin, wipe them off immediately, discern if they were leeches afterwards). 

Rock Springs Cafe
What is it: An unassuming roadside cafe that serves the best pie in the world. 
Who should go: Pie eaters (or people who like chocolate, because I'm not a big pie person, but this place is delicious)!
Why you should care: This place has been featured on a number of food shows and is world famous, right here just north of Arizona!
What to do: Try the chocolate creme pie, it's amazing! 
Getting there: It's just north of Phoenix, actually on the way home from Arcosanti if you want to combine the two bucket list items like we did!
What to bring: Money and an appetite!  They do take credit card, so no need for cash.
When to go: Try to go as early in the day as possible, as they tend to sell out of their better pies pretty quickly.  Also, around Pi Day (3/14) is a very busy time.
Warnings: No other pie will ever be the same after you've tasted a Rock Springs Pie. 

Tombstone & Bisbee
What are they: Tombstone is a legit city, but it is better known for its touristy Wild West town, where fake gun battles are staged in the street and in private shows.  Bisbee is a cute little mining town just a little bit past Tombstone. 
Who should go: Everyone!  Great for families!
Why you should care: A little bit of history, and a lot of silliness, these two little towns are a big part of the Arizona tourism scene, and a can't miss if you haven't been yet. 
What to do: Make sure to stop at Boot Hill in Tombstone and read the spooky and hilarious epitaphs.  In Bisbee, the Queen Mine Tour is highly recommended.  In both towns you can walk around and enjoy a taste of the wild west.  Stay the night at the Copper Queen Hotel if you dare - it is haunted by a number of ghosts!  Bisbee Brewery has great beer and decent food, and makes for a lovely sitting place if the weather is decent. 
What to bring: Money, a camera and a sense of humor.  Also, if you plan to do some shopping in Bisbee, bring your own reusable bags, as some places charge for plastic as part of a conservation effort.
When to go: Pretty much any time except summer is great. 
Warnings:  Don't count on much cell phone reception.  Instead, turn the phones off and enjoy real experiences, and share your selfies when you get back. 

Kartchner Caverns

What is it: One of the largest caverns of living stalactites and stalagmites open to the public.
Who should go: Everyone!
Why you should care: Because nature!
What to do: There are a couple of tours to take, you can choose to do just one or both. 
Getting there: It's actually also on the way to Tombstone and Bisbee, so consider combining the trip somehow. 
When to go: If you plan to do both tours, check the website before planning your trip, because bats inhabit some of the rooms and the tour for that area is closed when the bats are in there. 

Musical Instrument Museum
What is it: Exactly what it sounds like!
Who should go: People interested in music, culture, history, etc.
Why you should care: It's really interesting to see the similarities and amazing varieties of instruments and types of music developed by different cultures through time. There are amazing pieces that you wouldn't expect. 
What to do: Normally in museums I would just read the descriptions of things, but since music is such a strong component of this museum, I think the audio tour is an obvious add-on here that is totally worth it. 
Getting there: It's in Scottsdale just off the 101. 
Other recommendations: Don't be afraid to spend some time in the play area at the end; you can go a little wild playing on the instruments in that section.  It's probably meant for the kids, but hey, we're all kids at heart, right? 

First Friday
What is it: It's a little bit beyond words, but I'll try.  It's something of a street festival of arts, ice cream vendors, and general crazies. 
Who should go: Everyone! Especially people who enjoy people-watching like me!
Why you should care: Phoenix is often ridiculed (rightfully so) for the lack of culture, but if there's one thing it has, it's this. 
What to do: Keep an open mind about the kinds of people out there, and just walk around wherever you hear music until you've had enough.  Stop and watch artists work, argue with the religious screaming people, and listen to the local streetperformers' music. 
Getting there: Light rail is a good option for transportation since parking can be challenging. 
What to bring: An open mind and some cash for art or ice cream or whatnot. 
When to go: First Friday of every month!  Obviously, summer is hot, so I would recommend avoiding those months.  

Antelope Canyons
What are they: Deep cracks in the earth that cast the most amazing shadows and sun light effects.
Who should go: Everyone, and especially amateur photographers.
Why you should care: These canyons are some of the most photographed parts of Arizona, and with good reason, they are absolutely stunning!  Photos really don't do them justice, but you can try. 
What to do: Tour either Lower Antelope Canyon or Upper Antelope Canyon, or both, but make sure you leave yourself sufficient time because tours only leave so often and take a while. 
What to bring: Bring a lot of cash - credit card was not accepted - and figure about $50 per person for each tour. Bring your camera, but no tripod unless you want to pay an upcharge for the photographer's tour. 
When to go: Any time the forecast is not showing rain - these canyons are impassable when it's raining and tours will not run if there's a risk. 
Warnings:  It's sad that people don't realize this on their own, but I feel compelled to say: These tours are run by the natives, and they have a monopoly on the tours because the canyons are on their land.  Keep that in mind, and be patient.  They do a great job, but not if you get fussy or nasty or expect them to kiss your ass. 

