Desert Urban Oasis Guidebook
Food scene
Good Southern Food and a local tradition. Very casual. (Golden Rule Cafe means you pay the bill based on what you ate and there is no tab.)
20 locals recommend
Mrs White's Golden Rule Cafe
808 E Jefferson StGood Southern Food and a local tradition. Very casual. (Golden Rule Cafe means you pay the bill based on what you ate and there is no tab.)
Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams StFamous Chef and Pizza across the street in historic building.
Pecan grove and organic farm with three restaurants, the Farm Kitchen (near the entrance) with picnic foods, Morning Glory for breakfast and lunch (toward the back), and Quiescence, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant in the back left.
73 locals recommend
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S 32nd StPecan grove and organic farm with three restaurants, the Farm Kitchen (near the entrance) with picnic foods, Morning Glory for breakfast and lunch (toward the back), and Quiescence, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant in the back left.
This is the original Carolina's. It's not in a beautiful neighborhood or shopping area, but their food is some of the best and most authentic. They make everything, including the tortillas. You might think I've given you bad advice when you drive up and order, but the take-out food is worth it.
15 locals recommend
Carolina's
1202 E Mohave StThis is the original Carolina's. It's not in a beautiful neighborhood or shopping area, but their food is some of the best and most authentic. They make everything, including the tortillas. You might think I've given you bad advice when you drive up and order, but the take-out food is worth it.
Collection of restaurants and shops, mostly outdoor with misters, in cool area of downtown.
70 locals recommend
The Churchill
901 N 1st StCollection of restaurants and shops, mostly outdoor with misters, in cool area of downtown.
Collection of food trucks around a historic house. It has a cool evening scene and some unique food, cocktails, beers, etc.
38 locals recommend
Pemberton PHX
1121 North 2nd StreetCollection of food trucks around a historic house. It has a cool evening scene and some unique food, cocktails, beers, etc.
Sightseeing
Nice science center museum. Has a few interesting exhibits on the history of Phoenix and housing here.
292 locals recommend
Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington StNice science center museum. Has a few interesting exhibits on the history of Phoenix and housing here.
Lovingly restored historic Phoenix house. Learn about how they managed the heat before AC.
19 locals recommend
Rosson House Museum at Heritage Square
113 N 6th StLovingly restored historic Phoenix house. Learn about how they managed the heat before AC.
Three story Children's fun in an old, restored schoolhouse. Outdoor exhibits are great, too.
183 locals recommend
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
215 N 7th StThree story Children's fun in an old, restored schoolhouse. Outdoor exhibits are great, too.
Amazing collection of desert or desert-loving botanicals.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
Amazing collection of desert or desert-loving botanicals.
Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill AveWhy not see the big water in the desert?
Neighborhoods
It's really a city within cities, but the City of Guadelupe was constructed for the Yaqui people in the Valley. There are some interesting ceramics/arts and crafts and restaurants there. (It's small and not built up for tourism.)
Guadalupe
It's really a city within cities, but the City of Guadelupe was constructed for the Yaqui people in the Valley. There are some interesting ceramics/arts and crafts and restaurants there. (It's small and not built up for tourism.)
South Mill Avenue
South Mill AvenueVibrant college scene with restaurants, shops, etc.
A growing and thriving downtown area with restaurants, arts, sports, concerts and Universities all packed in.
You don't have to walk far to get to something in the downtown area. Things to watch for: Saturday AM year-round farmers markets, First Friday arts festival, and City Scape (comedy, concerts, food).
Look for current events at www.dtphx.org
191 locals recommend
Downtown Phoenix
A growing and thriving downtown area with restaurants, arts, sports, concerts and Universities all packed in.
You don't have to walk far to get to something in the downtown area. Things to watch for: Saturday AM year-round farmers markets, First Friday arts festival, and City Scape (comedy, concerts, food).
Look for current events at www.dtphx.org
Traveler advice
Getting around
Light rail is convenient.
Stops are Washington and 3rd St or Washington and 12th St (going West), Jefferson and 3rd St or Jefferson and 12th St (going East). There is some walking to get to the station. Pay at the little ticket machine at the stop. You can select the rail in the google maps app for directions and times.
What to pack
hat, glasses and sunscreen
We have sunscreen and aloe at the condo, but it never hurts to remind you that the sun is big and bright in the desert and hats, sunglasses and sunscreen are standard.
Traveling with kids
kids and heat
We have had babies, small kids and teens in the heat, and you can do it with some planning. Think ahead for time of day and predicted heat (go into the per hour prediction on the weather apps). In the summer or summer shoulder, teach kids to get up early for hiking and outdoor activities and/or do evening activities when it's dark out (and starting to cool). In the summer, early AM is cooler than the evening.
Pre-cool a hot car, then bring kids out to it. Use spray bottles with water to spray on kids and cool them. We also fully wet shirts and pants and put on.