Phoenix's Growing Art Scene

At this popular Mexican eatery, an expansive banquet hall adjoins an equally cavernous dining room. Vibrantly colored sails hang high above to absorb

Phoenix has many Mexican restaurants, but this one gets extra points for ambience, creativity, and affordability. It’s a neighborhood hangout, but ins

They used to make and sell the pizza at La Grande Orange out of a little market, but

Chef Peter Kasperski gets credit not only for overseeing excellent cooking, but also for having a sense of humor. He’s the mastermind behind several S

This chic yet informal burger joint (the design is heavy on stainless steel and glass) serves salads (the beet variety is particularly tasty) and sand

It’s all about the sauces at this Asian-fusion spot run by chef Johnny Chu. Locals want him to bottle it, but so far here is the only place to taste t

This café may have a casual, crunchy-granola feel, but the owners are serious about vegan food. You won’t find bland piles of sprouts here. Instead, t

For a city with such a small African-American population (just over 5 percent, according to the latest census), Phoenix

From the menus on vintage metal clipboards to the cash register—which says, “You’re Pretty”

Take heed: the motto for this Phoenix standard is “Some like it hot.” From the green and red salsas served with homemade

Chef Vincent Guerithault was trained in French haute cuisine, but since 1986 he’s been blending his classic experience with influences from Mexico

This 16,000-acre expanse may be the largest municipal park in the country, but you won’t find any softball fields or grassy concert venues here. Thank

The City of Phoenix estimates that this summit’s trail is one of the most heavily used in the country; it draws an estimated 4,000 to 10,0

Far-sighted preservationists saved this hill from becoming little more than a grand backyard of one of the mega-mansions that surround the North Scott

This red-hued beauty is an attractively rugged cliff perfect for hard-core hikers. Its Echo Canyon trail, which starts at 5700 North Echo Canyon Parkw

Matt Pool spent years fighting the city in order to open this watering hole. In Phoenix

This tiny music club doubles as a by-appointment-only art gallery and showcases some terrific talent to see and hear. Indie-rock bands used to bypass

All walks of life used to converge in the after-dark over stiff martinis at Phoenix

Volunteers maintain this intimate, peaceful haven that features a 12-foot waterfall, dozens of plants and trees (including Indian laurel fig, purple l

During spring training, metro Phoenix is all about baseball, with several small ballparks offering action; but the best

You know what they say about casinos—once you’re inside, day and night blend and time stops. Same goes for the ones that ring metro Phoenix

Here you can hike deep into the desert without leaving a paved path or proximity to a cold drink. This 50-acre refuge has undergone a transformation i

Even if it didn’t house one of the world’s premiere collections of Native American art, you’d want to hang out in this space. The Spanish Colonial-sty

In an effort to lure non-museum types, this trendsetting institution began sponsoring SMoCA Nights a few years back. Typically including a fashion sho

The focus of the local arts scene is First Friday, an art walk that took off in 2003 and continues to flourish; it draws thousands of people of all ag

Here lies the coolest spot in town when it comes to art and architecture. (It’s also the sister location to Bentley Gallery, which is part of Scottsda

Development has gobbled up most of the old farmland in town, but not this tree-lined, 12-acre oasis, where the owners give a nod to the good old days

This full-size grocery store is a boon for the local Latino community—and anyone who wants a dose of authentic southwestern culture. There’s a fresh j

Owned by the same people as La Grande Orange Pizzeria, people come from near and far for the thick, chewy homemade English

Owned by former magazine art director Jason Kiningham, this designer toy shop sells a variety of collectable robots, Japanese figurines, graphic T-shi

Established in 1987 by Kimber Lanning, Stinkweeds is an independently owned music shop specializing in local, indie, and imported tunes by such artist

A favorite among well-to-do housewives and their teenage daughters, this boutique stocks an irresistible mix of new jewelry, body products, and garden

The Mix is Scottsdale's answer to Fred Segal with a well curated collection of locally owned boutiques for close, beauty, home, and even toys. It's th

Cindy Dach stocks her “art boutique” with bright red Moleskine calendars, the latest Miranda July stories, and locally made jewelry—including handcraf

Sarah Walker’s large, concrete-floored shop feels like a museum for the urbane—with beautiful displays of work by clothing designers such as Hazel Bro

Located at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa, T. Cook’s restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes like slow-roasted lamb stuffed with baba ghanoush and stuffe