Best Renewal of a Public Space
Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
After nearly three years and a $33 million renovation, Scottsdale’s Civic Center mall now boasts a spiffy new playground with a splash pad and fog feature, three outdoor stages, 140 new shade trees and plenty of open space. Public art has been reinstalled, including the iconic LOVE sculpture. Worth the wait. 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale, scottsdaleaz.gov
Best Background Music
The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
While browsing the flotsam and jetsam of mid-century America in this expansive junk shop, the remembrance of things past is compounded for boomer-era shoppers by the music from above, provided by Sirius XM. Selections ranging from Van Morrison to Red Foley help spur the urge to recapture yesteryear. Two Valley locations, brassarmadillo.com
Best Library on Wheels
Phoenix Public Library’s Bookmobile
It’s a cruel reality that where one “desert” exists – food, medical – more proliferate. Phoenix Public Library is addressing library deserts with this colorful bus full of books, which makes stops at city events, senior centers, underserved schools and neighborhoods without access to a branch. In addition to its 2,500 items for checkout, it boasts a retractable awning, children’s space, seed library, culture passes and Wi-Fi because, as anyone who patronizes a library knows, these community centers are about much more than books. phoenixpubliclibrary.org/locations/bookmobile
Best “Parklet”
Barry Goldwater Memorial Park
No ramadas, no grassy lawn for frisbee toss, no running paths. This park, with its life-size bronze statue of Senator Barry Goldwater, is just an itsy-bitsy, well-maintained, shaded little corner of Tatum and Lincoln that’s surprisingly peaceful given its major intersection locale. 6401 N. Tatum Blvd., Paradise Valley, paradisevalleyaz.gov
Best Mirror
Women’s Room at Changing Hands Bookstore
If you’ve been in the women’s restroom at the Phoenix location of this legendary indie bookstore, you know. That is one flattering mirror! For years, it was tilted at just the right angle to take 20 pounds off your hips. Recently someone hung the mirror on the wall, but even without the tilt, we’re looking pretty good. 300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-274-0067, changinghands.com
Best Instant Dance Party
Emergency Vibes
Mill Avenue’s always been a little quirky, so we weren’t entirely surprised when we ran into a new party on our evening walk. Press a button on the metal box and poof! Dance music plus a spot on the sidewalk plus some creative moves will give you a quick boost without the hangover. Southwest corner of 12th St. and Mill Ave., Tempe
Best “Secret” Rooftop Patio
Tempe Center for the Arts
The rooftop patio at TCA isn’t exactly a secret, but few people seem to know about it, as the spacious and well-furnished rooftop patio (it even has fire bowls!) is almost always unoccupied. Bonus: You can bring your drink from the TCA bar to enjoy amazing panoramic views of Tempe Town Lake. 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, 480-350-2822, tempecenterforthearts.com
