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The Top 20 PlacesBY SHANNON WILLOBY
Top 20 Places around the Valley to Go for Entertainment
If you’re looking to have fun in the Valley of the Sun, but think you’ve seen it all, check
out North Valley Magazine’s list of the Top 20 Places to Go for Entertainment. It’s
filled with family-friendly spots to take the kids, exciting ways to enjoy Arizona’s
nightlife, amusement parks, and even some fun activities you may not have heard
of before. So if you’re looking to add a little culture to your life, have a fun-filled
day, or enjoy a sophisticated night on the town, read on for some fabulous ideas
that will have you out enjoying our beautiful weather and all Arizona has to offer.
1
![]() Castles N’ Coasters
No matter what you’re planning—a
birthday party, a corporate event, an outing
with the kids or even a date—Castles
N’ Coasters has something for everyone,
regardless of age. With eighteen holes
of miniature golf, thrilling rides, 18,000
square feet of arcade with over 300 games,
and a special section for little kids, Castles
N’ Coasters will keep boredom at bay
year-round!9445 Metro Pkwy. E. • Phoenix, AZ 85051 (602) 997-7575 • castlesncoasters.com 2
![]() The Brickhouse Theatre
Located in one of Phoenix’s oldest
buildings, the Brickhouse Theatre is
the perfect place to support your local
arts. Their ever-changing entertainment
schedule often includes concerts by local
and national bands, art galleries, and
fashion shows. Come hungry so you can
grab lunch or dinner at the Brickhouse’s
very own restaurant, The Chop Shop!1 E. Jackson St. • Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 258-7880 • thebrickhouse.tv 3
![]() Canal
Let your inner fashionista out at Scottsdale’s newest high-end
restaurant and nightspot. Canal, true to its name, features dining
overlooking the canal out on the terrace as well as inside next to a
fashion runway. The menu consists of sophisticated small plates and
entrees; most evening hours include a live DJ and artistic images
projected on a huge high-definition screen.7144 E. Stetson Dr. • Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 949-9000 • canalaz.com 4
![]() Heard Museum
Immerse yourself in traditional and
contemporary American Indian art at the
Heard Museum. Free guided tours are
available daily, and the museum has ten
exhibition galleries that showcase permanent
and temporary exhibits. Stop in at the
Heard Museum Shop to purchase handmade
jewelry and pottery, and be sure to
grab a bite to eat at Arcadia Farms Café at
the Heard.2301 N. Central Ave. • Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 252-8848 • heard.org 5
![]() Scottsdale Culinary Festival
The Scottsdale Culinary Festival, now
heading into its thirtieth year, is one of the
biggest outdoor parties Arizona has to offer.
From April 8 through the 13, the festival
will be filled with food, drink, music and,
of course, fun! One of their most popular
events, the Great Arizona Picnic, will be
held April 12–13; it includes food sampling
from over fifty restaurants as well as an
Absolut Bistro.Scottsdale League for the Arts 7309 E. Evans • Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 945-7193 • scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org 6
![]() Geisha A Go Go
Tired of the ordinary? Head to Geisha
a Go Go, Old Town Scottsdale’s only Asian
bistro lounge that features Pachinko—Japanese
pinball machines—and a signature
pink Hello Kitty cocktail. Geisha a Go Go
provides an intimate dining experience,
with a fifty-two seat dining room, or you
can opt to sit at the bar for times when a
cocktail is the only thing you’re after. But
the most unique part of Geisha a Go Go
just might be their private karaoke rooms
that come with a 40-inch flat screen television
and your own server for the evening.7150 E. 6th Ave. • Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 699-0055 7
![]() Westgate City Center
The innovative creators of Westgate
City Center made sure visitors
wouldn’t have a single reason to leave
their entertainment plaza. While
you’re there, you’ll be able to see a
sporting event, show, or concert at the
Jobing.com Arena or at the University
of Phoenix Stadium, watch a movie in
the new 4,000 seat AMC theater, go
shopping, dine at one of many great
restaurants, and much more—all in
one convenient location!6770 N. Hockey Way, Suite 220 Glendale, AZ 85305 Phone: (623) 772-4000 • westgateaz.com 8
![]() Dave and Buster’s
Age isn’t an issue at Dave and
Buster’s, where over 200 games draw
countless kids and kids at heart each
day. Classic and interactive games are
offered, from Skee-Ball to a rapid
whitewater adventure, with you controlling
the paddles. For the 21-and-up
crowd, Dave and Buster’s offers two
bars; and if hunger strikes, there is no
need to leave, as there’s also a fully
loaded menu with items both adults
and children will enjoy.21001 N Tatum Blvd., Ste. 44-1400 Phoenix, AZ 85050 (480) 538-8956 • daveandbusters.com 9
![]() Desert Botanical Garden
Explore the beauty of desert plants
at the Desert Botanical Garden.
