See the Valley in a new light with this guide to our intriguing past and offbeat present.
by Madison Rutherford | photography by Dave Bentley, Alyssa Burato, Steve Craft, Kyle Gilbert, Mirelle Inglefield and Natalie Perez
#1 Party like it’s 1929 at speakeasy-inspired bars
Bypass the Valley’s beaten path and look behind unmarked entrances, through trap doors, up alleyways and down staircases to discover clandestine cocktail lounges, concealed hangouts, secret menus, hidden truths and insider tips. Consider this your treasure map to the road less traveled. Just don’t tell anyone we sent you.
The Westward
This West Valley drinking den is so hush-hush that it doesn’t have its own dedicated website, Facebook page or geotag on Instagram, but word of mouth is more than enough. Enter The Craftsman Cocktails & Kitchen’s Verrado location and recite the password – revealed each month on the restaurant’s social media – to access The Westward through a secret door. Prepare for immediate sensory immersion as your eyes begin to adjust to cozy, dim lighting, the pleasant aroma of burnt sage and fresh rosemary fills your nose, and up-tempo jazz music surges through your ears. Of course, taste is the operative sense here – and balanced cocktails, plus a bountiful charcuterie board, are transportive. 19580 W. Indian School Rd., Buckeye, 602-429-0505, thecraftsmanaz.com
Wander
Take a boozy tour around the world at this cloak-and-dagger cocktail bar that recently opened inside Chateau Luxe, an events venue in North Phoenix. Wander is a special event in itself – the immersive cocktail experience is only open on Friday and Saturday evenings (reservations encouraged) and regularly hosts exclusive events like wine tastings, art workshops, themed dinners and live musical performances. Its specialty cocktail list is inspired by the modern Seven Wonders of the World – the Grand Canyon features aloe vera and mezcal, while the Great Wall utilizes oolong and Sichuan baijiu. 1175 E. Lone Cactus Dr., Phoenix, 623-253-1000, wanderspeakeasy.com
Poppy’s Office
When Keeler Hospitality Group patriarch Paul Keeler passed away in 2021, his family rallied to honor him through a North Scottsdale speakeasy designed to look just like his office, a welcoming space filled with his favorite things – family photos, sports memorabilia and a vibrant community of friends, staff and customers who affectionately referred to him as “Poppy.” His legacy lives on through tiki-inspired tipples made with seasonal, local and scratch ingredients. 34422 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-602-2906, poppysoffice.com
Tell Your Friends
The latest concept from Creation Hospitality and Clive Collective, the hospitality supergroup comprised of chef Beau MacMillan and veteran restaurateurs Justin Massei and Mikis Troyan, is an Art Deco jazz lounge beneath The Americano Restaurant in Scottsdale. The speakeasy’s opulent design features a bright, burgundy- and tangerine-tinged color palette, velvet drapes, mirrored walls and dramatic lighting fixtures. The tidy cocktail list consists of mostly whiskey- and vodka-based drinks, while a menu of indulgent small bites conceived by MacMillan includes osetra caviar and truffle mac and cheese. You may want to tell your friends – or keep this juicy secret to yourself. 17797 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-530-0045, tellyourfriendsaz.com
The Madam
Step back in time to a world steeped in history and mystery at this secret bar, presided over by a fictional society woman, at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Comforting craft cocktails employ unexpected elements like praline-pecan liqueur, fresh lavender and vanilla-citrus foam. The bar’s décor – dramatic velvet drapes, plush patterned seats, commanding wooden shelves and gold accents – ooze sophistication without pretense. Reservations are strongly recommended. 7700 E. McCormick Pkwy., Scottsdale, 480-596-7411, thescottsdaleresort.com
Straight Up
Located inside the posh Hotel Adeline in Scottsdale, Straight Up is outfitted with black, gold and mahogany accents, leather couches and Persian rugs, evoking the office of a secretive but distinguished gentleman with a penchant for scotch. Ask the folks at the front desk for the evening’s password and relay it to the person on the other end of the red rotary phone in the hallway to be rewarded with craft cocktails, curated flights and an extensive list of premium and rare whiskeys. Enjoy a nightcap, then stroll around the property to find all 18 custom murals created by local artist Leila Parnian. Hint: Two of them are only visible to patrons on the Straight Up patio. 5101 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-284-7700, hoteladeline.com
