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IN THIS REGION Fort McDowell Gilbert Mesa Phoenix Scottsdale Superior Tempe With big-city excitement and outdoor adventures just minutes away, the Phoenix Metro area offers the best of both worlds. Explore the lively downtown and quiet neighborhoods, luxury shopping down the road from quirky boutiques, James Beard award-winning restaurants alongside local dive bars, and world-renowned museums that share the same zip code as independent art galleries and artisan studios. Area Highlights BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM, SUPERIOR Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden is home to 5,000 different plant species from around the world. Take a guided tour with a volunteer who will point out plants and birds during an informative nature walk along trails through the Sonoran Desert. MCDOWELL SONORAN PRESERVE, SCOTTSDALE Explore this 30,000-acre nature preserve dotted with lush cactus forests and colorful wildflowers across the breathtaking McDowell Mountains. Take off from one of the seven major trailheads that connect with more than 200 miles of hiking, biking, running and horseback riding trails. BARNONE CRAFTSMEN COMMUNITY AT AGRITOPIA, GILBERT Spend an afternoon wandering this collective that features artisans from winemakers to woodworkers honing their craft. A stylishly converted 1950s Quonset hut houses two restaurants, a brewery and shops selling wares like paper products, woodcuttings and handcrafted guns. There’s also an experimental winery and farm market. TEMPE TOWN LAKE, TEMPE Winding for 2 miles through the midst of downtown, Tempe Town Lake is a favorite spot for boaters and paddlers. Boat Rentals of America outfits visitors with everything from stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to pedal and electric boats. Or take to the paths that line the lake with wheels from Grid Bike Share. PHOENIX ZOO, PHOENIX One of the largest non-profit zoos in the country, the Phoenix Zoo cares for more than 3,000 animals, including many endangered species. Follow one of the themed trails that feature animals from Africa (lions and giraffes), the Tropics (orangutans and elephants) and Arizona (coyotes and mountain lions). ARIZONA BOARDWALK, SCOTTSDALE Part of the Talking Stick Entertainment District within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, this bustling hub features shops, restaurants and numerous family-friendly attractions that include OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit, Laser + Mirror Maze and more. TALIESIN WEST, SCOTTSDALE Tour the fascinating former winter home of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, nestled in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. Considered to be the architect’s desert laboratory for design, today Taliesin West is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. WE-KO-PA GOLF CLUB, FORT MCDOWELL Play on two award-winning golf courses set in the scenic Sonoran Desert on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Mountain, Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains as you sink your putt. A world-class practice facility is also on-site. MESA CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, MESA Named Best Museum by Phoenix New Times in 2019, the MCA Museum features five stunning galleries within the Mesa Arts Center. See curated and juried exhibitions of modern artworks by emerging and internationally recognized artists. The museum also features lectures by prominent artists, and art workshops. THE PERFECT PLATE When it comes to cuisine, Metro Phoenix is anything but a desert. Here’s where to satisfy your next craving. BY ELIZABETH EXLINE FOR THE FOODIE Like all good secrets, Hush Public House is a juicy one. Its chef-driven menu has earned the restaurant a place on multiple Best of Phoenix lists and leans heavily on meat-centric dishes like braised oxtail. But chef-owner Dom Ruggiero is equally skilled with produce. For evidence, look no further than the fried cauliflower prepared with harissa and lime-cilantro yogurt. FOR THE BUDGET HUNTER At The Chuckbox, dining on a budget is not a lesson in deprivation. Low prices, in fact, are partly why people have flocked to this Tempe institution for almost 50 years. The other reason? Those mesquite charcoal-broiled burgers are sprinkled with “Magic Dust” seasoning and cooked to order. FOR THE ADVENTUROUS When you think you’ve seen it all, Wild Elk Den in Chandler is ready to surprise you. Billed as a hunter-gatherer restaurant, it features an expansive selection of game meats, including smoked alligator meat, conch sliders and wild boar. While the game might be fearsome, the restaurant’s atmosphere is decidedly not, offering board games to play as you wait for dinner. FOR THE TRENDSETTER Inspired by Art Deco design, the heyday of railroad travel and