Senior Visitor’s Guide to Phoenix

Name: Classic Albums Live – Billy Joel’s The Stranger
Start: 2024-05-19T19:00:00-07:00
End: 2024-05-19T21:00:00-07:00
Location: Chandler Center for the Arts

Planning a trip to Phoenix, Arizona? Make the most of your vacation by checking out these handy resources and articles first.

With over five million residents, Greater Phoenix, also known as The Valley, is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. It covers a very large area and encompasses many suburbs and cities. Because of its size, people often refer to the different regions of Greater Phoenix. In the center is Phoenix, with Downtown Phoenix just south of that. The Southeast Valley includes Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek, while Northeast Valley includes Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The Northwest Valley includes Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise, and the Southwest Valley includes the towns Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear and Gila Bend.

When to Visit

Located in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is known for its scorchingly hot and dry summers, generally above 100 degrees F from mid May through the beginning of September. So unless you are hoping to stay in the pool and indoors during the days, opt for visiting mid-October through early April.

Resorts, Hotels, & Vacation Rentals in Phoenix

Choosing the best hotel, resort and vacation rental can be overwhelming, but here are our recommendations.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & SpaThis resort is located in northern Phoenix, and offers an on-site spa, Wildfire Golf Club, pickleball courts, several pools and a lazy river. If you love golf or pickleball, this is the hotel for you.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa Located at the base of Camelback Mountain in west Scottsdale, this beautiful 1929 Spanish Mediterranean mansion offers a more intimate, romantic, and tranquil resort experience. Amenities include pool, hot tub, on-site spa, on-site restaurants, hiking trails, complimentary bike rentals, and fitness classes.
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
This luxury historic art deco resort from the 1930s was a favorite of Marilyn Monroe. Located in northern Phoenix, this resort offers several pools (including an adult-only pool), golf, on-site spa, salon, fitness center, and multiple restaurants.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
Built into the side of a the Phoenix Mountain Preserve in northern Phoenix, this resort has an on-site spa, on-site restaurants, pools, hot tub, and Troon Golf Course. Be aware that hilly paths could be difficult for those with mobility issues.
Marriott’s Canyon Villas
Located in Scottsdale, this hotel is better for longer stays, since it offers villas with full kitchens. Other amenities include outdoor pools and spa.

Restaurants & Dining in Phoenix

As a large metropolitan area, Greater Phoenix offers an inexhaustible list of great places to eat. However, being located just north of Mexico, Arizona is known for its amazing Mexican food. Therefore, you simply must dine at a Mexican restaurant to make your visit complete. Below are some Mexican restaurants most highly regarded. If you are interested in something besides Mexican, there are some other notable restaurants also listed below.

Best Mexican Restaurants

Cocina Madrigal
Located in South Phoenix, this Mexican restaurant may not look like much from the outside. But Chef Leo Madrigal consistently receives local and national awards for best tacos, best Mexican food and more.
La Piñata
Since 1970, La Piñata has been known for its delicious Sonoran style Mexican food and signature chimichanga. The original signage still stands and adds to its cool vintage vibe.
Bario Café
Located in Downtown Phoenix, this small restaurant was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s authentic Mexican food is highly regarded. Also be sure to take a photo in front of their Phoenix mural on the side of the building.
Taco Guild
Located in a historic 1893 Baptist church with stained glass windows, this restaurant is known for its tacos and agave tequilas.
Mariscos Playa Hermosa
This colorful cantina restaurant in downtown Phoenix specializes in Sinaloa-style seafood Mexican dishes.
La Canasta Mexican Food
Located in Downtown Phoenix, this Sonoran Mexican restaurant from 1962 is known for their homemade tortillas and also has Mariachis performing every Sunday.
Mi Patio Mexican Restaurant
This cute authentic Sonoran Mexican restaurant is located downtown and has served Phoenix since 1984.

Other Notable Restaurants

Pizzeria Bianco
Known for their traditional Neapolitan wood-fired brick oven pizzas, considered some of the best pizza in the country.
Kai
Located in Wild Horse Pass Resort, with a view over the Estrella Mountains, this elegant restaurant features Native American inspired fine dining sourced from local tribal farms.
Different Pointe of View
Located in Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, this upscale American restaurant is known for amazing views of the Valley from atop a mountain.
Binkley’s Restaurant
Prepare to spend several hours here, as this expensive fine dining experience involves more than 20 courses of American food.

Best Things to Do and See in Phoenix

Below are just some of the must-do activities and sites while in the Phoenix area and beyond.

Arts, Culture & Attractions

Musical Instrument Museum
Located in Scottsdale, this museum is one of the largest of its kind, with over 4,300 instruments from around the world. Enjoy galleries, hands-on exhibits, concerts, and special events.
Phoenix Zoo
Located in Papago Park of North Phoenix (just north of Tempe), this zoo is worth a visit. In addition to an African trail and Tropics trail, it has an Arizona Trail which features animals native to the Sonoran desert, including coyote, javelina, cougar (also known as a mountain lion), and bobcat. If you are short on time or prefer not to walk this large zoo’s many trails, hop on the Safari Train for a relaxing non-stop guided tour.
Taliesin West
Take a tour of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Scottsdale winter home, Taliesin West, and learn about his work and life. Stop by the gift shop to bring some of the magic home with you.
Arizona Science Center
If you enjoy cool hands-on science exhibits, you will want to spend some time exploring this museum in Downtown Phoenix.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)
Located in the Old Town district of downtown Scottsdale, SMoCA features contemporary art, design, and architecture.
Historic Rosson House Museum
This fully restored Queen Anne Victorian house was built in 1895 in Downtown Phoenix. Take a tour for a glimpse of what life in Phoenix was like for some people back then.
Phoenix Art Museum
This museum in Downtown Phoenix boasts exhibits and collections that span from Old World art to modern times.
Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona Museum
Stroll through hangars of vintage aircraft and wartime artifacts in this combat aviation museum. Climb aboard a B-17 bomber, B-25 bomber, and C-47 cargo plane.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
This downtown museum features Western art and is located in the Old Town district of Downtown Scottsdale.
Heard Museum
Founded in 1929, this Downtown Phoenix art museum features art by Native Americans.
Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park
Located on the far west side of Phoenix, in Litchfield Park, this zoo has one of the largest collections of exotic and endangered animals in Arizona. It also has some amusement park-type rides.
Japanese Friendship Garden
Stroll through this serene 3.5 acre Japanese tea garden with koi pond, and waterfall, and tea house in Downtown Phoenix.

Shopping

Heritage Square
This unique area has Phoenix Flea, a place with lots of local, handcrafted items.
Roosevelt Row
Check out this walkable arts district in Downtown Phoenix which has many street murals, art galleries, unique shops, and restaurants. On Roosevelt Street between 7th Ave. and 16th Street.
Historic Grand Avenue
Galleries, restaurants, independent shops, and more line this Boho downtown avenue.
Old Town Scottsdale
In addition to the large, upscale Fashion Square Mall, Old Town Scottsdale has many galleries independently owned dining and shopping.