Phoenix Travel Advice
The last few years we've had more than a few threads with advice for anyone going to the bowl game. So I'm asking any West Coast people on here if you've got any advice for Phoenix?
Bars? Restaurants? Clubs? Shopping? Places to see? Places to stay? Places to avoid?
December 10th, 2013 at 10:05 AM ^
Scottsdale for bars. Mill Ave in Tempe for bars and restaurants.
Shopping, Scottsdale Fashion Center.
Places to see: Sedona, Flagstaff, Jerome. If there is not enough time for that, hiking Camelback is always good.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:07 AM ^
Arizona, it's good for asthmatics.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:09 AM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 10:54 AM ^
So is Rudy's BBQ in Chandler. That is one awesome joint.
Rehab Burger Therapy in Scottsdale is one of the best hamburger places I've ever been to. The Hatch Chili Cheeseburger is incredible.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^
I live in Scottsdale which is about 10 minutes outside of Tempe. At this time of year prices for hotels in the Scottsdale area run from $250-350 a night. There is a Marriott & Hilton Garden Inn right in the middle of downtown Scottsdale.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phxst-scottsdale-marriott-suites-…
http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/arizona/hilton-garden-inn-…
You will have all of the restaurants, bars, clubs, and shopping you need in this area. If your able to stay at one of those hotels, you will be within walking distance of everything you need or just a quick cab away.
If you end up staying in Tempe you should be just fine but there isn't as much to do as there is in Scottsdale.
When I have more time I can put together a more detailed run down of things to do.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:38 AM ^
Just checked the rates on the links I posted above from the 27th-29th and the rooms are going for $150-175 which is a steal.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
I'm not sure how "local" Kierland is. It seems to me like a generic, strip mall/chain restaurant paradise, but then again, so is Scottsdale in general. I'd imagine that younger folk would prefer a place like the Valley Ho or maybe the Saguaro:
http://www.tablethotels.com/Phoenix-Scottsdale-Hotels-USA/147
December 10th, 2013 at 10:24 AM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 11:13 AM ^
So This....
I was a poor college student going to a Small Communications school in Tempe. was too poor and or busy to find any of these cool resturaunts and what not. but I do remember site seeing on Mill.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:27 AM ^
golf courses in the area. Bring the clubs.
December 10th, 2013 at 10:28 AM ^
Sorry just not a fan. I suppose it's better than Houston
December 10th, 2013 at 2:03 PM ^
This is true. The only time I go into phoenix city limits is for the Airport, or Bars/Reataurants in the Biltmore/Arcadia area, the rest is useless. Don't let the fake skyline lure you into the deserted downtown area, I suspect those buildings are a Hollywood backdrop.
Don't waste you time driving into Chandler, Mesa, or anything else more the 15 minutes from the stadium. I still can't fathom why people live there, besides the overabundance of methamphetamine.
North Tempe & Mid-Scottsdale (Around "Old Town") is the heart of the valley.
IF you bring your sticks, there are a ton of Golf Courses, but this is peak $ea$on.
Papago Golf Course is public, cheaper, and very scenic (near the Stadium)
Disc golf, three good courses in Town.
2 near stadium: Moeur Park 9 in Tempe & Vista Del Camino 18 in Scottsdale spinnersdiscgolf.com
Buffalo Ridge in northern phoenix is the best - 27-hole playing up and down a foothill
Rent a bike and ride the Scottsdale Greenbelt Trail or "water front" in Tempe.
Zoo Lights at night (near the Stadium)
Drive to the top of South Mountain for a view
Hike: Camelback, Piestewa peak, or Pinnacle peak (where I was married)
Restaurants & Bars.. plenty. Yelp 'em.
Breastaurant = Twin Peaks
Beer Snobs (& great pizza): Pagago Brewing (tucked away in NW corner) many taps, but should grab micro/import beers from the coolers to dine in or to go.
Brat Haus all day, erryday.
Don't drive buzzed unless you want a week in Tent City.
December 10th, 2013 at 4:41 PM ^
I live in South Chandler (Ocotillo area) - its like Scottsdale but without all the Scottsdale people.
December 10th, 2013 at 5:04 PM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 5:31 PM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 10:29 AM ^
Wakeup, drive to Los Favoritos (Los Favs) and order a breakfast burrito. Sit down with the bottle of green sauce. INDULGE!
December 10th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
Those are the places to find some action. I spent a little over a year living in Phoenix and even if you don't like country music, all the hot girls go to country bars. If you can two-step, you're in...if that's what you're looking for.
Native New Yorker, good place for wings if the BWW thing isn't your scene. I had fun there, lots of eye candy and plenty of places to drink and have fun.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^
There is plenty to do right around the Stadium and Mill Ave, but I would highly reccommend coming up to Old Towne Scottsdale and Fashion Square Mall. I always take my friends from Michigan there and they are blown away. If you are a single guy, the scenery is incredible. If not, you still get the scenery, but there is also plenty of shopping and restaraunts.
