When friends or family visit during the holidays, there seems to be an underlining tendency to fill their trip with more holiday-ness and less local-ness. Here are some local places to take out-of-towners, fit for holiday family and friends.

Japanese Friendship Garden

This Phoenix destination is the ultimate destination for peaceful seekers. Surround yourself in authentic 3 1/2 acre Japanese Stroll Garden with tea garden and tea house. This tranquil and beautiful setting features stone footbridges, lanterns, flowing streams, a 12-foot waterfall,  and more than 50 varieties of plants. Remember to also marvel at the Koi pond with over 300 colorful Koi fish. An ideal reminder of what your friends and family mean to you. www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org