Phoenix in July is a cool place to be, even in the summer—especially when you’re in an air-conditioned building, tour bus, or steamboat.
Participate in one of our tour offerings, and you can enhance the fun you will have at the Gathering 2020, July 16-19, by enjoying top sights in Arizona.
Register now for one, two or more of the tours offered:
Tour the Apache Trail
Photo by Sharium | CC NC-ND
Explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert by touring Arizona’s first “historic highway” and scenic byway, Apache Trail. You’ll experience Superstition Mountain Wilderness, Tortilla Flat, and Goldfield Ghost Town. The tour includes a narrated nature cruise on Canyon Lake on the famous Dolly Steamboat. Lunch is included. Thursday, July 16, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; $99.
Art and Oil
Learn local flora, fauna and wild west history while driving to Tucson. You will visit San Juan Bautista Lutheran Church where you’ll meet Michael Schultz, local graffiti artist, who will speak about Open Space Church. On the return drive, you’ll stop at Queen Creek Olive Mill, Arizona’s only working olive farm and mill. Tour the mill, shop the marketplace and enjoy lunch on your own. Thursday, July 16, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $79
Earth Science and Oil
Biosphere2 | Photo by Erin | CC NC-ND
Visit Biosphere 2, a science research facility in Oracle, Arizona, dedicated to research, outreach, teaching and life-long learning about the Earth and its place in the universe. Experience the Rainforest, an Ocean overlook, and a Coastal Fog Desert. Grab lunch before heading to Queen Creek Olive Mill, Arizona’s only working olive farm and mill. Tour the mill and shop the marketplace that features oils and delicacies. Thursday, July 16, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; $109
City Tour: Phoenix and Scottsdale
You’ll be treated to architecture, modern art, desert views, and more in Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun. Spot the Arizona State Capitol building and the Arizona Biltmore (featuring design elements from Frank Lloyd Wright) as you make your way to Old Town Scottsdale. In Old Town Scottsdale explore fashion shops and art galleries and enjoy some Southwest cuisine. Lunch is on your own. Thursday, July 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Sunday, July 19, 12:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; $69
Heard of the Heard?
Heard Museum | Photo by Jill Richards
You have three opportunities to visit the Heard Museum, created in 1929 and dedicated to the advancement of American Indian Art. Featuring both traditional and contemporary art, the Heard houses about 44,000 objects and displays many of them in its 12 exhibit galleries. Lunch can be purchased at the Heard’s Courtyard Café. You’ll also be introduced to Phoenix houses of worship on the way to and from the Heard. Thursday, July 16, Tour one departs at 10:30 a.m. and returns around 2:30 p.m.; Tour two departs at 12 p.m. and returns around 3 p.m.; Sunday, July 19, tour departs at 12:30 p.m. and returns around 2:30 p.m.; $59
Sedona Sites
Travel north of Phoenix to Sedona, a beautiful city nestled among a geographical wonderland of red rock buttes, green pine forests, and steep canyon walls. Enjoy exploring Sedona on your own for two hours, then board a trolley for a guided ride to Chapel of the Holy Cross. Then it’s on to Tlaquepaque Arts Village for lunch (on your own) and some shopping. Thursday, July 16, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; $79
Roberta Sorge | Unsplash
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Spend the final afternoon of the Gathering touring Arizona’s only working olive farm and mill. Learn how extra virgin olive oil is made, how to use it in the kitchen, and why it’s so good for you. Experts will teach you how to taste olive oil correctly. After touring the mill, shop the marketplace that features oils and delicacies, a perfect place to pick up gifts before returning home. You can choose from a delicious selection of food and beverage items in their store. And don’t forget to sample their ice cream for dessert! Sunday, July 19, 12:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; $45
Extended post-Gathering tour
The five-day post-gathering tour gets you out and about into the Grand Canyon State, focusing on must-see venues. On Sunday, you’ll drive from downtown Phoenix to Sedona, with a stop at Montezuma Castle along the way. Enjoy dinner in Sedona on your own. Begin Monday with some optional tours around Sedona and then travel to the Grand Canyon, where more optional tours await you. Following optional tours on Tuesday morning, you’ll depart for Page. You get to explore the Antelope Canyon Wednesday morning before you head off to Flagstaff, with a stop at Horseshoe Bend along the way. Enjoy a visit to the Lowell Observatory that evening. You can enjoy Thursday morning in Flagstaff at your leisure before departing at 1:30 p.m. for Phoenix. Sunday, July 19, leaving approximately 12 p.m.; returning Thursday, July 23, in Phoenix approximately 4 p.m. Single occupancy: $1,698.00; Double occupancy: $1,199.00
Questions about tours should be addressed to Framework Meetings and Destinations (208) 502-1150; [email protected]. If you’ve registered for the Gathering 2020 and want to add a tour, re-visit your online registration form or call Framework.