There’s so much to love about living in the Valley, as I reminisce about being more active outdoors, I wanted to share some of my favorite things to do.
The Bat Cave
During the hot summer months, Mexican Free-Tailed bats spend their time here within the Phoenix city limits! Watching the bats leave the cave for a night of hunting is a little known but magical way to spend your dusk hours. It might require quiet, but it’s also a great way to be outside while socially distant.
Check out directions here: https://tinyurl.com/ycxjf945
MacAlpine’s
An old time soda fountain and antique store combine into this super fun local business. Shop for a pillbox hat, browse collectible dishes, and eat some classic American food. It’s not good for you, but it is delicious and good for your soul. They have absolutely any milkshake, float, ice cream soda, or malted you could possibly think of. I will go to my grave before exhausting that menu and I love it.
If you want to combine this with another fun retro activity, I recommend Skateland in Mesa. I’ve heard roller skating is making a comeback. Cue the X Files theme, because I want to believe.
Piestewa Peak
Formerly known as Squaw Peak, this mountain within city limits is renamed after local Hopi veteran Lori Piestewa, who died serving our country in Iraq. Even if you’re not into renamed landmarks, Piestewa deserves a place in your vocabulary. I love the way we’ve changed an insensitive term into a way to honor a heroic Native woman.
Sure, you’ve been told to hike Camelback, but have you done the summit trail at Piestewa? It’s a pretty challenging climb with a great view at the top!
Agritopia + Barnone
Out in Gilbert, Agritopia is a gorgeous outdoor space with a farmer’s market, creative spaces, and close proximity to some delicious food. Joe’s Farm Grill is my favorite place to eat out here, and my favorite of Joe’s concepts, but there’s a lot of appealing options out here. If you’re fully plant-based and here for breakfast or lunch, Uprooted Kitchen (inside Barnone) is also cute.
The farm complex does a free tour the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Their farm store also hosts a co op. There’s something for everyone, even if you’re not a big organic person.
Sporting Events
I’m not particularly picky about having good seats, so I feel like Phoenix is a great place to see live sporting events for cheap!
My favorites are the Suns and the Coyotes, but we also have the Cardinals, Phoenix Rising, and the Diamondbacks. This city has a team for everything! If you’re willing to check discount apps and be a little more last minute, games become very affordable. Dollar beer night at the soccer stadium and pre-season football are some of the cheapest worthwhile events.
Honorable Mention: Walks & Crawls
There are so many great spaces to check out in the Valley, one of my favorite things to do is put a few together and try them all at once. Phoenix organizes their annual Urban Ale Trail, while Scottsdale has something going on for just about every holiday, like the upcoming Red, White, & Booze on July 3rd.
If you’re not into being part of a crowd, it’s still worth setting up your own crawl. I honestly prefer this for a more intimate time with friends that doesn’t have to involve drinking. Regardless of your reasons, there’s too much in the area to stick to the same old places! Stay tuned for roundups on some of my past itineraries.
Grace Gets Food 