photo credit: kevindooley

Besides the fact that Phoenix is considered one of the younger cities of the U.S., incorporated in 1881 and many of the true historic landmarks have long been torn down, the story of this city can still be told.  Soon after landing at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport you will find yourself winding way through museums and those locations that still hold the memories of  events long gone by.  With our list of historical landmarks around Phoenix, and its surrounding towns of Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe, you won’t have to dig so hard to learn how this area was built and how it has emerged as the fifth largest metropolis in the U.S.

The Wrigley Mansion, built in 1932 by the Wrigley chewing gum king, William Wrigley Jr.  The cost of building the mansion was 1.2 million, a hefty price back then.  Its official name, La Colina Solana (The Sunny Hill) was dubbed by Wrigley himself.  With Mediterranean and Spanish influences, the mansion is an elegant 16,850 square feet.  The structure has 24 rooms and 12 bathrooms.  If you can imagine, it is the smallest of Wrigley’s homes.  He must have made sold a lot of sticks of gum in his time.  Today the Wrigley Mansion is open to the public at which you can request the location for a special occasion.

Historic Heritage Square is a square city block which is the only remaining original Phoenix town site.  The structures, including houses, commercial buildings and carriage houses date back to the late 1800s.  Visitors can enjoy the structures and their architecture as many have been transformed into museums, restaurants and shops.  The most elaborate and largest home in Historic Heritage Square is the Rosson House, built in 1885.  Join a tour to learn all of the historic information regarding these Victorian buildings.

St. Mary’s Basilica is the oldest and most beautiful Catholic church in Phoenix, built in 1881.  Founded by Father Edouard Gerard, the Roman Catholic Basilica has Spanish architecture with twists of French and Southwestern influences.  In 1987 Pope John Paul II visited the church.  A daily mass is still practiced at St. Mary’s.

Hall of Fame Fire Museum displays 90 fully restored fire trucks dating back to 1725.  There is a complete hands on exhibit area where you can actually put on old-time fire gear.  Don’t miss the collection of fire helmets depicted as a timeline.  The change in helmets through the years is very interesting.  This is a budget friendly destination for the whole family with the $5 admission fee and free parking.

Mystery Castle was built in 1939 by Boyce Gulley.  It may seem more like a local oddity than a historical landmark, but it’s so interesting it seemed as though it was a destination not to be missed while in Phoenix.  The entire structure is made from odds and ends of salvage material, artifacts and just plain junk.  Tours are still given from October to mid June, Thursday through Sunday.

Taliesin West, located northeast of Phoenix at the foothills of McDowell Mountains, is a tribute to the work of Frank Lloyd Wright.  This 600 acre complex is the backdrop to Wright’s designed structures that blend seeming naturally with the nature that surrounds them.  Taliesin (pronounced tal-ee-ess-in) means “a shining brow.”  Taliesin West was contemplated after Taliesin I, II and III, built in Wisconsin, had burned in succession.  It’s massive walls are built from the desert’s rock with redwood beams by his students. At the time it was meant to be only a winter camp, but grew into much more.  Today this site is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Memorial Foundation and School of Architecture.  Guided tours are offered.

Phoenix Museum of History is where you will find the preserved artifacts of the cities history.  The museum will take you through the beginning of Phoenix as a dusty town in the desert to the Phoenix Metro of today.  This central Phoenix area built it’s agricultural economy through a series of canals that were hand dug by the Hohokams.  Follow the pre-statehood period of the pioneers as they built the area up.  Enjoy an interactive exhibit and feel what it was to live during the time of Camp McDowell.

Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium was the last commissioned structure designed by famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.  It’s located on the Arizona State University campus and was named after the president of the university from 1933 to 1959.  The auditorium opened in 1064 with a performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra.  In 1985 the structure was entered into the list of the National Register of Historic Places.  With a total seating capacity of 3017, it is not only wheelchair accessible but also offers a system for 30 hearing impaired visitors as well as hand signers.  Interestingly, from a sky view the auditorium depicts a guitar.

Phoenix Police Museum follows the history of the men and women in blue and their great service and sacrifice for the city and it’s people. In 2006 the police department celebrated an important anniversary of 125 years.  You’re going to love the recreations of a 1900’s police station.  It will make you feel like a time traveler when you see the 1919 Model T police car.

Arizona State Capital originally housed the territorial and state legislators.  However, it is now maintained as a historic museum as government officials have moved to surrounding buildings.  It was first built to show that the territory was ready for statehood.  Although the original plans for the structure was meant to be much larger, it was scaled down when funds ran out.  But, it was ready for business in 1901 with additional wings added in 1918 and 1938.  Today, the capital has been restored to its appearance of 1912 and is open to the public for viewing.  A special display honors the men of the USS Arizona which was lost at Pearl Harbor during World War II.

Phoenix Area Landmarks

The fighting spirit and rich history of Phoenix may be young in the standards compared to other cities of the U.S., but there is much to see and do that will bring the full spectrum of the lives of the early pioneers to the people of today.  This region has historic landmarks that will give you a feeling for the uniqueness of Phoenix.  Click here for great rates on hotels in Phoenix.

photo credit: simax105

Southwestern cuisine comes to mind when thinking about Phoenix, Arizona. And, in fact, Phoenix does have some of the best southwestern and Mexican restaurants in all the country. However, the chefs in the southwest are a diverse bunch that specialize in Italian, French and seafood cuisine as well.