The White Rabbit
A password – procured via email newsletter or social media clues – is required to enter this covert, Gatsby-esque cocktail parlor in downtown Gilbert. Once inside, crystal chandeliers, tufted furniture and walls adorned with jewel-toned wallpaper and vintage photographs continue the 1920s aesthetic and ambience. A seasonally changing cocktail menu includes spirit-forward standards, plus a range of tropical, autumnal, sweet, spicy and tangy concoctions. Secret shows and themed parties add to the allure. 207 N. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert, 480-930-9580, twr.bar
The Ostrich
If it’s one thing we know about Dr. Alexander J. Chandler, Territorial Arizona’s first veterinary surgeon and founder of his titular East Valley burg, it’s that the man loved his ostriches. After settling in Arizona in 1887, he gradually acquired 18,000 acres of land where he raised cattle, sheep and his beloved flightless fowl. In 1913, he orchestrated the construction of the San Marcos Hotel (now the Crowne Plaza Resort Phoenix), the state’s first luxury resort, which boasted exceedingly modern accommodations for the time. (Incandescent light bulbs! Reinforced concrete! Telephones in every room!) Legend has it that the eccentric animal doctor stored feathers from his ostriches in the Mission Revival-style resort’s basement to sell to manufacturers of flapper dresses, boas and cloche hats. In 2015, the space was turned into a speakeasy-style bar, accessible only from an unmarked staircase on the west side of the building. The large, dimly lit room features masculine design elements like exposed brick, leather banquettes and a wooden bar from which mixologists concoct cocktails both classic (Old Fashioneds, Negronis) and experimental (riffs on old-standbys featuring inventive ingredients like fig-infused bourbon, minted rhum agricole and lychee syrup) that reinforce Chandler’s pioneering past and present. 10 N. San Marcos Pl., Chandler, 480-917-4903, theostrichbar.com
Melinda’s Alley
Part of this below-ground bar’s mystique is its storied history as the alleged site of an authentic Prohibition-era watering hole. The eponymous “Melinda” refers to Malinda Curtis, the Black proprietrix of a 19th-century brothel that was located between what is now Adams and Monroe streets in Downtown Phoenix. The Adams Hotel was reconstructed on the same block after a devastating fire in 1910 – and a narrow, brick-lined passageway was built several stories beneath it. The story goes that the infamous madam – who was as well-known for her charitable nature as she was for her illicit exploits – urged owners to preserve the subterranean space during subsequent remodels. The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel replaced the Adams Hotel in 1975, and in 2016, Melinda’s Alley opened its doors – in the alley behind the hotel, concealed by a multicolored mural and punctuated by a single red light that, when illuminated, signifies that the bar is open for business. The Séance Room, a smaller, private chamber within the space, is rumored to have the most palpable supernatural energy and is accessible via the hand-crafted oak and glass saloon-style doors from the original Adams Hotel. 50 E. Adams St., Phoenix,
@melindasalleyaz
#2 Creepy porcelain dolls in the basement of a former department store
The three-story building that now houses Hanny’s bar and restaurant was a high-end haberdashery in its heyday. Built by prominent architect R.T. Evans in 1947, it was one of the first structures in Phoenix to feature an escalator. Once a thriving symbol of the city’s post-war prosperity, the store succumbed to the rise of suburban shopping malls and large retail outlets, closing in 1986. The building remained vacant for years until restaurateur Karl Kopp restored Hanny’s to its former glory and reopened it as a cosmopolitan eating and drinking establishment in 2008. Today, Hanny’s is just as famed for its wood-fired pizzas and $8 martinis as it is for its mysterious basement. Rumor has it the building’s lower level contains underground tunnels connected to other Downtown buildings and served as a bomb shelter and makeshift morgue in its previous lives. Kopp played into the space’s peculiar past by propping up a collection of life-size Victorian dolls around a rustic wooden table in a corner of the cavernous space. To view the dolls, visitors can walk down an unmarked flight of stairs to the right of the host stand.
