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PHX Insider: Best Local Coffee Spots

*2023 update Grindhouse Coffee has closed.

A love of caffeine seems to transcend almost all cultures, and in Phoenix it's no different. There are, of course, Starbucks and other chains to feed your need in a pinch, but it's way more fun to check out a local cafe to get your fix. Withing walking distance of the hostel, we have some great options for latte-lovers.   

Mornin' Moonshine (111 West Monroe Street)

This downtown cafe just opened a few days ago as an off-shoot of the coffee brewed at local brunch joint Vovomeena. The space is small but cozy, located in the lobby of an office building. Since they are so new, the staff loves to chat with patrons about their favorite drinks and snacks to help hone their offerings. All bakery goods are provided by the delicious kitchen of Phoenix Public Market Cafe. But the highlight is the signature cold-brewed Mornin' Moonshine iced coffee -- it's wonderful but strong. A great way to get you energized for a day exploring downtown Phoenix! 

Fair Trade Cafe (1020 North 1st Avenue)

This cafe bistro has two locations downtown, located just down the street from each other. They pride themselves on having organic and fair trade ingredients in just about all their drinks and dishes. They serve a great selection of espresso drinks and teas as well as a variety of lunch options like sandwiches, salads, and hummus plates. The 1st Ave location has big comfy couches and arm chairs perfect for sharing espresso and good conversation with friends, while the Civic Space Park location caters a bit more to ASU students who need lots of table space and strong Wi Fi. Both spots have nice outside patios to enjoy the sunshine on too. 

Grindhouse Coffee at Third Space (1028 Grand Avenue)

Grindhouse is located in a tiny cabin along with the other Shops at Third Space. But not too worry, there is plenty of outdoor seating on the patio both in the shade and sunshine. The staff here are super friendly and love to chat about the local arts' scene on Grand Avenue. The coffee is roasted on site in a neighboring cabin and you can taste that freshness. They also serve up a selection of savory and sweet bakery items. You have to try the vegan chocolate biscotti -- it will totally change your idea of what vegan chocolate can be. Have it with an espresso drink and dip the crumbly cookie in for the best experience. 

Lola's Coffee (1001 North 3rd Avenue)

Lola's is located on the corner of 3rd Ave and Roosevelt Ave, just a bit down the row from the busy alternative art district at Roosevelt Row. It's your classic local meet up spot with a mix of people working on laptops and community members dropping in to chat. With ample seating inside, there's always a space for you. And they even have an outdoor patio out back. Lola's has your standard offering of drinks and cafe snacks. Their scones are superb -- buttery, salty, and sweet all at once. 

(Brought to you by Ally Thibault)

PHX Insider: Hiking in the City

Arizona is an outdoors enthusiast's paradise. From the depths of the Grand Canyon to the heights of various alpine and desert mountain ranges, there are tons of options for experiencing nature. Even in the metro Phoenix area, there are a diversity of great hikes within reach by public transit or a short car ride.  

Camelback Mountain 

This mountain, located northeast of the hostel on the Scottsdale/Paradise Valley line, looks like a gigantic camel slumbering in the middle of the city. The resemblance is so striking that when I first saw it, I half expected it to rise up and come to life, like the giant tiger made of sand that eats Aladdin in Disney's classic film. The mountain thankfully did not eat me, but the hike is certainly a strenuous one.

There are actually two trails at Camelback, but the one most people are referring to when they mention the hike is the Echo Canyon Trail. The trail, which leads up to the summit of the mountain (which has one of the best views of Phoenix and the surrounding valley) is very popular with tourists and locals alike, making it a generally pretty crowded hike. Many locals use it as their gym, jogging up and down the mountain and making it look easy. 

While the trail is not very long, it is very steep and includes several sections of rock scrambling with handrails to help you keep your balance. It's a great experience for someone who wants to push themselves physically for a couple of hours and doesn't mind the crowds. You can get to Camelback via public bus in about an hour or by car in 20 minutes.        

South Mountain 

South Mountain is so big that it feels more like a whole mountain range rather than just a single peak. The wilderness preserve here has over 50 miles of interconnected trails to explore, so it's definitely a good idea to print out a map before you go and to pay attention to all the signs you pass on the trails so you don't get lost. Unlike Camelback, the trails of South Mountain are much more secluded and on some paths you may not see another hiker for upwards of 30 minutes. 

The hike I like best here is a 4 mile combination of the Mormon Trail, the Hidden Valley Trail, and the National Trail. It is somewhat steep at the beginning as you ascent the mountain, but flattens out at the top, making it an easy trail for just about anyone to enjoy regardless of skill or experience. After reaching the top of the moutain and taking in the stunning views of downtown and the surrounding mountains, the Hidden Valley Trail takes you between and under amazing rock formations amoung the desert landscape. The book 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles (which we have for you to use at the hostel) provides detailed directions and descriptions of the hike to help guide you.

While a few hours of peace and isolation hiking on South Mountain is a great experience, the best part of your day is yet to come. The Farm at South Mountain, located a short walk from the trail head where the hike ends, serves fresh lunch foods and bakery snacks to help refuel you in the most deliciously healthy way possible. Grab some snacks at the counter and take them out into the farm's pecan grove to have a celebratory post-hike picnic. South Mountain can be reached by public transportation in about an hour or by car in 20 minutes.   

