Phoenix area! What to see.. day trips etc?

[JTM09]

Looking for suggestions from the AZ crew. What are the must see parks, sightseeing tours etc in the Phoenix area? Going this month so extended hikes are out of the question. Thanks!

[ezaircon4jc]

Who's going? Fam? Kids age(s)? There was a mini-golf/zip-line, go-kart place that was pretty fun. Have dinner at The Rustler's Roost! We haven't been there in some years (daughter went to GCU so we spent time there almost monthly) , but when we did go the food was very good. The (side dish) beans were

[JTM09]

Wifey, teen son, and I. Is Cullinary Dropout still a good spot?

[bucketfoot]

Anyplace I would recommend has probably long since closed. We left in 1986 and will NEVER go back!

[hubbahubba]

This time of year, 100% go tubing on the Salt River. Bring sunscreen and close toed shoes that can get wet. Rent a boat at Canyon Lake for the day and explore the Canyon. It's beautiful. There are several Top Golf locations throughout the valley, or, if golf is really your thing some great courses at maybe 1/3 the cost that they were just 3 months ago. Bring lots of water. Summer golf in AZ, besides the heat, is fantastic. Octane Speed in Scottsdale is fun. They also have a VR room. We had our company Christmas party there this last holiday season. Rustlers Roost is fun for dancing if the crowd is right, food is average. We had our party there 2 years ago. Culinary Dropout is really nothing special. There are far better restaurants to be found. What part of the valley are you staying in?

[StradaRedlands]

Central Burton Barr library is a gem.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v9QKi6UTLpwNQBt36

Old town Scottsdale has a nice vibe.

Get up early and hike Piestewa to see the sunrise.
https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails.../piestewa-peak

[E92inNC]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

Anyplace I would recommend has probably long since closed. We left in 1986 and will NEVER go back!

I left end of July 2022 and feel the same. I moved there mid 90s when the high during the summer was around 110 and remember playing basketball with my buddies middle of the day through the summer break like it was nothing. It’s gotten to the 120s now with t the population boom and the lakes drying up. I will only go back to visit family and friends between Nov-Feb.

Originally Posted by JTM09

Looking for suggestions from the AZ crew. What are the must see parks, sightseeing tours etc in the Phoenix area? Going this month so extended hikes are out of the question. Thanks!

As others have mentioned, Salt River Tubing is a good relaxing time that takes about 5 hours and is about 45 minutes outside of the city. Old Town Scottsdale is a good place to visit and has lots of restaurants and shopping. If you like Poke, I’d recommend Koi Poke at loop 101 and Pima. For burgers, a great spot is Original Hamburger Works at 15th Avenue and Thomas, they cook over wood so you get a great smoky taste in the patty and the place generally has a great smell to it. If you’re in the west valley, Leo’s Island BBQ is a favorite of mine, I usually get the Kalua Pork with spam musubi. For Italian, Times Square has a few spots throughout the city, I’d recommend the Pescatore or Cioppino, awesome pasta/seafood combo. I’d avoid downtown Phoenix, like other major cities, they keep the actual dt clean but immediately outside of it is dirty and lots of homelessness. I’d also avoid Tempe and Mesa.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by E92inNC

I left end of July 2022 and feel the same. I moved there mid 90s when the high during the summer was around 110 and remember playing basketball with my buddies middle of the day through the summer break like it was nothing. It’s gotten to the 120s now with t the population boom and the lakes drying up. I will only go back to visit family and friends between Nov-Feb.



As others have mentioned, Salt River Tubing is a good relaxing time that takes about 5 hours and is about 45 minutes outside of the city. Old Town Scottsdale is a good place to visit and has lots of restaurants and shopping. If you like Poke, I’d recommend Koi Poke at loop 101 and Pima. For burgers, a great spot is Original Hamburger Works at 15th Avenue and Thomas, they cook over wood so you get a great smoky taste in the patty and the place generally has a great smell to it. If you’re in the west valley, Leo’s Island BBQ is a favorite of mine, I usually get the Kalua Pork with spam musubi. For Italian, Times Square has a few spots throughout the city, I’d recommend the Pescatore or Cioppino, awesome pasta/seafood combo. I’d avoid downtown Phoenix, like other major cities, they keep the actual dt clean but immediately outside of it is dirty and lots of homelessness. I’d also avoid Tempe and Mesa.

We liked Oregano's for Italian.

[E92inNC]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

We liked Oregano's for Italian.

Various friends have gotten me to try Oregano’s a few times throughout my 20s but it never took. Personally, it felt as Italian as Taco Bell is Mexican, but not to such an extent.

OP- if you like BBQ, Pork on a Fork is at 15th Avenue and Deer Valley. They have a half Pork, half brisket sandwich with jalapeños, coleslaw and queso cheese, best bbq sandwich I’ve ever had. The sides are pretty good too.

[wtwo3]

If you go early in the morning before it gets too hot, camelback mountain hike in the middle of the city is pretty fun and easy to get to.

I love driving through the superstition mountains - super scenic drive with viewpoints to stop at.

Pretty touristy, but ghostfield ghost town is a unique area to check out.

I haven't been there since 2017, but I recall out of Africa safari park to be a fun time with zip lining above the animals.

If you've got time, Sedona is a couple hours north of phoenix and there's tons to do there.

For food recommendations - good food is a bit lacking in Phoenix overall, but there's stoll some good spots.

Pizzeria Bianco - this is a famous pizza spot but the lines can get crazy. Pizza is good.
Persian Room has pretty good Mediterranean food with great ambiance
Zu izakaya - I really enjoyed the food here last time I went - Asian fusion.