Fun & Games

When we were kids, whose house did we want to play at? The kid who had all the games. A night at Snakes & Lattes in Tempe is a little like going over to that kid’s house, except there are thousands of games and a full bar and you’re a grown-up now. Next time you’re in a nostalgic mood (or bored, or looking to switch things up), grab a friend or five and head down to Mill Avenue. Order a drink (alcoholic or non) and maybe something to nosh on (we love the elote bites), and then you’re ready for the hard part: choosing a game. There are modern hits like Secret Hitler, Codenames, and Apples to Apples; classics like Sorry!, Connect Four, and Mall Madness (yes, really); strategy games like Risk, Sushi Go, and Ticket to Ride; and oh-so-many more. Most of them are just as much fun as you remember.

You might think we’d be jealous of all of the Southern Californians and Floridians, with their world-class theme parks right in their backyards. You’re right; we kind of are. But we’ve got our own little amusement park to keep us occupied until the next time we can visit a coast. Castles ~n~ Coasters is an easy drive from most corners of metro Phoenix, it’s less than $40 for unlimited rides, and the parking situation isn’t bad. And there’s no shortage of stuff to do, from Desert Storm, Arizona’s only real roller coaster, to our personal favorite, the Sea Dragon rocking-boat ride. Add in bumper cars, bumper boats, mini golf, go-karts, a freefall ride, a fun house, and an arcade full of games, and the fact that we don’t have to hear “It’s a Small World” when we’re there, and we’ve all but forgotten the so-called happiest place on Earth.

Octane Raceway’s 1/3-mile racing track winds through the facility and then outside before looping back in. It’s the only full-time indoor-outdoor track in the United States, and during the summer, the oppressive Arizona heat that builds inside drivers’ racing helmets has the added effect of making them push the pedal to the metal even harder. Suffice it to say, these aren’t state fair bumper cars — the 32 go-karts at Octane Raceway are electric SODI RTX European racing karts that can hit speeds up to 45 miles per hour. Adult races are 14 laps, while junior races make 10 laps around the track. Winners are determined by a fastest lap format. Racing memberships are required to race but cost as little as $7 a year for the standard membership (which includes helmet rentals and head socks) and $200 a year for the titanium membership (which includes everything from the standard membership, plus five cart races and additional discounts). Races cost $22 per driver. Vroom, vroom.

Open the doors at Bowlero, and you’re hit with all kinds of stimuli: bright lights, the bleats and blurts of electronic games, the familiar sound of balls knocking over pins. That’s because Bowlero is much more than a bowling alley. It’s also an arcade and a lounge that serves bar food (wings, burgers) and craft beers from local breweries. Bowlero is a safe space, in other words, for those with low attention spans and for those with low bowling scores. If you’re rolling gutterballs, there’s always something else to do here.

With triple-digit temps lasting all the way through October, we’re constantly seeking refuge from the burning Phoenix sun. Ice Den is always there for us. We especially like that this Scottsdale spot is more than just a rink. Ice Den has its own on-site bar, 18 Degrees, where Mom and Dad can grab a drink or a bite to eat while watching the kids whiz by out on the ice. Want to join them, but afraid you’ll crash and freeze? Ice Den offers lessons for adults as well as children. Or maybe you can pick up a few pointers by catching a glimpse of the Arizona Coyotes, who practice here. Even if the hockey pros are hogging the rink, at least you’ve beaten the heat for a frosty few hours.

Kobe Bryant (may he rest) nicknamed Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi “The White Mamba.” Deandre Ayton called her the Michael Jordan of the WNBA, where she’s the all-time leading scorer. Taurasi has four Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA. She’s a nine-time WNBA All-Star who led the Phoenix Mercury to three WNBA Championships (2007, 2009, and 2014) and took home the MVP Award in 2009. But all of the records, medals, and titles are just part of what makes Taurasi the G.O.A.T. — it’s also her spirit, her grit, and her determination that encourages her teammates and makes everyone around her better. Look for her to possibly coach in Phoenix after spending her entire pro career here.