Montezuma's Castle and Toozigut
What are they: Very short hikes to and around Native American ruins.  Toozigut is regularly maintained, so you can walk all over it and around it.  Montezuma's Castle is up on the side of the mountain so you can only view it from a distance.
Who should go: Everyone!
Why you should care: These two sites are rich in Arizona history and help us understand how the native people lived so many years ago.
What to do: You can buy tickets for multiple sites to save money.  Bring picnic food and hang out at Montezuma's Castle to take in the view and enjoy the babbling brook and nature all around you. 
What to bring: Sunscreen, hats and cameras. 
When to go: Anytime is fine, just be cognizant of weather as always. 


and finally, no Arizona Bucket List would be complete without...Coyote Buttes North "The Wave"
What is it: THE most photographed part of Arizona, this is a moderately challenging hike with breathtaking rewards unlike any other hike I've ever known of.  If you work with Windows computers, you've probably seen it on one of the backgrounds - a beautiful sandstone structure carved by years of wind tearing through it. 
Who should go: Fit hikers with permits.
Why you should care: I mean, if you don't care about this place, I don't think we can be friends.  Also, there are dino tracks. 
What to do: The most challenging part of The Wave is not the hike or even the challenging drive in, but getting permits.  When I first learned about The Wave several years ago, it was much easier to get permits, but it is has become seemingly impossible lately.  But if it's of interest to you, keep trying!  The park issues 10 permits per day four months in advance through a lottery system; you

apply for the lottery online anytime the month prior to the drawing, and it's a small $5 fee that goes towards maintaining this beautiful park.  If you are selected, you will be notified on the 1st of the month, and have a few days to accept the permits at pay for them, $7 per person.  There's a trick, though, if you're a good planner and tech-savvy: All the unclaimed permits are released to the public on the website's calendar precisely at noon Utah time on the 15th of the month (note, it's not necessarily Arizona time - a mistake I realized when it was too late one month).  Those permits are literally available for seconds and snatched up by sneaky people who have figured out the system like I did so many years ago (it used to be easier to obtain permits this way, it's been much harder lately).  If you fail to get the advance permits, they also issue 10 permits per day in-person through a similar lottery drawing daily (permits are for the following day) but there is a large probability you won't get them, so make alternative plans if you choose this route. 
Getting there: Assuming you've passed the first challenge, the permit system, the next challenge you'll face is a rocky 8 mile road that absolutely requires 4WD and high clearance and could easily flood and become too muddy to get through if its raining or if there's snow on the ground.  Proceed with great caution!  There is also a "shortcut" to and from Phoenix that equates to about 40 miles of bumpy terrain that will lead to even the strongest bladder wanting to do the pee-pee dance.  I've been fortunate to go to The Wave three times, but I've only made this mistake once. 
What to bring: Standard hiking things, 3 liters of water per person minimum, snacks, a compass, flashlight, whistle, your permit (must be attached to your pack), hat, sunscreen, etc.  The permits come with an invaluable map that you can't replace with GPS or a store-bought map, so protect it and bring it.  Also, bring your camera and tripod, you do not want to miss out on these shots!  Goggles or some kind of eye protection may have been good, because the wind whips the sand up like crazy and it gets all up in your eyes, nose, mouth, ears, everything.  When to go: January was a bit cold, but makes for some unique snowbank shots on The Wave.  The best times to get permits are late Feb through early April, but these will also be the hardest times to get permits. 
Warnings:  Unlike many hikes, the trails aren't really marked here and there aren't a lot of people roaming about to help.  Make sure you or someone in your party is confident in their navigating skills (and preferably survival skills also).  People die out here, so be cautious of the weather, give yourself plenty of time to get our before sunset, and prepare appropriately.  The sand is a bitch here - friends of mine know that I hate sand and so they assumed I was overexaggerating the sand here, but learned when we did the hike that I was serious - you end up skating down hills of sand, and it fills your shoes, and the wind blows it into every crevasse of your body, and your skin is raw from being sandblasted.  But even yours truly with a sand-phobia will say it is worth it! 



So that's it (at least for now) - that's my list!  How many have you visited?  Have I missed any?  Leave your comments below!