Graduation Celebration
Where do you take the family? Where do you party to celebrate your achievement? Consider these prime destinations.
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Road Trip:
Nestled amid some of the largest ponderosa pines in the world,
The streets are lined with lovely Victorian homes, western bars, restaurants and historic hotels. The Hassayampa Inn is one of
Just down the street from the Hassayampa Inn is the lively and legendary Whiskey Row. The Row is home to numerous saloons that can make the city folk feel as if they traveled back in time. The majority of the buildings were reconstructed between the fall of 1900 and 1905, after a fire destroyed the area in July of 1900. This historic watering hole is a great place to grab a drink and chat with colorful locals.
Here are some other great destinations to visit that don’t require much money or time in the car:
Jerome was the former home of gamblers, miners, bootleggers and prostitutes. Now, this eccentric ghost town is home to artists and new-agers. Drive time: Approx 2½ hours one way
Sedona is a great place to soak up some positive vibes, where vortexes, nature and magnificent red rocks are abundant. Drive time: Approx 2 hours on way
Nogales, Mexico, is more than just a fun place to go drinking, it’s also a cool place to shop and check out some historic sites. Drive time: Approx 3 hours one way
In-Town Destinations:
Looking for a great place to spend an afternoon and get out of the heat? The
Check out the many gallery exhibits, grab a bite of lunch in the fabulous Museum Café and even do some shopping at The Museum Store.
The exhibit “Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art: Treasures from the Rijksmuseum,
“Curves of Steel: Streamlined Automobile Design” features 22 amazing automobiles that illustrate how the science of aerodynamics impacted design. European and American designs created between the 1930s through the end of the 20th century offer great motivation to get your man off the couch and into the museum.
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, 602.257.1222, Tuesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $14 for adults, $6 for children age 6-17, free for museum members
Alternatives:
The Phoenix Zoo is a great place to see lions, tigers and bears, oh my!
Taliesin West is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most renowned architectural masterpieces. 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright,
Desert Botanical Gardens features 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits.
Graduation Dinner: Quiessence Restaurant
The Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar is located on The Farm at
The restaurant is framed with twinkle lights and is settled among a beautiful grove of pecan trees and fragrant flowers, creating an elegant and relaxing dining environment.
The cuisine is created using seasonal, local and “consciously-grown” ingredients, resulting in culinary bliss. Locally grown vegetables include: roasted baby carrots, sugar snap peas, roasted turnips and potatoes.
Groups of 10 or more can choose three different dinner menus all offering a bountiful multi-course meal. Prices range from $55-$75 per person.
The Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar is the perfect place to celebrate with friends and family and drink a glass of wine, or several.
Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar, 6106 S. 32nd Street, Phoenix, 602.276.6360, open Tuesday through Saturday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Alternatives:
My Florist Café offers a chic atmosphere, live piano music, wonderful food and fabulous mojitos.
Mythos features Greek and
House of Tricks is located in a historic building and offers fine dining and, of course, drinks.
Parent-Friendly Bar: Kazimierz
Kazimierz offers a wide selection of international cuisine and a plush, European-style interior, but the biggest draw to this
If the amount of choices seems daunting, just ask for the “fifty nifty,” which is a one-page list of house favorites. The wine list is also organized by price so if you’re buying, you can be frugal and if the parents are buying, they can splurge.
Kazimierz,
Alternatives:
Compass Restaurant, On the top floor of the Hyatt, this must-see for any visitor offers amazing views of the Valley as it slowly spins. 122 N.
AZ88, An upscale, but not too upscale ambiance makes this a perfect place to feel comfortable, but still impress.
7353 Scottsdale Mall,
Merc Bar, Be forewarned that the Merc is small, but it will also be a nice, safe place to take the family.
Party with Friends: Rosie McCaffrey’s
Irish pubs are always excellent for celebrations; they usually have loud music and good beer, allow for some drunken shenanigans and have lots of room for friends. That’s exactly what Rosie McCaffrey’s offers.
Thank Seamus McCaffrey, an Irish immigrant and owner of Rosie McCaffrey’s, for bringing Guinness to the Valley and for continuing to pour the Irish goodness.
If beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Rosie’s has the best Irish and Scottish whiskeys for your pleasure.
And booze isn’t the only wonderful thing about this pub, they also have fish and chips, Paddy O’Melts and a bunch of other Irish-influenced bar food.
Rosie’s has the perfect atmosphere and delights to celebrate graduation, or anything.
Rosie McCaffrey’s, 906 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix, 602.241.1916
Alternatives:
The Monastery, There’s plenty of room for you and all of your friends, and if you get hungry, you can grill your own meat.
4810 E. McKellips,
Four Peaks, A Tempe favorite – for good reason – with patio seating, delicious beer and some of the best French fries in town.
Shopping: Insight Menswear
Insight Menswear was opened in March by two
Besides being in a convenient location at the Memorial Union on the ASU Tempe Campus, Insight offers suits, shirts and ties at very low prices. Blazers aren’t more than $150 and all of their ties are $14.99, which is a fraction of the cost at most department stores.
If you’re at a loss for what to buy, the owners – Gavin Jacobs and Ryan Buono – will be happy to dish out some fashion advice.
Insight Menswear, Memorial Union, ASU
Alternatives:
Here on the Corner, This boutique always has nice dresses, cute handbags and funky accessories.
So-Oh Fashions, The place offers a wide variety of hip, colorful dresses.
42 Saint, This is one of the few boutiques in the area that have both men and women’s clothing.
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