The merchandise for the Valley’s United Soccer League team isn’t fancy or expensive. The designs are all simple but effective variations and amalgamations of the Phoenix Rising logo, soccer balls, and the shape of the state of Arizona. Unlike a Phoenix Suns player jersey that will set you back about $110, Phoenix Rising jerseys have sponsor logos on the front that are larger than the team logos (this season, that sponsor is Carvana), but they cost less ($65 to $95) and are super comfortable — like all Phoenix Rising apparel. That’s what makes this gear so great. Shirts are made from high-quality cotton, polyester, and rayon blends, and some of the T-shirts can be colorful and edgy compared to the rest (we love the sugar skull with soccer balls for eyes). But perhaps the best merch offerings are the Phoenix Rising socks — five kinds to choose from (designed by Rock ‘Em Socks and For Bare Feet), all engineered to keep feet healthy while looking awesome.

There are plenty of reasons to love Practical Art, from its monthly exhibits featuring works by local artists to its charity pie nights benefiting various causes. Also: several of the artists who show or sell their work at Practical Art also offer classes in the creative space, giving people a chance to level up your skills while getting to know some of the best artists in our midst. Where else can you learn the techniques Denise Yaghmourian uses to paint her mischievous ceramic plates or the ways Ann Morton recycles objects to create whimsical bouquets of flowers? Small class sizes mean people get plenty of individual attention, and the casual setting keeps classes from feeling intimidating. It’s also one of the most affordable places to take art classes, so you can make more stuff and drop less dough.

You could spend a whole day inside Mavrix and still not get around to trying out several of the enticing activities on offer at this Scottsdale party venue, which opened in March. Located in the Talking Stick Entertainment District, Mavrix has 22 bowling lanes (several of which deploy augmented reality and video game technology), laser tag, a massive arcade full of games, pool tables, a couple of bars, a restaurant, an outdoor beer garden, a meeting space for events, and probably some things we didn’t even see when we visited earlier this year. We’ll be back soon, though: We don’t want to live in a world where Angry Birds-themed interactive bowling exists and we haven’t tried it yet.

Now that science has debunked the myth that drinking alcohol kills brain cells, why not merge learning with libations? The ASU Biodesign Institute does just that with its “A Sip of Science” series, in which professors from the school give fascinating, informal presentations on scientific topics in various bars and restaurants, in combination with themed cocktails. Toast to topics like “How Will Polar Ice Melt Affect the Migration of Infectious Disease?,” “Zombies Are Real: Are Microbes Controlling My Mind?,” and “Mo’ Plastics, Mo’ Problems: The Life of Microplastic and Your Seafood” with specialty drinks at places like The Henry, Match Market + Bar, and Blanco Tacos & Tequila. The cost is $15 per event and includes light appetizers. Proceeds help fund community science events. Cheers.

We like yoga. We do yoga sometimes. But we don’t drive down to the far, far southeast corner of the Valley to do yoga — we do that for the baby goats in costumes. Goat yoga has become quite the trend in the past few years, and for good reason: Who wouldn’t enjoy a light workout while surrounded by cute animals? The two ladies behind Arizona Goat Yoga were in the vanguard of the craze, which means they’ve had plenty of time to refine the experience they offer. Depending on the week, you might get adult and baby goats dressed up as sharks, superhero cow-cuddling and goat yoga, or ’80s-themed goat and alpaca yoga. The goats are friendly and not smelly, but be prepared: You will probably get jumped on during your table pose.

