CROSS POST FROM THE BASEBALL BOARD:
We're heading out to Phoenix for Spring Training 20 -24 Mar 2025.
Has anybody been? Any tips: Restaurants / Bars; Things to do or not do?
How is the weather; ie; what to wear?
Thanks in Advance.

Weather varies widely. Bring layers. And a swim suit.

Get to the fields well before game time if you want to see players practicing and get autograph opportunities.

PHX food is great. Google is your friend because you will want to stick close by your hotel/rental or the stadiums you're going to be at. Traffic can be awful. It's super urban sprawl, and the stadiums are spread out.

But it's amazing.

Schall 02- Thanks.

Would you recommend renting a car or Uber?

100% a rental car, unless you are staying near a single stadium and that's the only one where you're going to games. But know that PHX Sky Harbor knows you need a rental car for spring training and charges accordingly.

We typically book through Costco Travel for hotel/rental car package that makes it reasonable enough.

Definitely get a car. Have fun.

Shall 02 / Matsui- Thanks for the advice. We're four (4) middle age dudes looking to watch some baseball and drink some beer w/ no wives or kids..... it's been on our Bucket List for a while.

Be careful or you might end up moving here. I started coming to Phoenix several years ago and it hit just right. Finally just moved here. The people are the most relaxed, happy people I've ever met.

Spent 5 days in Mesa back mid Jan.

The Westin Rooftop bar is nice.
Pedal Haus Brewery was decent, with food.
Culinary Dropout was decent food and drinks.
Other in my group hit up a lot more of the bars and nightlife around Mesa.
I didn't get to try any of the other breweries around town.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Chandler was fun.
Also fun was Mesa is a college town so the scenery is nice.

I think you're mistaking Tempe for Mesa. Those places are in Tempe and it's home of Arizona State. Mesa has a community college and small Catholic school.

You are correct. I got the two mixed up.

Scruffy said:

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You are correct. I got the two mixed up.

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It's easy to do. All of the cities in the Phoenix metroplex sort of blend together, even to locals. Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, Peoria, Paradise Valley, etc.

In some areas they put city logos on the street signs because you change from one to the other and often don't even realize it.

Just like Houston except here in the Phoenix area the different cities are incorporated.

The below was sent to me by a friend, who actually tragically dies shortly after, about his favorite places. We ended up doing dicks hideaway and loved it. We got the carrots (don't ask me how but one of the most memorable foods I've eaten) and the below recommended carne adovada which was also amazing.

Lure-Great chargrilled oysters and happy hour (sit at the bar and watch them grill those oysters). Ocean 44-Very High end restaurant by Fashion Square. El Chorro-Great high western restaurant with real AZ feel-definitely worth going, off Lincoln. Marcellino-Awesome Italian restaurant in Old Town-sit at the bar and visit with the Italian bartender who will give you an overview of the specials. Village Tavern-Awesome happy hour. Dicks Hideaway-New Mexican cuisine in a funky bar/restaurant in Phoenix This is our favorite NM food in the valley-have the Carne Adovada plate and split it…very large!

Any good dive bar recommendations in Scottsdale? Going with a group of buddies this weekend.

Rusty Spur, Patties and Goldwater Brewing are in Old Town if dives is what you want. Good though.

Spring games start today. Here's a link that might be helpful.

https://cactusleague.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIkJQJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHe9KnR3Z1XkPa7BoeuIWm2EIB0Vvdgja4aEwGocIqvpeoC5-4IsDjKYBCg_aem_dD14RmFCknlx9pNB1gT5AQ

I know the Rangers usually practice around 10am.
Does anyone know if the practice schedule changes for away games or late home games? They are playing in Scottsdale at 1pm tomorrow and home 6pm Friday. I'd like to make one practice but am unclear if they practice at a different time / place.

Can't answer the practice question and I assume you're already in town. If the forecast is accurate they may have a hard time getting today's game in before the rain. Friday after sunset looks to be cold of you're going to that one.

LeveredAg said:

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Any good dive bar recommendations in Scottsdale? Going with a group of buddies this weekend.

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Super late to the party here, and missed this rec for you, but for future reference, GiIigin's in Scottsdale is a great dive bar, or at least it was 10ish years ago when I went to spring training a few years in a row.

Headed to Spring Training on Thursday. I saw the list for Dive Bars, but where would be a good place (Sportsbar?) to watch March Madness?

I might be mistaken but I think I saw on another thread you said y'all are staying at the Courtyard North Scottsdale.

If that's right my picks would be OHSO on Hayden Road. Very near the hotel. It's a brewery and distillery, sports heavy and good food. I haven't been to that one but I had company the last week that wanted to go to the one near me every day. Great indoor and outdoor place.

Culinary Dropout in the Quarter, very near the hotel. Big place, sit in the bar area and they have lots of TVs.

Longshots down Scottsdale Road and I think the cross street is Thunderbird. Good place too.

Weather forecast is perfect for you guys. After sundown it gets cool to downright cold.

Just got back from Phoenix last night. Looks like this week will be a little bit warmer but I was outside all weekend and was shivering in the morning and sweating in the afternoon. There are Waymo's everywhere but definitely rent a car. Things are spread out. Every ad I got on Facebook or Instagram were for Waymo's once I got there.

If I had more time I would have checked out the Commemorative Air Force, they were flying over the eastern part of town a lot and done some hiking. I was busy so only place I went out to eat was Burritoholics. Highly rated on Google but very, very disappointing. $22 for a smaller than average, dry ass burrito with tough meat and no sides.

The airport last night was miserable. Little league kids everywhere, huge line to check bags at SW. Took almost an hour to get to security but the security line was short once I got there. Gates were packed, no place to sit, I had to go hang out in another terminal until boarding time.

Spring break week isn't ideal. If it was me and I could I'd avoid that week.

When not to visit Phoenix/Scottsdale -

Barrett Jackson week
TPC Phoenix Open week
Summer

I love summer because the snowbirds go home.

Thank you all for the tips.

I'm not sure about the cold.... sweatshirts, windbreakers or something more? I hate to be cold.

I know it is a pain at the airport, but can you imagine being a Little Leaguer and going to Spring Training.... How cool would that be!?!?!?

Pullover is my go to. It warms up quickly but when the sun goes down it gets cool quickly.

See forecast above. It's perfect the rest of this week.