Donovan’s Steak and Chop House offers USDA prime beef as their star attraction. You’ll get the luxury of valet parking as you drive up to this great restaurant. Start your meal with an appetizer of a Giant Shrimp Cocktail then try Donovan’s Chop House Salad with bacon and hearts of palm. For your main course any of Donavan’s steaks are supreme. Top off your meal with Crème Brulee with fresh strawberries.

Sophie’s French Bistro is a casual, yet intimate restaurant located in central Phoenix in a 1940s cottage. French cottage décor will surround you as you enjoy oven-roasted quail or fresh Alaskan halibut. When you first enter it will feel as though you are part of a Parisian experience. Sophie’s offers a full bar and a wide array of wines from France, Australia, Oregon and California. There is patio seating for warm weather lunches and dinners.

Steamers Genuine Seafood offers the freshest seafood, chicken, pasta and steaks. Chef Jose Overa creates award winning dishes including some just for Steamers. You will have a hard time making a decision between their Fire and Ice Salmon, Stuffed Lobster and Pepper Encrusted New Zealand Swordfish. For dessert they have a nice selections of sorbets and Gelatos and for the delectably inclined try the Snickers Cheesecake or Key Lime Pie. They are open for lunch and dinner daily.

Elements Restaurant at the Sanctuary offers an Asian accent to their American style cuisine. Executive Chef Beau MacMillan presents a menu with different dishes (seasonal) monthly. Elements is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A sample dinner might include an appetizer of Chinese long beans & miso scallion vinaigrette followed by a farmer’s market salad. For the main course you might order pan seared wild salmon with sesame jasmine rice, ending the beautiful meal with a peach panna cotta or a white chocolate mousse.

Lon’s at the Hermosa is an authentic hacienda. The spectacular Arizona scenery surrounds the adobe dining room. Enjoy your meal sitting next to one of the warm fireplaces or in warmer weather, out on the patio. Dishes range from cactus pear lacquered breast of duck to pecan roasted pork chops. The dishes at Lon’s are created to reflect the current season. Lon’s offers special events such as their Wednesday’s wine. It is held between 5 pm and 7 pm, offering wine tasting from their award winning cellar. Sunday Cool Jazz Brunch is offered from 11 am to 2 pm and is accompanied by live jazz musicians.

Cowboy Ciao has a global and southwest bend to their modern American cuisine. Although their entrees are beyond compare, their desserts created by Chef Tracy Dempsey are out of this world. Try the Fossil Creek Creamery Chevre Tart or the House Made Ice Cream and Cookies for a perfect ending to your meal. If you live close by or can plan an event in Phoenix, call them ahead to set up a special event.

Salt Cellar, a seafood restaurant, has the largest Phoenix selection of fish flown in daily for freshness. You’ll love the Maine lobster, Hawaiian Ahi, Alaskan King Crab and other seafood that has risen the Salt Cellar to the top of the restaurant popularity list. Try the Charcoal Broiled Georges Bank Sea Scallops for a real treat. Salt Cellar offer two different happy hours, 4pm to 7pm and 10pm to 1am.

Capital Grill serves American cuisine of steaks and seafood. Food Critics have praised their dry aged steaks as superb. Seafood is flown in daily for freshness and they tout a collection of 400 award winning wines to choose from. They specialize in personal event planning. The décor abounds in African mahogany and original oil paintings. If you are feeling really hungry try the 24 ounce porterhouse.

Houston’s prepares everything from fresh chicken, beef and fish made daily. You’ll find surroundings of mortared brick, brass and stained wood. This is fine dining with a casual atmosphere and menu. Eat the best steaks and prime rib you’ve ever had. You’ll love their use of fresh herbs and spices. It’s been said that their tortilla soup is like none other you’ve ever tasted.

Pizzeria Bianco was unofficially dubbed to make the “best pizza in America.” This place is small in size, but large in flavorful gourmet pizza flavor. Your meal will start with delicious crusty bread with a side of olive oil for dipping. Next you might try the Spiedini (salad) with two skewers of Fontina cheese wrapped in prosciutto heated in a wood fire oven. The next dish might be a wonderful antipasto. When your pizza finally arrives you will notice how handmade it appears. But with the first bite you will know that it was made with such a special sense of flavor and texture. You might order the Wise Guy, the Margherita, the Sonny Boy or Biancoverde. All exquisite.

Tarbells received the “Best Restaurant” award from Food and Wine Magazine as well as the “Best Chef: Southwest” nominee for Chef Mark Tarbell from the James Beard Foundation among many other nominations and awards. You’ll enjoy the friendly atmosphere of light wood and white table cloths. Tarbell’s offers more than 30 wines by the glass. Mark Tarbell studied in Paris. He offers house-made pastas in dishes such as Ribbon Past with Bolognese and Mark’s Famous Spaghetti and Meat Balls. For a special treat for dinner try the Pan-Roasted Organic Chicken and Buttermilk Mashed Broccolini.

If you’re fine dining, you also deserve fine accommodations.  But that doesn’t have to mean expensive!  Click here for fine hotel deals in Pheonix or anywhere.