Hi Friends!! Long time no see! I apologize for my absence on this page but wow has it been a busy (and blessed!) 2022. So many happenings around here it has been hard to get myself to create some extra time for Vida Noel! We just got back from our Spring Break with the kids. We went to one of our favorite spots; Phoenix, Arizona. It is no surprise that we went there, WE LOVE IT! We have been many times so it is easy for us to pack up and go with the kids. We know the area so well now, it makes travel a breeze! I am rounding up our favorite spots and of course my favorite outfits from the trip! Have you been to Phoenix?
OUR TRAVEL DAY TO PHOENIX
Omaha has a great non-stop flight to Phoenix. We usually opt for the early 6:30am flight to get to Phoenix around the same time! The time difference makes it so we do not lose any time, which I LOVE! We get there so early and it gives us the whole day to explore and get ourselves settled. The kids did great on the flights. Noelia is 6 and Reina is almost 3. They occupied themselves with snacking, coloring, and of course some iPad time! This was our first time flying to Phoenix during their busy season. We usually opt for their hotter months when not as many people travel there but we were really curious to experience just how busy the area can get! The only negative with flying to Phoenix during this time was the car-rental was a disaster. The lines were outrageously long and there were lines of people waiting for a car. Luckily, we ordered a MidSize and were able to get a vehicle right away.
TIP: If you know it will be busy travel week where you are headed, strive to get your rental car order placed ahead of time and opt for a larger vehicle than a car.
OUR STAY
We usually opt for a Resort Hotel but the prices were pretty steep this time of year. We decided to try an AIRBNB for the first time and had a great experience! We found a condo in the MAYA condominiums near Old Towne Scottsdale that had two bedrooms and a full kitchen. The condo had covered parking and a pool which made the stay so nice! If you are looking for a Resort to stay at, we have been to Hotel Adeline, Andaz, The Scott and The Sanctuary. We would recommend them all!
It had the cutest patio! And the cutest girls 😉
You can always find me in the sun!
THINGS TO DO
Other than pool days, there are so many great things to do in Phoenix with kids. There is a Botanical Garden you can visit, Zoo, endless fun restaurants, mini golf, and of course the outdoors! Brody and I always hike when we come here solo so we thought it would be fun to take the girls on a “nature walk” as we called it. We found a kid-friendly trail off McDowell Mountain called the Gateway trail. It is so pretty there this time of year! A lot of greenery and blooming cactuses. It is about 1.7 miles and rocky so be sure to bring proper shoes, we weren’t as prepared as we usually are!
Look at those smiles!
We also had a blast at the Arizona State University Spring Football Showcase! Brody has really started to follow ASU and all their happenings so he was stoked! Their stadium is in Tempe near the University. It is tucked on the side of a small mountain so the views are amazing! The stadium was so clean and everything seemed to be well ran. There are many, MANY sporting events that you can take your kids too. Phoenix is the sports Mecca of the US. The Suns would have been so fun to see play as well as Spring Baseball! If you are a sports loving family, you are sure to find something to watch! Especially during the Spring time.
We also took the girls to The Great Wolf Lodge for one night per Noelia’s request ;). They had so much fun but beware, it is a money pit! It is pricey and all food and activities outside of the waterpark cost money.
There is a shopping center at The Quarter/Kierland where there is fun splash pad! This was the first time we went there and it is so big and pretty! Some stores include Pottery Barn, West Elm, Restoration Hardware, LuluLemon, Free People, basically all the fun shops I don’t get in Omaha!
PLACES TO EAT
The Henry
Breakfast Club
Diego Pop’s
Nektar
SugarBowl (our girls’ favorite!)
Toca Modera
Element (in Sanctuary Resort)
Cava
Crumbl Cookie (duh)
The Outfits
Did you really think I would write a blog post without a full outfit round up?! Arizona is my place to show off all the color in my wardrobe! Their stunning scenery makes it so easy to feel put together.
We did family photos at Superstition Mountain and they turned out SO BEAUTIFUL!
I got to see some of my gorgeous Arizona babes! These are my babes Erin & Sandy.
We really did have a great time. It is tiring to travel with kids but this really was such a fun trip for all of us. A lot of memories were made. Our hearts are forever connected to Phoenix. Who knows…maybe the next time we are there it will be more permanent? 😉 GOD KNOWS!
I love it!! Everything looks beautiful. Thank you for sharing your lovely vacation!