If you are looking for the club scene, then Old Towne is the place to be. Again, the scenery can not be matched. If you are just looking for a laid back, chill kind of bar then you are probably better off on Mill Ave or more North Scottsdale.
Wherever you end up, you will love it.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
Michigan will release a schedule of bowl week activities? I know BW3 has a "tablegate" party the day of, but interested if UM will do meet and greets, luncheons, etc. etc.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:23 AM ^
The alumni association has tour packages and eventually they will provide the schedule of events. There is an alumni association tailgate before the game... you can purchase tickets to that separate from the main tour...
December 10th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
In-N-Out Burger
December 10th, 2013 at 12:41 PM ^
If you have never had In-N-Out Burger, a family owned company out of CA, then you need to stop by. The menu is simple Hamburger w/ cheese or w/o, but the simplicity makes the place a favorite destination for a quick great burger, and the secret ways to order your burger make it a cult favorite..
Try a Double Double "Animal Style" w/ a fry and thank me later. See you at the game!
Secret Menu - http://www.in-n-out.com/menu/not-so-secret-menu.aspx
December 10th, 2013 at 1:40 PM ^
In-N-Out is one of those things that just doesn't disappoint. I'm one of those people that when I hear over and over again about how great something is before I try it, I tend to be unimpressed unless it is really that good. For a fast food burger (which I otherwise don't eat), In-N-Out is amazing. And your recommendation for animal style is spot on. I recently moved to CA from the midwest/east coast and people wouldn't shut up about getting In-N-Out. Now I eat it more than I should and I am not a fast food person.
December 10th, 2013 at 2:01 PM ^
Be prepared to wait 30minutes for your overrated food.
If you must, order "animal style" double, you fat phuhk ;)
December 10th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 11:26 AM ^
U.S. Egg in Old Town Scottsdale for breakfast. I recommend the Protein Pancakes. Straight shot down Rural/Scottsdale Road from Sun Devil Stadium.
Oreganos for Lunch or Dinner. One in Tempe and also next to U.S. Egg in Scottsdale.
It will be COLD at game time. Low 40s with no humidity feels much colder than the temperature suggests.
December 10th, 2013 at 5:14 PM ^
Lower humidity makes it feel warmer, not colder.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:33 AM ^
You are on the internet right now.
With the key strokes it took you to type this question on this board you could have put them into Google.com and it would have given you instant answers to all of your questions.
If you went further into the interweb you oculd have gotten instant reviews of all of the places google.com gave you.
Why do people do this on this board?
My head aches with the fire of a thousand retards.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:38 AM ^
You are my favorite poster of all time.
December 10th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^
You just won, lock the thread
December 10th, 2013 at 11:51 AM ^
people trust MGoUsers a hell of a lot more than basic web users. I learned more here in 5 minutes than two hours of searching (I now know what sauce to put on my breakfast burrito).
Take a Tylenol for your aching head and lighten up.
December 10th, 2013 at 12:17 PM ^
You know damn well you won't remember that sauce the next time you eat a breakfast burrito because you only eat breakfast burritos when you are hungover and when you are hungover figuring out the tip is difficult enough.
/CUMONG
December 10th, 2013 at 12:03 PM ^
I completely agree with His Dudeness, I think that what folks look for when they ask these questions is if YOU personally have been anywhere that was fun in said location. I think they're looking for personal experiences.
Just my 37 cents...
December 10th, 2013 at 5:19 PM ^
TripAdvisor is a great site, with much more specifics than anyone here is going to give (generally speaking). You also get a larger range of info, from a wider user base. And it's generally up to date.
I'm not railing against these threads though, I started one here a few years ago when doing a weekend in Chicago with the misses. I got some great responses, and a lot of good suggestions from people that I felt were somwhat like minded. That said, TripAdvisor was still better.
December 10th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
Here ya go.
And shit man, it's just an internet post. It bumped the Winter Classic WebCam off the top page, no need to have a hissy fit over it
I wanted to see a locals perspective before I started Googling around.
December 10th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^
Must do's:
Food - Ted's Hot Dogs in Tempe, Chompies (in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler or Tempe), Oreganos (Phoenix,Tempe, Old Town Scottsdale, Mesa or Gilbert), Chino Bandido in Phoenix, Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix (if you can stomach the wait), Matt's Big Breakfast in Phoenix (again, the wait), Dos Gringos bar in Old Town Scottsdale (recently was converted to the U of M alumni bar for the Phoenix area starting this year, not an incredible place, but they deserve your Wolverine business)
Attractions - Botanical Gardens, Old Town Scottsdale, hit the links (tons of top notch courses, I'm partial to Greyhawk), Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, the casinos (Talking Stick is my favorite, but man to the slots seem loose for me at Lone Butte), Children's museum for the kids, Sedona (if you don't mind the couple hour drive), Grand Canyon (incredibly looooong drive)
Do not's:
Downtown Tempe (Mill Street) - Might be for you, but it's not for everyone. The students will still be there and will be there in force. Incredibly hot ladies, but the bro-iest of the bros. ASU students are the absolute worst. I should know, I married one.
