Locations in Phoenix: Readers' Choice

All About Books and Comics

24 W. Camelback Rd. Central Phoenix

602-277-0757

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19 articles

Arizona Science Center

600 E. Washington St. Central Phoenix

602-716-2000

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This downtown Phoenix museum is pretty much guaranteed to bring out the nerd in anyone. Whether or not you think you care about science, the Arizona Science Museum offers hands-on experiences that make learning about gravity and electric circuits fun for visitors of all ages. With more than 164,000 square feet of space, the museum offers more than enough to entertain the kids for a day – which isn't to say the adults won't enjoy the trip, too. In fact, according to the museum more than half a million guests come to do so each year. Popular permanent exhibits include “All About Me,” an exploration of the body's inner workings that lets guests walk through a “working” stomach and watch surgeries be performed. You can lie on a bed of nails, build your own electric circuit or ride the Evans Family SkyCycle on any given day as well as enjoy the museum's planetarium and IMAX theater.

1 event 124 articles

Ash Avenue Comics & Books

806 S. Ash Ave. Tempe

480-858-9447

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30 articles

AZ on the Rocks

16447 N. 91st St., Ste. 105 North Scottsdale

480-502-9777

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11 articles

Bark If You're Dirty

4230 N. Seventh Ave. Central Phoenix

602-462-9274

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14 articles

Ben Avery Shooting Facility

4044 W. Black Canyon Blvd. Anthem

623-582-8313

Sports and Recreation, Best Of, Sponsor

Ben Avery is the largest publicly operated shooting facility in the United States, sprawling over 1,650 acres near Lake Pleasant. It has a proud history among sportsmen and was the site of the World Shooting Championships in 1970. Gun enthusiasts and law enforcement officers regularly practice on the main and specialty ranges, which include an archery range. Ben Avery also has a Clay Target Center for skeet and trap shooting, and a large campground away from the ranges. But the main thing that sets Ben Avery apart is the surrounding landscape — shooters get to take in some great views of the surrounding mountains and desert plains while honing their marksman skills.

4 articles

Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

1056 S. Country Club Dr. Mesa

480-835-0505

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23 articles

Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

8034 N. 19th Ave. North Phoenix

602-433-0255

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20 articles

Changing Hands Bookstore

6428 S. McClintock Dr. Tempe

480-730-0205

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284 articles

Children's Museum of Phoenix

215 N. Seventh St. Central Phoenix

602-253-0501

Museums, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

Housed inside the historic Monroe School in downtown Phoenix, this kid-centric museum is a must for parents trying to cure the summertime boredom blues. Of course, the Children's Museum on Phoenix is a great place to visit truly any time of year, with awesome exhibits like the infamous “noodle forest,” a waving, wiggling rainforest of lime green and orange polyethylene foam tubes. Other highlights for the little ones usually include the giant three-level play area when you first walk in; a fully set up grocery store where kiddos can shop, pay, and restock to their hearts' desires; and Pedal Power a tricycle track, complete with a “car wash.” For adults the building offers plenty to enjoy since the renovated structure features many of its original elements. For example the oak floors are the same ones laid down in 1913 and the north and south stairwells still boast their original banisters.

16 articles

Desert Botanical Garden

1201 N. Galvin Parkway East Phoenix

480-941-1225

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200 articles

Downtown Phoenix Public Market

721 N. Central Ave. Central Phoenix

602-254-1799

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Venture outside while the sun is still out during our summer months? Oh, hell, no. Thankfully, one of Phoenix's biggest and best year-round farmers markets takes place every Wednesday during the slightly cooler and shadier evening hours. Every week produce vendors, bakers, cupcake makers, jam peddlers, jewelry creators, and more come out to sell their goods from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market And don't worry about dinner — food trucks like Hey Joe! and Torched Goodness park their mobile kitchens at the market for your dinnertime enjoyment. The market it also open on Satuday mornings though exact hours vary by season.

91 articles

Fascinations

10242 N. 19th Ave. North Phoenix

602-943-5859

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2 articles

Gotham City Comics & Coffee

46 W. Main St. Mesa

480-649-3065

Coffeehouse, Tea, Retail, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

Downtown Mesa has welcomed all sorts of geekery with open arms and Gotham City Comics & Coffee is no exception. Owners Kevin Johnson and Miguel Vega have made a haven for comic book lovers, the video game obsessed and anime aficionados at this comic book shop and coffee bar. The shop hosts video game tournaments, book-signings and plenty of other events to keep fans of sci-fci, super heroes and card games coming back for more. They've got a decent selection of comic books, graphic novels, action figures and art – all of which they invite you to enjoy in-house. Grab a spot in any of the couches, tables or chairs to read the hottest new thing or just check out some anime on the T. V.s. In the back room you'll find more seating and flat screen T.V.'s for your X-Box gaming pleasure. If you're planning on staying late be sure to caffeine it up with a cup of house-brewed coffee or an energy drink.