With fifty acres of outdoor exhibits,
including 139 rare, threatened, and
endangered plant species, the Garden
provides a unique learning experience
for all. Contact the Garden for information
on their special events, such
as their Spring Butterfly Exhibit and
garden tours.1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. • Phoenix, AZ 85008 (480) 941-1225 • dbg.org 10
![]() Wildlife World Zoo
For close encounters of
the exotic animal kind,
head to Wildlife World
Zoo in Litchfield Park
where you can feed
giraffes, take an African
Safari, and watch baby tigers
at play! Plan on spending a few hours
at the zoo to ensure that you have enough
time to check out all 2,400 animals,
Australian boat ride, petting zoo, skyride,
carousel, and much more! Helpful hint:
Purchase a carton of Hickman eggs, and
you’ll find a buy-one-get-one-free coupon
on the bottom for Wildlife World Zoo.16501 W. Northern Ave. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 (623) 935-WILD (9453) • wildlifeworld.com 11
The Tempe Improv
![]() 930 E University Dr. • Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 921-9877 • symfonee.com/improv/tempe 12
![]() West Wind Scottsdale 6 Drive-In
It’s been over thirty years, and the West
Wind Scottsdale 6 Drive-In is still a
favorite movie-watching spot for Valley
residents. With back-to-back movies,
a retro-design snack bar, and affordable
prices, it’s easy to see why so many people
are forgoing regular theaters in favor of a
night spent at their local drive-in. Helpful
hint: Save even more money by bringing
your own snacks and drinks!8101 McKellips Rd. • Scottsdale, AZ 85257 (480) 949-9451 13
![]() Arizona Science Center
If your little one is tired of hearing
“Don’t touch that!”, it’s time you took a family
field trip to the Arizona Science Center.
With more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a
planetarium, and a five-story high IMAX
Theater, you and your children will discover
just how enjoyable interactive learning can
be. Be sure to check out Awesome Atoms,
where you can purchase fun and educational
items to take home; and don’t miss
Titanic—The Artifact Exhibition, where real
objects from the Titanic are on display.600 E. Washington St. • Phoenix, Arizona 85004 (602) 716-2000 • azscience.org 14
![]() Alltel Ice Den
Alltel Ice Den is a perfect
spot to beat the heat—and
to have a lot of fun while
you’re at it! Alltel is a
120,000-square-foot ice
skating center that offers
public skating in addition
to hosting practices for many NHL teams,
including the Coyotes. You’ll also find a
Peter Piper Pizza restaurant/game room,
Chilly Bean, and full-service pro shop in
Alltel Ice Den.9375 E. Bell Rd. • Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 585-RINK • coyotesice.com 15
![]() Rattlers
Missing football season? Head
to U·S Airways Center and get your fix
of arena football! Season and individual
tickets are very reasonable, making this a
fun and affordable sport for fans. And don’t
forget about the Rattlers cheerleaders—the
Sidewinders. You’ll find them on the sidelines
of every game, cheering on the players.
U·S Airways Center201 E. Jefferson St. • Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 514-TDTD (8383) usairwayscenter.com • azrattlers.com 16
![]() Fighter Combat International
Have you ever wanted to be a Top Gun
fighter pilot? Fighter Combat International
gives you the chance by letting you take the
controls of a high-performance aerobatic
airplane equipped with sound, smoke, dual
controls, and gunsight. There are various
packages to choose from that range from
basic to advanced, and you can even get
into a midair battle with an adversary—
with simulated bullets, of course. That
leaves us with just one question: Who will
you be for the day—Goose or Maverick?
Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)5865 S. Sossaman Rd. • Mesa, Arizona 85212 (480) 279-1881 • fightercombat.com 17
![]() IMAX Theatre
Watch as sea monsters,
dinosaurs, rock stars, whales, and
more come to life before your eyes
at the IMAX Theatre in Arizona
Mills. Movies are between 45 to
60 minutes in length; depending
on the film, they will be viewed in
either IMAX 2D or 3D. Upcoming
movies include Grand Canyon Adventure
3D: River at Risk, Dolphins
and Whales 3D, and Shine a Light:
The IMAX Experience.IMAX Theatre Arizona Mills 5000 Arizona Mills Circle Ste. 667 Tempe, AZ. 85282 (480) 897-IMAX 18
![]() Big Surf-Golfland
If you’re daring, you’ll definitely
want to check out the speed rides at Big
Surf, including Cyclone, Tahitian Twister,
and Avalanche. But if you feel like relaxing
in a simulated ocean, check out the
wavepool; just don’t forget to rent a raft
or inner tube first! Little kids will love
Captain Cook’s Landing, where they can
splash around in a safe play area with
other children. Big Surf also has an arcade,
picnic areas, an ice cream parlor, and locker
rentals. But don’t grab your swimsuit just
yet—Big Surf will be opening to the public
on Memorial Day weekend.1500 N. McClintock • Tempe, Arizona 85281 (480) 947-2477 • tempe.golfland.com 19
![]() Enchanted Island Amusement Park
Arizona natives are sure
to remember riding the
carousel at Encanto Park
when they were children,
but it may come as a
surprise that the park is still home to the
beloved 50-year-old carousel. Today, Enchanted
Island at Encanto Park is a popular
amusement park filled with fun rides and
attractions geared to children 2–10 years
of age. Rides include the C.P. Huntington
Train, pedal boats, canoes, bumper boats,
Parachute Tower, Dragon Wagon, and Red
Baron airplane.Encanto Park 1202 W. Encanto Blvd. • Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 254-1200 • enchantedisland.com 20
![]() Orpheum Theatre
Built in 1929 in hope that it would be the most opulent theater Arizona
had, the Orpheum Theatre stands today as a beautiful reminder of Arizona’s past.
Through the years, the theater has endured many modern renovations, but the
architecture was carefully restored to keep its historical value intact. The Orpheum
Theatre has 1,364 seats in which one can watch anything from a Broadway play to
a classical ballet.203 W. Adams St. • Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 534-5600 • phoenix.gov/STAGES/orpheum.html |
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