Downtown Phoenix at nighttime (without a gameplan) - It is the most dead large city downtown you've seen. Unless you know exactly what you're doing down there, don't bother. You probably won't find anything fun if you're just planning to roam around until something catches your eye.
Drive drunk under any circumstance - Shouldn't have to be said, but it doesn't get more strict than if you're caught than in Phoenix. Mandatory jail time in tent city with pink underwear for even the smallest infraction. Sheriff Joe is a complete dick and doesn't play around.
West Phoenix and the Village of Guadalupe - West Phoenix is littered with gang activity, I shouldn't have to say more. Guadalupe is essentially little Mexico. You know you're in it when all the sudden you go from a normal city to a Mexican town. We're talking signage switching to all spanish, stray pit bulls and little babies running around without clothes on and not an adult in sight. Not trying to be racist, just letting you know I've known people who've had bad experiences there (except when trying to buy alcohol underage)...
December 10th, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
I was in Tempe for the Wisconsin-ASU game and I actually had a Real Good Time™ on Mill Street. I'm a bit older for that crowd, but because there were lots of Wisconsin fans traveling for that game, the atmosphere was mixed and probably less strictly bro than a non-football night or a night without a traveling fan base. I've seen way worse on South University on a football weekend. Anyway, I wouldn't rule out Mill Street, but I haven't been to Scottsdale or the other places mentioned. And of course, it's all about personal taste.
December 10th, 2013 at 2:04 PM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 3:11 PM ^
My in-laws still live out in Scottsdale and they were the ones who actually worked it out with Dos to become the alumni bar, and believe me, they and the rest of the alumni group are not what you'd consider typical patrons of that establishment. But it works. Dos Gringos actually tried very hard and pursued them to be the official Michigan bar (even painting the steps maize n' blue, etc...). It was really impressive to hear about, even though my wife and I had warned them that Dos may not be the best place.
December 10th, 2013 at 5:08 PM ^
December 10th, 2013 at 5:28 PM ^
This is a great post.
December 10th, 2013 at 1:12 PM ^
The Tempe Mission Palms is a very nice but pretty reasonably priced hotel well within walking distance of the stadium and Mill Ave. Tempe's an awesome little city overall.
December 10th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^
Papago Brewing in Scottsdale. Good beer, also a bunch of guest taps, and good pizza.
December 10th, 2013 at 2:04 PM ^
Ah yes, forgot about them. They have an irish coffee stout that I thought was incredible. I would actually say Four Peaks is better though...
December 10th, 2013 at 5:23 PM ^
Other good craft beer bars in the area: The Hungry Monk in Chandler (always has Bell's Two Hearted on tap) and Flanny's in Tempe. There is a World of Beer on Mill Street and a Yard House in the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, which have good selections but a pretty corporate feel.
December 10th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
If you eat anything here, it has be Chino Banditos! It's a little hole in the wall place in north Phoenix but it has hands down the best food I have eaten in the valley. A bit of a drive from Tempe but you won't be sorry you did. Pizzeria Bianco in downtown Phoenix has awesome pizza but can have a long wait, so get there early. While you wait visit the Rose & Crown across the street, a great British pub.
Besides that if you are only here for a few days, I second hanging out at Mill Ave. Good bars and plenty of good eats + wall to wall hotties. Hiking Camelback mountain is a must if you are decently athletic, the view is incredible. If you are lazy, you can just drive up South Mountain and still get an amazing view of the city.
I'm probably in the minority of Phoenicians here, but you should avoid Scottsdale (especially the bar scene) like the plague. Unless that is you are one or more of the following
-A huge D-bag
-A 55 year old rich dude trolling for 20 year olds to impress
-Someone who likes to pretend to be a millionare when they only make 30k a year (30k millionaires as they are known in PHX).
I simply cannot overstate how dbag-ish the bar scene is in Scottsdale, especially in Old Town. The one exception, as mentioned here is Papago Brewery, that place is fantastic. Hope this helps. The weather should be really nice for the bowl game.
December 10th, 2013 at 4:32 PM ^
Papago is South Scottsdale, far away from those who like to flaunt being"credit card" rich in North Scottsdale and Old Town, and just far enough away from the Tempe bro scene.
December 10th, 2013 at 5:18 PM ^
All of those places are downtown though, which is dull at night (decent museums in the daytime though). In Old Town Scottsdale, if you want a pizza try Grimaldis. For a cocktail hit up the Citizen Public House.