Guidebook for Phoenix
Food Scene
A Mexican restaurant which escapes the clichés and provides a unique experience.
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Asi Es La Vida Restaurant
3602 N 24th StA Mexican restaurant which escapes the clichés and provides a unique experience.
If you have an extreme sweet tooth this is the place for it: most items are over-the-top sweet and rich. If not, well, the apple fritters are more down-to-earth, and much better than what you can find in a grocery store. There are a couple of tables so you can have it with coffee; or get it to go.
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Barbs Bakery
2929 N 24th StIf you have an extreme sweet tooth this is the place for it: most items are over-the-top sweet and rich. If not, well, the apple fritters are more down-to-earth, and much better than what you can find in a grocery store. There are a couple of tables so you can have it with coffee; or get it to go.
Pretty good British food, fish and chips being perhaps the headliner.
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George and Dragon English Pub
4240 N Central AvePretty good British food, fish and chips being perhaps the headliner.
They have a couple of pretty good dishes on the menu; my favorite is probably the Jamaican jerk shrimp. Or go for breakfast and get the bagel with smoked salmon. For lunch or dinner they always bring a basket of bread; ask for olive oil to dip it in, and they will bring that too. You can sit inside or outside. Plenty of space. After their kind of dinners, there's never enough room for cheesecake, but if you really like cheesecake, you could make a separate trip just for that.
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The Cheesecake Factory
15230 N Scottsdale RdThey have a couple of pretty good dishes on the menu; my favorite is probably the Jamaican jerk shrimp. Or go for breakfast and get the bagel with smoked salmon. For lunch or dinner they always bring a basket of bread; ask for olive oil to dip it in, and they will bring that too. You can sit inside or outside. Plenty of space. After their kind of dinners, there's never enough room for cheesecake, but if you really like cheesecake, you could make a separate trip just for that.
Hmm that's a new location, I haven't tried it; but if it's the same as the ones in Tempe and Scottsdale, they have the best crispy thin-crust pizza in the Valley. And there was a half-baked chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top, last time I was there, which is amazing. If you like New York style pizza better, then go to NYPD instead.
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Oregano's Pizza Bistro
523 West University DriveHmm that's a new location, I haven't tried it; but if it's the same as the ones in Tempe and Scottsdale, they have the best crispy thin-crust pizza in the Valley. And there was a half-baked chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top, last time I was there, which is amazing. If you like New York style pizza better, then go to NYPD instead.
Best pizza in the neighborhood (assuming it hasn't changed since last time I was there; it was called NYPD then).
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NYPD Pizza
1949 E Camelback RdBest pizza in the neighborhood (assuming it hasn't changed since last time I was there; it was called NYPD then).
It's the best value for sushi in Phoenix: good sushi, good prices, good portion sizes, and good service. At this location there is teppanyaki, too. But there are some smaller locations in other places around town if you just want sushi, and it's consistently good at all of them.
15 locals raden deze aan
Sakana Sushi & Grill
5061 E Elliot RdIt's the best value for sushi in Phoenix: good sushi, good prices, good portion sizes, and good service. At this location there is teppanyaki, too. But there are some smaller locations in other places around town if you just want sushi, and it's consistently good at all of them.
The best Thai food in the valley. It's also a nice area to explore, before or after: lots of art galleries and touristy stuff. Go for a walk after dinner and then visit the nearby Sugar Bowl for ice cream if you still have room for it.
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Malee's Thai Bistro
7131 E Main StThe best Thai food in the valley. It's also a nice area to explore, before or after: lots of art galleries and touristy stuff. Go for a walk after dinner and then visit the nearby Sugar Bowl for ice cream if you still have room for it.
One of the best Sunday brunches in Phoenix, in a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Not cheap, but the price is normal, and worth it in my opinion, if you want such a classy experience.
