Guidebook for Phoenix
Parks & Nature
Only a block and a half from the house, this oldest park in the state features a municipal golf course, a mini amusement park, tennis, pool, baseball field, basketball courts, off-leash dog walking, even fishing in the little man-made river... everything you could ask for in your local park.
I walk here regularly with Happy the Dog - it's a surprisingly verdant preserve not 10 minutes from downtown Phoenix that almost no one knows about.
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Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
2439 S Central AveI walk here regularly with Happy the Dog - it's a surprisingly verdant preserve not 10 minutes from downtown Phoenix that almost no one knows about.
South Mountain Park and Preserve is the largest municipal park in the United States, and one of the largest urban parks in North America and in the world. There are more than 20 trailhead entrances. It's a 24-minute drive, 9.6 miles to the closest (Central Avenue) entrance.
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South Mountain Park/Preserve - Ranger Station
10211 S Central AveSouth Mountain Park and Preserve is the largest municipal park in the United States, and one of the largest urban parks in North America and in the world. There are more than 20 trailhead entrances. It's a 24-minute drive, 9.6 miles to the closest (Central Avenue) entrance.
Think the desert is all dirt and tumbleweeds? Think again. Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from all around the world spread across 55 acres.
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Desert Botanical Garden
Think the desert is all dirt and tumbleweeds? Think again. Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from all around the world spread across 55 acres.
One of the prettiest city parks for walking, leisure, picnics, even a little fishing! There's a short climb to the famous hole in the wall, good for selfies.
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Papago Park Road
Papago Park RoadOne of the prettiest city parks for walking, leisure, picnics, even a little fishing! There's a short climb to the famous hole in the wall, good for selfies.
Encanto Park
Food Scene
They call it an Urban Pizzeria. Great food (get the Pesto Salad!), fabulous patio, delightful owners. Romantic to a degree - perfect for a first date! - and reasonably priced.
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CIBO
603 N 5th AveThey call it an Urban Pizzeria. Great food (get the Pesto Salad!), fabulous patio, delightful owners. Romantic to a degree - perfect for a first date! - and reasonably priced.
Everything made on site, perfect for breakfast or brunch! It's small, the kind of place that you feel only the locals know about. It's a mere 5 minute walk from my place to Biscuits and Gravy, baby!
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Vovomeena
1515 N 7th AveEverything made on site, perfect for breakfast or brunch! It's small, the kind of place that you feel only the locals know about. It's a mere 5 minute walk from my place to Biscuits and Gravy, baby!
I hit this charming place every Sunday after church -- perfect coffee and fabulous pastries. Indoor and outdoor seating, located on historic Roosevelt Row.
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Lola Coffee
1001 N 3rd AveI hit this charming place every Sunday after church -- perfect coffee and fabulous pastries. Indoor and outdoor seating, located on historic Roosevelt Row.
There are two dozen independent coffee shops in downtown Phoenix, most of which are excellent. This is one of my favorites, and it's fairly close. Baked goods made in-house.
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Copper Star Coffee
4220 N 7th AveThere are two dozen independent coffee shops in downtown Phoenix, most of which are excellent. This is one of my favorites, and it's fairly close. Baked goods made in-house.
Green features all your favorite foods made with 100% plant-based ingredients, vegan cheeses, and mock meats. It features all the classic comfort foods, and if you're not vegan, you'd never know the difference. Due east of here, it's a 6-minute drive or an easy less-than-two-mile walk.
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Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th StGreen features all your favorite foods made with 100% plant-based ingredients, vegan cheeses, and mock meats. It features all the classic comfort foods, and if you're not vegan, you'd never know the difference. Due east of here, it's a 6-minute drive or an easy less-than-two-mile walk.
Top notch for fast food, also perfect for take out, you can be in and out with your food in 3-5 minutes. I can't get enough of the Bonnie Parker Salad and loooove the Hummus Trio. A 3-minute drive or a 6-minute walk from here, and reliable every time.
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MAD Greens - 7th Ave & McDowell
1515 N 7th AveTop notch for fast food, also perfect for take out, you can be in and out with your food in 3-5 minutes. I can't get enough of the Bonnie Parker Salad and loooove the Hummus Trio. A 3-minute drive or a 6-minute walk from here, and reliable every time.