16 articles

Hippie Gypsy

601 S. Mill Ave. Tempe

480-858-0400

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6 articles

Hotel Valley Ho

6850 E. Main St. Central Scottsdale

480-248-2000

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99 articles

K1 Speed

2425 S. 21st St. Central Phoenix

602-275-5278

Sports and Recreation, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

When local off-road racer "Pistol" Pete Sohren closed his Speedway indoor kart-racing business, Valley go-kart enthusiasts weren't left with many options — that is, until national chain K1 Speed opened a Phoenix location in the old Speedway building. Visitors can now enjoy all the medium-octane (45 miles per hour, max) excitement of whizzing around an indoor track on a go-kart — minus noxious exhaust fumes. All K1's karts are electric, which means you can race with a group of friends, and spectators won't have to shout at each other or gag on the smell of gas. As a company, K1 has credibility — professional racer Boris Said is a co-owner — and the tracks are designed to mimic those in NASCAR. Plus, the lobby is pretty pimp, all decked out in custom paintings of cars, chrome siding, and shiny arcade racing games, with plenty of black leather couches and chairs for resting after the big race.

6 articles

Kay's Place

315 S. Alma School Rd. Mesa

602-666-6634

Bars and Clubs, Sponsor

A freestanding neighborhood joint just north of Alma School and Broadway roads in Mesa, Kay’s deals cheap drinks and generous pours to a clientele of working-class locals. Once a truck repair shop dating back to the ‘60, this spacious bar keeps to its blue-collar roots with framed photos of souped-up race cars on the walls, motorcycle parking out front, and shelves stocked with $2.25 canned beers like Hamm’s and PBR. There are TVs, a pair of pool tables, and DJ and karaoke nights, but true entertainment can be found in the cast of lively characters. Turned-up tunes on the jukebox compete with the squawks of regulars ordering up rounds, yelling out jokes to their buddies across the bar, or singing along with whatever is playing at the moment. Stop by and add your voice to the clamor. Be warned, though, the staff occasionally closes early on slower evenings, so call ahead before rolling through.

3 articles

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles

3133 N. Scottsdale Rd. South Scottsdale

480-945-1920

Fried Chicken, Soul Food, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Menu, Readers' Choice

One of Phoenix's best soul food restaurants, Lo Lo's Chicken and Waffles is bound to make everyone happy (except maybe vegetarians). The Southern-style fried chicken is extra crispy and served with cinnamon-kissed golden brown waffles. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. If the signature combo seems too strange for you, Lo Lo's also has a waffle breakfast sandwich with choice of meat, chorizo and eggs, shrimp and grits, chicken gizzards and rice, and some of the best hot wings in town. Other soul food favorites include the PHAT AZZ Samich (chicken of catfish with bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and dressing), old-fashioned chili served with cornbread, and side dishes like fried okra and collard greens. This is definitely not a diet-friendly place, especially when you spot the irresistible red velvet cake slathered in buttery cream cheese icing. Complete the picture with a glass or two of Red Kool Aid Drank and you'll think you're in the Deep South, not Phoenix or Scottsdale.

31 articles

MADE Art Boutique

922 N. Fifth St. Central Phoenix

602-256-6233

Art Galleries, Retail, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

This independent boutique natures handmade wares from local artists. MADE art boutique is more than just a shop though, it's also a community gathering place where Downtown residents can attend workshops and receptions. Owner Cindy Dach is a pioneer in the Roosevelt Row scene and her little boutique is a symbol of the success of the community, which the New York Times named one of the best Secret Neighborhoods in America. The constantly changing merchandise at the store means we have stop by often and snatch things quickly. It's a go-to spot for artistic inspiration in a retail setting and for original gifts even in a last minute pinch.

78 articles

Mesa Arts Center

1 E. Main St. Mesa

480-644-6500

Community Venues, Performing Arts Venues, Theaters, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Located in downtown Mesa, the Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts center in the state. It includes a total of four performance spaces including the Farnsworth Studio Theater, which seats 99 for an intimate setting, and on the other end of the spectrum the 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater. The complex also includes the Mesa Contemporary Arts, home to five different art galleries, as well as 14 visual and performing art classroom studios. Valley residents come from near and far to enjoy everything from live musical performances to impressive visual-art exhibits at the impressive arts center. Numerous Mesa-based arts organizations partner with the center and perform regularly at the center. For example resident companies include the East Valley Children's Theater, Mesa Encore Theater and the Symphony of the Southwest. Public tours are available on Wednesdays at noon from September to June, though reservations are required.

