Women visiting Phoenix might visit the 145-acre Desert Botanical Garden (dbg.org) on the outskirts of town. The garden stays open year-round and features rotating exhibits from artists ranging from photographers to sculptors who incorporate the natural surroundings into their work. Downtown, visitors will find the Japanese Friendship Garden (japanesefriendshipgarden.org), which covers more than three acres and features a tea house, koi pond and 12-foot waterfall. The Japanese Garden's season lasts from October through May.
Phoenix is a shopping haven. The well-to-do, and those that just like to look at high-end fashions, can visit Biltmore Fashion Park (shopbiltmore.com) on Camelback Road. Department stores Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue anchor the mall, which also hosts BCBGMAXAZRIA, Coach, Cole Haan and Ralph Lauren. For a more affordable shopping experience, visit the Desert Ridge Marketplace (shopdesertridge.com), which features an outdoor-styled mall bordered by big box stores. Stores include DSW, Marshalls and Kohl's.
After shopping, relax with a sumptuous spa treatment. Journey to Phoenix's Royal Palms Alvadora Spa (royalpalmshotel.com), which features treatments such as a Royal Body Polish and Citrus Grove Facial. The resort spa offers views of Camelback Mountain in an upscale part of Phoenix. Those on a budget might visit Body Beautiful Med and Day Spa (bodybeautifulspa.net), which offers massages in 30-, 60- and 90-minute intervals. The spa also offers traditional services along with healing rituals, such as cranial/sacral therapy and reflexology.
Ladies interested in American Indian cultures can visit the Heard Museum (heard.org). The museum features a variety of rotating exhibits and permanent collections that showcase the artwork, jewelry and fabrics used by Native Americans. The Phoenix Art Museum (phxart.org), also features rotating exhibits. The museum's permanent collections include American, Asian, European and Latin American artwork. The museum also houses a permanent collection of fashion featuring the likes of Chanel, Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent.
