The Valley’s wellspring of cultural diversions – festivals, the arts, fitness, et al – have never been deeper or more diverse. Grab your trunks and dive in!
Best 10K/Marathon Race
Phoenix 10K
Nearing its 50-year anniversary, the august autumn footrace remains a huge draw for novice and expert runners alike.
phoenix10k.com
Best Yoga Studio
Sweatshop on Central
If a good, vigorous stretch and shvitz is what you want, we recommend this new-ish gym in the remodeled Uptown Plaza.
100 E. Camelback Rd.,, Phoenix, 602- 603-1891, sweatshopcentral.com
Best Music Fest
Zona Fest
“Psyko” Steve Chilton’s new December indie rock confab wins our staff poll after its first go-round. We just hopes he does it again.
zonamusicfest.com
Best Food Fest
PHOENIX mag Dish Fest
Are we biased? Oh, just a touch. Quite objectively, though, the two-year-old showcase of food, drink and fun in Scottsdale is an explosion of awesomeness.
phoenixmag.com
Best Live-Music Venue
Crescent Ballroom
Charlie Levy’s Downtown culture venue ekes out a staff pick over The Van Buren down the street – and remains the best 500-head locale for live music in town, even if the bills have gotten kind of sparse lately.
308 N. Second Ave., Phoenix, 602-716-2222, crescentphx.com
Best Museum
Musical Instrument Museum
“MIM is dope,” is what one staffer said, and that pretty much sizes up our collective thoughts about the place.
4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix., Phoenix, 480-478-6000, mim.org
