What to do in the Phoenix area?

[Arkon]

So it looks like I will be taking a work trip to Phoenix some time in the next few months to teach a class at a customer location.  Not sure the exact dates yet, but I always like planning out my trip as much as possible.  My classes usually run until 5PM, so what is there worth doing in the evenings that won't lead to me getting heat stroke from the so called "dry heat"?

[Soulchilde]

PeteRock is in Phoenix, so I can assume he will have plenty of suggestions

[Arkon]

PeteRock is in Phoenix, so I can assume he will have plenty of suggestions

Of course it will likely take me the next month to read his post, but it would be welcome!

 

[ATB]

What to do in the Phoenix area?

If COPS is to believed, you'll be spending most of your time dodging criminals! 

[th'FOOL]

Cook via dry heat

[Knightshade Dragon]

You could always meet me for lunch.  I'm in Phoenix. 

[Moliere]

It's hard to make suggestions when I don't know what you like doing. Like any large city there is a wide array of possible activities. Everything from betting at the greyhound race track, drinking martini's in Scottsdale, to visiting the musical instrument museum.

[CeeKay]

He's from the wilds of PA, so you might have to do some Taming of the Shrew before taking him for martinis

[PeteRock]

So it looks like I will be taking a work trip to Phoenix some time in the next few months to teach a class at a customer location.  Not sure the exact dates yet, but I always like planning out my trip as much as possible.  My classes usually run until 5PM, so what is there worth doing in the evenings that won't lead to me getting heat stroke from the so called "dry heat"?

Oh, it isn't "so called", it really is dry. 

Like Moliere said, it's tough to make recommendations until we know what you're looking to do.  Knightshade isn't far from Phoenix, I live in Chandler, which is about 20 minutes outside of the city, and Moliere is about an hour or so from the city.  Downtown Phoenix is more like an office park than a city, with the sidewalks being rolled up after 5pm and all employees making a mass exodus to the surrounding suburbs.  Most of the evening fun can be found in places like Scottsdale, Northern Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert, etc.  There are nearby casinos, the Diamondbacks stadium is downtown (don't worry, the dome is closed when it's too hot), great restaurants all over, places to have drinks, etc.

Being a full-time student with the summer off outside of volunteer work I'd be interested in meeting for a drink, a game of pool ( ), dinner after work, whatever.  Some others in the area might be interested as well.  But consider what you might want to do or see while in Phoenix and we can tailor recommendations accordingly.

[Scuzz]

Golf...
Baseball game....
Visit the desert.....I forget but there where a couple places where you could do that.

[Arkon]

The training is on Riverpoint Parkway, most likely will be staying at a hotel very close to the training, which I believe is fairly close to the airport.

I would love to get together for dinner with folks while I am out there.  I would likely fly in early on a Sunday, fly back out that following Friday or Saturday depending on what flights are available.  I am a pretty big fan of natural wonders and local cuisine.  I am not a huge city person, much more of a farm boy.  Never been to a casino, shame it won't be hockey season yet, I am sure I could get great seats for cheap to see the Yotes.

Pete are you sure you could handle having dinner with a Steelers/Penguins and by default Pirates fan?   

[PeteRock]

The training is on Riverpoint Parkway, most likely will be staying at a hotel very close to the training, which I believe is fairly close to the airport.

You'll be just north of South Mountain.  If you want to take in some local desert sites, it is a phenomenal place to go for a hike.  Unfortunately we're in the heart of summer so bring sunscreen and a lot of water.  It really depends on how well you can handle heat.  As my body has acclimated to the local climate I can handle outdoor activities in 100+ degree heat (we play softball year-round, and our early games start at 6:20pm, so heat is something you either adjust to or die).  If heat is a concern you can still see a great deal by car. 

The Apache Trail is a gorgeous, scenic drive out in East Mesa and passes by the Tortilla Flats, a great place to stop, take in some history, have a cold beer, and perhaps a green chile cheeseburger. 

I would love to get together for dinner with folks while I am out there.

While I can understand appreciating local cuisine while traveling, we often take visiting friends to one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area, Cyclo in Chandler.  We've been going there for years and I don't know that I have ever seen a menu.  When we walk in Justina, the owner, seats us, takes our beverages (it is a BYOB  ), chats a bit with our guests to introduce herself, she'll go over what allergies or dietary restrictions anyone might have, and then the food starts coming.  Some things are on the menu, some are not, but everything is the best you are going to find.  It's a fun place to sit back, relax, enjoy a few (or many) drinks, and talk with friends.  There is no pressure to order anything because the food is simply taken care of by Justina.

Other options include fantastic Mexican food, such as Barrio Cafe or Rancho de Tia Rosa in Mesa.  There are also local chains like Macayo's which is only found in AZ or NV and fairly solid for typical Mexican fare.  For breakfast you cannot leave the area without having a breakfast burrito from Los Favoritos.  With both salsas, the red and the green.

My wife and I play softball Wednesday and Friday nights in Scottsdale and typically go out for a beer (or five) after, I've got pool league on Thursdays, and I volunteer on Monday evenings at St. Joseph's in downtown Phoenix, but I am sure we can find an open evening to meet up for dinner.

Pete are you sure you could handle having dinner with a Steelers/Penguins and by default Pirates fan?   

It's baseball season.  The Pirates pose no threat to me.  And my wife is from Pittsburgh, so I cope with it every day of my life.     Visits with the in-laws are always fun, especially when the topic of sports comes up.   

[EngineNo9]

If you have a few extra dollars* you could always go build a Rally Fighter.  

