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28 November 2022
2022 is drawing to a close. When we reflect on the year that has passed and the year to come, we can’t help but be grateful for the many wonderful things that make us proud to call Arizona our home. Here are 12 things (in no particular order) we love and will continue to love about Arizona for many years to come.
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No space on Grand Avenue is exempt from the presence of public art. A multicolored sidewalk on Grand Avenue and McKinley Street is shaded by trees covered in afghans, and puffballs hang from the branches. You can also find plenty of murals nearby if that doesn’t interest you. Along Grand, you’ll also find artist studios and mom-and-pop shops where workspaces and storefronts are intertwined. Visit Grand Avenue Records for records, Belhaus for coffee and local artwork, and Pueblo for new plant babies.
When it comes to Phoenix’s options for sipping, the word “bar” just doesn’t do it justice, and I’m not just talking about the typical top contenders like Bitter & Twisted or Little Rituals. So instead, if you’re looking for an elevated drink: The Rooftop at Cambria Hotel Downtown in Roosevelt Row Arts District, the 13th Floor of the historic Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Phoenix, or Lustre Rooftop Bar at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix.
There’s a theory that the longer you live in Arizona, the more sunset photos you have on your camera roll. However, even those photos cannot truly capture the beauty of the state’s natural wonders. So when we drive past the beautiful mountain views from the freeway, we still find myself oohing and aahing out our car window.
It is convenient to order online but more rewarding to visit a bookstore. When you enter a bookstore, you feel a sense of promise. Maybe I’ll find a new (or used!) book to get lost in or a nonfiction book that will educate or inspire on those shelves. My happy places are Changing Hands in Phoenix and Tempe and Bright Side Bookshop in Flagstaff. They are so welcoming and passionate about helping customers find a new treasure. Leave empty-handed; we dare you. A favorite bookstore isn’t just a place for shopping; it’s also a place for the community.
Our favorite thing about Phoenix is that you never run out of things to do. Try not to take our professional teams for granted; cheer on the Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks, and Coyotes. Every type of music fan will find something to enjoy – from must-see acts at Rebel Lounge to underground acts at Valley Bar to unforgettable shows at The Van Buren.
Mother Road decommissioned in 1985, but its 359 miles of Americana continue to thrive. The vintage charm of Route 66’s roadside attractions and historic downtowns attract travelers worldwide – including those headed to the Grand Canyon. In addition, Arizona’s Route 66 towns boast limestone caverns, a meteorite impact site, a championship golf course, an observatory where Pluto was discovered, and free-roaming burros, seemingly countless trading posts and diners.
If you’re training for a 5K, or a marathon or want fresh air, the Valley is full of awesome running and walking paths. Canals, Chaparral Park in Scottsdale, around the buttes at Papago park, South Mountain, Camelback Mountain — the list goes on and on.
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There is rarely a day in Phoenix when you don’t meet someone contributing to this city’s vibrant, colorful culture. First, artist Antoinette Cauley brought a whole gallery of paintings back from Germany. Then, the Phoenix Art Museum presented a lowrider exhibition. Each day, muralists claim more blank walls. Phoenix truly wants to be beautiful – and it shows.
It’s not just where you go to buy produce. You can connect with people and hear their stories there. Discover how some vendors got their start and be endlessly amazed. Marvin Williamson built a food business to avoid wasting brisket. Angelica Urrego was able to reconnect with her culture through Arepa Babe. From two friends in an apartment, Stone Grindz Chocolate has grown to become an international brand.
In recent years, the Verde Valley has become a hot spot for Arizona wine lovers. Old Town Cottonwood is walkable, with many choices nearby. However, you’re missing out on a unique experience if you’ve never been wine-tasting in southern Arizona. Outdoor tasting areas at Flying Leap (try the sassy white blend Trio), Rune, and Los Milics offer views of mountains and rolling grasslands. Pronghorn Pizza wagon is located at Dos Cabezas WineWorks.
There are plenty of refreshing getaways in Arizona. Within a few hours, you can meditate near a vortex in Sedona, walk through the pine trees in Flagstaff, or wander among saguaro cacti in Tucson. Of course, you can always return home after a long day of exploring in the comfort of your own home.
Whether you prefer the saguaro-dotted Sonoran landscapes of Phoenix and Tucson or the vast pine forests of Flagstaff, Arizona has a scenic vista for you. Among the many exciting ways to experience the state’s natural beauty are horseback rides, hot air balloon rides that offer unparalleled views of mountains and deserts, pink Jeep tours of Sedona red rocks, and helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon.
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Thinking about exploring Arizona caves? You’re in luck if you’re a spelunker! Several cave systems in Arizona are well-known and accessible to the public, offering a mix of guided tours and self-exploration: Kartchner Caverns – Famous for its preserved formations and extensive guided tours, Kartchner is a must-see for any visitor. Learn More » Peppersauce Cave – A favorite for more adventurous explorers, Peppersauce allows visitors to experience a raw and natural cave environment. Learn More » Colossal Cave – Located near Tucson, this cave provides both standard and advanced tours for those seeking a challenge. Learn More » Grand
Across the deserts, grasslands, and pine forests of Arizona and New Mexico, native predators once prowled: jaguars, wolves, and even grizzly bears once claimed Arizona as their home. Today, most of these species are gone, victims of hunting, habitat loss, and human expansion. But what if human intervention could remedy this? advertisement Jaguars Conservationists have long debated reintroducing jaguars into their historic range. Unlike some extinct or extirpated species, jaguars have garnered public fascination and broad support, making their comeback more politically and socially viable. Reintroducing jaguars wouldn’t just be a symbolic victory; it could help restore complex ecological interactions
Buying your first home can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking. For many buyers in Phoenix, Tucson, and the surrounding areas, one common concern is termites. If you’re house hunting, especially for older homes or condos built decades ago, termites are something you’ll likely encounter one day. advertisement Termites Are Common, Not Catastrophic In Phoenix and Tucson, termites are almost a given for older wood-constructed homes. Local homeowners joke that there are only two kinds of houses here: those that have had termites and those that will have termites. While the word “infestation” can sound alarming, a detected termite presence
The Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) is one of the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America and a symbol of both ecological resilience and conservation success. Once nearly extinct, this small gray wolf has become the focus of one of the most closely monitored wildlife recovery efforts in the United States. advertisement A Species on the Brink By the late 1970s, only seven Mexican gray wolves remained in captivity. Their disappearance from the wild was driven by habitat loss, hunting, and predator control programs. The survival of this subspecies depended entirely on careful intervention and breeding programs.