6 events 457 articles

Moon Valley Nurseries

11320 W. Indian School Rd. West Phoenix

623-722-8866

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9 articles

Octane Raceway

9119 E. Talking Stick Way. North Scottsdale

602-302-7223

Sports and Recreation, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

We haven't broken out the measuring tape, so we'll have to take Octane Raceway's word that it's the largest indoor kart-racing facility in the United States. It certainly looks large. Even the check-in area is big. Two race tracks can hold 50 drivers at a time. We have to be patient because we know we'll get our 12 minutes on the track, same as everyone else. We can always have a beer in the lounge to ease the wait for the next race. The anticipation is still stressful, though, because the races are competitive. A printout after each match shows your time and where you placed against other drivers.

20 articles

Phoenix Art Museum

1625 N. Central Ave. Central Phoenix

602-257-1880

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Located on the Central Avenue Corridor, a historic strip of Downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Art Museum offers plenty to see for art aficionados and amateurs alike. It's the largest museum for visual art in the Southwest and offers 285,000-square-foot of collections that include more than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. Since opening in 1959 the museum has hosted some 400 exhibitions and has been enjoyed by millions of vistors. Popular exhibits have included “The Art of Video Games,” “Order, Chaos, and the Space Between” and “Digital Print Fashion.” The museum also offer free admission every Wednesday night from 3 to 6 p.m. as well as on every first Friday of the month for the Downtown Phoenix art walk. It also houses the PhxArtKids galley, with pieces to appeal specifically to youngsters, a museum shop and the restaurant, Palette.

649 articles

Phoenix Rock Gym

1353 E. University Dr. Tempe

480-921-8322

Sports and Recreation, Best Of, Sponsor, Readers' Choice

Rock climbing is a perishable skill. Thankfully, each time we find ourselves in too pathetic a state, we have the Phoenix Rock Gym to help with the necessary repairs. The two bouldering areas, including an upstairs room with sharply overhanging walls, are perfect for muscle-building and fingertip-hardening. Once we get back in shape, we usually can then find a partner who'll be willing to belay us on the 30-foot faces of the gym's main walls. Despite its friendly ambiance, the Valley's oldest rock gym has a hard side — we've ripped skin there, tweaked a limb on the lead wall, and worked our forearms until our hands could barely close. But it's all good. For inspiration, we look to the teens and tweens of Team Thrashers, the competitive climbing outfit that trains at the PRG under the tutelage of coach Jeremy Cox.

16 articles

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

3400 Sky Harbor Blvd. Central Phoenix

602-273-3300

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34 articles

PHX Arena

201 E. Jefferson St. Central Phoenix

602-379-2000

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Valley can-do man Jerry Colangelo built it in 1992, and they've come in droves to watch pro sports (including the NBA's Suns and the WNBA's Mercury ), concerts, monster truck rallies, religious revivals and other touring events at the 17,071 -capacity facility.

46 events 486 articles

Pizzeria Bianco

4743 N. 20th St. East Phoenix

602-368-3273

Italian, Pizza, Pasta, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

Chris Bianco, one of Phoenix's best-known chefs and restaurateurs, has expanded his local empire with this cozy bistro in the Town and Country Shopping Center. A small, rotating menu of Italian standards and signature Italian-American creations uses the fresh, locally grown ingredients and hits its mark every time with flavor-packed salads, pasta dishes, and entrées priced usually between $15 and $25. As at other Bianco properties, you can expect to wait on the somewhat secluded patio for one of the handful of tables inside. But most likely, you'll discover that your meal at Pizzeria Bianco was well worth the wait.

52 articles

Poor Little Rich Girl

1576 E. Bethany Home Rd. Central Phoenix

602-354-5680

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11 articles

Salt River Fields

7555 N. Pima Rd. South Scottsdale

480-270-5000

Sports and Recreation, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow

Call us softies, but we were kinda sad to see Tucson lose its last two Cactus League teams. Alas, Salt River Fields salves our conscience about thieving Tucson's teams. This gorgeous new stadium was constructed right off Loop 101 on the Salt River-Pima Indian Reservation. It's got top-notch amenities, but the view is what's truly stunning. On opening weekend, we sat on the crisp green lawn sunning ourselves while looking up at the snow-capped McDowell Mountains — one of the best baseball spectating experiences imaginable. So, yeah, we've got all the Cactus League teams now and a fantastic place to put the last two.

119 articles

Samurai Comics

1602 E. Indian School Rd. Central Phoenix

602-265-8886

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16 articles