Nicole’s guidebook
Food scene
From casual breakfast at Morning Glory Cafe to a fine dining farm-to-table experience at Quiessence, this working farm has dining options for every traveler. A beautiful setting, try outdoor picnic-style eating when the weather is nice. Year-round, Quiessence is serving up top-notch food with the freshest, local ingredients.
73 locals recommend
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S 32nd StFrom casual breakfast at Morning Glory Cafe to a fine dining farm-to-table experience at Quiessence, this working farm has dining options for every traveler. A beautiful setting, try outdoor picnic-style eating when the weather is nice. Year-round, Quiessence is serving up top-notch food with the freshest, local ingredients.
Looking for a healthy dining option? This local chain offers light Mediterranean fare with plenty of vegan and gluten-free menu items. Try the hummus trio with crusted tuna or the roasted cauliflower with tahini!
8 locals recommend
Pita Jungle - Ahwatukee
4921 E Ray RdLooking for a healthy dining option? This local chain offers light Mediterranean fare with plenty of vegan and gluten-free menu items. Try the hummus trio with crusted tuna or the roasted cauliflower with tahini!
Not your regular grocery store. Fresh baked goods, in-house hot meals at the deli, made-to-order sushi counter, and a wonderful wine/beer selection. The front patio offers a calm place to enjoy a good book with their infamous iced tea. Live music up to two times a week.
114 locals recommend
AJ's Fine Foods
5017 North Central AvenueNot your regular grocery store. Fresh baked goods, in-house hot meals at the deli, made-to-order sushi counter, and a wonderful wine/beer selection. The front patio offers a calm place to enjoy a good book with their infamous iced tea. Live music up to two times a week.
Sandbar is more of a raucous bar scene with a Mexican menu. Plenty of outdoor seating with a beachy vibe. Stop here for UFC fight night viewing or to have a few margaritas into the wee hours of the morning.
27 locals recommend
Sandbar Mexican Grill - Chandler
7200 W Ray RdSandbar is more of a raucous bar scene with a Mexican menu. Plenty of outdoor seating with a beachy vibe. Stop here for UFC fight night viewing or to have a few margaritas into the wee hours of the morning.
This trusty chain serves up premier steaks and old-fashioned fine dining hospitality. Call ahead to reserve a table.
13 locals recommend
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
905 N 54th StThis trusty chain serves up premier steaks and old-fashioned fine dining hospitality. Call ahead to reserve a table.
Irish pub located in an old home in a beautiful Tempe neighborhood. The feeling here is super casual, food and drinks are well-priced. Plenty of outdoor seating.
91 locals recommend
Casey Moore's Oyster House
850 S Ash AveIrish pub located in an old home in a beautiful Tempe neighborhood. The feeling here is super casual, food and drinks are well-priced. Plenty of outdoor seating.
Drink at the place where their Scottish-style Kiltlifter ale got its start. The food here is stellar with interesting chef's specials. Plenty of TVs for game days, located near ASU.
187 locals recommend
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 E 8th StDrink at the place where their Scottish-style Kiltlifter ale got its start. The food here is stellar with interesting chef's specials. Plenty of TVs for game days, located near ASU.
This unique brewery also houses exotic rescue birds. Located in downtown Chandler, this gem has tasty grub and live music on the top deck. Check their schedule to see who's playing.
55 locals recommend
The Perch Brewery
232 S Wall StThis unique brewery also houses exotic rescue birds. Located in downtown Chandler, this gem has tasty grub and live music on the top deck. Check their schedule to see who's playing.
Excellent brunch option with generous portions. Good coffee, big menu, great service.
236 locals recommend
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
615 S College AveExcellent brunch option with generous portions. Good coffee, big menu, great service.
Make reservations, if possible. This place serves up some of the best Southwest fare in the area. The cocktails are also superb. Sister restaurant of Tempe Public Market, Ghost Ranch serves up the flavor at a very high standard.
15 locals recommend
Ghost Ranch: Modern Southwest Cuisine
1006 E Warner RdMake reservations, if possible. This place serves up some of the best Southwest fare in the area. The cocktails are also superb. Sister restaurant of Tempe Public Market, Ghost Ranch serves up the flavor at a very high standard.