This place is great! It serves exclusively pasties -- a baked savory pastry most often associated with miners' lunches in old-time Cornwall and Devon in the UK -- which are super yummy. I used to go all the time to the original location in Tempe, and never expected they could translate the fabulousness of the Tempe shop ~ the dark pub with an edge of grunge ~ into the new and trendy downtown location, but they did it, it's genius! Highly recommended.
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Cornish Pasty Co
3800 N Goldwater BlvdThis place is great! It serves exclusively pasties -- a baked savory pastry most often associated with miners' lunches in old-time Cornwall and Devon in the UK -- which are super yummy. I used to go all the time to the original location in Tempe, and never expected they could translate the fabulousness of the Tempe shop ~ the dark pub with an edge of grunge ~ into the new and trendy downtown location, but they did it, it's genius! Highly recommended.
Features delicious, completely authentic Mexican food. It's nothing much to look at ~ in fact, you might want to take the order to go?? ~ but the food is some of the best in Phoenix. Try the Chicken Chimichanga.
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Carolina's
1202 E Mohave StFeatures delicious, completely authentic Mexican food. It's nothing much to look at ~ in fact, you might want to take the order to go?? ~ but the food is some of the best in Phoenix. Try the Chicken Chimichanga.
Arts & Culture
The best Native America museum in the Southwest -- you talk about local history, this is it!! Costumes, crafts, artifacts and more, all beautifully and expertly curated. Best of all, it's a short 7-block walk from my place.
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Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveThe best Native America museum in the Southwest -- you talk about local history, this is it!! Costumes, crafts, artifacts and more, all beautifully and expertly curated. Best of all, it's a short 7-block walk from my place.
Life on the street with artists and musicians, crowd milling around, art galleries open... great for strolling aimlessly, people watching, or a cheap Friday night date. All ages.
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First Friday Roosevelt Row
333 E Roosevelt StLife on the street with artists and musicians, crowd milling around, art galleries open... great for strolling aimlessly, people watching, or a cheap Friday night date. All ages.
Just because. Libraries are a lost art that shouldn't be. Make sure they're open after the great July 2017 flood.
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Burton Barr Central Library
1221 N Central AveJust because. Libraries are a lost art that shouldn't be. Make sure they're open after the great July 2017 flood.
Getting Around
The nearest Light Rail stop is Stop #10009, which is 7 short blocks away on Central Avenue at Encanto Blvd (the Heard Museum). One ride is $2, an all-day pass is $4.
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Valley Metro Light Rail
605 S 48th StThe nearest Light Rail stop is Stop #10009, which is 7 short blocks away on Central Avenue at Encanto Blvd (the Heard Museum). One ride is $2, an all-day pass is $4.
Nearest Metro Bus is the Route #8 on 7th Avenue, the nearest stop is a half block away.
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Valley Metro
101 N 1st AveNearest Metro Bus is the Route #8 on 7th Avenue, the nearest stop is a half block away.
Shopping
The ultimate independent bookstore with a flawless selection of great books both new and used. Get a glass of wine or a beer at First Draft, their own in-house bar, and browse the rows... sublime!
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Changing Hands Bookstore & First Draft Book Bar
300 W Camelback RdThe ultimate independent bookstore with a flawless selection of great books both new and used. Get a glass of wine or a beer at First Draft, their own in-house bar, and browse the rows... sublime!
Essentials
This is a 5-minute drive, less than 2 miles away. Out-of-state guests are sometimes surprised to discover that grocery stores in Arizona sell alcohol.
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Sprouts Farmers Market
2824 E Indian School RdThis is a 5-minute drive, less than 2 miles away. Out-of-state guests are sometimes surprised to discover that grocery stores in Arizona sell alcohol.
Drinks & Nightlife
This combination bar, restaurant, music venue is close and well loved by the hipster crowd. What are you in the mood for, funky music, maybe a stuffed donut, a tattoo? This is one option. Skip the coffee.
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ThirdSpace
1028 NW Grand AveThis combination bar, restaurant, music venue is close and well loved by the hipster crowd. What are you in the mood for, funky music, maybe a stuffed donut, a tattoo? This is one option. Skip the coffee.