1. BILTMORE FASHION PARK, 24TH AND CAMELBACK ROAD, PHOENIX
OPEN DAILY:10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Although not the valley’s largest shopping complex, this is probably the most stylish. This is not a mall, it is a park with 35 acres of landscaping set in five theme gardens. Be sure to pick up a brochure, ‘Botannical Walking Tour’ , available at the west end of the park. When you have smelled enough roses, start exploring the shops. There are enough trendy shops to fill any shoppers heart with delight, but leave the American Express at home. The shops are on two levels connected by redbrick sidewalks, shaded walkways, fountains, outdoor cafes in an architecture that reminds one of the Old World charm of Europe.

2. METROCENTER, I-17 BETWEEN DUNLAP & PEORIA AVENUES, PHOENIX
OPEN DAILY:10:00 am - 9:00 pm SUNDAYS 10:00 am-4:00 pm

When it opened in 1973 it was one of America’s largest malls and it can still hold its own. The two-level interior has been remodeled with marble inlay floors, palm trees and waterfalls. The mall contains over 200 stores that include all the favorites that are found in malls across America with a large food court. The mall is surrounded with many strip malls, restaurants, movie theaters and my favorite - the Castles N’ Coasters amusement park.

3. ARIZONA MILLS, 5000 ARIZONA MILLS CIRCLE, TEMPE
(FOLLOW I-10 SOUTH TO EXIT 155, TAKE BASELINE ROAD EAST)
OPEN DAILY:10:00 am - 8:30 pm SUNDAYS 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Here is novel idea build a massive ware-house and stuff it with factory outlet stores with a smattering of smaller shops and paint the whole thing so it looks like a big carnival. This is where the budget minded in the valley come to shop. It also has a multi-screen theater and an Imax theater, video arcade, and a large food court. The mall is laid into several neighborhoods all of which are easy to find and move around in. The walkways are busy with kiosks, balloon vendors, caricature artists, etc.

4. THE BORGATA, SCOTTSDALE ROAD BETWEN MCDONALD AND MALCOM DRIVES, SCOTSDALE, OPEN DAILY:10:00 am-8:00 pm

The Borgata is styled after a fourteenth century Mediterranean village with weathered brick walls covered with vines, a fake clock tower and flagstone walkways built around two shady plazas with fountains. There are no major stores here but there are many unique shops, boutiques, jewelry store, high fashion clothiers and art galleries. There are three restaurants here that are worth considering - a typical Italian restaurant Mancuso’s, a predictable Patio Cafe, and a very unpredictable but very good Cafe Terra Cotta.

5. EL PEDREFAL FESTIVAL MARKETPLACE, 34505 SCOTTSDALE RD, SCOTTSDALE, OPEN DAILY 10:00 am-5:30 pm, SUNDAYS 12:00 noon -5:00 pm

This is not only a nice little shopping place but is a ‘happening’ place with all sorts of cultural activities such as concerts, exhibits, artists at work, etc. A good way to describe the architecture is ‘odd’, a cross between Frank Lloyd Wright and Tune Town and Pueblo. El Pedrefal means “a place with many stones” which refers to the many massive boulders that dot the area. Once again there are no major stores here but some unique specialty shops and several art galleries that specialize in Western and Natie American art. Try the bakery.

6. FIESTA MALL, CACTUS ROAD AT ALMA SCHOOL ROAD, MESA OPEN DAILY: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm SUNDAYS: 11:00 am-6:00 pm

This two story mall has 150 stores in a Southwest decor in a large simple square - a great place for you mall walkers especially on the hot days in July. It also has a large food court and is anchored by Dillards, Sears, Macy’s and Robinsons-May.

7. PARADISE VALLEY MALL, CACTUS ROAD AND TATUM BOULEVARD, PHOENIX, OPEN DAILY:10:00 am -9:00 pm SUNDAYS: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Although this large single covered mall is a couple of decades old, it has been refurbished to keep pace with the newer, flashier shopping centers. While not opulent, it is a nice place to shop. This is essentially a middle to upper price range mall, anchored by Robinson-May, Sears, Dillard’s JC Penney’s and Macy’ s. More than 150 stores, shops, and boutiques are spread between the anchors, all on a single level. The mall has a multi-screen theater, a toddler’ s area and a food court with 12 takeouts all around a boulder fountain. The mall is in the center of a major shopping area and is surrounded by other stores such as REI, Target, CompUSA, Circuit City, and Borders Books and Music.

