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Phoenix Neighborhoods
Local guides to eight neighborhoods across Phoenix and the Valley: what to do, where to eat and the real deal on smoking in each one.
The Valley is one big sprawl of cities that run into each other, and each pocket has its own thing. Downtown and Roosevelt Row are art and bars, Melrose is vintage and old neon, Scottsdale is the going-out zone, and Tempe and Mesa each run on their own clock.
Each guide below covers the vibe, a little history, what to do, where to eat and how smoking works around there. Arizona is fully legal for adults 21 and up, but not in public. The full rundown is on where to smoke in Phoenix, and the rules in plain English are on first time in Phoenix.
Art walk and bars? Start on Roosevelt Row and drift downtown. Big night out? Old Town Scottsdale. Thrifting and diners? Melrose.
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Downtown Phoenix
Ballgames, basement shows, wood-fired pizza and a light rail that gets you home. Here's how to do downtown right.
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Roosevelt Row
Phoenix's arts district is best on foot, after dark, with a taco in your hand. Here's the local's version.
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Grand Avenue
A diagonal street of old auto shops turned galleries, a tiki dive from 1947 and some of the best Mexican food in the city. Bring cash.
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Melrose
One bendy mile of 7th Avenue with vintage shops, drag bars and a fry bread spot older than most of its customers. Go hungry.
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Arcadia
Big lots, old citrus trees and Camelback looming over every backyard. Arcadia is where you go for a long brunch, a sunset walk on the canal and a very good patio.
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Old Town Scottsdale
Half Western movie set, half bachelorette party. Old Town is better than its reputation if you know which blocks to hit and when to bail.
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Tempe
A college town with a real downtown, a lake in the desert and more patios per block than anywhere in the Valley. Just know where the campus starts.
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Mesa
Mesa got a lot cooler while nobody was looking. Main Street is all taprooms and sandwich shops now, and the Asian District on Dobson is the best munchie run in the East Valley.
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