At PHOENIX, we’re proudly prejudiced in favor of local. However, we’re not so dogmatic that we fail to see the appeal in the occasional carpetbagger. Our favorites in 2025.

Best Place to Renew Your Faith in True Love
Scheels

Randomly, but charmingly, you’ll find a small Ferris wheel in the middle of this mall-like sporting goods store. And on any given afternoon, you might just see mature couples lining up for a ride together, even though they ought to be too old for this mushy stuff.  Lifts the spirits. 3199 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-676-6855, scheels.com

Best Way to Feel Like a Kid Again
Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts

Remember when you and your friends went on neighborhood scavenger hunts and discovered hidden treasures? Let’s Roam is the grown-up version of that childhood game. Using an app on your phone, learn fun facts by following clues in the form of riddles, trivia questions and challenges. Available in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix. 833-202-7626, letsroam.com

Best New Indoor Park
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Based in Orlando, this go-kart-themed chain of amusement parks now has 11 locations throughout the U.S., including Chandler and a location that just opened in Glendale. Like Great Wolf Lodge before it, the park – which invites young and old guests alike to race around its 95,000-square-foot space in mini replicas of Formula 1 cars – is one of those out-of-state inventions that seems like it was designed with the Valley’s summertime in mind. After all, it’s air conditioned. Two locations. andrettikarting.com