Analog Phoenix
In search of tangible things in a digital age, a local writer finds where to ditch screens and go old school in Central Phoenix.
'Microhoods' of CenPho
In Midtown and Uptown, eat/drink/shop gathering places thrive where strip malls once stood.
The Arizona Trail
Hiker who’s traversed the state (twice) on the AZT shares her favorite trail segments near Phoenix.
Canal Walks
Craft beer, waterfalls, a bat cave and more: They're all in a day's walk along Phoenix's canals.
Maker of Relics
Jewelry designer Alex Ozers forges brass and copper into wearable art that feels aged by desert forces.
Scenic Drives
These intra-city road trips allow you to travel from Point A to Point Beautiful…and be back home in time for dinner.
Light Rail Pub Crawl
Who needs a car when a ‘conveyor belt’ can transport you between Central Phoenix dining and drinks?
Seven Summits Challenge
This multi-mountain trek inspires hikers to look beyond Phoenix’s iconic peaks.
Paddling the Salt River
A leisurely float puts rivergoers up close to wild mustangs, blue herons and bald eagles.
Southern Comfort
A transplanted Southerner satisfies her hankering for the tastes of home at these local joints.
Cocktail Hour(s)
Bitter & Twisted barman Ross Simon takes writer on a tour of his favorite Central Phoenix cocktail spots.
Cobra Arcade Bar
Ariel Bracamonte’s passion project—a retro arcade bar—is a game changer for downtown Phoenix’s nightlife scene.
Doc's Artisan Ice Creams
Ex-Phoenix cop shows off his softer, sweeter side by cranking out some of the city’s best frozen treats.
Master Hatter
At his shop in the cowboy town of Cave Creek, Eric Watson crafts hats that last a lifetime.
Slices of Heaven
A local writer and bona fide pizza fanatic gives us the rundown on Phoenix’s formidable pizza scene.
Grid Bike Art Tour
Rent a Grid Bike and pedal off on a two-wheel tour of Central Phoenix's arts and culture scene.
Curious Nature
This taxidermist’s shop in Central Phoenix is the place to go for freeze-dried bats and beetle earrings.
Outdoor Adventure
Feel the sun on your skin and the dirt beneath your feet with these desert adventures.
Free and Cheap
Savvy spenders can enjoy the best of Phoenix without breaking the bank with these activities and attractions.
Travel Like a Local
Go where the locals go. Live like a Phoenician at these neighborhood hangouts.
Day Trips
Experience bucket-list destinations—such as Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona—by day and be back in town by night.
Iconic Southwest
Experience Phoenix's Old West roots with horseback rides through the desert and a visit to native culture museums.
Family Fun
Find family fun that entertains both parents and children alike at interactive museums, the Phoenix Zoo and wild water parks.
Relaxing Getaway
Wine. Dine. Unwind. Repeat. Soothing spa days, wine tastings and retail therapy await.
Sports Fans
Go beyond the bleachers and experience fun-loving fandom. Golf in the footsteps of pros, get behind the wheel of a racecar and more.
Luxury Travel
Lavish yourself in luxury and bold adventure with fine Phoenix dining, upscale shopping and pulse-pounding experiences.
Some of the nation’s biggest sports events and concerts take place in Glendale, site of University of Phoenix Stadium (home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals) and Gila River Arena (home to the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes). White Tank Regional Park—the largest of metro Phoenix’s six county parks—preserves ancient petroglyphs.
Arizona’s largest and most cosmopolitan city is framed by rugged terrain, including the red rocks of Papago Park and the signature spine of Camelback Mountain. Restaurants and bars fill adaptively reused buildings in Midtown and Arcadia; Mexican food and murals spice up 16th Street; and vintage shopping and LGBTQ nightlife flourish in the Melrose District.
Here resides the lion’s share of Greater Phoenix’s famous resorts—as well as the region’s reputation for cowboy chic. Scottsdale boasts the Southwest’s largest shopping mall and a nationally renowned dining-and-nightlife scene. Paradise Valley packs a dozen resorts into 15 square miles, and the rustic towns of Cave Creek and Carefree celebrate Western ways with cowboy bars and live bull-riding.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park is a favorite West Side destination for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Phoenix International Raceway, in Avondale, hosts two NASCAR events each year. Goodyear—named after the tire-and-rubber magnate—is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and Ohioans flock there each March to watch the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians participate in spring training. Litchfield Park is home to the venerable Wigwam resort.
Culture, commerce and college life coalesce in the epicenter of Phoenix. This is where you’ll find indie restaurants, live music, pro sports, craft brews and cocktail culture. Historic neighborhoods like Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue share an urban footprint with modern marvels like CityScape and the Phoenix Convention Center. No car is required here, thanks to Valley Metro Rail and Grid bike share.
This corner of metro Phoenix is defined by university life, family fun and the ruggedly beautiful Superstition Mountains. Arizona State University is located in Tempe, which plays host to some of the region’s biggest outdoor parties. Mesa is an agritourism hub and the spring-training home of the Chicago Cubs, and Gilbert boasts a burgeoning downtown filled with independent eateries.
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