40 N. First St., Phoenix, 602-252-2285, hannys.net
#3 Free public art hidden in a Phoenix alley
The cinderblock walls and slat fences in an unassuming residential alley on Oak Street between 14th and 15th streets in Downtown Phoenix serve as canvases for prismatic murals painted by dozens of locally and nationally recognized artists. This corridor of creativity features colorful characters painted by Champ Styles, desert-inspired designs by Lalo Cota, a portrait by Nyla Lee and other whimsical creations by Shela Yu, Mac Schneider, Maxxine Valentine and Daniel Calderon. Every spring, the Coronado Neighborhood Association hosts the free Oak Street Alley Mural Festival, where attendees can get a glimpse into how these public art pieces are created.
#4 A bucket-list foodie feast to end them all
In-the-know foodies are privy to the fact that tickets ($200 per person) for Bisutoro’s annual Sustainable Bluefin Tuna Dinner quietly go on sale in early spring. The sixth edition of the dinner will take place in April 2025 and consists of the ceremonial slicing of a $7,000, 150-pound Atlantic bluefin. Expert itamae then prepare and serve the fish in a fanciful, five-course feast complete with cocktail and sake pairings. 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-560-0033, bisutorosushi.com
#5 Wardrobe-building for half the price at an acclaimed vintage boutique
Specializing in authentic clothing and accessories from the 1940s to 1990s, Antique Sugar is lauded by local vintage enthusiasts for the quantity and quality of its inventory. Offering everything from colorful crinolines and dapper designer suits to graphic T-shirts and denim jackets, this nostalgic treasure trove is not a thrift store – and its prices reflect that. But on the last Saturday of each month, everything in the store is 50 percent off to clear space for new one-of-a-kind goodies and make them more obtainable for all. 801 N. Second St., 602-277-5765, antiquesugar.com
#6 Oddball museums? We have plenty
Arizona Doll and Toy Museum
Established in 1987, this impressively extensive collection of more than 5,000 antique dolls, toys and collectibles spans countries, cultures, materials and decades. One section is dedicated to dollhouses, dioramas and miniatures, while another showcases the evolution of Barbie from her inception in 1959 to present day. 5847 W. Myrtle Ave., Glendale, 623-939-6186, azdollandtoymuseum.com
Maricopa County Justice Museum and Learning Center
Those interested in the history of the legal system and law enforcement in the Valley can check out this museum located on the sixth floor of the Historic City Hall building in Downtown Phoenix. Touted as the country’s only museum in a working courthouse, the center includes displays of court documents and photographs from the past. It also allows visitors to sit inside a replica of a real jail cell. 125 W. Washington St., Phoenix, justicemuseum.org
Penske Racing Museum
NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula 1 fans will delight in this temple devoted to international auto racing inside the Penske Automall. Visitors can lay eyes on legendary vehicles that competed in iconic racing events like the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans, plus a replica of the Pontiac Catalina that Roger Penske drove to victory in the 1963 NASCAR Riverside 250. After exploring the free museum, guests can grab lunch and see the cars in action at the Turn 4 Café, which overlooks a test track and off-roading course. 7191 E. Chauncey Ln., Phoenix, 480-538-4444, penskeautomall.com
Phoenix Trolley Museum
Learn about the history of streetcars in Phoenix at this little-known, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gem in the Grand Avenue Arts District, which features a fleet of restored vintage trolleys that traversed the city’s streets from 1928 to 1947. Photos, maps and other artifacts are also on display. 1117 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602-805-7343, phxtrolley.org
Buddy Stubbs Historical Motorcycle Museum
Fun fact: The largest collection of vintage motorcycles in the Southwest is enshrouded in an ostensibly ordinary Harley-Davidson dealer in Cave Creek. Many of the meticulously maintained cavalcade of 135 operational bikes – including a 1913 Indian twin two-speed and a 1934 Brough Superior 1100cc V-twin (one of only eight in the world) were modified by renowned pinstriper and one-time Valley resident Von Dutch and restored by Buddy Stubbs, a former Harley racing legend and Hollywood stuntman who opened the eponymous shop in Phoenix in 1966. Free to the public. 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, 602-971-3400, buddystubbshd.com
#7 East Valley graffiti tunnels
Many of the drainage tunnels in Chandler – frequently embellished with bold, angular graffiti letters – have been blocked off by steel grates or seemingly removed by the city. Get a glimpse of the colossal, spray-painted structures near the ditch behind Lexus of Chandler on Orchid Lane.