the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, Century Grand in Phoenix resembles a train station from a time when train stations were hubs of sophistication. Start with something from the lengthy cocktail list, and then dig in to the 1920s-inspired, dim sum-style entrees, which, in a nod to today’s trends, are prepared with local produce and artisan ingredients. FOR THE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS When it comes to making healthy fare enticing, Kaleidoscope Juice gets it right every time. In addition to juices, there are smoothies and infused waters with empowering names like “Conquer the World.” Stop by Kaleidoscope’s downtown Phoenix location to enjoy a menu that includes street tacos, protein bowls and even a selection of brownies and cookies. FOR THE FAMILY Set within a historic residence in Phoenix, Luci’s at the Orchard pairs a sense of verdant seclusion with the same approachably healthy menu that made the original Luci’s famous. The extensive menu includes Luci’s legendary coffee, as well as breakfast burritos, sandwiches and salads. Arrive for breakfast, brunch or lunch, and stay to let the kids play on the splash pad. FRESH FOODIE TRAIL Get a closer look at the roots of the area’s thriving culinary scene. The Fresh Foodie Trail®, which winds through the East Valley, highlights a collection of small farms, mills and orchards that supply numerous local restaurants. Highlights include the milk bar, ice cream and local honey at Mesa’s Superstition Dairy Farm; hand-shaped pasta classes at Queen Creek’s Hayden Flour Mills; pizza-making classes at Queen Creek Olive Mill; and wine-tasting rooms at both Gilbert’s Agritopia and Florence’s Windmill Winery. freshfoodietrail.com 7 Adventures TO WRITE HOME ABOUT BY NORA BURBA TRULSSON You know those unforgettable adventures that you can’t wait to tell your friends about? Try one of these unique Arizona adventures for some bragging rights. 1 The chance to see wild burros and coyotes, 360-degree views and sip prickly pear mimosas? Who wouldn’t want to sign up for a scenic hot-air balloon flight with Rainbow Ryders? Depending on the winds, you and your fellow aeronauts will gently rise up to 7,000 feet above the north Phoenix desert for 70-mile vistas of Lake Pleasant and distant mountains, not to mention wildlife. Afterward, you’ll stay buoyant with that adult beverage, a snack and a commemorative flight certificate. 2 Theoretically, you’ll see cactus, desert hills and deep blue-green lake waters. All you’ll actually see is a blur. And the sound? It’s you, screaming. It’s all part of the thrill at H2-Whoa Lake Pleasant, said to be the world’s tallest floating water slide. Don a life vest, climb some 34 feet in the air, then hurtle headfirst down a slide at 30 miles per hour before plunging into the cool waters. Crazy? Maybe, but you’ll want to do it again. 3 Want to see Arizona, old school style? Saddle up with Cave Creek Trail Rides for horseback exploration. The outfitter, whose season runs October through May, is located in a nearly 3,000-acre county park, with access to numerous trails that loop over hills and through pristine Sonoran Desert, offering glimpses of the city in the distance. The sturdy, gentle horses are perfect for all rider levels. If you’re a history buff, time your visit for a ride and tour of an old clay mine. 4 Mountain bikers who want solitude hit Black Canyon Trail for 80 miles of singletrack fun far from crowds. Located on public land, the trail is easily accessed from Greater Phoenix at the Emery Henderson Trailhead. From there, you’ll ride through low desert and into the Bradshaw Mountains foothills as you cross the Agua Fria River several times—which, depending on rains, is dry or flowing. Other access points let you call it a day before you commit to the entire gloriously remote trail. 5 Engage your core and work on balance when you rent a stand-up paddle board from Boat Rentals of America on Tempe Town Lake. As you paddle the urban lake’s calm waters, you’ll glide past downtown Tempe’s glittering new high rises, along the lake’s linear park and under the Art Moderne arches of the circa-1931 Mill Avenue Bridge. Look north to get glimpses of Papago Park’s desert buttes. Prefer to sit, not stand? Kayak and pedal boat rentals are available. 