3 Choice Spots to Visit in Phoenix on Your Next Business Trip

Home to six Fortune 500 companies, a world-class international airport and hundreds of hotels and resorts, Phoenix is already a top business travel destination. But with its reputation for fine dining, shopping, golf and seemingly endless sunny weather, America’s fifth largest city is also a great place to extend a business trip for a little “bleisure.”

Travel blogger and tastemaker, Andi Fisher, knows the best places to hit while you are in the “Valley of the Sun” for business, including where to view those iconic desert sunsets. Here are Andi’s three must-visit, choice spots when traveling for business in Phoenix.

Mountain Shadows Resort

5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

If you are in Phoenix for an overnight business trip, you have almost 500 choices of hotels and resorts. Mountain Shadows Resort is a desert oasis that earned its name from the shadows cast by the iconic silhouettes from nearby Camelback and Mummy mountains. Nestled in the heart of Paradise Valley in Scottsdale, it’s easy to see why Hollywood stars flocked to this location when it opened decades ago. Mountain Shadows gives you choices on how to enjoy your business trip and plenty of reasons to extend it. The resort is centrally located, making it a short drive to downtown for business meetings, shopping, nightlife and hiking the iconic Camelback Mountain. Whether you are checking emails by one of their two 75-foot long pools, grabbing a quick round of golf on their par-3, 18-hole course, or hosting your business dinner at one of their award-winning restaurants, Mountain Shadows Resort has something for every business traveler.

Musical Instrument Museum

4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050

According to our 2019 State of Business Travel survey, nearly half of business travelers incorporate a visit to a museum or gallery into their work trips. Phoenix happens to be home to one of the top-rated museums in the country: The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). As the largest museum of its kind, the 200,000 square-foot MIM offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with a collection of more than 13,000 musical instruments from nearly 200 different countries. From jazz to rock to tribal and folk music, visitors can spend hours viewing exhibits including instruments from music icons like Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Johnny Cash. The state-of-the art museum offers audio and video technologies including wireless headsets that stream music, giving visitors an immersive experience. The museum also invites guests to get hands-on and play instruments from around the world in their Experience Gallery. The MIM is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you have plenty of opportunities to soak in some culture between meetings.

Orange Sky Lounge at Talking Stick Resort

9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85256

Head to the Orange Sky Lounge atop the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort for spectacular views of the desert sunset. Whether you are hosting a business happy hour in the lounge or experiencing New American fine dining cuisines in their restaurant, you can’t go wrong with the floor-to-ceiling scenic views overlooking Camelback Mountain. If the sunset view isn’t enough to impress your business clients, then the wine list will. Orange Sky boasts a 2018 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for having one of the most outstanding wine lists in the world, with 400 bottles and 30 wines by the glass. Attire is business casual and reservations are recommended. If you happen to end up there on a Saturday, early-morning risers can also salute the sun with some morning yoga on the balcony.