8. SCOTTSDALE FASHION SQUARE, 7014 E. CAMELBACK RD, SCOTSDALE OPEN DAILY:10:00 am - 9:00 pm, SUNDAYS 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

One of the valley’s largest covered malls, Fashion Square spreads its 225 shops, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants over the intersection of Scottsdale and Camelback roads. It’ s an impressive facility, with stores on three levels beneath greenhouse roofs, Cascading fountains, large courtyards, and palm trees provide a pleasing environment for credit card abusers. Particularly interesting is a u-shaped curtain waterfall draping around a stairway near the Grand Rotunda. The newest addition is Scottsdale Waterfront - which hadn’t been built on my last trip there so I am looking forward to seeing it - somehow waterfront and desert just don’t go together - like ‘oceanfront property in Arizona’ . The anchors are Robinsons-May, Sears, Nordstroms, and Dillards. There are several restaurants and a large food court and the obligatory multi-screen theater.

9. SCOTTSDALE PAVILIONS, INDIAN BEND ROAD AND PAVILLIONS BLVD, SCOTSDALE THE STORES ALL HAVE DIFFERENT HOURS BUT AS A RULE, DAILY 10:00 am -9:00 pm

The Pavilions is not a mall but a retail district catering mostly to middle range shoppers. This is the place for you if you to find several major chain stores all located in one place. It’ s stores include but are not limited to Target, Mervyns, Home Depot, Circuit City, Hallmark, Millers outpost, Ross, Toys-R-Us, etc. While the shoppers shop, the golfers can golf because it has a golf course and driving range and movie buffs can go to the multi-screen theater.

10. SUPERSTITION SPRINGS CENTER, 6555 E. SOUTHERN AVENUE, MESA OPEN DAILY:1000-2100 SUNDAYS 1100-1800

This is a two level mall which is large, bright and airy. It has about 130 stores give or take with the anchors being JC Penneys, Mervyns, Dillards, Sears, and Robinsons-May. The mall is designed to appeal to families, with a desert botanical walk, an old fashioned carousel, a carnival like fun area, a large food court and of course a multi-screen theater.

11. OLD TOWN SCOTSDALE, SCOTSDALE RD., INDIAN SCHOOL RD., BROWN AVE., AND SECOND ST., SCOTSDALE

I would be remiss if I didn’t say something about Old Town Scottsdale since it is in all the travel books. If you are looking for souvenirs, this is the place to go because it a souvenir shops every where, but also here and there you will find an interesting gallery or small café. You will find little history here but it is nice stretch of the legs. Gilbert Ortega has several shops here which offer a variety of Southwestern art mediums, artifacts and trinkets.

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APACHE GOLD CASINO RESORT 928-402-9284 E of Globe on Highway 70 San Carlos	DESERT DIAMOND CASINO 928-294-7777 7350 S Nogales Highway Tucson
BLUE WATER RESORT AND CASINO 888-243-3360 11300 Resort Drive Parker	FORT MCDOWELL CASINO 480-837-1424 Fort McDowell Road & Highway 87 Fountain Hills
BUCKY’S CASINO/YAVAPAI CASINO 928-771-0530 1601 E HIGHWAY 69 #B Prescott	GILA RIVER CASINO ARIZONA 928-550-2100 Chandler Blvd & 56 th Street Chandler
CASINO ARIZONA @ SALT RIVER 877-724-4687 9700 E Indian Bend Road Scottsdale	HARRAH’S AK-CHIN CASINO 480-802-5000 15406 Maricopa Road Maricopa
CLIFF CASTLE CASINO 928-567-7900 555 Middle Verde Road Campe Verde	HON-DAH RESORT & CASINO 928-369-0299 777 HIGHWAY 260 Pinetop
COCOPAH BINGO & CASINO 928-726-8066 1516 S Avenue B Somerton	MAZATZAL CASINO 928-474-6044 Mile Marker 251 Payson
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1. GRAND CANYON, 230 MILES NORTH OF PHOENIX