A few years back, we found an injured bird in the New Times atrium. We knew exactly what to do: We scooped him up into a box and drove him to Liberty Wildlife. This nonprofit organization cares for and rehabilitates orphaned and injured wild animals, teaches people of all ages about wildlife, and instills in the community a respect for the value and beauty of nature. In pre-pandemic times, this translated into camps for kids, nature walks, educational programs, tours, “Coffee With a Ranger” events, and more. Since the spring, we’ve had to get our cute animal fix by following Liberty on Instagram, but we’re looking forward to the day we can again visit the south Phoenix facility and learn more about the precious desert wildlife that surrounds us.

Bats have never been a particularly popular member of the animal kingdom, and in the age of COVID, their approval rating has dropped dramatically. But bats are actually really cool, and helpful, and there’s a place in Phoenix where you can watch them head out for their nightly feeding. The Phoenix Bat Cave is a flood-control tunnel off the canal path near Camelback Road and 40th Street. Each May through October, a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats (estimates put the population of the colony somewhere between 5,000 and 20,000) leaves the cave around sunset in search of food. Stand quietly at the fence, and you’ll see the bats emerge from the tunnel and fly off into the darkening skies. It’s a tiny, magical moment that offers a closer brush with nature than we usually get in our concrete-covered metropolis. As you walk back to your vehicle along the canal, you’ll get a second look at the bats; many of them hover near the water to snack on bugs.

If you’ve lived here longer than a minute, you’re aware of Phoenix’s awe-inspiring sunsets. They’re a staple of social media posts, and well worth enduring the hassles of life in the Valley. Thanks to our wide-open vistas and huge stretches of sky, great views are available from almost anywhere. The grandest, though, can be found on South Mountain at Dobbins Lookout. Navigate the twists and turns of a 20-minute drive to the summit and take in a sweeping panorama of the entire Valley as the sun melts into the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink, orange, and violet. Climb onto the lookout platform and feel like the master of all you survey. Or just kick back on a bench or the hood of your car and watch the sunlight succumbing to nightfall as city lights twinkle below. The lookout is closed for updates, but it’ll reopen this fall with a new ramada, a new walking path, ADA improvements, and refurbishment of the overlook structure, making one of our favorite places an even better spot to enjoy the view.

Is it possible to converse with those who’ve gone to the great beyond? The Victorians certainly thought so. Not to speak ill of the long-since deceased, but these people eagerly believed in paranormal poppycock like Ouija boards, seances, and mediums, the popularity of which was born of the era’s obsession with death. Such subjects are discussed at the Seances and Spiritualists Tour once a month during fall, winter, and spring inside the circa-1890s Rosson House in Heritage Square. These TED talks of the macabre explore how the era’s low life-expectancy rates (most didn’t live past middle age and half of all kids kicked the bucket by 5) led to many folks reaching out to the hereafter. Ghastly Victorian-era practices like visiting morgues for entertainment or dressing up corpses for photos are also covered. If all this leaves you in need of a stiff one afterwards, elixirs and charcuterie follow at The Bungalow event space next door. The series is currently on pause at the moment because of the pandemic, but we’re sure its organizers will be talking about the dead again soon.

If the producers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever recast the role of Thor, they oughta give pro wrestler Alexander Hammerstone a call. The blond beefcake and Glendale resident has the rugged good looks to play the Asgardian superhero, not to mention a godlike physique. Seriously, the man is more cut than a sliced apple. Hammer-stone, who’s signed to indie federation Major League Wrestling, boasts heavy-duty biceps, eight-pack abs, and triceps that make Charles Atlas look like a weakling. He puts his muscles to use every week on the Major League Wrestling: FUSION television show, easily tossing opponents like lawn darts with suplexes, powerbombs, and the “Nightmare Pendulum,” a swinging side-slam that’s his finisher. When he’s not bringing the pain (please Hammerstone, don’t hurt ’em!), he’s posting videos of his exhaustive workout routines on social media, including deadlifting more than 400 pounds. But Hammerstone isn’t all brawn and no brains; the dude’s got a sense of humor, too. During a match at Crescent Ballroom in 2015, he engaged in an impromptu drum-off against a masked luchador. It was just as hilarious as any of the God of Thunder’s jokes in Thor: Ragnarok.

