Duane and Samantha's Guidebook
Food scene
This is our FAVORITE cafe in town. We’ve never had something from the menu we didn’t like. Their breakfast is great, and they have a great selection of beers too (including bottles/cans to take home). Also the bill for the two of us ends up being about $35 before tip, so they’re affordable too! Try the Blue Sky salad (with chicken depending on your preference), or combine it with a half sandwich by ordering the “50/50”
18 personas locales recomiendan
Hillside Spot
4740 Warner RdThis is our FAVORITE cafe in town. We’ve never had something from the menu we didn’t like. Their breakfast is great, and they have a great selection of beers too (including bottles/cans to take home). Also the bill for the two of us ends up being about $35 before tip, so they’re affordable too! Try the Blue Sky salad (with chicken depending on your preference), or combine it with a half sandwich by ordering the “50/50”
This place is a VERY close second to Cupz ‘N Crepes in our book. The location recently opened, and they have amazing breakfasts. We first heard about them when they made the news for their Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes. Yes they lived up to the hype...but bring some insulin cause you’ll need it.
236 personas locales recomiendan
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
615 S College AveThis place is a VERY close second to Cupz ‘N Crepes in our book. The location recently opened, and they have amazing breakfasts. We first heard about them when they made the news for their Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes. Yes they lived up to the hype...but bring some insulin cause you’ll need it.
From the giant Warner Brothers water town out front to the unbelievable beer selection and gourmet pizza, this is our favorite place to grab a drink and chill. The walls are decorated with all kinds of random pop art stuff to look at (probably inspired by the drug of it’s name sake...), but don’t let that fool you — the pizzas are seriously well made and they have just about any beer you can imagine. Be aware though, the pizza tastes gourmet but also costs gourmet. Still worth every penny!
6 personas locales recomiendan
Mellow Mushroom
14205 S 50th StFrom the giant Warner Brothers water town out front to the unbelievable beer selection and gourmet pizza, this is our favorite place to grab a drink and chill. The walls are decorated with all kinds of random pop art stuff to look at (probably inspired by the drug of it’s name sake...), but don’t let that fool you — the pizzas are seriously well made and they have just about any beer you can imagine. Be aware though, the pizza tastes gourmet but also costs gourmet. Still worth every penny!
If you’re looking for healthy/vegan/vegetarian then you will definitely want to check this place out. Lots of options for those watching what they eat! And coconut water coffees too—who does that?? Love it.
34 personas locales recomiendan
Pomegranate Cafe
4025 E Chandler BlvdIf you’re looking for healthy/vegan/vegetarian then you will definitely want to check this place out. Lots of options for those watching what they eat! And coconut water coffees too—who does that?? Love it.
Our favorite place for BBQ. Need I say more? Get the moist brisket and try the banana pudding, and don’t get the “sissy sauce,” the real stuff isn’t THAT hot!
13 personas locales recomiendan
Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q
7300 W Chandler BlvdOur favorite place for BBQ. Need I say more? Get the moist brisket and try the banana pudding, and don’t get the “sissy sauce,” the real stuff isn’t THAT hot!
This place is practically in our back yard and the views are AMAZING. You can see just about all of Phoenix from their patio! It’s western themed in the funnest way possible, and the steaks are great (they also have rattlesnake on the menu!) We’d also recommend this place for kids because they have a huge slide, rodeo clowns that make balloon animals for kids, live music, and a real live bull out front named “horny.” A popular spot for birthdays and celebrations as well (with the biggest slice of chocolate cake I’ve ever seen). It’s really someplace you should see and we’re fortunate to live so close to it!
68 personas locales recomiendan
Rustler’s Rooste
8383 S 48th StThis place is practically in our back yard and the views are AMAZING. You can see just about all of Phoenix from their patio! It’s western themed in the funnest way possible, and the steaks are great (they also have rattlesnake on the menu!) We’d also recommend this place for kids because they have a huge slide, rodeo clowns that make balloon animals for kids, live music, and a real live bull out front named “horny.” A popular spot for birthdays and celebrations as well (with the biggest slice of chocolate cake I’ve ever seen). It’s really someplace you should see and we’re fortunate to live so close to it!
This is the closest breakfast place — 1-2 min drive from the house, tops. The food’s good too, with definitely a Boomer vibe to the whole operation. And true to their name, their biscuits are amazing. This is where you want to go if you need breakfast FAST. Popular with everyone in the neighborhood due to its proximity.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Biscuits Restaurant
4623 E Elliot RdThis is the closest breakfast place — 1-2 min drive from the house, tops. The food’s good too, with definitely a Boomer vibe to the whole operation. And true to their name, their biscuits are amazing. This is where you want to go if you need breakfast FAST. Popular with everyone in the neighborhood due to its proximity.
Sightseeing
This is one attraction you really can’t see anywhere else. All the amazing desert flora on display to see (and yes it’s much more robust than just driving out in the Phoenix desert). We usually take all first-time family here, unless they don’t like the “walk around and look at things” type activities.
1231 personas locales recomiendan
Desert Botanical Garden
This is one attraction you really can’t see anywhere else. All the amazing desert flora on display to see (and yes it’s much more robust than just driving out in the Phoenix desert). We usually take all first-time family here, unless they don’t like the “walk around and look at things” type activities.
