Phoenix
“It’s a Dry Heat”
Let me introduce you to my city. You’ve probably heard a lot of wisecracks – Phoenix is so hot farmers feed their chickens crushed ice to stop them from laying hard-boiled eggs and Phoenix is so hot the devil has a summer home there. Although, I will admit it is true that some people really do drive with oven mitts. I’ve seen it.
Aside from the sweltering summers we suffer through, I love living in the Valley of the Sun. There’s a lot to see and do in this town. Here is my brief guide to Phoenix:
FOOD
Forget the critics. I can tell you where the best eats are from fine cuisine to fast food.
Ok, so technically it’s in Scottsdale. Close enough. If you like fondue, then this is the place to go on a date or to celebrate an anniversary. If you don’t like to dunk your dinner, then you’ve never been to The Melting Pot. Note: don’t expect to be seated within an hour without a reservation. You might want to take a peak at their online menu to see if their prices are in your budget.
An icon of Arizona, Monti’s is the place to go for a great steak at a great price. The restaurant occupies the historic adobe hacienda of Charles Hayden, founder of Tempe, built in 1871. You are in for a unique dining experience – all of the dining rooms are decorated with memorabilia from Arizona’s frontier days. Anytime you are in Phoenix Monti’s is a must.
Located atop the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Phoenix, the Compass is the only revolving rooftop restaurant. Be sure to go after sunset for the best experience so you can enjoy the city lights, and don’t make the mistake of going under-dressed. Expect the price to range from $30 to $50 per person, not including alcohol.
I don’t let any of my out-of-town guests leave before they’ve experienced Pete’s. With several valley locations, it’s been a staple of Phoenix since 1947. It’s outdoor-only seating with heaters in the winter and misters in the summer. But in 120° I say eat in your car with the a/c running or take it home. Note: they are the only archaic restaurant I know of that doesn’t take plastic. Be sure to bring cash.
Still serving the same menu since 1948 – burgers, fries and drinks – all in diet friendly sizes. You still have the option to be served in your car but fortunately for Phoenicians, our restaurants are modernized and have indoor and outdoor seating. If you don’t have one in your hometown I highly recommend you stop during your visit. My daughter tells me it’s Robert Pattinson’s favorite American restaurant.
Alright, this one is actually in Tempe city limits. So sue me. But this is the only place besides New York where you can get these tasty dogs. Don’t miss out on their onion rings. Sure, they have sandwiches and burgers too but when you go to Ted’s you’re there for the charcoal broiled franks.
FUN
The travel guides will send you to museums and monuments but I’ll tell you where to visit the must-see attractions.
You’ll have to trek it to Mesa to enjoy this play place but it’s worth the miles. In addition to the wet ‘n wild waterpark they offer goofy golf, an arcade, bumper boat lagoon, fastcar raceway, and laser tag. Definitely check their website for discounted deals.
It’s no Disneyland, but it’s about the closest thing Phoenix has to an amusement park. There’s roller coasters, a water log ride, bumper boats, and a freefall ride – if you’ve got the guts. You can grab some goofy golf and arcade games here too.
See stage shows, plays, dance recitals, or a music concert. This historical theater originally opened in 1927 and today it is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. It is truly a magnificent place to see. I highly recommend catching some culture there.
Ann Wilson of Heart plays at the Celebrity Theater May 2010
This venue features a revolving stage and no seat is further than 70 feet away. It’s an intimate place to see your favorite performer. The circular stage has hosted Diana Ross, Jerry Seinfeld, and Garth Brooks. It also happens to be where I met Davy Jones the first time.
Formerly known to Phoenicians as B.O.B. (Bank One Ballpark), the Chase Field is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. One of the greatest parts is you can catch a baseball game and still beat the heat. The Chase Field has a retractable roof and is fully air-conditioned.
Take a tour of the Victorian home built in 1895. This attraction is also in the National Register of Historic Places. Dr. and Mrs. Rosson occupied the house only two short years. During the 18 years Dr. Rosson lived in Phoenix he served as Maricopa County Coroner, Public Administrator, County Treasurer, and Mayor. It was just before his mayoral election that the Rossons purchased the home. When disagreements with the City Council led to Rosson’s resigning, they sold the home and moved to Los Angeles.
The Rosson House is located in what was once the most desirable and fashionable area in Phoenix. There are ten rooms, five fireplaces, a wood burning stove, and a host of period-related items on display including a high chair, mouse trap, and daisy butter churn. There has been one major update made – they installed an air-conditioning system.