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Arizona Biltmore Spa
2400 E Missouri AveOne of the best Sunday brunches in Phoenix, in a building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Not cheap, but the price is normal, and worth it in my opinion, if you want such a classy experience.
Top of the Rock Restaurant
2000 W Westcourt WayAnother restaurant with an amazing view.
In-N-Out Burger
4840 N 20th StGood alternative for basic burgers & fries.
Drinks & Nightlife
An awesome micro-brew within walking distance. They always have several varieties. There is plenty of space inside, and outside in the covered patio area. It has a sports bar atmosphere. If you want it go, you can get a growler, a keg or a pony keg. So far we have one 32-oz growler in the kitchen which you can borrow if that's enough.
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Helton Brewing Company
2144 E Indian School RdAn awesome micro-brew within walking distance. They always have several varieties. There is plenty of space inside, and outside in the covered patio area. It has a sports bar atmosphere. If you want it go, you can get a growler, a keg or a pony keg. So far we have one 32-oz growler in the kitchen which you can borrow if that's enough.
Parks & Nature
A very good variety of desert plants on display, and a nice place for a walk. (You do have to pay for admission though.)
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Desert Botanical Garden
A very good variety of desert plants on display, and a nice place for a walk. (You do have to pay for admission though.)
A pretty nice zoo with a lot of space for the animals. You have to pay for admission but it's worth it. A good place to keep kids entertained for the day.
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Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin PkwyA pretty nice zoo with a lot of space for the animals. You have to pay for admission but it's worth it. A good place to keep kids entertained for the day.
A handy place for leisurely hikes; the mountains aren't steep enough to be truly challenging, but it's OK for a couple hours of moderate exercise. There is a tunnel to cross under the highway and go to trails on the west side, and also some trails on the east side which go up to peaks where you can have a nice view. There are also ramadas and grills for picnics.
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Dreamy Draw Recreation Area
2421 E Northern AveA handy place for leisurely hikes; the mountains aren't steep enough to be truly challenging, but it's OK for a couple hours of moderate exercise. There is a tunnel to cross under the highway and go to trails on the west side, and also some trails on the east side which go up to peaks where you can have a nice view. There are also ramadas and grills for picnics.
It's a big area with a lot of hiking trails. You can see the red lights on all the radio towers at night, from all over town. I would recommend driving all the way south on 24th Street until it runs out; when you get there, there's a parking lot on the left, and you can start your hike from there. It's a good mountain for longer hikes, serious calorie-burning and mountain biking. If you take the ridgeline trail in the evening you can get a great view of the city lights - but in that case, wear boots, take a flashlight, plenty of water, and watch for snakes.
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South Mountain Park
10919 South Central AvenueIt's a big area with a lot of hiking trails. You can see the red lights on all the radio towers at night, from all over town. I would recommend driving all the way south on 24th Street until it runs out; when you get there, there's a parking lot on the left, and you can start your hike from there. It's a good mountain for longer hikes, serious calorie-burning and mountain biking. If you take the ridgeline trail in the evening you can get a great view of the city lights - but in that case, wear boots, take a flashlight, plenty of water, and watch for snakes.
This is very near the peak of the famous Superstition Mountains, and has quite a view over the whole valley. But the trail to get there is quite strenuous. You absolutely need all day: start at Lost Dutchman Park at dawn, take plenty of water, a compact lunch and a couple of granola bars. You don't need ropes, but very near the top there is a place where you might think that you do. Other hikers might help you find the right footholds to get up and down. And don't try this when the weather is too hot, or when it has recently been raining too much.
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The Flatiron
6109 North Apache TrailThis is very near the peak of the famous Superstition Mountains, and has quite a view over the whole valley. But the trail to get there is quite strenuous. You absolutely need all day: start at Lost Dutchman Park at dawn, take plenty of water, a compact lunch and a couple of granola bars. You don't need ropes, but very near the top there is a place where you might think that you do. Other hikers might help you find the right footholds to get up and down. And don't try this when the weather is too hot, or when it has recently been raining too much.