#8 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s inconspicuous zen zone
The folks at “America’s Friendliest Airport” know that traveling can be stressful, regardless of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s convenient location, helpful staff and accessibility standards. To make flying in or out of Sky Harbor even more accommodating, the airport offers a discreet, quiet space of solitude called the Compassion Corner. This secluded section in Terminal 4 – look for the stained-glass window behind the second-floor elevators just before the security checkpoint – includes a sensory room for children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and an all-faith chapel with soft lighting, comfortable seating, prayer mats, religious texts and calming art. 3400 Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, 602-273-3300, skyharbor.com
#9 The state’s only rare book collection housed in a public library
Look for the circa-1895 Washington printing press that guards The Rare Book Room, a hallowed haven devoted to the written word on the fourth floor of Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix. The public can access a reference collection on the history of bookmaking, printing and typography or make an appointment to pull from a diverse archive of more than 3,000 rare and valuable first-edition works by literary luminaries from Jane Austen to John Steinbeck, historical texts including a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible and a handwritten Greek calligraphy guide from the 1400s, antique atlases, manuscripts and more. 1221 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-262-4636, phoenixpubliclibrary.org
#10 A lush oasis in the middle of suburbia
Flanked by a strip mall and a low-density housing development, Queen Creek Wash Trail feels like a mirage. The rich riparian area runs along a creek and is lined with a canopy of verdant palo verde and mesquite trees, creosote bushes, brittlebush shrubs and other bright-green foliage. There is no signage to indicate the trail, but it’s partially visible from Power Road and accessible from the Safeway parking lot. 18949 E. Old Beau Trail, Queen Creek, queencreekaz.gov
#11 Explorable ruins of a historical gravity dam
Constructed by local rancher Frank Gillespie in 1926, the concrete Gillespie Dam on the Gila River allowed for the irrigation of nearly 10,000 acres in Arlington (between Goodyear and Gila Bend) before its unexpected collapse due to unusually high rainfall in 1993. This resulted in record flows through central Arizona’s waterways, including the rivers and tributaries that connect to the Gila River. Today, the remains of the breached dam can still be seen from the U.S. 80, while a small embankment diverts water into neighboring canals. The site of the decaying dam is desolate and shrouded in overgrown shrubs, evoking the inexplicable eeriness of most liminal spaces, but bighorn sheep and snowy egret sightings are not uncommon.
#12 Downtown’s most lavish underground dance party at The Grand
This bar and nightclub is a large, labyrinthine party palace with three distinct spaces that offer completely different ambiences. Two secret bars-within-a-bar – intimate, speakeasy-style Sanctum upstairs and immersive, pirate-themed cocktail lounge Ghost Ship downstairs – allow guests to find a space that fits their vibe or float between them. On select Fridays, The Grand hosts a secret soirée called Underground Beats, during which rotating DJs play a mix of hip-hop, pop, Latin and EDM. 718 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 480-265-0724, thegrandaz.com
#13 Beating the heat – and the crowds – at a private lazy river
One of best lazy rivers in the state isn’t at a water park, buzzy resort or the Salt River. It’s obstructed by sky-high adobe walls between a pickleball court, putting green and outdoor fireplace in the backyard of a short-term rental property in Scottsdale. The lazy river is connected to a resort-style pool that encircles a hot tub and swim-up bar. The best part? You’ll have it all to yourself, or a dozen of your closest friends – the house features seven bedrooms and a two-bedroom casita. Look up “Scottsdale Oasis: Lazy River, Hot Tub, Sport Court” on vrbo.com to learn more.
