My medical tourism patients are realizing that they can often turn their medical travel into a mini vacation. Sometimes that just means bringing friends and family to enjoy the weather, pool, and time away. Many homes are available for rent and can accommodate family groups. Sometimes it means actually getting out of the home or hotel and exploring metropolitan Phoenix. Day trips or even short overnight stays to points of interest are on option for many. The 2 most popular local activities that patients and families seem interested in are sporting events and shopping

SPORTS ACTIVITIES

My personal favorite sporting activity is hockey. I am an Arizona Coyotes season ticket holder. A number of medical tourism patients and families have accompanied me to games. Many patients stay in the Arrowhead Ranch area near to my office. This makes the drive to Jobing.com arena, located in an area referred to as Westgate, a short 15 minute trip. Once at Westgate there are many dining options. The Yard House is a favorite for my wife and me. If you’re a beer lover this place has more than 200 beers on tap. There are plenty of TV’s for watching games and the food is always very good. There are menu options for all tastes. The outdoor patio dinning can be a real treat during hockey season with our outstanding Valley of the Sun weather. As a city with all 4 major sports there are games year around with the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cactus League baseball, and the Arizona Cardinals calling Phoenix home.

SHOPPING

Shopping trips can be good post operative rehab for medical tourism patients. The indoor malls are air conditioned with smooth, flat floors perfect for walking. In the Arrowhead area there is the Arrowhead Towne Center. For those willing to travel just a little further Scottsdale Fashion Square seems to be a shoppers paradise. Not really being a shopper myself can’t say I spend much time there. It does seem to be a must for out of town guests and visiting family. Scottsdale Fashion Square has the largest variety of retailers including a common favorite—Nordstrom. Biltmore Fashion Park, Desert Ridge Marketplace, Kierland Commons, are all outdoor malls best suited for cooler weather. They have many intriguing restaurants and can be very nice venues.

DAY TRIPS

Hands down Sedona is the best day or overnight trip. About a 90 minute drive it is usually near the end of my medical tourism patient’s stay. A true gem. Even a drive through is worthwhile but some brief exploring is great if possible. The Elote Café is our amongst our favorite Mexican restaurants in all of Arizona. Not traditional. You’ll see that if you look at the menu. A little before Sedona on the right hand side of the road as you enter from freeway. Very inconspicuous. Easy to miss. On the upper level of a place called the King’s motel. If you have any inclination would go very early to minimize your wait. They do have a lot of outdoor seating to pass the time sipping margaritas but they do not take reservations. Lines form before they open at 5. If you are up for it, feeling well, and like Mexican food a worthwhile stop.

The Enchantment Resort is in a secluded and beautiful box canyon. Nice patio for lunch and also nice fine dining for dinner. As u might expect a little pricey but a very magical setting. L’Auberge de Sedona is different from the Enchantment. Also great outside dining. Located on the tree lined Oak Creek Canyon. Right in the middle of town. Also pricey but a special treat. The Best Western offers a more affordable alternative for an overnight stay.

Tlaquepaque is an interesting out door shopping venue. Just to the left as you enter town. Much better place to shop around than main street downtown which is just tourist stuff. A very wide variety of quaint shopping and some nice spots to have a casual lunch also.