Papago Park 

Papago has it all - a lagoon, hiking trails, a zoo, and a botanical garden. The trails here are mostly flat scenic walks through a mini desert space plopped in the middle of the city, but the highlight is the iconic Hole in the Rock. It's a sandstone butte with a small opening like an eye that allows vistors, mostly families and kids, to sit against a wall in the three sided cave-like structure and look out onto the downtown skyline. 

Another landmark on the paths around Papago is a white pyramid on a hill overlooking the zoo. This bizarre monument is actually the tomb of the first governor of Arizona, who was fascinated by the pyramids of Giza during his travels in Egypt. It provides another great vista of the city and valley as well as a glimpse into the giraffes habitat at the neighboring zoo. 

The Desert Botanical Garden is located in the northeastern part of the park. It has a wonderful collection of cacti and wildflowers along its trails designed to teach you all about desert environments. The garden also includes a butterfly area, an herb patch, and recreations of native peoples different housing structures. Papago Park is easily reachable by public transit in 45 minutes or by car in 15 mintues.

No matter which of these areas you decided to explore, make sure to bring plenty of water with you -- at least 2 water bottles per person are necessary while walking out in the desert sun. And don't forget the sunblock! 

(Brought to you by Ally Thibault... with much guidance from "60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Phoenix")

  

PHX Insider: Live Music

If you love live music, then you'll love Phoenix. This month, the city is host to several music festivals featuring many different genres. This weekend, VIVA PHX features 80 acts at 20 different venues around downtown and the Pot of Gold musical festival is taking over Tempe Beach Park for four days. Later on in March, the McDowell Mountain Music Festival hits town as well. 

While these special festivals will be great, Phoenix actually has great, affordable live music almost every night. From jazz to indie pop to electronic music, Phoenix has something for everyone.  

Crescent Ballroom

Crescent truly has it all when it comes to live music and entertainment -- from indie rock shows to trivia nights to drag shows. All shows in the lounge area are free while most others are just $10 to $20. Crescent also has a full kitchen serving Mexican inspired dishes until midnight every night. The venue is located just a block west of the Van Buren light rail stop, making it easily accessible from the hostel by public transportation. 

Third Space

This restaurant bar has free live music most Fridays and Saturdays. Located around an outdoor patio with a collection of other locally owned small businesses, Third Space serves brunch, lunch, and dinner as well as wine and beer. When the weather is nice (aka anytime but summer) shows are held on the outdoor patio, but when the rare rain storm or chilly night rolls in, shows are held inside among comfy couches and an exposed brick wall interior. Located on the corner of Grand Avenue and 11th Avenue, Third Space is about a 15 minute walk from the hostel.

Lost Leaf

There's no better kind of live music than FREE live music. Located in a revamped house on 5th Street, Lost Leaf has a free show every single night starting at 9 pm. Artists range from rock bands to indie acts to house DJs. The bar serves up a great selection of Arizona brews and features a back yard patio area to escape the sometimes cramped quarters of the 'stage' area. Lost Leaf is about a half hour walk from the hostel or a cheap uber or taxi ride. 

The Nash

This is the prime destination for jazz music in Arizona. The Nash is an intimate club in the arts district on Roosevelt Row and has live jazz just about every day. Ranging from blues to big band to Latin style jazz, it's a great place for casual fans and jazz aficionados alike. Most shows range from $5 to $15 and there are usually tickets available for purchase at the door.

While there is a small selection of snacks and drinks for sale inside, you're best off visiting a neighboring bar for sustenance beforehand if you want a nice meal or more drink options. Short Leash, a bar/restaurant next door, serves gourmet hot dog dishes, homemade donuts, and has a huge selection of canned craft beers. They also have a few local Arizona wines on tap. Or you could check out Carly's just another block down the road for bistro plates and specialty cocktails. And all this is within a 25 minute walk of the hostel or a quick bike ride.

(Brought to you by Ally Thibault)  

PHX Insider: Grand Avenue

*2023 Update ThirdSpace was replaced by Wayward Brewery, Bragg’s Factory Diner was replaced by Bacanora PHX, The Winnie was replaced by Trans Am Cafe.

March is a beautiful time in Phoenix, and not just because of the sunny skies and warm weather. This month features a ton of art and music festivals to celebrate the up and coming culture of the city. This weekend is Art Detour on Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue, where it is called the DeTour de Grand.

It features open studios and pop-up galleries on the streets to showcase the work local artists are doing. Since the hostel is close by to the art galleries and small businesses of Grand Ave, we decided to share a list of our favorite hang out spots there.    

The Shops at Third Space

This collection of local businesses at the corner of Grand and 11th Ave has it all -- breakfast, lunch, dinner, alcohol, coffee roasted on-site, live music, an art gallery, a tattoo parlor, a barber shop, and even an eyeglass repair shop. And all with a weird-in-a-good-way vibe. The cute little cottage style buildings that surround the communal rustic patio area actually use to be part of an internment camp during World War II. While that's a pretty heavy thought, seeing how it has been transformed into a vibrant and welcoming community hang out spot really makes you appreciate what art and good people can do for a place. 