6 From May through October, you can park your car, rent an inner tube and let Salt River Tubing’s bus shuttle you upriver for a glorious float past Tonto National Forest’s craggy cliffs, desert hills and riverbanks dense with mesquite. Your time on the river will be replete with long, calm stretches and a few mild rapids, plus sightings of wild horses, herons and bald eagles. Insider tip: Get an extra tube for your cooler to enjoy drinks on-the-go. 7 Who says you can’t hang ten in the desert? Westin Kierland Resort’s FlowRider uses innovative wave technology to let you surf in the luxe resort’s water park. While it looks like you’re surfing, you’ll also experience the feel of snowboarding and be able to use skateboarding tricks on boards derived from waterboarding. Two riders, each on their own board, can experience the balance thrill at the same time, for up to one hour. And, yes, lessons are available for all skill levels. MUST-SEE MUSEUM EXHIBITS Immerse yourself in art, innovation and the wonders of the world at these temporary exhibits at museums throughout the area. FEARLESS FASHION: RUDI GERNREICH Opening March 7, 2021 This fiercely fashionable exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum showcases innovative works by acclaimed designer Rudolph “Rudi” Gernreich (1922–1985), who brought to life revolutionary pieces including the topless swimsuit, unisex clothing and pantsuits for women. Peruse more than 80 ensembles and archival materials for a sense of how his work continues to influence ideas on gender, beauty and fashion. 75,000,000 BC Opening 2021 Transport yourself to a time—75 million years ago—when southern Arizona and northern Sonora were changing in epic proportions. This exhibition at Mesa’s Arizona Museum of Natural History features all manner of exciting evolution: violent volcanic activity, cretaceous creatures (which included not just dinosaurs but an entire ecosystem), and the creation of Arizona’s very own natural wonder of the world, the Grand Canyon. VOICE-OVER: ZINEB SEDIRA February 20 – September 19, 2021 Drawing from the cultural history of Algeria and her own life story, artist Zineb Sedira shares newly commissioned work in the form of an installation at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, where viewers can explore a postcolonial 1960s “living room” that showcases music, furniture and archival film from the era. POWER SHOPPING MEGA-MALLS & RETAIL DISTRICTS BY TERESA BITLER From high-end retailers to affordable outlets, Phoenix has some of the best shopping you’ll find anywhere in the Southwest. DESERT RIDGE MARKETPLACE Twinkling lights and palm trees set the scene at this outdoor retail center in Phoenix with more than 50 shops—from H&M to Target—as well as dozens of eateries. BILTMORE FASHION PARK Luxury retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue and Stuart Weitzman line the walkways of this open-air mall in Phoenix, where you’ll also find restaurants including True Food Kitchen and The Capital Grille. SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE This indoor mall and its new luxury wing caters to discerning shoppers and diners with acclaimed restaurants such as NOBU and Tocaya Organica, prestigious brands such as Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Cartier, and concierge services such as luggage storage. WESTGATE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT Anchored by Gila River Arena and State Farm Stadium, this entertainment district in Glendale features specialty shops and a free shuttle to the next-door Tanger Outlets. PHOENIX PREMIUM OUTLETS Save up to 65 percent on brand name fashions at this outlet mall in Chandler, where labels like Kate Spade, Coach and Michael Kors are the draw. TEMPE MARKETPLACE Stroll more than 100 shops and restaurants at this open-air retail district, accented by water features, pop-up art installations, fireplaces and garden-like landscaping. Spend the Day: Roosevelt Arts District BY MARGARET DOYLE Spend a day strolling the Roosevelt Row Arts District (known as RoRo), nestled in downtown Phoenix. Here you’ll find mural-filled streets lined with galleries, artists’ studios, boutiques and hip restaurants. Morning: Fuel up for the day with a cup of fresh-brewed coffee and a veggie frittata at 1 Phoenix Public Market Café, where dishes are made with farm-fresh ingredients sourced from the adjacent 2 Open Air Market. The Market, featuring artisan vendors, is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Afternoon: Head to 3 The Churchill, an urban marketplace housing trendy shops, bars and eateries. Be sure to do some people watching in the sprawling courtyard. Then, check out 4 Xico Shipping Containers, a trio of “hot box” galleries that showcase the works of Latinx and Native American artists. And don’t miss 5 Modified Arts, a contemporary art gallery that displays everything from paintings to sculptures. Evening: Swig a craft cocktail and listen to music on the patio at 6 Sazerac PHX, a locally owned neighborhood bar. Grab a bite from one of the food trucks parked at 7 Cobra Arcade Bar and play vintage arcade games to the soundtrack of live DJs. Cap the night off with a glass of self-serve wine from 8 GenuWine Arizona, offering vintages from local winemakers. FIRST & THIRD FRIDAYS Check out this evening event that features live music, food and artists selling their handcrafted wares on the streets of RoRo from 6 to 11 p.m.
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