Working Vacation: Arizona
Things to Do When You're Traveling Through - Restaurants, Sites in Arizona
Tempe
This city of about 180,000 is south of Phoenix. Home to Arizona State University, the college town has plenty to see and do on the campus and countless opportunities for outdoor recreation, dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Photographer S. Brian Berkun recommends:
Portillo’s Hot Dogs
65 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
Berkun recommends this restaurant for its “Chicago Vienna hotdogs and beef sandwiches.”
Lori Foster is the chief strategy officer with the Downtown Tempe Authority. Its art festivals take place in March and December. She said Arizona has “great weather, friendly people, exciting outdoor experiences – Arizona fun!”
Foster recommends these restaurants:
Med Fresh Grill
414 S. Mill Ave., Suite #117,
Tempe, AZ 85281
medfreshgrill.com
Foster said, “This is our office go-to spot for lunch. Mediterranean with a Turkish twist, the chicken kabob combo is hard to beat with warm pita, rice, salad, and hummus – delicious!”
House of Tricks
114 E. 7th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
“What’s not to like about House of Tricks? The food, the service, and a killer patio! It’s a great spot to celebrate special occasions or just sit in the tree bar for cocktail, Harissa Spiced Mussels, and grilled Noble Bread – can’t beat it!” Foster said.
Pedal Haus Brewery
730 S. Mill Ave., #102, Tempe, AZ 85281 (It also has locations in Phoenix and Chandler, with one in Mesa scheduled to open in April.)
“Nothing beats a cool winter evening sitting fireside on Pedal Haus’ patio with a Day Drinker Light Lager in hand, dipping a pretzel into Bier Blanche cheese,” Foster said.
Caffe Boa
398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
Foster said its “all natural, organic ingredients set Caffe Boa apart – the handmade pasta, produce from local organic farmers, and the natural wine selection makes this the perfect date night spot. Plus, they have one of the best weekday lunch specials in downtown Tempe.”
The cool sites Foster recommends are:
Tempe Town Lake
Located at Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85280
“Miles of pathways to run, bike, scoot, or walk and a huge park in which to explore or enjoy concerts and other large events like the Arizona Aloha Festival or Oktoberfest. You can fish, rent a paddle board, a pedal boat – even a donut boat! A water oasis in the middle of the Valley,” Foster said.
Hayden Butte Preserve Park/A-Mountain
Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
Foster said this is a “sacred place for three communities: the people of Tempe, Arizona State University students and alumni, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. From the top, you see a 360-degree view of the Valley and a deeper understanding of the ancient and modern history of Tempe.”
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 W. Rio Salado Parkway,
Tempe, AZ 85281
“Open Mic Nights on Wednesdays, a gallery, a cute gift shop, nine resident artists/programs, and dynamic programming make the TCA (as locals know it) a local treasure,” Foster said.
ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
Foster said it is the “home of the Broadway series in Tempe and the best performing arts venue in the Valley. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, you feel like royalty when you walk through the doors and experience symphony concerts, solo performances, a film, or a Broadway musical.”
Superior
A community of not even 3,000, Superior’s history dates to the 1800s. It is a one-hour drive from central Phoenix and about 30 minutes from Mesa, on Highway 60.
Superior has been featured in many Westerns due to its remoteness and geology.
In this area, Berkun says Boyce Thompson Arboretum is on the must-see list.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
37615 E. Arboretum Way
Superior, AZ 85173
It is the “oldest botanical institution west of the Mississippi,” Berkun said.
The arboretum is open year-round. Visit it in the spring when many of the desert plants and cactuses are blooming.
Fountain Hills
Adjacent to Scottsdale, Fountain Hills is a town of about 25,000 in Phoenix’s greater metro area.
The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce sponsors art and craft festivals in February and November. Jill Haislip, the organization’s events and marketing manager, said Arizona has “beautiful weather year-round, hiking trails abound, world renowned events from PGA golf, Barrett Jackson Auto Show, spring training, and (one of the) seven natural wonders of the world – the Grand Canyon.”
Haislip has plenty of recommendations for artists when they visit the town.
Suggested restaurants:
Sofrita
16848 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Visit it for the “Cuban tapas experience,” Haislip said.
All American Sports Grill
16872 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Haislip said it offers “American fare with a view of the famous fountain.”
Batchelor’s Pad BBQ
13407 N. La Montana Drive,
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
In nearby Scottsdale, Haislip recommends:
Cielo
13225 N. Eagle Ridge Drive,
Scottsdale, AZ 85268
It is the place to go for upscale
dining, Haislip said.
The cool sites Haislip considers must-sees in Fountain Hills are:
Fountain Park
12925 N. Saguaro Blvd.,
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
fountainhillsaz.gov/696/Fountain-Park
See Fountain Hill’s famous fountain during a visit to this park.
Public Art Walk
A total of 150 pieces are scattered throughout Fountain Hills.
experiencefountainhills.org/p/arts-culture/artwalk
Haislip said it is the “largest public art collection in the state.”
River of Time Museum
12901 N. La Montana Blvd.,
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Adero Canyon Trailhead
14800 N. Eagle Drive,
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
fountainhillsaz.gov/295/McDowell-Mountain-Preserve-Trails
Haislip said it is a great workout with expansive views.
Phoenix
The capital of Arizona is surrounded by rugged terrain. It is in the south-central part of the state, approximately halfway between Tucson and Flagstaff.
Berkun lives in Colorado and participates in numerous art fairs in Arizona. He usually participates in the spring and fall versions of the Tempe Festival of the Arts and has done other festivals at various times.
“Generally, shows in Arizona run from October to April,” he said. “After that, it is too hot.”
A cool site Berkun recommends in Phoenix is Desert Botanical Garden for its “great display of desert plants.”
Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008
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