Bigger is better at Kiwanis Park in Tempe — all 125 acres of it. What do you want to do today? Horseshoes? Picnic in the shade of 15 ramadas? Rent a surrey bike? Rent a paddle boat and hit the 13-acre lake stocked with catfish, trout, bass, sunfish, and white amur? Maybe you’re more of a sports person, in which case you’ll want to avail yourself of the baseball diamonds, lighted batting cages, indoor basketball courts, wave pool, soccer field, volleyball courts, or the 15 lighted tennis courts, manned by USTA-certified staff. Stuck with the kids? Take them to The Cloud, a 5,000-square-foot splash playground complete with loops, pillars, jelly sticks, and misting sprays. Kiwanis is a recreational wonderland. Dive in.

When Governor Doug Ducey closed down all the gyms in the state due to COVID, health nuts were unable to do cardio in the friendly, freon-filled fitness centers they love. And the timing of the pandemic couldn’t have been worse, weather-wise. Even in the early hours of a Valley summer day, it feels as if the devil himself is burping hot air in your face (insert your favorite Terminator 2: Judgment Day meme here). But 5 miles north of downtown Phoenix, Murphy’s Bridle Path provides the much-needed shade (along with glimpses of the well-manicured exteriors of some beautiful uptown homes) striders need to keep up the pace at a time when they would typically retreat to a treadmill. There’s only one problem: Everyone and their mother knows about it, so the tree-lined 2.6-mile trail is filled with strollers, senior citizens, and folks with their AirPods cranked so loud they can’t hear anyone coming up behind them. For those who want to get in a workout while practicing safe social distancing, you might want to hit the path at off-peak times, lest you be exposed to a minefield of germs that would make a janitor at Mountainside Fitness cringe.

This shallow but enormous, cave-like pocket of Superstition Mountain stone is an old favorite for many Arizonans, but it’s gained fame in the last few years thanks to social media. You, too, can take a photo there of you or your favorite amigos in silhouette against the bright zap of primo Sonoran Desert landscape, all framed by the cave’s claw-like shape. As good as the destination may be, the journey is also worth the trip. It’s a beautiful, 3.5-mile out-and-back hike through gorgeous desert (thankfully unburned by June’s devastating, 25,000-acre Sawtooth Fire just east of the area). Take the U.S. 60 to Peralta Road and head north; be sure to follow the Carney Springs Road turnoff to the left. Like many people who park at the trailhead, you probably won’t get the required state Recreational Permit. Don’t be that person: It’s just $15, and we put the link above. It just might save you from a fine.

If you’re a hiker or mountain biker who visits South Mountain and you’re not into climbing, you may have looked in bewilderment at some point at people walking through the bush with odd-looking backpacks. No, they’re not terrorists going to plant IEDs to take out the occasional mountain lion in this 16,000-acre municipal park. They’re rock climbers with portable crash pads heading to the Valley’s single best concentration of tough boulders for bouldering. Ninety-five routes are listed on MountainProject.com, but be sure to pick up the Marty Karabin pamphlet on the place for $5 at your local outdoor store. This is not a site for beginners. If you’re sketchy at easy bouldering grades like V0 and V1, you won’t love it here, and you might twist an ankle in the rocky landings, but climbers with skills and crash pads will find hours of entertainment and the inevitable bloody flapper on a hand. Get to the address above early, park, and walk the dirt road west. At its end, take the arroyo southwest until you hit the boulders described in the guides. Though Arizona has some terrific climbing areas, good rock is tough to come by in the central Valley. South Mountain bouldering helps make this place livable.

