Food scene
Amazing grocery store with great breakfast, lunch, and donner options in their cafe.
114 locals recommend
AJ's Fine Foods
5017 North Central AvenueAmazing grocery store with great breakfast, lunch, and donner options in their cafe.
Nice neighborhood wine bar with great bruschetta. All day happy hour before 5pm.
215 locals recommend
Postino Central
5144 N Central AveNice neighborhood wine bar with great bruschetta. All day happy hour before 5pm.
Excellent tacos! Everything they serve is great. Weekend brunch is also available. Walkable from the casita!
139 locals recommend
Taco Guild
546 E Osborn RdExcellent tacos! Everything they serve is great. Weekend brunch is also available. Walkable from the casita!
This place is an absolute go to for breakfast or lunch sandwich. Best in Phoenix, unique, friendly people, you won’t forget it or regret it!
14 locals recommend
Zookz Sandwiches & Catering
100 E Camelback RdThis place is an absolute go to for breakfast or lunch sandwich. Best in Phoenix, unique, friendly people, you won’t forget it or regret it!
If you are seeking a great pizza, pasta, comfort food of the Italian variety, definitely check this place out! They deliver to the casita, too!
56 locals recommend
Spinato's Pizzeria
5509 N 7th StIf you are seeking a great pizza, pasta, comfort food of the Italian variety, definitely check this place out! They deliver to the casita, too!
Local gem with several locations in the Valley. Completely revitalizes enchiladas! Walkable from the casita.
77 locals recommend
Gadzooks Enchiladas and Soup
3313 N 7th StLocal gem with several locations in the Valley. Completely revitalizes enchiladas! Walkable from the casita.
Wellness
You can hike for a nice view, stroll, have a picnic, or workout. Hike to the “Hole in the Rock” and look down at the zoo. Adjacent to the zoo and golf course. Nice park if you’re in the area.
543 locals recommend
Papago Park
625 N Galvin PkwyYou can hike for a nice view, stroll, have a picnic, or workout. Hike to the “Hole in the Rock” and look down at the zoo. Adjacent to the zoo and golf course. Nice park if you’re in the area.
Sightseeing
Nice park with historical significance. Great for a walk or a picnic.
46 locals recommend
Steele Indian School Park
300 E Indian School RdNice park with historical significance. Great for a walk or a picnic.
Awesome museum with an array of exhibits, some rotating and some permanent. Worth a visit if you are a museum goer or just looking for some local history. Discounts for college ID and reasonable entry fees overall. Great place to visit!
652 locals recommend
Heard Museum
2301 N Central AveAwesome museum with an array of exhibits, some rotating and some permanent. Worth a visit if you are a museum goer or just looking for some local history. Discounts for college ID and reasonable entry fees overall. Great place to visit!
Get a look at desert life here. Nice to walk the gardens and see the exhibits. If you’re going more than once it makes sense to buy a pass.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
Get a look at desert life here. Nice to walk the gardens and see the exhibits. If you’re going more than once it makes sense to buy a pass.
Coffee Shops
Nice local shop. Great atmosphere and excellent drinks. Relaxed vibe. Try the honey vanilla latte!
48 locals recommend
Giant Coffee
1437 N 1st StNice local shop. Great atmosphere and excellent drinks. Relaxed vibe. Try the honey vanilla latte!
Popular coffee shop that also makes their own pastries and serves dinner and breakfast options. Trendy and busy, but they make a good beverage. Try the velvet with house-made whipped cream for a treat.
259 locals recommend
Lux Central
4402 N Central AvePopular coffee shop that also makes their own pastries and serves dinner and breakfast options. Trendy and busy, but they make a good beverage. Try the velvet with house-made whipped cream for a treat.
City Golf Courses
Phoenix has a collection of city courses that offer reasonable rates and nice places to play.
Play the separate 9 hole course for a quicker game. Easy for beginners and walkable too. 18 hole and driving range also are options.
41 locals recommend
Encanto Golf Course
2775 N 15th AvePlay the separate 9 hole course for a quicker game. Easy for beginners and walkable too. 18 hole and driving range also are options.
Nicest of the city courses! Amazing greens, nice views, planes coming in nearby, and challenging holes make this a wonderful place to play.
95 locals recommend
Papago Golf Course
5595 E Karsten WyNicest of the city courses! Amazing greens, nice views, planes coming in nearby, and challenging holes make this a wonderful place to play.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Light Rail is a cost-effective way to get to Valley spots!
The Light Rail has a stop close the Casita at Central & Indian School and is a great way to get around. $2 for single rides or $4 for a day pass. The 26-mile Valley Metro Light Rail stretches from 19th Ave. and Dunlap Ave. in upper-central Phoenix to downtown Mesa and offers quick access to downtown Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona State University, Mill Avenue in Tempe and plenty more along the way.
The line takes around 85 minutes to ride from end to end, 30 minutes to arrive in downtown Phoenix from Dunlap, and 40 minutes to arrive in downtown Phoenix from downtown Mesa.
What to pack
Don’t forget sunglasses and shades for your car.
If you drive to town, get a pair of sun shades to keep your car cool during spring and summer! Also don’t forget your sunglasses.