This place is known as an icon of the valley — it’s a classic old west town recreated, complete with gun fights and shops/restaurants. Definitely a little touristy but it’s close to the house and worth checking out. Unfortunately a few years back they stopped operating every day so you must check their website to see if an event is scheduled. They ARE open during Christmas season every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
https://rawhide.com
53 personas locales recomiendan
Rawhide Western Town y Event Center
5700 W North Loop RdThis place is known as an icon of the valley — it’s a classic old west town recreated, complete with gun fights and shops/restaurants. Definitely a little touristy but it’s close to the house and worth checking out. Unfortunately a few years back they stopped operating every day so you must check their website to see if an event is scheduled. They ARE open during Christmas season every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
https://rawhide.com
This place is FREE but it is a drive to get there. A hidden gem even the locals don’t all know about! It’s a “prototype city” built decades ago in a unique way to make the most out of limited space for future cities if populations continue to rise. As an experiment in sustainability, highly qualified people have lived and researched isolated in the commune for years. It’s very interesting sightseeing which will remind you of the “biodome”! (Which is also located in AZ, in Tucson).
The best part are the free tours and the restaurant (which is not free but affordable). The restaurant uses food grown on site! Also, the community makes and sells bells of various sizes to sell to tourists as a source of income. Part of the tour explores the metal forge and how bells are constructed from molds. You can buy a bell as a souvenir and a story!
36 personas locales recomiendan
Arcosanti
This place is FREE but it is a drive to get there. A hidden gem even the locals don’t all know about! It’s a “prototype city” built decades ago in a unique way to make the most out of limited space for future cities if populations continue to rise. As an experiment in sustainability, highly qualified people have lived and researched isolated in the commune for years. It’s very interesting sightseeing which will remind you of the “biodome”! (Which is also located in AZ, in Tucson).
The best part are the free tours and the restaurant (which is not free but affordable). The restaurant uses food grown on site! Also, the community makes and sells bells of various sizes to sell to tourists as a source of income. Part of the tour explores the metal forge and how bells are constructed from molds. You can buy a bell as a souvenir and a story!
This is one of the biggest self-guided art walks in the country, and a great way to check out downtown. First Fridays are the biggest, but every Friday has a walk. In fact, we’ve heard every night has something going on but have NOT verified that.
24 personas locales recomiendan
Roosevelt Row Welcome Center
918 N 2nd StThis is one of the biggest self-guided art walks in the country, and a great way to check out downtown. First Fridays are the biggest, but every Friday has a walk. In fact, we’ve heard every night has something going on but have NOT verified that.
You’ll see the weird rock formations from almost any freeway in Phoenix, and what you’re seeing is Papago Park. There’s som cool opportunities for photos (like the “Hole in the Rock”), and other sightseeing nearby, like the Botanical Gardens. Check out more here: https://www.tempetourism.com/things-to-do/papago-park/
543 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Papago
625 N Galvin PkwyYou’ll see the weird rock formations from almost any freeway in Phoenix, and what you’re seeing is Papago Park. There’s som cool opportunities for photos (like the “Hole in the Rock”), and other sightseeing nearby, like the Botanical Gardens. Check out more here: https://www.tempetourism.com/things-to-do/papago-park/
This place is quirky and must see for those looking for world oddities.
49 personas locales recomiendan
Mystery Castle
800 E Mineral RdThis place is quirky and must see for those looking for world oddities.
Activites
It’s like Chuck E. Cheese’s for adults! Similar to Dave & Busters (but better), you’ve got arcades, pool, shuffleboard, laser tag, bowling, virtual reality...pretty much every indoor fun activity under one roof. It’s not real easy on the wallet, but it’s a great place to go with a group. Also check their website first, because they typically have deals of some kind going on. https://www.mainevent.com/
29 personas locales recomiendan
Main Event Tempe
8545 S Emerald DrIt’s like Chuck E. Cheese’s for adults! Similar to Dave & Busters (but better), you’ve got arcades, pool, shuffleboard, laser tag, bowling, virtual reality...pretty much every indoor fun activity under one roof. It’s not real easy on the wallet, but it’s a great place to go with a group. Also check their website first, because they typically have deals of some kind going on. https://www.mainevent.com/
This is where some huge festivals are held, including the Phoenix Lights EDM concert and different dog shows, etc. Check their website for listings. Also it’s located where Rawhide Western Town is too (only open on holidays and special events)
https://rawhide.com
7 personas locales recomiendan
Rawhide Event Center
5244 South 48th StreetThis is where some huge festivals are held, including the Phoenix Lights EDM concert and different dog shows, etc. Check their website for listings. Also it’s located where Rawhide Western Town is too (only open on holidays and special events)
https://rawhide.com
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
5040 Wild Horse Pass BlvdIf you have children this is a great place to go! Get the little ones out and into some action with heart pumping adrenaline rush of a trampoline park. They will love it!
11 personas locales recomiendan
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
4816 E Ray RdIf you have children this is a great place to go! Get the little ones out and into some action with heart pumping adrenaline rush of a trampoline park. They will love it!