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Downtown Phoenix is a cosmopolitan district known for its bustling business atmosphere by day and thriving entertainment scene by night. DTPHX, as it’s otherwise known, is packed full of sleek high-rise skyscrapers, bustling live music venues, luxurious restaurants, and creative art galleries.
As the state of Arizona’s capital city, Phoenix is a popular destination for a city break. It has a huge variety of inner-city attractions on offer, and the surrounding desert landscape is scattered with spectacular mountains for hiking. Most people visit between November and April when the stormy season is over, and the weather is consistently dry and hot.
If you’re considering a trip to this bustling city, you might be wondering if Phoenix Downtown is the right place to stay. This travel guide outlines the district’s key areas, top attractions, and popular bars and restaurants to help you plan your trip.
Notable Areas in Downtown Phoenix
The official boundaries of Downtown Phoenix are considered to be Seventh Avenue on the west, Seventh Street on the east, McDowell Road on the north, and Buckeye Road on the south.
There’s a lot packed into this small area, but these are some of the most notable streets to check out.
North Central Avenue
North Central Avenue is one of Phoenix’s busiest and most important stretches of road. It cuts right through the center of the city and connects Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown. Many popular museums, restaurants, and hotels are situated here.
Roosevelt Row
Roosevelt Row is Phoenix’s art district, where you can find galleries, street art installations, and murals. The First Friday Art Walk is the perfect opportunity to explore this area and also happens to be one of the best free experiences the city offers.
Local artists, musicians, and vendors head into the streets to sell their wares, connect with their fellow creatives, and chat with visitors about their work.
CityScape
CityScape is Downtown’s central hub and home to some of the city’s best restaurants, hotels, shops, and entertainment venues. So if you’re looking for nightlife, you’ll find it here thanks to the development’s array of restaurants and bars.
Heritage Square
Check out Heritage Square, which formed part of the city’s original townsite, to glimpse into Phoenix’s Victorian roots. The buildings here date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of them have been repurposed into bars and restaurants, while others have been preserved as museums.
Washington Street
Washington Street is home to some of the city’s largest theaters and entertainment venues, including Phoenix Convention Center, which houses Symphony Hall and the Orpheum Theater.
Symphony Hall is home to Ballet Arizona, the Arizona Opera, and the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. The Orpheum Theater is where you can catch hit Broadway shows. Washington Street is also home to the Arizona Financial Theater, which regularly hosts popular musicians and stand-up comedians.
Van Buren Street
If you’re looking for entertainment at smaller, more intimate establishments, Van Buren Street is the place to go. It’s home to live music venues Van Buren and Crescent Ballroom, as well as Herberger Theater, where the Arizona Theatre Company is based.
Top Sights in Downtown Phoenix
The city of Phoenix is packed with museums, galleries, entertainment venues, and attractions. These are ten of the most popular sights in the Downtown district.
Phoenix Art Museum
- Address: 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: phxart.org
- Opening hours: Wednesday 10.00 am to 9.00 pm and Thursday to Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
With one of the biggest fine art collections in the US Southwest, Phoenix Art Museum is a must-visit for creatives and art enthusiasts. More than 20,000 objects are on display here, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, and fashion designs. Admission is free on the first Friday of each month.
Arizona Science Center
- Address: 600 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: azscience.org
- Opening hours: 10.30 am to 4.00 pm daily
The biggest planetarium in the US is housed in the Arizona Science Center. There are more than 300 exhibits to interact with, covering subjects that range from biology to space flight.
In addition, the CREATE art studio and lab regularly houses classes and workshops where you can get involved with experiments and art projects.
Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- Address: 215 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
With over 300 interactive experiences to take part in, there’s plenty of educational fun for kids at the Children’s Museum. It’s suitable for children aged ten and under, and the experiences cover a range of subjects, including science, technology, music, and art.
Heard Museum
- Address: 2301 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: heard.org
- Opening hours: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily
The Heard Museum protects the heritage, culture, and art of American Indian tribes in the Southwest. Several ethnographic displays and art galleries are housed here. In addition, you can see a variety of traditional and modern American Indian art and artifacts, including textiles, pottery, and jewelry.
Hance Park and the Japanese Friendship Garden
- Address: 67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: phoenix.gov/parks
- Opening hours: 6.00 am to 10.30 pm daily
Margaret Hance was Phoenix’s first female mayor, and the 32-acre Hance Park was named in her honor. It’s the perfect place to take a peaceful stroll or enjoy a picnic to enjoy Phoenix’s great weather.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is contained within Hance Park and features pretty streams, stone footbridges, winding paths, a Koi pond, and a waterfall. Also, look out for traditional tea ceremonies that take place here from time to time.
Chase Field
- Address: 401 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: mlb.com/dbacks
- Opening hours: Variable
Chase Field is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix’s Major League Baseball team. It’s a popular MLB venue thanks to its proximity to CityScape, where baseball fans can grab pregame drinks or hit the town to celebrate after a win.
Tours of Chase Field are available if you’d like to learn more about the venue and the Diamondbacks.
The Footprint Center
- Address: 201 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: footprintcenter.com
- Opening hours: Variable
The Footprint Center is where basketball teams the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, play. Outside basketball season, the Footprint Center hosts live music concerts and other entertainment events.
To save on travel costs, you can use Footprint Center event tickets to ride the Valley Metro light rail on the day of the event if you’ll be traveling into Phoenix Downtown from other districts.