A trip to Arizona without seeing the Grand Canyon is like a cake without the icing. I have been to the Canyon several times and each time is a new experience. Once you see it, you’ll understand why they call it Grand. The Canyon is 277 miles long, over a mile deep, and ranges from 6 miles to 18 miles wide. Over five million visitors come to the Canyon every year, 98% visit the South Rim and the remainder visit the North Rim. The South Rim receives only 16 inches of rainfall each year while the North Rim receives over 25 inches of rainfall and 130 inches of snow each year, the North Rim is approximately 1900 feet higher than the South Rim which stands at an elevation of 7000 feet. On a one day trip you will have to be contented to see the sights at the South Rim because it is another 200 miles to get to the North Rim. Before entering the park just north of Tusayan, stop by the IMAX theater for an informative introduction to the Canyon via an excellent film that at times will make you grasp the arms of your chair. Once in the park, go to the Grand Canyon Village. Be prepared to have to look for parking, because you are going during the peak tourist season. Find a parking spot and from this point on - use the really good shuttle bus system which will take you to just about any place along the South Rim you will want to go. While in the village, be sure to visit the El Tovar Hotel and have a nice cool drink and maybe sit on the porch and enjoy the view, then visit the Hopi House. To really enjoy the Canyon, put on your walking shoes and walk along the Rim Trail. A four mile trail that is paved and fairly level and will get you to all the look-out points for those Kodak moments. If walking is not your style, the shuttle bus is the way to go and it will take to all the same points. Either way, take your time and enjoy one the great wonders of the world. While at the village gather up information on hikes, rafting the Colorado, etc. because you will be back. A word of warning, if you are tempted to try the Bright Angel Trail (the most popular in the park), it is 9 miles to the bottom of the Canyon (18 miles round trip) and half of that is switch backs. Going down will test your legs, coming back up will test your fortitude.

2. GRAND CANYON RAILROAD, 233 GRAND CANYON BLVD, WILLIAMS, AZ

800-THE-TRAIN (800-843-8724) www.thetrain.com COACH:Adult $70 Child $40.00 FIRST CLASS:Adult $140.00 Child $110.00

One of the really unique ways to get introduced to the Grand Canyon is to journey there by way of the Grand Canyon Railroad. The train leaves the Williams Train Depot everyday at 0930 and heads north to the Canyon. Allow 2.5-3.0 hours to get to Williams from Phoenix. Travel north on I-17 to Flagstaff, then 30 miles west on I-40 to Williams. The Grand Canyon Railroad uses a 1923 Iron Horse steam engine to pull restored 1920's Harriman coach cars along original 1901 rails from April 1 through September 30 and a diesel engine October 1 through March 31. The train travels at a top speed of 35 MPH for a trip that takes 2.5 hours. Along the way, besides the beautiful scenery there is strolling entertainment and complimentary soft drinks and snacks. Box lunches can be purchased. The trip ends at the train depot in the Grand Canyon Village. You will have three hours to explore the village and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The train leaves the train depot at 1500 sharp and comes into Williams at 1730.

3. OAK CREEK CANYON & SEDONA

Sedona is a two hour drive north of phoenix. Follow I-17 north to A-179, then follow A-179 into Sedona. If you tire of the Phoenix heat and want to go somewhere a little milder, this is the place to go. Oak Creek Canyon is just a little north of Sedona and is included here simply because it is hard to see one without the other. In Sedona there are a wealth of shops, galleries and restaurants. Of note for the shopper don’t miss ‘Tlaquepaque’ with its cobblestone driveways, bell tower and great shops and galleries. A great way to see the incredible land features around Sedona is to take one of its many Jeep Tours, but hang on to your hats and your false teeth because the rides can get pretty wild but the views are worth it. After lunch at one Sedona’ s many fine restaurants drive down into the Oak Creek Canyon - it is a pretty steep descent which will remind you of a roller-coaster ride, then once you are on the canyon floor, take one of the many hikes or strolls along the creek or if you are feeling more adventurous, there are plenty of rugged trails as well.

4. ARCOSANTI & MONTEZUMA CASTLE

Here is a day trip that take you to some architecture of the past and come architecture of the future. Begin the day by stepping into the past and then spend the afternoon in the future. Travel north on I-17 to exit 289, then follow signs for two miles to the Visitor Center of the Montezuma Castle National Monument. At the Visitor’s center you will pay a small admission fee. The vivitor’ s center has some very excellent exhibits that will make your stroll to the Castle more enjoyable. There are guided tours available but the path is well paved and well marked and with informative signs. The path is lined with very old cottonwoods that also follow a small creek. When you decide you won’t be able to figure out what happen to the Castle’ s architects, the Sinagua or you discover that Montezuma had nothing to do with the cliff dwellings, you can get back on the road to I-17 and turn south to exit 262A and follow the signs for 2.5 miles. Here you will step into one man’ s unique dream for a place where people could think deeply about ways to solve the problems facing world’s cities through architecture. The man is architect Paolo Soleri whose philosophy was called ‘arcology’ - the joining of architecture and ecology. A truly unique place.

5. SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK (WEST) & ARIZONA-SONORA DESERT MUSEUM

The Saguaro National Park exists in two sections, east and west, with Tucson in between. For this trip we will be visiting the west section. Take I-10 south from Phoenix toward Tucson and take either exit 246 or 248 and head west. What a sight awaits you. The giant saguaro cactus can reach to 50 feet tall, weigh eight tons and live to be 150 years old - they don’ t start getting arms until they are 50 - 75 years old. The ecosystem to which they belong and are a vital part isn’t the desolate world you might think. To get an education in this world and it’ s flora and fauna, you must stop at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, ‘where the desert comes alive’, which is open everyday of the year from 0730 -1700, Admission:Adults $9.00 Children(6-12) $2.00. Along its paths you will might meet a Gila Monster or a hummingbird. This unique place is a combination of zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden. You will never look at the desert the same way again.

6. TUCSON & OLD TUCSON

Begin the day by driving to Old Tucson. Drive down I-10 and exit Speedway Boulevard (west) and follow the signs. Old Tucson began as a movie set for the movie ‘Arizona” filmed in 1939 and has hosted hundreds of movie and television features since. (Rio Lobo, Rio Bravo, El Dorado, The Outlaw Jose Wales, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Tombstone, Geronimo, just to name a few). Old Tucson is open daily from 1000-1800. Admission:Adults $14.95 Children(4-11) $9.45. Price of admission includes all shows, rides, tours,etc., except for special attractions. These include stunt man show, gunfights, train ride, stagecoach and wagon rides, dance hall revue, etc. When you have had your fill of the old west, head into Tucson and visit the El Presidio Historic District in downtown bordered by Sixth Street, Ninth Avenue, Alameda Street and Granada Avenue. Most of the shops, galleries, etc., are open daily from 0930-1730 except Sundays when they are open 1200-1700. This is where Tucson actually began although the old Spanish garrison no longer exists. The area does contain the oldest surviving adobe buildings, a few are office buildings, restaurants and inns, although most are private homes. Be sure to visit the ‘Old Town Artisans’, the ‘Old town Pot Shop’ and ‘the Saguaro Artisans’. The Tucson Museum of Art is also located here and worth a visit.

7. PRESCOTT & JEROME

This trip will take you to a couple a very unique but very Arizonan towns. Begin by traveling to Jerome, head north on I-17 to highway 289. Turn west on a-289 which takes you through the communities of Bridgeport and Clarkdale before you get to Jerome. Few towns anywhere in Arizona are quite like Jerome. This is a historic mining town that clings to the slopes of Cleopatra Hill in the Mingus Mountains. The lower part of town is 1500 feet below the high part of town. On a clear day you can see more than 50 miles to the east, an incredible view. Besides the view there is a host of interesting shops and galleries along the towns narrow winding streets. In the early days the dynamiting in the mines had a decided effect on the town that was built on a 30-degree slope, many buildings began sliding down the mountain. Look for the old town jail which has slid 225 feet down the mountain. Now get on down the road to Prescott heading southwest on A89. Prescott was the capital city when Arizona was a territory and as such is an Arizona anomaly, it doesn’t’ t seem to belong. Visit the center of town and you will see why - where you will find an old courthouse, the business district (perfectly preserved) and lots of old Victorian homes. This is more middle America downtown than the wild west downtown. This is great place to go to escape the heat of Phoenix because it is 20 degrees cooler here.