A short but very tough trail. But the parking is terrible, and it tends to be overrun with pretty serious athletes running up and down. If you aren't really in shape you might not enjoy it much; and don't try it on a hot day, either.
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Echo Canyon wandel- en recreatiegebied
East McDonald DriveA short but very tough trail. But the parking is terrible, and it tends to be overrun with pretty serious athletes running up and down. If you aren't really in shape you might not enjoy it much; and don't try it on a hot day, either.
Sightseeing
Arizona's smallest town; not much to see, really. But it's a standard stop for tourists, and it's on the way to Roosevelt Dam.
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Tortilla Flat
Arizona's smallest town; not much to see, really. But it's a standard stop for tourists, and it's on the way to Roosevelt Dam.
The dam itself is kindof interesting and historic, and there is a good lake behind it for boating, fishing etc. You will see a lot of scenery on the way.
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Theodore Roosevelt Dam
The dam itself is kindof interesting and historic, and there is a good lake behind it for boating, fishing etc. You will see a lot of scenery on the way.
Well everybody knows this is the main attraction in Arizona, right? It's worth the drive if you haven't seen it yet. Another great way to see it is to take the "heritage" railroad from Williams. You'll feel like you're in a Western the whole time. And then they give you a couple of hours to see the Canyon, and then it goes back.
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Grand Canyon Village
Well everybody knows this is the main attraction in Arizona, right? It's worth the drive if you haven't seen it yet. Another great way to see it is to take the "heritage" railroad from Williams. You'll feel like you're in a Western the whole time. And then they give you a couple of hours to see the Canyon, and then it goes back.
Good for a one-day drive to see the red rock country and drive the winding roads through Oak Creek Canyon. Also a very nice place for a motorcycle tour. But if you plan to stop, you will need to buy a Red Rock Pass to pay for parking.
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Sedona
Good for a one-day drive to see the red rock country and drive the winding roads through Oak Creek Canyon. Also a very nice place for a motorcycle tour. But if you plan to stop, you will need to buy a Red Rock Pass to pay for parking.
Arts & Culture
Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveA museum from the Native American perspective.
The exhibits are always changing so it's worth a visit every few months. It's not just for local art.
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Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveThe exhibits are always changing so it's worth a visit every few months. It's not just for local art.
Essentials
My first choice for fresh fruit, vegetables and meats. They also have health food, supplements and bulk foods in bins. Friendly and local.
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Sprouts Farmers Market
2824 E Indian School RdMy first choice for fresh fruit, vegetables and meats. They also have health food, supplements and bulk foods in bins. Friendly and local.
Specialty grocery store; also good for cheap wine and beer. I highly recommend the French-style flat bread in the frozen section. (They look like pizza but they're not.) Those fit great in toaster oven for an appetizer or a quick breakfast or snack.
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Trader Joe's
7720 W Bell RdSpecialty grocery store; also good for cheap wine and beer. I highly recommend the French-style flat bread in the frozen section. (They look like pizza but they're not.) Those fit great in toaster oven for an appetizer or a quick breakfast or snack.
I prefer to give Trader Joe's the business because WF is getting too big... but there is one right next to TJ's.
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Whole Foods Market
4701 N 20th StI prefer to give Trader Joe's the business because WF is getting too big... but there is one right next to TJ's.
Fry's Food And Drug
744 W Camelback RdBig supermarket that has everything.
Safeway
340 E McDowell RdBig fancy supermarket that has everything.
Entertainment & Activities
The closest theater, and it has very convenient parking: go north on 24th Street, make a right into the driveway just before you get to Camelback, and go down into the underground garage. Take the elevator to the top, and you're there.
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AMC Esplanade 14
2515 E Camelback RdThe closest theater, and it has very convenient parking: go north on 24th Street, make a right into the driveway just before you get to Camelback, and go down into the underground garage. Take the elevator to the top, and you're there.