#14 A year-round Halloween horror emporium
It’s never too early to start preparing for Halloween. At least, that’s the ethos at Terror Trader, a year-round marketplace specializing in all things spooky, scary, mysterious and macabre. Vintage Halloween masks, VHS tapes of classic horror movies and life-size zombies, ghouls and killer clowns line the shop’s coffin-shaped shelves. For a surplus of scares, visit the Oddities Room, a collection of antique dolls, Ouija boards and other creepy relics. 941 W. Elliot Rd., Chandler, 480-590-3481, terrortrader.com
#15 Hidden art at Arizona State University
Journey along a dirt path bordered by mature ironwood trees west of Rural Road and north of Terrace Avenue on ASU’s Tempe campus to uncover “Air Apparent,” artist James Turrell’s elusive ode to light, space, history and architecture. Constructed out of concrete and steel, the 90-foot-wide, 30-foot-tall structure is a modern interpretation of an ancient Hohokam shade ramada. The space also features a 15-foot rectangular opening to the sky that seems to effortlessly float above the structure. In reality, it’s a 16-ton steel plate suspended by a system of steel cables containing 480 LED color-changing light fixtures that make sunrise and sunset particularly awe-inspiring. 797 E. Tyler St., Tempe, 480-727-8322, cfo.asu.edu/skyspace
#16 A hi-fi audiophile speakeasy
Serious audiophiles know that long-standing Phoenix record shop The ‘In’ Groove is the Valley’s premier place to purchase high-fidelity audio equipment. If you’re in the market for a new phono cartridge, digital-to-analog converter, integrated amplifier or turntable for your hi-fi system, owner Mike Esposito is your go-to guy – and will direct you to his secret sonic portal filled with his own big-budget setup, where you can test before you invest. Just step past the “employees only” sign for some sweet ear candy. 3300 N. 24th St., Phoenix, 602-957-2453, theingroove.com
#17 Underground supper clubs and pop-ups
The Rez
Find Renetto-Mario “Chef Mario” Etsitty serving up Navajo tacos on scratch-made blue corn tortillas and made-to-order fry bread out of his restaurant on wheels at First Friday, farmers markets and festivals as well as at bars, restaurants and street corners around Downtown Phoenix. Follow @the_rez_an_urban_eatery for locations and insightful musings on traditional Diné recipes and cooking techniques.
Saucisse
If you’ve ever been to Linger Longer Lounge in North-Central Phoenix, you’d probably be surprised to hear that the neighborhood bar hosts a themed, four-course feast every month. The supper club is the brainchild of classically trained chef Nicholas Hyche, who worked in resort kitchens around the Valley before striking out on his own to start Linger Longer’s embedded food concept, Der Wurst Hot Dogs. Applying traditional French techniques “in heavy-metal T-shirts in a sticky dive bar,” Hyche doesn’t advertise the monthly dinners, dubbed Saucisse (“sausage” in French), instead depending on word of mouth and informal Instagram posts to fill seats. Follow @ saucisse_supper_club for updates.
Nordborg
On the heels of a James Beard Award nomination and Chopped victory, Valley chef Derek Christensen (Bacanora, Huarachis Taqueria, Wren Südhalle) took a step back from the culinary arts to focus on painting. He’s back in the kitchen at Sauvage Wine Bar on Thursdays and Fridays to whip up Scandinavian-inspired bites like smoked sardines, open-face sandwiches and hand-pressed waffles as part of an indefinite residency at Sauvage that he named after a seaside town in Denmark. Follow @nordborg_ for weekly menus.
Requinto
Chef Erick Pineda has achieved local celebrity status for his kitchen takeovers, where he has infused south-of-the-border flair from his home state of Guerrero into menus at Pita Jungle (chorizo hummus), Gracie’s Tax Bar (street tacos), Stoop Kid (chile relleno burger) and more. Follow @requinto_phx to see where he pops up.
Mountain Shadows Sunday Supper Club
One Sunday per month at Hearth ’61, the signature restaurant at Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley, chef Charles Wiley picks a winery, distillery or local purveyor and builds a four-course meal around their product. Guests of this intimate experience have the opportunity to chat with Wiley, the featured vendor and other attendees. Follow @mountainshadowsaz to stay in the loop.
#18 A remote hot sauce empire in the West Valley
Spice freaks will get a kick out of Ass Kickin’ Gift Shop, where more than 200 hot pepper-infused items – pure Scorpion pepper purée, habanero salt, spicy pickle pretzels, Ghost pepper popcorn and dozens of sauces, dips, butters and jellies – are manufactured and shipped around the world from a low-profile warehouse in Goodyear. Anyone can stop in to get their spicy merch straight from the source. 700 N. Bullard Ave., Goodyear, 623-931-3131, asskickin-giftshop.com
#19 The Valley’s enduring Sesame Street connection
Few people realize the Valley’s role in the development and subsequent success of one of the longest-running and most influential children’s shows in TV history. Joan Ganz Cooney was born and raised in Phoenix, studied at the University of Arizona and worked as a journalist in the Valley before she and Lloyd Morrisett created Sesame Street together in 1966. South Phoenix primary schools served as the show’s first test markets before it premiered on PBS in 1969. Linda Bove, who became the longest-working deaf actor on any television series for her portrayal as a librarian on Sesame Street from 1971 to 2002, also currently works as an actor and consultant in Phoenix. Finally, Phoenix puppeteer Stacey Gordon debuted Julia, the TV program’s first character with autism spectrum disorder, in 2015.
