Feeling bored? Stuck in a rut? If you live in a city as big as Phoenix, you shouldn’t. There’s always something new you can do in a big urban space like the Phoenix metro, a crazy activity to try or an exotic dish you never knew you loved until you tried it. If it’s time for you to break out of your old routine or add something new to your bucket list, then (assuming you haven’t already) you should go out and do one of these Phoenix-area activities.
Scale Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain is one of the peaks surrounded by the Phoenix metro, and homes sit right up against the sides of the mountain. It’s one of the tallest mountains in the Phoenix area, but thanks to some well-made trails that go up the mountain’s two gentle slopes it’s not that hard to climb. It won’t take you long, either, since you can park right at the base of the mountain on either side. However, Camelback is still a mountain, so make sure you’re in decent shape before you try to scale it.
Tour the Mystery Castle
The Mystery Castle is a strange building that sits isolated along the border between Phoenix and the South Mountains. According to the legend, a man named Boyce Gully built this castle in honor of his daughter, who hated having the tide come in and ruin her sand castles. So he came to Phoenix to build a stone castle that no wave would ever wash away, and while he died in 1945 his daughter moved in and offered tours until her death in 2010. The Mystery Castle remains open to guided tours today.
Learn to Cook at the Phoenix BBQ and Grilling School
Cooking is a useful skill no matter who you are or what your living situation is, and even if you already know the basics there’s always room for improvement and experimentation. Phoenix has several culinary schools, including the Phoenix BBQ and Grilling School, a place that specializes in teaching you how to smoke meat, grill over gas and open flames, and how to prepare the perfect steak.
Visit the Arizona Renaissance Festival
You probably know what a Renaissance Festival is, but have you ever been to one? In Arizona, the ren fair lasts from February to April, and it takes up about 30 acres along US-60 just south of Gold Canyon. You don’t have to dress up in period clothes (although you certainly can), and while you’re there you can watch old-fashioned bands, entertainment, jousting, and more. You’ll also get to browse the unique arts and crafts the Phoenix area produces, so make sure you bring your wallet.
If you’re feeling tired of doing the same old thing, nothing’s stopping you from trying something new, especially if you live in Phoenix, Arizona. Go out and try something on this list, and if none of them seem appealing you can always find plenty of other options.
‘Phoenix and Camelback Mountain 8841‘ via Flickr by Ted Eytan. Used with permission via CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original
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