That city is a monument to man’s arrogance.

GO. TO. THE MIM! it’s the Musical Instrument Museum. It’s huge, it’s incredibly well organized and informative, and it’s fun for anybody (unless you kick puppies and have no soul).

Their collection is crazy impressive and spans the whole world and pretty much all time. I never knew how many cultures had bagpipes and accordions. Or how many weird types of horns were even possible.

I was just there 2 weeks ago. I’m not sure about your time, transportation, or proximity to it, but if you’ve never seen it, the grand canyon. I always thought it’d be touristy and not worth the hype, but it’s insane. 7,000ft up on a massively flat area and there’s just this massive hole in ground that’s 4x as wide as you are higher than sea level. I spent an hour hiking down south Kaibab (and 90+ mins coming back up) and didn’t even exit the white top portion of the canyon (down to ooh ahh point). It’s like 3 hours to drive but totally worth tagging onto my trip from across the country. It’s also a dark sky park. Yes, most of AZ is dark, but there’s something to be said for being in a designated stargazing area in the middle of the night. The other distant places I went to were the Meteor Crater, petrified Forest, Montezuma Castle, Sedona, and Lowell Observatory (flagstaff) where I touched the pluto discovery telescope and hung out for amazing telescope viewing from modern devices from 8-10p. Beware, north gets cold fast.

As for Phoenix, I didn’t have a car while I was actually staying there for a few days, so my travels were all walked from the Hilton resort against the Phoenix mountain reserve. I wondered if I could chuck it up that mountain and, sure enough, I could. I walked 45 mins to get there and 45 mins up to the peaks (mostly flat bike paths until the peaks) and had a gorgeous view of the city at sunset. I enjoyed the variety at 1227 Taproom with 25 beers on tap, several ciders and meads, and some seltzers as well as nearly-expired $4 mystery beer cans. The two mexican/taco joints there were cool too, but every other one I went to was cool too except for alibertos (chain) lol. For having such great winter weather, I did not get the feeling it was walk friendly. Maybe just the wrong section. Coming from a region known to be fast and rude, phx seemed so relaxed. I flew out of 30°F at home and was happy to just be outside in the 70s. Other suggestions here are probably better but it’s just amusing I was just there for the first time

Rainbows is happening downtown next weekend. The art museum is pretty good IMO, so is the musical instrument museum. If you’re able to eat at ChinoBandido get yourself some Chinese Mexican food, highly recommend the Jade red chicken, Machaca in a quesadilla, and some pork fried rice. Take a hike, Piestewa peak is mid difficult, camelback echo canyon is pretty tough. Mill Ave for college night life. Medieval times for a fun dinner theater. Tempe beach park is a nice stroll or biking area.

Have fun in the self driving cabs, get the Waymo app while you’re here. They only work in central Phoenix.

Whatever you do, hydrate.

if you are lucky, there’s a big, perpetual, gigantic thermonuclear explosion in the sky

There’s a cool covered outdoor bar with food truck but they are operating out of shipping containers that make up the walls. Its hard to explain, it’s called The Churchill. Freak brothers pizza is there and it’s badass. Even have vegan option that are actually good. https://maps.app.goo.gl/VGPyLLAHVNBSR1Bt6

I rather like the musical instrument museum. I’m trying remember my favorite food. It’s been a while. Los dos molinos? Don’t know if it’s the best, but I liked it.

https://www.cornishpastyco.com/locations/

Omnomnomnom nommy nom

Definitely check out the japanese friendship garden!

Castles and Coasters. As well as tilt arcade.

Frank Lloyd Wright museum and house

There are a ton of great restaurants like everyone has pointed out. Phoenix is huge and your experience is going to vary greatly in which areas you are in and you’re access to transportation. The mass transit is getting better but still not great. You can take Waymo (self-driving cars) to many places but it is better just to have your own car here. Check out Arizona Highways magazine for some outdoor stuff. There is a killer airplane museum in Tucson and a Titan missile solo you can go tour. Tons of car shows all over the place. I personally like catching the one at the Pavilions in Scottsdale. It is a great time of year to visit though and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Well, shit. Here you go. When I lived in Phoenix, I came up with this list of activities to do with a friend when they would visit.

• Mexican food (it’s everywhere and it’s better than where you live unless that’s LA or Mexico)
• South Mountain is fun to drive and see at night
• Zoo is a good one especially when the heat isn’t bad
• Renaissance Festival is going on but it’s a drive out there
• Spring Training is likely going on
• Ostrich Festival is sometime in March (Chandler)
• Soleri Bridge
• Hole in the Rock
• Love sculpture 
• Goldfield ghost town
• Wildlife World Zoo
• Tovrea Castle tour
• Bed of Nails (AZ Science Center)
• Rosson House
• Biltmore (hotel)
• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Four Peaks Brewery
• Durant’s 
• Carolinas
• Schnepf Farms (May)
• Cerreta Candy Co
• Compass Arizona Grill (restaurant, get a window table 30 min before sunset)

Some of these are specific to the part of town I was in. Hopefully this helps give a couple ideas.

I visited for a few days once. If you like the outdoors, the parks in the surrounding area are nice. Camelback in the city is packed and not particularly fun.

Overall, I found that Phoenix was not at all a place I’d like to spend time. You might try Sedona just a little north of Phoenix. I haven’t been there, but I hear it’s not Phoenix, and in general seems more aligned with the things you mentioned you like.