Bustling city or silent mountains? Warm desert or snowy peaks? In Arizona, the choice is yours – and nowhere else will you find so much to choose from. With five distinct regions, dozens of national and state parks, and hundreds of towns and cities, Arizona’s landscape is as diverse as it is beautiful.
With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Arizona is a goldmine for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy hiking, biking, boating, swimming, golf, tennis, horseback riding and even skiing and snowboarding during the winter months with just a short drive north to the mountains. Take a weekend trip to Arizona destinations including Sedona, Tucson, the Grand Canyon, Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains. Phoenix’s central location also makes it easy to drive to the bright lights of Las Vegas and the beaches of southern California or Mexico in just a few hours.
Love sports? Phoenix has four professional sports teams: The Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Valley is also home to Spring Training for many major league baseball teams.
Tempe is also home to a vast range of art, culture and music. No matter if you have a burning passion for arts and culture, experience theatre life occasionally, or have a strong artistic desire for elegant or groovy, you’ll find something to fit your style in Tempe.
To name a few, the ASU Art Museum, Ceramics Research Center, and Tempe Center for the Arts are just minutes down the road and offer everything from contemporary art to photography to ceramics created by national, global, and local artists. In addition, Tempe Town Lake, local bus stops, the Arizona State Campus and A Mountain offer a great opportunity to explore the surplus of public art surrounding the Tempe area.
Tempe offers a variety of opportunities to enjoy a night filled with music, good vibes, and entertainment. There are numerous ways you can enjoy the excitement and entertainment that await in Tempe. One way is to spend time in the Mill Avenue District, a pedestrian-friendly downtown just west of Sonoran that captures the spirit of a college town. Nightlife venues and shops make the Mill Avenue District a popular destination for people all over the country.
In addition to the Mill Avenue District, live music can be found all over Tempe. A few places to mention are Rula Bula with an open mic on Tuesdays, acoustic night every Wednesday at Chop Shop and opera style performances at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Looking to clear and entertain your mind for a few hours? The ASU Gammage Theatre offers incredible award-winning Broadway shows like Wicked and Rent.
However, maybe you might be looking for a concert atmosphere to let go of the stresses from the day. If so, the perfect place for you is the Marquee Theatre. The Marquee Theatre is a small sized music venue that has hosted over 1,500 touring bands and music groups in the last 15 years. Furthermore, it has hosted Katy Perry, Adele, Prince, Green Day and more. No matter the entertainment preference, Tempe is the perfect place to spend time unwinding from the everyday tasks of a medical school student.
While the Phoenix area provides a plethora of fun activities to do, we know it is good to get away sometimes. You will have many opportunities for fun road trips during your time at Sonoran!
About 2.5 hours north of Sonoran, Flagstaff is known as a ski and snowboard destination with cool weather and amazing slopes. However, if you don’t want to head for the mountain there are still a bunch of other amazing things to do. These include whitewater rafting, helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, star gazing at the Lowell Observatory and much more. Also, you can kick back and relax with friends at one of Flagstaff’s unique wine bars, coffee shops or pubs.
Located about two hours from the Sonoran Campus, Sedona offers a wide variety of activities perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. Breathtaking scenic hikes through the red rocks, camping under crystal clear starry skies, excellent golfing, and hot air balloon rides are just some of the great outdoor activities that can be experienced in Sedona. If you are looking for total relaxation, there are a number of spas and great restaurants as well. There are always fun festivals and arts events going on, so check it out!
Nestled in the heart of Arizona’s burgeoning Verde Valley is the town of Cottonwood. Enjoy picturesque scenery while kayaking through the valley, or embark on the famous Verde Valley Wine Trail featuring local Arizona wineries. Experience Cottonwood’s rich history with historic tours, nature trails, local art galleries, and antiques and boutique shops in Oldtown. Cottonwood’s wide variety of events and festivals, shopping, excellent dining options, and bed and breakfasts makes this historic town the perfect weekend getaway.
At Sonoran, you have a Wonder of the World just a short drive away! Arizona’s most iconic destination, the Grand Canyon is something that you have to see in person. Whether you want to hike, raft, horseback ride, or just stare in awe at the incredible view, the Grand Canyon is something everyone should experience.
The hillside historic mining town of Jerome is a popular tourist destination filled with artists, musicians, writers, and perhaps even the occasional ghost! Spend a day wandering the narrow streets full of unique shops, restaurants and saloons.
Los Angeles is only a 6 hour drive or 1.5 hour flight from Tempe. The beach, Disneyland and tons of other entertainment are there if you want a nice change of scenery. If you are looking for an international excursion, Mexico is only a few hours south. Also, Las Vegas is less than 5 hours away. With all the amazing clubs, casinos and shows available in Sin City just be sure not to have too much fun!