# What is there to do in Phoenix, Arizona? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 5, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287 "2002-11-05T01:09:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/1 "2002-11-05T01:09:48Z")
My SO and I are going to be with the Cirque du Soleil again for two weeks at Tempe Diablo Stadium and we’re looking for things to do or sites to see around that area. We’re into cool scenery, hiking, shopping, and music. We’re only there for two weeks that we know of for sure from the 11th through the 24th of November. So if you have any suggestions I thank you in advance :). ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/2 "2002-11-05T01:42:05Z")
Two words: “Mill Avenue” Tripler Yeah, it’s in Tempe, but who cares? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/3 "2002-11-05T05:44:25Z")
If you have a car: Route 89A - between Prescott and Flagstaff - Sedona, et. al. Take your time. Near Winslow - bits of old (50’s) kitsch buildings visible (I didn’t try to explore) from I-40 where it parallels US 66. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/4 "2002-11-05T05:48:31Z")
Whoa, cool! The cirque is in town! I wonder if there are any tickets left? And as to what to do in Phoenix… come down to Tucson! Great town, weird and quaint, with some good food and amazing scenery. We’d be happy to show you around. ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/5 "2002-11-05T06:29:40Z")
For local, quick hiking with a great view at the stop, you may want to check out Squaw Peak, Camelback Mountain (~1200 ft climb over ~1.25 miles), or South Mountain. You may also want to check out the Superstitions and take a drive up the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/6 "2002-11-05T06:54:03Z")
I just have to post a smilie – 🙂 – because “As to what to do in Phoenx – go to Tucson” pretty much sums up my opinion of Phoenix too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/7 "2002-11-05T13:29:37Z")
Or there’s the ever popular - Dopefest 😉 :: glares at both MrVisible and Jodi :: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/8 "2002-11-05T14:13:37Z")
You could go to the circus… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/9 "2002-11-05T14:30:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by happyheathen \* > \*\*If you have a car: > > Route 89A - between Prescott and Flagstaff - Sedona, et. al. Take your time. > > Near Winslow - bits of old (50’s) kitsch buildings visible (I didn’t try to explore) from I-40 where it parallels US 66. \*\* I fully agree. The Mingus mountains are beautiful. And stop for a bit in Jerome. It’s this cool little mining town that’s literally hanging on the side of the mountain by a thread. Tripler I love Prescott. 'Specially “Whiskey Row”. ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/10 "2002-11-05T15:28:42Z")
You know - a little Dopefest at the Circus might not be a bad idea ;). I can’t promise comp tickets, especially for the first two weeks but if you can afford it the Cirque du Soleil is definately something you do not want to miss. Oh and **Mr.Visible** , I believe they are there until December 8th and will most likely extend that a week or so. I would love to meet you guys! I’m not sure what my schedule will be yet and I won’t know until I get there but if you guys want to set something up I will definately do my best to be there. Thanks for all the info. I’ve been searching around and the Superstition mountains look like somewhere we would enjoy going. Maybe taking a horseback ride or something while we are up there. The Cirque people like to party so I was checking out some bars and restaurants and I found a few places that looked interesting. Century’s Pub, Mickey’s Hangover, and Incognito Lounge. Ever been to any of those places? Oh and **Tripler** - What is “Mill Avenue”? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/11 "2002-11-05T19:23:11Z")
Mill Avenue is in Tempe near the ASU campus and is chock full of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Parking is usually a bitch but they’ve recently turned the curbide lanes into parking which may help. I think a dopefest is a terrific idea. TheLadyLion has so far only met Mauvaise. We’re in town until Thanksgiving weekend. Let us know when. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/12 "2002-11-05T23:09:31Z")
Hall of Flame firefighting museum. Goldfield Ghost Town/Gold Mine in Apache Junction. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2002, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/13 "2002-11-05T23:55:04Z")
Hey, I’ll be in town over New Year’s. Anybody want to do something then? My one plan at the moment is to head over to the Champlin Fighter Plane Museum in Mesa and get me a ride in a P-51 Mustang!!! I could probably use someone to take photos for me… ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/14 "2002-11-06T03:47:13Z")
Well, since shopping has only briefly been mentioned, I’ll note that there’s an enormous number of places to go shopping. Mill Avenue is one, but there’s also shopping in Scottsdale and the Biltmore area, outlet malls in Anthem, Casa Grande and other places (those are a bit of a drive, though – if you go to Tucson, Casa Grande is on the way), and the absolutely cheesy (IMO) Arizona Mills. > [@](#): > > The Cirque people like to party so I was checking out some bars and restaurants and I found a few places that looked interesting. Century’s Pub, Mickey’s Hangover, and Incognito Lounge. Ever been to any of those places? I’ve never even heard of any of those, although I’m not much of a nightlife person. Where in the Phoenix area are they located? > [@](#): > > I think a dopefest is a terrific idea. TheLadyLion has so far only met Mauvaise. We’re in town until Thanksgiving weekend. Let us know when. _waves to **TheLadyLion** _ Remember me? 😛 And of course, there is always a Dopefest (that applies to both **dreamer** and **Gassendi**!). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/15 "2002-11-06T05:39:23Z")
Big dummy, I forgot she met you and Strainger. Gassendi, if you’re into airplanes the Pima Air Museum in Tucson is worth a look. It’s across the road from the AMARC boneyars so they have a lot of unique planes. ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/16 "2002-11-06T05:52:40Z")
So are we gonna have a Dopefest or what?? If you guys wanna pick out a day I will make sure they don’t schedule me to usher that day. Wow. Going to Arizona with the Cirque AND having a Dopefest on top of that. Life doesn’t get any better than this 🙂 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/17 "2002-11-06T12:52:44Z")
How about the 15th or 16th? ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/18 "2002-11-06T14:30:19Z")
15th is bad for us because TheLadyLion works evenings. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/19 "2002-11-06T14:44:59Z")
[The Dude] You know. The usual stuff - drive around, go bowling, the occasional Acid Flashback. [/The Dude] ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2002, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287/20 "2002-11-06T15:17:00Z")
Ok, the 15th is out. What about the 16th? I suppose we could toss in the 22nd or 23rd. I’m available all those dates, so whatever is best for everyone else is good for me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-there-to-do-in-phoenix-arizona/135287.md?page=2)