8. CASA GRANDE RUINS &BIOSPHERE 2

This trip will take you from touring an ancient Native American ruin (an ancient high rise) and end with a tour of a space-age environment. Begin by traveling east on I-10 to exit 175 to Sacaton. From Sacaton take A-287 southwest for 14 miles to Coolidge. As you approach Coolidge you will come to the Casa Grande Ruins which is an eleven room, eleven family, 600 apartment building which was built between 1300-1400 by Hohokam and Pueblo farmers. The Ruins are open daily from 0800-1700 and the fee for Adults is $3.00. Children under 16 are free. From the Ruins continue on A-287 west to Florence, then travel south on US-79 to Oracle Junction and join A-77. Follow A-77 to mile marker 96.5 at Oracle and then follow the signs to the Biosphere 2. The 2.5 acre enclosure is a microcosm of earth or as the scientist call it, ‘ Biosphere 1'. The project has been underway since 1984 and is a human experiment in which four men and four women have periodically lived inside a sealed and recreated “earth environment” for extended periods of time. The biosphere is stocked with 4000 species of plants and animals, the project replicates seven life zones - tropical rain forest, marshland, desert, savanna, mountains, and ocean. Biosphere is open from 0830-1700. Admission: Adults $13.00 Children(13-17) $8.95 Children(6-12) $6.00. The price includes a very limited basic tour. A larger, more comprehensive tour that takes through most of the Biosphere is available for an additional $10.00 and is well worth the extra.

9.TUZIGOOT NATIONAL MONUMENT & VERDE CANYON RAILROAD

This trip has a little bit of everything for everyone - another Indian ruins, another railroad, and a casino. To get to the Tuzigoot National Monument you follow I-17 north to exit 287 to A-260. Go west to Cottonwood, from Main Street turn north to Clarkdale. The Ruins are open daily in summer from 0800-1900 and there is $3.00 per person fee. These Indian ruins sit on a hilltop and were built by the Sinagua some 600-800 years ago. The Sinagua were dry-land farmers relying only on rainwater and some irrigation. These ruins were two stories high and contained 100 rooms. There are two trails here. The first, the Ruins Loop Trail is a third of a mile long and is quite steep. The second is the Tavasci Marsh Overlook trail which is little longer but easier to traverse. One goes to the Ruins and the other to one of the few fresh water marshes in Arizona. The train depot is located at 300 N. Broadway in Clarkdale. If you are interested in taking the train trip, reservations must be made and paid for in advance. The train leaves the station at 1300 and returns at 1700. Prices:FIRST CLASS $59.95, ADULT COACH $35.95, CHILDREN COACH(2-12) $24.95. This is a very scenic train ride with steep canyon walls, the green waters of the Verde River, lots of wild life, plenty of Kodak moments. Finish off your day by visiting Camp Verde and its popular casino. To get to Camp Verde leave Clarkdale by way of A-260 and drive past I-17 east to Camp Verde. The casino is on the edge of town. If your gambling blood is craving a big casino with all the games of chance you can think of, this is not the place for you, think a little smaller. If you are a die hard gambler or minimum player, this should wet your appetite nicely.

10. GHOST TOWNS (CONGRESS, STANTON, & OCTAVE)

You haven’ t had the true Arizona experience until you have visited one or more of its many mining ghost towns. The closest to Phoenix are just northwest of town. A word of warning, if driving on unpaved roads is not your cup of tea, find something else to do. After all why would ghost towns need paved roads or for that matter facilities (ghosts have no need for such things), which reminds me, when you pass through Wickenburg, you’ d better make a stop and take care of business. Take US-89/A-93 to Wickenburg then A-93 to Congress. Congress was established in 1887 as a mining town but when the mine played out in 1919, the mine closed and the folks went else where, leaving their ghosts behind. Continue through Congree Junction and turn right onto a gravel road and watch for a sign that says this is the road to Stanton. The road looks rough but it is graded and passable for passenger cars. Stanton is privately owned. Once a mining town and a main stopping point on a popular stage coach route. The town is named after a defrocked priest who ran the town and the ‘Stanton gang’ which they say stole gold and money from the community until Stanton was shot by a man who claimed that Stanton insulted his sister. Travel a few more miles on this same road and you come to Octave. Octave was established in 1863 by gold miners and the mines continued until World War II. The road will take you back to Wickenburg - that is if the ghost allow you to leave!

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When considering where to go in the afterhours, remember that Phoenix is a major metropolitan city and as such there is every type of entertainment available. During the summer time in Phoenix, like most Metro areas, the performing arts - the symphony, the ballet, the opera, the theater - take some time off. But the city makes up for it with lots of clubs, taverns, restaurants, casinos, etc. The ten below are just a small selection what is available.