Make show room reservations to have dinner and a show! Great for kids and adults alike. A bit off the beaten track, this restaurant serves up Chinese favorites. Try the Ma Po Tofu.
8 locals recommend
Singing Pandas Asian Restaurant & Bar
757 E Chandler BlvdMake show room reservations to have dinner and a show! Great for kids and adults alike. A bit off the beaten track, this restaurant serves up Chinese favorites. Try the Ma Po Tofu.
Sightseeing
Located right next to Phoenix Zoo (2 for 1 sightseeing!), this park offers a super easy hike up to Hole-in-the-Rock. It's a lovely view with plenty of opportunity for desert photos. Visit just before sunset.
543 locals recommend
Papago Park
625 N Galvin PkwyLocated right next to Phoenix Zoo (2 for 1 sightseeing!), this park offers a super easy hike up to Hole-in-the-Rock. It's a lovely view with plenty of opportunity for desert photos. Visit just before sunset.
Ever dreamed of driving a dream car on a track? Try a driving school package here and tick one off the bucket list.
9 locals recommend
Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
20000 S Maricopa RdEver dreamed of driving a dream car on a track? Try a driving school package here and tick one off the bucket list.
See the big Broadway tour shows - Wicked, Lion King, Rent have all visited - or buy tickets for one of their other events. A Frank Lloyd Wright building, this theater offers local flare from a famed architect.
100 locals recommend
ASU Gammage
1200 S Forest AveSee the big Broadway tour shows - Wicked, Lion King, Rent have all visited - or buy tickets for one of their other events. A Frank Lloyd Wright building, this theater offers local flare from a famed architect.
With so many golf courses in the Phoenix area, you don't ever have to play the same course twice. Two pristine courses here in a gorgeous desert setting.
26 locals recommend
Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass
5692 W North Loop RdWith so many golf courses in the Phoenix area, you don't ever have to play the same course twice. Two pristine courses here in a gorgeous desert setting.
Hiking trails for days. Bring plenty of water. Multiple trailheads, plan before heading out and enjoy some of the desert beauty with city views.
350 locals recommend
South Mountain Park
10919 South Central AvenueHiking trails for days. Bring plenty of water. Multiple trailheads, plan before heading out and enjoy some of the desert beauty with city views.
Shopping
This modern outdoor shopping center is located right next to Wild Horse Pass. All your favorite brands - Coach, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Boss, Armani Exchange, Kate Spade, and many more.
118 locals recommend
Phoenix Premium Outlets
4976 Premium Outlets WayThis modern outdoor shopping center is located right next to Wild Horse Pass. All your favorite brands - Coach, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Boss, Armani Exchange, Kate Spade, and many more.
Classy shopping destination with major brands and amazing restaurants. Spend a few hours here and check out both.
699 locals recommend
Kierland Commons
Classy shopping destination with major brands and amazing restaurants. Spend a few hours here and check out both.
Upscale shopping and dining surrounding a green courtyard area. Let the kids run around a bit while some of the adults pick up their shopping necessities.
494 locals recommend
Biltmore Fashion Park
2502 E Camelback RdUpscale shopping and dining surrounding a green courtyard area. Let the kids run around a bit while some of the adults pick up their shopping necessities.
Kids
Local park with a lake to walk around, multiple playgrounds, and a splash pad for hot summer days. Beautiful at sunset.
38 locals recommend
Desert Breeze Park
660 North Desert Breeze Blvd ELocal park with a lake to walk around, multiple playgrounds, and a splash pad for hot summer days. Beautiful at sunset.
This indoor play place is wonderful for kids that are ready to explore a large center on their own. Perfect for hot summer days.
12 locals recommend
Makutu's Island
6919 W Ray RdThis indoor play place is wonderful for kids that are ready to explore a large center on their own. Perfect for hot summer days.
Essentials
Gym with all the amenities. Pool, tennis, classes, and more. Call for day pass/multi-day options.
7 locals recommend
Life Time Fitness
1616 W Ruby DrGym with all the amenities. Pool, tennis, classes, and more. Call for day pass/multi-day options.
The friendliest grocery store around. Stop by Trader Joe's for all your TJ's favorites.
410 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
4025 E Chandler BlvdThe friendliest grocery store around. Stop by Trader Joe's for all your TJ's favorites.