#20 A Disney-level escape room hidden in an ice cream parlor
Painstakingly designed by husband and wife – and former Disneyland employees – Dustin and Kylee Smith, The Nemesis Club has several cool claims to fame. First, the escape room venue’s entrance is disguised as a freezer door inside of neighboring Soda Jerk Co. Milkshake Bar. Second, lighting and sound effects (including music composed exclusively for each scenario), automated props and interactive screen displays make up an escape room framework billed as “the most technologically advanced in North America,” made possible via 5.5 miles of wire in the space’s walls and ceiling. Lastly, not only is each of its three rooms driven by intricate and imaginative stories and characters (evil robots, the Mogollon Monster, superheroes and henchmen), the concept for The Nemesis Club itself is a fictional hideout where “heroes and villains can leave their capes and masks at the door, put their differences aside and be playful,” Kylee says. 5350 E. High St., Phoenix, 480-576-7779, thenemesisclub.com
#21 The last surviving video store in the Valley
Despite what the gradual decline of Blockbuster and meteoric rise of streaming services would have us believe, you can still experience the nostalgic joy of renting a physical movie or video game at the mom-and-pop shop down the road – at least in Glendale, where Superstar Video’s last remaining location is still alive and well. Once a thriving local chain with six locations across the Valley, the Superstar Video franchise suffered a similar fate to that of national video rental retailers. Owner Matt Mason contributes the continued survival of his shop to the dedicated support of analog media enthusiasts, even in the absence of marketing or advertising. The tiny time capsule’s shelves are stacked from floor to ceiling with new, classic, niche and mainstream titles, many of which aren’t available on streaming sites like Netflix. Superstar does, however, have ties to the popular streaming platform – CEO Ted Sarandos is a former employee. 4703 W. Olive Ave., Glendale, 623-842-3993
#22 Chula Seafood’s secret menu item
Next time you’re at the South Scottsdale location of this beloved local fishmonger, ask for “Skippy J’s Lunchbox” (whisper, wink and nod optional). The secret lunch plate includes one scoop each of fresh, Hawaiian-style poke, sushi rice and potato macaroni salad dusted with furikake, green onions and sesame seeds. You can thank us later. Three Valley locations, chulaseafood.com
#23 Low-profile celebu-residents
It’s no secret that a slew of celebrities – NBA legend Charles Barkley, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, racecar driver Danica Patrick and rapper Ice-T, to name a few – call the Valley home. However, rumors abound that other high-profile personalities, including Kylie Jenner, George Clooney, J.K. Rowling and David Beckham, also have real estate here. Though he remains tight-lipped on exact names, Chris Karas, a luxury real estate specialist and founder of The Karas Group in Paradise Valley, confirms that Scottsdale and PV are hot spots for the rich and famous, from Fortune 500 CEOs and pop stars to best-selling authors and world-famous athletes.
#24 Our favorite star-gazing and cosmos-contemplation spot
By day, the Estrella Star Tower, located within the Estrella Mountain Ranch community in Goodyear, serves as a tranquil vantage point to observe the desert below and the Estrella Mountains beyond. At night, the 50-foot spiral structure (meant to mimic the swirls of celestial bodies that make up the arms of the Milky Way) illuminates from within to create the illusion of constellations, allowing spectators on top of the steel tower to observe the stars from above and below.
#25 The best under-the-radar dessert in THE VALLEY
Pay no mind to the construction companies, warehouses and auto body shops that surround Board & Batten, a dazzling gem in a dusty corner of northeast Mesa. The restaurant’s welcoming wraparound patio and cozy farmhouse vibe are enough to make guests feel right at home, but the New American menu is full of fresh, seasonal and local comfort foods. Salads, sandwiches and burgers dominate the lunch menu, while the dinner offerings go global – crudo, prime steak frites, ’nduja and ricotta ravioli. The caramel butter dessert bar, with ethereal salted caramel and lemon mousse cloaked in shortbread and sprinkled with sea salt, is worth the drive – even if you live on the other side of town. 4012 E. Palm St., Mesa, 480-641-4148, bbdining.com