Just a short walk or even shorter bike ride from the hostel, the shops at Third Space are the perfect place for an afternoon sipping espresso on the patio with new friends or catching up on work on your laptop in the sunshine. All the business owners are super down to earth and great to chat with about the arts scene in Phoenix. And at night, it's a great place to grab drinks and enjoy some local musicians. 

Bragg's Factory Diner

Located in a strip of art galleries and studios across from Third Space, this small cafe is big on charm. Bragg's bakes fresh vegan dessert pies everyday -- everything from Fireball Whiskey Apple Pie to Cherry Cheesecake -- and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner pies as well. The cafe has a small town rural feel with its collection of old Arizona road maps, classic candies, and standard diner fare. Pie slices are about $3 - $5 each and the flavor options are endless.  

Bikini Lounge 

You probably think Tuesdays are just another boring weekday where there's nothing fun to do after dinner time, huh? Not in Phoenix! Just down the street from the hostel is a wonderful little tiki bar called Bikini Lounge, which hosts a free, funky dance party every Tuesday. Featuring a DJ spinning old vinyl records ranging from funk to cumbia and a cash bar with cheap well drinks and pitchers, it's arguably one of the best nights out in the area.

The party starts just after 10 pm on Tuesdays and gets pretty packed by 11 pm. Oh, and those late night munchies you'll get after a couple hours of dancing? Bikini's has you covered there too with a street food cart set up just outside the entrance serving Navajo fry bread smothered in your choice of either veggies and beans or powdered sugar.

The Winnie

If all your busy traveler activities are starting to take a toll on your mind and body, it's time for a relaxing yoga session at The Winnie. Right next door to Bikini, this dance studio offers $5 beginner and intermediate yoga classes. Sessions run on Saturdays at 10 am, Sundays at 11:30 am, and Mondays through Wednesdays at 6 pm.

(Brought to you by Ally Thibault)

 

PHX Insider: Cactus League Baseball

For fans across the country, March means baseball is back. After four long months of winter, Spring Training begins to prepare teams for the regular season's start in April. For fans in Phoenix, Spring Training is even better because fifteen Major League Baseball teams play their games here in the Valley of the Sun for a month as part of the Cactus League! 

Spring Training draws in both die hard fans and newbies to the sport because of its cheap ticket prices. Cactus League games vary in price, but most games offer seats for as low as $8 to $15. And most of the parks have a smaller seating capacity than the major league fields do, which means closer seats and better views of all the action and players. 

The local team in Phoenix is the Arizona Diamondbacks (known as the DBacks) who play their regular season games at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix -- which is easily accessible by public transportation from the hostel. Regular season games begin at Chase Field on April 6th, but until then you can still visit the park and get a tour of it for just $7. Below you can see some photos of the state-of-the-art field during an event for fans last weekend:

During the Cactus League, teams play at 10 different ballparks throughout the metro area. Some are only accessible by car from the hostel, but others can definitely be reached via public transportation. If you are visiting without a car, the easiest parks to reach are:

--Maryvale Baseball Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers 

(Google Map directions)

To get to Maryvale from the hostel, take the #15 bus north towards 19th Ave/Montebello and get off at 15th Ave & Indian School Road. From there, take the #41 bus west towards 59th Ave and get off at Indian School Road & 53rd Ave. The park is a very short walk from there, simply take a right on 53rd Ave and then a left on Maryvale Park St. Total trip time is about 50 minutes. Alternatively, you could rent a bicycle from the hostel and take on the 7 mile ride!

--Sloan Park, home of the Chicago Cubs

(Google Maps directions)  

To get to Sloan from the hostel, take the #17 bus east towards Pima and get off at Central Ave & McDowell Rd. You can also just take a 15 minute walk to Central & McDowell from the hostel. Then, take the light rail eastbound towards Sycamore/Main and get off at Apache Blvd & Price Road. The park is a 20 minute walk north of the station. Total trip time is about an hour and 20 minutes.

--Scottsdale Stadium, home of the 2014 World Series Champions San Francisco Giants

(Google Map directions)

To get to Scottsdale Stadium from the hostel, take the #17 bus east towards Pima and get off at McDowell Rd & Miller Rd. Then, take the Miller Road Trolley towards Scottsdale and get off at Osborn Rd & Drinkwater Blvd. Walk one minute east on Osborn Rd and you'll see the stadium. Total trip time is about an hour and 20 minutes.  

--Tempe Diablo Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Angels

(Google Map directions)

To get to Tempe Diablo Stadium from the hostel, take the #17 bus east towards Pima and get off at McDowell Rd & Central Ave. You can also just take a 15 minute walk to Central & McDowell from the hostel. Then take the ZERO bus south towards Dobbins and get off at Central Ave and Tamarisk St. From there, take the #52 bus east towards 48th St and get off at 48th St & Roeser Rd. From there it is a 10 minute walk east to the ball park. Total trip time is about an hour and 15 minutes.   

Check Cactus League's website to see all the team's schedules and to buy tickets to a game!