Best Place to Get High
Rooftop of The Clarendon Hotel and Spa
The Clarendon’s rooftop patio was already one of our favorite spots in town, but now that it’s a 21-and-up, cannabis-friendly zone (along with the whole hotel), we’re ready to move in. Smoke up and head upstairs for enhanced views of the city. The pool’s not bad, either.
401 W. Clarendon Ave., Phoenix, 602-252-7363, goclarendon.com
Buzziest New Hotel and Restaurant
Senna House and Cala
Senna House and its Mediterranean-inspired flagship restaurant, Cala, represent a much-needed oasis in the throbbing-bass cultural desert of Old Town Scottsdale’s Entertainment District. The patio is spacious and always buzzing, and executive chef Peter McQuaid puts out a first-class menu headlined by his show-stopping flaming saganaki. Are we not entertained?
7501 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, thesennahouse.com; calascottsdale.com
Best Soleri-Designed Structure You Didn’t Know About
The Bandshell at Glendale Community College
You’ve seen Paolo Soleri’s designs all over Arizona, from the late visionary’s foundry in Paradise Valley to his sweeping earth-cast domes at Arcosanti north of the Valley. Soleri gave the westside some love, too, in the form of a little bandshell on the northwest corner of the GCC campus. Super cool and good acoustics, too.
6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 623-845-3333, gccaz.edu
Best Creative Networking
AZ Business Brunch
If you want to meet and mingle with other career-oriented creatives (read: girl bosses), this quarterly networking event combines all the best aspects of a laid-back brunch date with your besties and the professional atmosphere of a business mixer. Get ready for plenty of Prosecco and powwows about connection, collaboration and growth at the next brunch on July 22.
@azbizbrunch
Best Ridiculous Housing Idea That Just Might Work
Culdesac Tempe
We’re skeptical. When’s the last time you walked down Apache Boulevard near McClintock Road at night? Uh-huh. But the people promising the first car-free housing complex in the country are smart – teasing us with cute arts markets and a restaurant from the Tacos Chiwas family. It’s almost enough to make us want to give up our car… almost.
2025 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, 480-210-6004, culdesac.com
Best Way to Navigate Parking at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
PHX Sky Train
Celebrating 10 years in April 2023, PHX Sky Train transports an estimated 35,000 passengers daily between airport terminals, economy parking lots, the Rental Car Center and PHX Sky Train Station. The automated trains reduce traffic throughout the airport and are free, fast and efficient. Added bonus: You’ll see large-scale works of public art along the way.
skyharbor.com
Best Nature Conservancy
White Tank Mountains Conservancy
The White Tank Mountains have a passionate group of protectors in this organization, which won a 2023 Arizona Sustainability Leader award for its work preserving the “crown jewel” of the West Valley. In addition to hosting trail cleanups, wildflower walks, a speaker series and the Desert Defenders program, the conservancy works with home developers in the area to ensure minimal impact on the landscape in White Tank Mountains Regional Park, Skyline Regional Park and Verrado’s trail system.
wtmconservancy.org
Best Motel Rehab
Egyptian Motor Hotel
The spirit of the ’50s road hotel has been restored in all its retro glory. In addition to 49 themed rooms, this property boasts a 250-seat outdoor bar and entertainment venue, adult games and activities, an Airstream guest room and Chilte, a restaurant from Chopped alum Lawrence Smith.
765 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-807-5225, egyptianmotorhotel.com
Best Hidden Gem on the Arizona State University Campus
Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing
Built in 1907, this vintage building was once home to several ASU presidents, the alumni offices and university archives. After an extensive renovation in 2005, the house became the new digs for the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, where the community can attend readings, talks, classes and workshops in one of only three remaining historical buildings on campus.
450 E. Tyler Mall, Tempe, 480-965-6018, piper.asu.edu
Best Community Food Resource
Feed Phoenix
There’s a lot of talk about how to help the Valley’s unhoused population. This group is actually doing it. Founded in 2020, this collection of artists and community advocates – all volunteers – hosts multiple weekly events to connect those in need with what they need: food, water, hygiene items, health-care support, bus passes, etc. It also maintains a network of “community support fridges,” where folks can access fresh food, and has hosted more than 250 free markets.
feedphoenix.org
Best Retro Sign
Starlite Motel
Described as “a beacon to those committed to preserving our signage history in Mesa and across the state” by Arizona historian Marshall Shore, the Starlite’s “Diving Lady” is fighting to get back into competition shape. Snapped in two during a storm in 2010, the sign was repaired and reilluminated in 2013, but strong winds have bedeviled its fragile neon elements, and it’s currently awaiting parts to bring it back to its full, luminous glory. According to motel staff, the sign is expected to be back in working order by early July.
2710 E. Main St., Mesa, 480-964-2201