Civic Space Park
- Address: 424 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: phoenix.gov/parks
- Opening hours: 5.00 am to 11.00 pm daily
Civic Space Park is a popular retreat for students as it sits close to the Arizona State University Downtown campus. The sprawling green lawns and benches are a brilliant place to have a picnic and take a break from the busy city streets.
In addition, the park is crowned with a huge suspended sculpture that makes for an impressive sight when lit up at night.
Rosson House Museum
- Address: 113 N. 6th Street, Phoenix, AZ
- Website: heritagesquarephx.org
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10.00 am to 3.00 pm
Rosson House is Heritage Square’s best-preserved property. You can book a 60-minute tour of the house to learn about living in Phoenix during its early days. The house is also said to be one of Phoenix’s most haunted places, which makes it a popular attraction for fans of the paranormal.
Downtown Phoenix Farmer’s Market
- Address: 720 N. 5th Street
- Website: downtownphoenixfarmersmarket.org
- Opening hours: Saturday 8.00 am to 1.00 pm
You can discover some of the city’s best local vendors at the Downtown Farmer’s Market, which runs every Saturday morning. Bread, meat, spices, salsas, fresh fruit, and vegetables are all available, as well as accessories and jewelry made by local artists.
Where To Eat and Drink in Downtown Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix has an excellent indie bar and restaurant scene, making it the perfect destination for foodies. Here are some of the best places to grab dinner and drinks.
Pizza
Pizzeria Bianco in Heritage Square is renowned for using fresh, simple, and high-quality ingredients to produce delicious wood-fired pizzas. CiBo Pizzeria on 5th and Fillmore is a strong competitor, and it serves up a selection of pasta dishes and Italian charcuterie boards in addition to its wood-fired pizza.
Local Favorites
The Arrogant Butcher at CityScape is known for its high-quality meat dishes, such as meatloaf and prime rib. Rough Rider in Roosevelt Row serves up classic dishes like pork chops and roast potatoes alongside Victorian-style elixirs and cocktails.
The Larder and the Delta, situated just outside the Japanese Friendship Garden, is a farm-to-table restaurant. It uses seasonal produce grown in Arizona to produce traditional Southern dishes.
Mexican
Taco Chelo on Roosevelt Row is a relaxed spot to enjoy delicious tacos and margaritas. Centrico, located in the historic San Carlos Hotel, offers a more luxurious experience with hand-crafted tequila cocktails alongside classic Mexican dishes. In addition, Baconara on Grand Avenue is the best place to grab Mexican brunch.
Vegan
Green New American Vegetarian on Seventh Street has a 100% plant-based menu. It puts a vegan spin on global dishes, including egg rolls, Chicago cheesesteaks, and chicken burritos.
Earth on Grand Avenue serves up vegan versions of classic Southern and Mexican dishes, making it the perfect spot for plant-based comfort food.
Drinks
Cobra Arcade Bar features retro arcade games and tasty bites from local food truck vendors. It’s a popular destination with students, especially near the Arizona State University campus. Its weekday happy hour is a great time to grab affordable drinks, but parties here go on late into the night when guest DJs play.
Bitter and Twisted Cocktail Parlor in the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters has won several awards for its extensive drinks menu. However, be prepared for wait times of up to two hours in busy periods, as this bar is incredibly popular.
Century Grand and Little Rituals are two alternative cocktail bars to try, both of which have won awards for their mixes.
Alternative Districts in the City of Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix is one of the most popular districts in the city, but its busy atmosphere isn’t for everyone. If you’d prefer to stay in a quieter area, consider these nearby alternatives that are close enough for easy access to Downtown’s sights.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale is one of Arizona’s most popular cities and is located just east of Phoenix. In North Scottsdale, you’ll find luxury hotels, resorts, and several picturesque golf courses.
It’s a family-friendly area, but some resorts make traveling into central Phoenix difficult. The southern district of Scottsdale, known as Old Town, is more reminiscent of Downtown Phoenix, thanks to its array of museums, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Old Town Scottsdale has a historical and artistic vibe, with a free Trolley Service that makes getting around easy.
Paradise Valley
For true luxury, stay in Paradise Valley, the Beverley Hills of Phoenix. It sits close enough to Scottsdale for easy access to fantastic dining and nightlife. Still, it’s also an excellent base for hiking and biking in the nearby Camelback Mountain, McDowell Mountains, and Phoenix Mountain Preserve.
Tempe
Tempe is nine miles from Downtown Phoenix but has strong transport links, making it a good spot to stay in.
It has a slightly quieter vibe than Central Phoenix, but since it’s home to one of Arizona State University’s campuses, it has a young population and lively nightlife. Popular attractions in Tempe include Big Surf Waterpark, LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE Aquarium, ASU Art Museum, and the scenic waterfront of Tempe Town Lake.
Mesa
As Greater Phoenix’s second most populated city, Mesa is home to a huge array of popular attractions. It’s a budget-friendly destination, highly walkable, and with plenty of accommodation for tourists.
Mesa Arts Center, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and the i.d.e.a Museum are popular attractions for families. Plus, the city offers easy access to the Superstition Mountains and Usery Mountain Regional Park.
Mesa is a good base for families visiting the Phoenix region who want an affordable vacation with plenty of activities on their doorstep.
Plan Your Visit to the Valley of the Sun
Phoenix is a large metropolitan region with plenty of popular sights and attractions to explore. Now that you know more about the Downtown area, you can decide if it’s the right place to stay as you plan your trip to this sprawling desert paradise!
FeatCredit: Sean Pavone