1. SHOWSTOPPERS, CASINO ARIZONA AT SALT RIVER, 9700 E. INDIAN BEND ROAD, 877-724-4687, SUN & TUE: 1900, WED-SAT: 1900 & 2100

This is truly a unique entertainment experience put on by some really talented performers who are paying tribute to not impersonating some of the great names in rock pop - Elvis, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and others. The fact that the showroom is located in casino is an added attraction just in cases you have some pesos that burning a hole in your pocket and you’re feeling lucky.

2. THE IMPROV, 930 E. UNIVERSITY DR., TEMPE, 480-921-9877, 930 E. UNIVERSITY DRIVE, TEMPE, THU-SUN: DINNER SHOWS AT 2000 FRI-SAT: NON-DINNER SHOWS AT 2200

The Improv is part of a national chain of comedy clubs that is the sole survivor of a number of comedy clubs that use to dot the Valley. Since it is part of a national chain it attracts some of the biggest names in comedy as well the best of the up-and-comers. Since it is located near the ASU campus and the Sun Devil Stadium, the humor is young and contemporary. So come fill your belly with some not so bad food and fill your soul with lots of laughter.

3. MARCO POLO SUPPER CLUB, 2621 E CAMELBACK ROAD, PHOENIX, 602-468-0100, DAILY: SUPPER ONLY

This is a classic swing era supperclub with a live band, a small dance floor, and a popular restaurant. The decor is 1920s - kind of dapper, if you know what that means. There is live music most nights and when the band is taking the day off there are golden oldies played on the music box. One down side to the club, they have a lounge that encourages cigar smoking - so be forewarned.

4. A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, 455 N. THIRD STREET, PHOENIX, 602-252-2131, DAILY: 1200-2400

I know what you’re thinking, but this club has nothing to do with women’s baseball, the name of this game is ‘jazz’ - all that jazz - nothing but jazz. The club has a very modern decor, sprinkled here and there with sports photos and sports memorabilia. The jazz is live Wednesday through Saturday. The restaurant is very popular with the valley locals. It has tables both indoors and outdoors and the food is what they call fusion or contemporary American.

5. MR. LUCKY’S, 3660 W. GRAND AVENUE, PHOENIX, 602-246-0686

If you’re into line-dancing and the country two-step, this is the place for you. When we first visited Phoenix many years ago, Mr. Lucky’s was the one club that was listed in all of the half dozen travel books we read. The club’s name may sound a little urban, but don’t let the name fool you. David Sloan’s country bands have backed the likes of Waylon Jennings and Lyle Lovett. If you go on a Wednesday night you can get free dance lessons and if you don’t need those, you can venture into the parking lot and try your hand at ‘live’ bull riding - make sure your medical insurance is up to date.

6. CHAR’S HAS THE BLUES, 4631 N. SEVENTH AVENUE, PHOENIX, 602-230- 0205, DAILY: 1900, COVER CHARGE EXCEPT MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS

If Blues is your cup of tea, this is the place for you. You will find the club friendly, crowded, and smoky. This is a club where the Blues make you sweat and the brews cool you down. There is live music every night, seven nights a week. There is dance floor that is so small - how small is it? - you ever hear the term dancing ‘cheek to cheek’ - need I say more.

7. FOUR PEAK BREWING CO., 1340 E. EIGHTH STREET, TEMPE, 480-303- 9967

If you are into brew pubs, there are several in the valley and each is unique, but I like this one the best. The pub is located in what used to be a Borden’s Creamery. The place has a hip, funky, roomy warehouse atmosphere, even the 72-foot-long bar seems small in all the space. The pub brews 10 different varieties of beer, serves food, gourmet-style pizzas, and sandwiches. Tucked away in a corner is a shrine to the King - Elvis, the Pelvis, Presley. It’s kind of hokey but after a couple of good brews, who cares.

8. FIDDLER’S DREAM , 1702 E. GLENDALE AVENUE, PHOENIX, 602-997-9795

This is a coffeehouse, not a Starbuck’s coffeehouse, but a throw back to the age of beatniks and hippies - folk music singing, poetry reading, java drinking coffeehouse. The music is the thing here - folk music that is. There is no sound system, everything is acoustic. The low-tech presentation makes it the perfect place to listen and enjoy the music and carry on a conversation after each set. The house serves good java and snacks to accompany your java and the atmosphere is very friendly. So go, but be cool man!

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