Fall is the perfect time to head to the desert—specifically Phoenix, where CHEST 2026 will be hosted, October 18 to 21. But Phoenix is more than just dry air and sunshine. The meeting’s location at the Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) perfectly positions attendees to sample the city’s rich art, food, and culture.

To start, attendees certainly won’t go hungry, said Michael A. Chirichillo of Visit Phoenix. “We have several intriguing restaurants and attractions that are near the Phoenix Convention Center, making it easy for attendees to get a taste of the destination without having to venture far from the conference.”

Attendees will also have easy access to everything from archaeological sites to red butte formations to one of the largest musical instrument collections in the world. Here’s what to put on your Phoenix checklist.

Restaurants

Bacanora
1301 NW Grand Ave, Unit 1
(1.7 miles from PCC)

If you love foodie shows, you might know Bacanora. It was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles—and for good reason. This downtown hot spot is known for its Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine, which draws from Spanish and Native American traditions. It isn’t just Netflix that came calling either; Chef Rene Andrade won the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. It’s worth a stop, and the 40-ounce bone-in ribeye served with quesadillas, frijoles con queso, and roasted chiles is worth a try.

Chilte
765 Grand Ave
(1.4 miles from PCC)

While this downtown spot started in a 10 x 10 pop-up tent, it has grown into a must-visit offering from NFL player-turned-chef Lawrence “LT” Smith. He was named one of 2024’s Best Chefs by Food & Wine and was a semifinalist for the James Beard Emerging Chef Award. The restaurant is also a visual experience. The Mexican-inspired locale left the pop-up tent behind and is now located in the Egypt Motor Hotel, a renovated classic that roots itself in Phoenix’s vacation hot spot history—now complemented by a restaurant offering baja fish tacos, jerk chicken, and smash burgers to match its updated, modern feel.

The Fry Bread House
4545 N 7th Ave
(4.5 miles from PCC)

This Phoenix staple has been serving Tohono O’odham foods since 1992, using Chef Cecelia Miller’s mother’s traditional fry bread recipe. It might be a casual spot, but it was also recognized as an American Classic by the James Beard Foundation. Here, you can try corn tacos, vegetable beef stew, or the signature dish: fry bread topped with beans and red chile sauce made from ground chile pods.

For more delicious recommendations, check out our list of women-owned restaurants in Phoenix, curated by the CHEST Women in Chest Medicine Interest Group.

Activities

Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N Galvin Pkwy
(8.1 miles to PCC)

Deserts might seem sparse, but they have biodiversity all their own, some of which is on display at this botanical garden. It’s home to more than 50,000 desert plants from around the world, which you can see through five thematic trails that also showcase important topics related to the plant world, like conservation, desert living, wildflowers, and plants and people of the Sonoran Desert.

Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt St & 1st St
(0.6 miles to PCC)

Dining and museums are important, of course. But if you just want to take a shopping break, check out this walkable arts district, home to galleries, restaurants, bars, and boutiques, all highlighted by colorful street art. Chirichillo recommends Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co, Sake Haus, and Rough Rider as popular stops along the way.

Papago Park
625 N Galvin Pkwy
(8.6 miles from PCC)

You don’t need to be a wellness influencer to enjoy getting outside and checking out the natural desert landscape at this park. It has options for whatever your recreational speed, including the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock path, which brings visitors to both sunrise and sunset views. It’s an important historical site for the city too, as it was a reservation for Indigenous tribes, fish hatchery during the Great Depression, prisoner of war camp during World War II, and Veterans Affairs hospital. In addition to trails, it’s also home to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. Phoenix can still be very hot and dry in late October, so take any heat advisory warnings seriously, and bring plenty of water and sun protection if you do choose to hike.

Heard Museum
2301 N Central Ave
(2.5 miles from PCC)

Steep yourself in the art, culture, and histories of Indigenous peoples of the Americas at this museum, which is known for its collection of traditional and contemporary Native art. Make sure to check out the Wisdom of the Future exhibition, which runs through early December. It’s an immersive experience that connects 25 Indigenous artists to their work and tells stories of perseverance, hope, and achievement.

Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo Blvd
(18.5 miles from PCC)

This largest-of-its-kind museum might not be in downtown Phoenix, but it’s “worth the drive,” insists Chirichillo. Its collection includes 15,000 instruments from 200 countries—everything from African drums to the Chicago Stadium pipe organ, which originally started playing at sporting events in 1929 and whose elaborate red and gold console is on display for the first time in 30 years.

Looking for some live music? The venue will be hosting Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra on October 17 and 18; Los Vega, an ensemble that plays son jarocho, a traditional music from Veracruz, Mexico, on October 19; the Sideguys, made up of former members of jazz musician David Sanborn’s band, on October 20; and comedian Fred Armisen with his “Comedy for Musicians (But Everyone Is Welcome)” show on October 21.

S’edav Va’aki Museum
4619 E Washington St
(5.7 miles from PCC)

This is a museum, but it’s also an archaeological site that was once home to the Hohokam culture of the southwest part of south-central Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. It’s actually the largest preserved archaeological site in Phoenix, and an accessible trail takes visitors through the site to see a prehistoric platform mound, ball court, and replicated houses. You can also learn more about the ancestral O’odham people through the site’s museum exhibits, which take about 60 to 90 minutes to peruse.