PHOENIX - ATTRACTIONS

We spent four days in Phoenix, but spent most of it at the ballpark. Nonetheless, we saw a few things, here are 3 attractions that we recommend.

1. Desert Botanical Garden - Located in Eastern Phoenix, this botanical garden hosts a wide variety of desert plants. It is a good chance to take a walk through a unique environment which contains countless cacti, aloes, cresote bushes, and other plants that survive in such harsh conditions. Explanations are clear and concise and there are a number of interesting side trails to explore. There is also wildlife throughout the garden that can add to the experience. Guide books are also on sale and free Japanese translations are available upon request.   The garden is part of Papago Park which also contains the Phoenix zoo, so you can spend the afternoon talking to the animals if you so desire.

An organ pipe cactus located in the Desert Botanical Garden

2. State Capitol - Located between Adams and Jefferson Sts and 17th and 18th Avenues, the State Capitol is a nice place to spend a couple of hours before the game - in front of the building there is a nice park with memorials to Korean and Vietnam war veterans as well as a memorial statue to Arizona workers who have died on the job. On top of the Capitol Dome is a state of Winged Victory.

Inside the building is a four-story museum which briefly explains Arizona legislative history, including a recreation of House of Representatives Chamber. There is also an interactive exhibit on how a bill becomes law. But the most important exhibit is dedicated to the USS Arizona, which was destroyed at Pearl Harbor.  Admission to the museum and grounds is free, so you can relax and save your money for the hot dog at the game.

3. Heritage and Science Park - Located on Monroe Street between 5th and 7th Streets, the park contains a couple of museums that are good to pop into when the heat gets too much. The Phoenix Museum of History explores the development of Phoenix with some interesting exhibits and at $5 is a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

Entrance to the Phoenix Museum of History

Just next door is the Arizona Science Center which contains a large number of interactive exhibits designed for both children and adults. Of particular interest is the psychology section on the first floor which tests your way of thinking and explains why we think the way we do. There are also films that require separate admission.

As the Heritage and Science Park is next door to Bank One Ballpark, it is a good way to stay cool during the afternoon before checking out a night game.