Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 16 Opinions
9631 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, Arizona, 85021, United States
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16 Opinions
Rough rock to scale
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Alice Cooperstown restaurant
America's Largest Firefighter Museum, Phoenix
Hi All,
A friend and I will be stopping by Phoenix for a night and I was wondering what area is best and safest to stay in. We'd like to stay in an area with good cheap bars within walking distance. I was looking at hotels in Cooper Square around Central and Van Bueren or further up Central/7th and closer to Roosevelt?? What areas do ya'll recommend? Thanks.
When are you coming? Phoenix's light rail system is scheduled to open at the end of the year. It'll run south down I-17 and Central Avenue from the MetroCenter (I-17/Peoria), then east into Tempe along Washington and Apache Blvd. Not sure how late it will run though.
Downtown Phoenix (Copper Square area) dies at night when there's not a sporting event going on, which is actually quite often, in spite of both the baseball and basketball/hockey stadiums being there. Not only that, but you'll have to pay for parking at the hotels, if you have a car. There are a few bars and clubs down there though.
Further up Central is even more dead. There are bars, but they're scattered and the area hasn't developed as much just yet.
The only really solid nightlife areas in Metro Phoenix are Old Town Scottsdale, which is a more upscale, club environment, and Downtown Tempe, which is more college-oriented. Not sure of your age but, if you're coming before mid-August, I'd recommend Tempe based on your preferences. There are several cheap, although not incredibly nice, motels along Apache Boulevard south of the ASU campus. There's a fabulous Courtyard (Marriott) right in Downtown Tempe that's only about 2 blocks to the Mill Avenue strip. Failing that, there's also an AmeriSuites and Spring Hill Suites on Rio Salado near Priest, which is quite a bit further, but still walkable. Then there's the Mission Palms at ASU, but that's much more expensive.
There are also quite a few bars on Broadway east of Downtown Tempe that are much less college-oriented. However, they're mostly spaced out and there is no walkable strip.
hth
The best place to stay that has bars within walking distance and is affordable is in Tempe. Cooper Square is not a very lively place and after 7pm downtown Phoenix is a ghost town. Tempe is much more vibrant and if you stay in downtown tempe on or near Mill Avenue, there are lots of bars, clubs, shopping and Tempe beach park. The light rail will be complete in December so you can take it if you are arriving at this time. But if not, Tempe is not very far from the airport.
Drive around town. Uptown, downtown, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Avondale, Awatukee, South Mountain, Camelback Mountain....the list and diversity go on and on. Phoenix is a great city to tour. Meeting my wife...a real Arizona beauty!!!
A day visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens is a wonderful experience. Start early in the day to avoid the heat but plan to spend a few hours there walking and enjoying the scenery and natural wildlife.
You will see beautiful plant specimens from the Sonoran Desert and other parts of the world. A wonderful feast for the senses.
Although not my favorite Mill Ave bar (that award goes to the library), Fat Tuesdays is a great place to chill out, watch a game, or have some food.
They serve 20 or so frozen alcohol drinks (kind of like slushies). They get you drunk really fast so this is a big favorite among the college students at nearby ASU. Wear anything.
Quite a pleasant restaurant, with outside eating area; good service; large choice of international beers and of course, Sake.
Good music playing all the time and I believe they may have bands on the weekend; check their website, which says voted best sushi/sashimi. We all had different sushi and sashimi plates; all very good, well presented; see photos.
Michael's was definitely a cut above most restaurants. As a welcome to the business conference we attended, a group of us were invited to a delightful feast in Scottsdale.
As we entered, each was given a choice or red or white wine, then shown to a breezy little veranda where we conversed and relaxed after a day of travel.
Multiple trays of savory hors d'oeuvres were passed by waiters--the selection was excellent and consisted of chicken or shrimp plus another meat. After a generous amount of time, we were conducted to our tables.
Michael's specializes in American cuisine with an Italian influence. As far as we were concerned, that combination was a hit!
We were served iceberg salad with basil which was marinated in tomatoes with grapes and gorgonzola cheese. Next, I selected the chicken saltimbocca on butter poached fingerling potatoes and peppered bacon, from a choice of three entrees. The repast was sumptuous. Dessert with seasonal creme brulee' with fruit and sorbet ended the meal.
Since we did not pay for the meal, I have no idea what it cost. I would recommend Michael's to anyone if you'd like a touch of romance, fine dining and a wonderful evening.
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Address: 9631 North Black Canyon Highway, Phoenix, Arizona, 85021, United States
