USA Travel Guide

One of the cool things about Phoenix is that where most places roll out the full-time schedules during the summer, several Phoenix attractions do it in the winter. Not ideal for the school season, I guess, but at least you don’t have to stand outside in the heat.

Another cool thing about Phoenix is the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park. This ancient village of the Hohokam people features houses, offices and canals dated back more than 1500 years, with more yet to be discovered. While the tour sections have been preserved for the purpose of receiving guests, Pueblo Grande is still an active dig.

Although the location of such an extensive archeological dig within the limits of a major metropolitan city seems unusual, the site is no accident.  In fact, it was the Hohokam’s intricate canal system and “city planning” that encouraged city founder Jack Swilling to believe a community could thrive in the arid location. The original water system of Phoenix followed that of Hohokam’s almost exactly.

Exhibits include The Hohokam: The Land and the People, an in-depth look at the people and culture through art and artifacts. Hohokam Houses lies along the ruin trail and features stunning unearthed samples of the people’s dwellings. Their use of fencing (walling, technically) is surprisingly similar to modern American suburbs.

Dig It! is a popular stop, especially for the little ones. Here you have the chance to experience the day-to-day of archeology in a faux-dig site. Nice hands-on fun.

But one of the best things to do at Pueblo Grande, and the reason we waited until now, is visit the Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market. For two days in December, experience the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of a traditional Indian market ranked among the best in the country. Artists from more than 60 tribes travel in to sell authentic, handmade art, pottery, weavings, jewelry and more. You get to buy directly from the artist.

More than a market, it’s a whole experience. See and maybe even participate in traditional dances performed by Arizona tribes. View impressive artist demonstrations. And of course, eat delicious Native American cuisine, including Fry Bread, which if you’ve never had it, is the greatest of all breads.

The market does not take place at the park, so get your addresses straight. Learn more about the market here.

The Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park is a fun, healthy and educational good time for the whole family. Adult admission is only $6, and the park is open daily between October and April. Learn more.

From one of Phoenix’s oldest attractions to one of its newest. The Hotel Highland at Biltmore is a new hotel in the trendy Phoenix Biltmore district. Accommodations and amenities are surprisingly upscale, given the affordability (at that location). All the “frees” you could want.

Have fun!