*about $60 grand

[PeteRock]

If you have a few extra dollars* you could always go build a Rally Fighter.  

*about $60 grand

Or visit Bondurant Racing School.

[Arkon]

While I can understand appreciating local cuisine while traveling, we often take visiting friends to one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area, Cyclo in Chandler.  We've been going there for years and I don't know that I have ever seen a menu.  When we walk in Justina, the owner, seats us, takes our beverages (it is a BYOB  ), chats a bit with our guests to introduce herself, she'll go over what allergies or dietary restrictions anyone might have, and then the food starts coming.  Some things are on the menu, some are not, but everything is the best you are going to find.  It's a fun place to sit back, relax, enjoy a few (or many) drinks, and talk with friends.  There is no pressure to order anything because the food is simply taken care of by Justina.

Other options include fantastic Mexican food, such as Barrio Cafe or Rancho de Tia Rosa in Mesa.  There are also local chains like Macayo's which is only found in AZ or NV and fairly solid for typical Mexican fare.  For breakfast you cannot leave the area without having a breakfast burrito from Los Favoritos.  With both salsas, the red and the green.

That sounds like something right up my ally Pete.  By local cuisine, I meant places that weren't chain restaurants I could find in western PA, but rather a place someone local would consider to be an excellent place to get food.  For example, when I was teaching a class in Toulouse France, I ended up at this little hole in the wall place that was under the streets of old town.  The place had about 8 tables and was a restaurant that the locals would go to, not a place they would send tourists to.  One of the local folks I was training actually had to call in a favor with the owner to get me in.  Was a totally wonderful dining experience. 

And KD, I would love to meet up with you while I am out in the area.  Hopefully the customer will commit to a firm date soon so I can start to make plans.

[rittchard]

Shoot, I misread the title, I thought it said "WHO to do in the Phoenix area?" and I was thinking of all the Phoenix GTers...

[Biyobi]

You'll be just north of South Mountain.

We can't know for sure due to the information given, but can we assume he'll also be south of North Mountain?

[walTer]

I was there for work a few months ago- I ate at all three of these place- you will NOT be disappointed.

Chompie's
Adam Richman takes on the Ultimate Slider Challenge, 12 challah rolls stuffed with brisket, potato pancakes and cheese plus a mountain of onion strings weighing in at 5-lbs. that must be finished in under 30 minutes.

1160 East University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281
See on Map »
Alice Cooperstown
Adam stops at Alice Cooperstown for the Big Unit Hot Dog, nearly 2 feet of meat packed in an entire baguette loaf and smothered in chili, cheese, bacon, jalapeño, grilled onions, relish and sauerkraut.

101 East Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
See on Map »
Los Reyes de la Torta
Adam goes to Los Reyes De La Torta in the Sunnyslope neighborhood for their massive Torta Del Rey, layered with beans, avocado, eggs and 5 different kinds of meat.

[Arkon]

I was there for work a few months ago- I ate at all three of these place- you will NOT be disappointed.

Chompie's
Adam Richman takes on the Ultimate Slider Challenge, 12 challah rolls stuffed with brisket, potato pancakes and cheese plus a mountain of onion strings weighing in at 5-lbs. that must be finished in under 30 minutes.

1160 East University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281
See on Map »
Alice Cooperstown
Adam stops at Alice Cooperstown for the Big Unit Hot Dog, nearly 2 feet of meat packed in an entire baguette loaf and smothered in chili, cheese, bacon, jalapeño, grilled onions, relish and sauerkraut.

101 East Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
See on Map »
Los Reyes de la Torta
Adam goes to Los Reyes De La Torta in the Sunnyslope neighborhood for their massive Torta Del Rey, layered with beans, avocado, eggs and 5 different kinds of meat.

Sounds great...except I am on Weight Watchers in an effort to loose 100 pounds.

 

[Knightshade Dragon]

I was there for work a few months ago- I ate at all three of these place- you will NOT be disappointed.

Chompie's
Adam Richman takes on the Ultimate Slider Challenge, 12 challah rolls stuffed with brisket, potato pancakes and cheese plus a mountain of onion strings weighing in at 5-lbs. that must be finished in under 30 minutes.

1160 East University Dr., Tempe, AZ 85281
See on Map »
Alice Cooperstown
Adam stops at Alice Cooperstown for the Big Unit Hot Dog, nearly 2 feet of meat packed in an entire baguette loaf and smothered in chili, cheese, bacon, jalapeño, grilled onions, relish and sauerkraut.

101 East Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
See on Map »
Los Reyes de la Torta
Adam goes to Los Reyes De La Torta in the Sunnyslope neighborhood for their massive Torta Del Rey, layered with beans, avocado, eggs and 5 different kinds of meat.

Sounds great...except I am on Weight Watchers in an effort to loose 100 pounds.

 

Hang out with me - I'm on a Ketogenic diet to drop another 40.  Of course, you are counting points and I'm counting carbs...

[happydog]

I too am in Phx and if a group gets together I might try to come along.

[Arkon]

Hang out with me - I'm on a Ketogenic diet to drop another 40.  Of course, you are counting points and I'm counting carbs...

Sounds like a plan!  Now I just need the customer to hurry up and sign the contract.

[Knightshade Dragon]

Hang out with me - I'm on a Ketogenic diet to drop another 40.  Of course, you are counting points and I'm counting carbs...

Sounds like a plan!  Now I just need the customer to hurry up and sign the contract.

Yea, chop chop!  Looks like a group is forming already. 

[walTer]

Sounds great...except I am on Weight Watchers in an effort to loose 100 pounds.

 

Oh man - sorry about that.  Well when you go back?

/puts foot in mouth