What to Do in Phoenix
Article Transcript
Walking Distance
Many of the convention attendees won’t have a vehicle during their stay. But not to worry. There are plenty of places to eat and hang out in the area immediately around the hotel. Here are just a few of them.
Downtown Chandler Cafe & Bakery 40 S San Marcos Plaza Get breakfast and lunch here. About 1 block from the resort. Hours 7:00am - 3:00pm
Murphy’s Law 58 S San Marcos Plaza Irish Pub with live music. Around the corner from the resort. Hours 11:00am - 12:30am
San Tan Brewing Company 8 S San Marcos Plaza Pub food for lunch and dinner. Across the street from the resort. Breakfast served Fri.- Sun. only. Hours 11:00am - 12:30am Mon-Thu. and 8:00am - 1:00am Fri.- Sun.
Ice Cream Sammies 135 W Boston St. Ice cream and hand made ice cream sandwich creations and cookies. Two blocks from the resort. Hours 11:00am - 9:00pm
Getting Around
The Phoenix metro area is spread out with suburban housing developments that stretch for miles and miles of single family homes. Public transportation in Phoenix is not efficient. There is a bus system that is rarely on time, if it shows up at all. There is a surface rail system that goes from downtown Mesa to a rough area of Phoenix. But it does not run near the Crowne Plaza Resort. $3.50/day pass for either.
Uber is available in Phoenix and suburban areas.
The general consensus is you must have independent transportation as the city is not walking friendly and downtowns are small. I choose a motorcycle. If you’d like to do that, here’s an option to rent one during your stay.
AZ Funtime Rentals 1215 N Scottsdale Rd. Tempe, AZ 85281 Call Jerry (owner) at 480-968-2522 to reserve a bike or find more details. Must have motorcycle endorsement on your license or from your country. Prices start from $89/ day + tax & insurance Doesn’t put a $2000 hold on your credit card.
EagleRider 1000 N McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281 From $149/day, 3 days at $133/day Jason Lyman is the shop manager 480-905-9397
Hertz Rent-a-Car office is inside the Crowne Plaza Resort if you prefer a vehicle with more than two wheels.
Below are places to eat, drink, hike and visit, around the Phoenix metro area. Also included are some popular spots farther away, but worth the time.
Coffee Shops Giant coffee 1437 N 1st St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 This coffee shop is right across the street from the Phoenix Art Museum, north of downtown Phoenix.They also serve food. I recommend the breakfast burrito. Free wi-fi. Cartel Coffee Lab (2 locations) 225 W University, Phoenix, AZ 85281 Bicycle themed. I recommend the toddy. In Tempe by the hangouts, comic shops, skate shops and made-expensive second hand stores. Free wifi. 7124 E 5th Ave. Scottsdale 85251 In Scottsdale’s Old Town which has a lovely/fancy arts district mixed in with souvenir shops and mass produced art galleries. The artists are usually in there on third Thursdays. Jobot 918 N 5th St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 You can literally start a friendly conversa
