Yet another travel question, Phoenix suggestions please.

[Iron_chet]

I am going to Phoenix for work but will have a fair amount of down time. I am looking at trying to see a Cactus League game and maybe Jazz vs Spurs on Friday night.

Any must dos from the folks on the board?

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Depends highly on what part of the area you're in and what your transportation options are.

 

[DanOregon]

Go to a Cactus League game and uh, not really a whole lot else culturally in Phoenix.Alice Cooper has a restaurant near US Airways Arena that's kind of funky - all the staff have the black teardrop. Downtown Tempe is pretty good most nights, and I don't know if the Pink Pony is still around in Scottsdale, but I remember as a kid, sports columnists always talked about all the baseball people that drank there.
And I assume you meant Jazz-Suns, which is too bad. There is more to do in Salt Lake and San Antonio than there is in Phoenix.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Seriously, let me know where exactly you are, what days of the week, what transportation you have. I and others can offer a lot of options.

 

[Iron_chet]

Staying in Chandler on Wed, Thur, Friday and I did mean Suns/Jazz.

The closests Cactus League stadiums are about 45 minutes away according to google but will have access to wheels at our resort.

 

[Boom_70]

I am a big fan of the steaks at Don and Charlie's - Downtown Scottsdale.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Staying in Chandler on Wed, Thur, Friday and I did mean Suns/Jazz.

The closests Cactus League stadiums are about 45 minutes away according to google but will have access to wheels at our resort.

If you're in Chandler you'll be much closer to stadiums than 45 minutes. Angels are at Tempe Diablo and are probably your closest option. A's at Phoenix Muni aren't too far, and it's generally easy to get tickets there.

 

[ArnoldBabar]

Cubs in Mesa are close, too -- though tickets are hard to come by. And if you go to Mesa, hit up a Mexican place called Los Dos Molinos.

And Boom's right about the steaks at Don & Charlie's. Really cool place, too.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Cubs in Mesa are close, too -- though tickets are hard to come by. And if you go to Mesa, hit up a Mexican place called Los Dos Molinos.

And Boom's right about the steaks at Don & Charlie's. Really cool place, too.

I'll second the recommendation for Los Dos Molinos. It looks like a complete dump from the outside -- and honestly, it pretty much looks like a dump on the inside, too -- but the food is fantastic. It's New Mexico-style Mexican food. Tia Rosa's is also very good.

In Chandler I highly recommend Guedo's Taco Shop and Chino Bandido. Not fancy, but damn good. Guedo's may have the best fish tacos I've ever eaten, and I've eaten a lot of them. Chino Bandido is a funky Mexican/Chinese hybrid. It's on "Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins" on the Food Channel pretty often.

 

[bagelchick]

If you have the time, go visit the town of Sedona. If you have the money, have lunch or visit the spa at the Phoenician.

 

[shockey]

can't go wrong with the ribs at "don and charlie's," either. 8) 8) 8)

 

[ArnoldBabar]

If you have the time, go visit the town of Sedona. If you have the money, have lunch or visit the spa at the Phoenician.

But keep in mind that Sedona is a day. It's great, but to get there and back you're pretty much not doing anything else that day.

 

[MileHigh]

If you've never been ... More than a few In-N-Outs in the area. Go more than once. You won't regret it.

 

[Screwball]

Pink Pony is closed.

You can try the Ned Colletti Chicken Schnitzel at Don and Charlie's.

 

[cranberry]

Hike up Camelback.

If you have a few dollars and a girlfriend you'd like to impress, go to Elements, the restaurant at the Sanctuary Resort. It's built into the side of Camelback off McDonald, I believe.

The chef is Beau McMillan, who, I believe, has a new show on the food channel on Sunday nights. Order the shrimp w/cheese grits appetizer. It's one of his specialties.

 

[bagelchick]

The Sanctuary Resort is pretty amazing. They have a great spa too.

 

[Iron_chet]

Thanks for the replies, did a bit if shopping today at the outlet mall and took the women we were with to Nordstrom Rack. It is beautiful here, have always liked desert landscapes.

May do dinner at Chino Bandido tonight and then spring training game tomorrow.

 

[Screwball]

I believe the guy that owns the Reds (Castellini) owns Sanctuary too. And, yes, awesome views.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Pink Pony is closed.

Pink Pony is closed? When did this happen? I went there in 2008, so it must be a recent development. That's a shame. Used to, you'd see Bob Uecker and Harry Caray in there drinking just about every night during spring training.

Yeah, gotta see the Cubs in Mesa. There's a place called Sluggo's Sports Grille near HoHoKam Stadium that has a bunch of cool Cubs memorabilia and is frequented by players present and past (Fergie Jenkins happened to be eating in there when I went).

http://www.sluggosgrill.com/

Phoenix Muni Stadium (Athletics) and Tempe Diablo Stadium (Angels) have some really cool rock formations to look at beyond the outfield walls. Lots of cool hangouts around Arizona State, all with plenty of nice "scenery."

I didn't make it to Scottsdale Stadium for a game when I was out there, but I understand that's a cool ballpark. If you're a beer afficionado, go here:

http://www.yardhouse.com/locations_list.asp?state_code=az

Since you're staying in Chandler, you might want to see if you're man enough to handle this place:

http://www.heartattackgrill.com/

When you're downtown for the Suns game, check out Dan Majerle's bar. Pretty good beer selection and loaded with honeys.

http://www.majerles.com/

Man, I love Phoenix ...

 

[old_tony]

If you want to spend tomorrow in a sportsbar watching the NCAA games tomorrow, I can't recommend Eli's in Scottsdale highly enough. Order the "Paula's Gourmet Tenderloin Sliders. You will not be disappointed.