This is the closest Scottsdale gets to Switzerland, but that’s not bad for a city that mostly sits only about 1,000 feet above sea level. “The McDowells,” as local climbers call them, are best visited when the air is cool, which is about 10 or 11 months out of the year, as long as you like mornings. Hundreds of routes across several distinct sections have been established here over the years. A few spectacular two-pitch routes can be found on Sven Slab, Morrell’s Wall, and the 300-foot Gardner’s Wall, which has several moderate climbs grouped together for the weekend warriors. Be sure to know what the hell you’re doing after leaving the Tom’s Thumb parking area and stepping off from the main trail onto the signed, more-technical climbing trails that lead to the cliffs where climbing ropes and harnesses are required. The granite here is a bit crumbly, but the popular routes are solid and fun. Be prepared for a 30- to 45-minute hike, and bring a few water bottles — you’ll want to stay awhile.

One reason we mountain bike more than golf these days: We’ve never had a bad time mountain biking. Taking a trip to this Maricopa County park, with its trails made just for mountain bikes, is like shooting below par all day long. It’s a relatively short trip for much of metro Phoenix, too: mostly on freeways and about the same as hitting the Salt River for tubing. Once there, you’ll think you must have driven hours to be in a place this remote. Even when it gets crowded, it can feel like your own personal Disneyland. Rocky hills, saguaros, coyotes, tarantulas — this place has it all, desert-wise. You might have to brake for snakes. The mountain-biking trails are smooth, banked, and roller-coaster-like in many places, especially on the “sport” and “long” loops. A third loop, accessible from the mountain-biking parking lot, called the “technical” loop, is for experts or those who don’t mind getting off and pushing. The crown jewel is Pemberton, a 15-mile loop for mountain bikers, hikers, or equestrians. Sounds like a lot, but even a beginner could do it in a morning (just be sure to take a lot of water). And take some tools, hot shot. No Disney technician is going to come and help you.

Struck down but not out by repeated closures due to the pandemic, Black Rock remains a local climber’s best resource when real rock is unavailable. Laid out in two cavernous rooms with slightly different offerings, the 15-foot walls provide challenges to everyone, whether it’s your first time in rock shoes or you’re the next Alex Honnold. There are no ropes and no use for a harness here. When you fall, you hit the (padded) ground. Sooner or later, you’ll lose your grip on a crimper hold atop one of the color-coordinated boulder problems and down you’ll splat. (You have to practice falling to get it right.) We find the ratings here a touch softer than at other gyms — to be specific, we have climbed V4s here, and only here, but those were unforgettable moments, endearing us to the place forever. The vibe is perfect, with a good mix of young monkeys, scruffy veterans, and tattooed daredevils of both sexes with rippling muscles. Social distancing rules apply, and hand-washing is mandatory.

The three blue-turf basketball courts at Encanto Sports Complex aren’t fancy, but they are well-maintained and popular, making the park a great place for hoops with friends or to get in on a pickup game already underway. (You can play late, too — till 10 p.m., seven days a week.) Be warned, though: Some fierce ballers lurk on these courts, which have long been lauded as the best place in the Valley to find streetball rivaling that found on the hardened streets of Brooklyn and the Bronx. Don’t expect a leisurely game of H-O-R-S-E.

Whatever floats your boat is cool at Tempe Town Lake. Every manner of water-borne recreation happens here: kayaking, pedal-boating, stand-up paddle boarding, rowing, and electric cruise boating. (Swimming is just about the only water sport you can’t indulge in at this 2-mile-long lake.) Tempe Town Lake Marina has a boat ramp and a floating dock available for public use, and several boat rental companies on site offer a variety of watercraft, from dragon boats and hydrobikes to canoes and swan-shaped pedal boats (large, powered boats may be reserved in advance). Anglers may fish from 5 a.m. until midnight, and catches may include stocked bass, sunfish, catfish, trout, and Israeli carp. For amphibious athletes, try the lakeside events, like sunrise yoga on the dock.

If the walls are closing in, and you have enough coin to put gas in the car, make a plan to hit Seven Springs. The drive is long, winding, dusty, and scenic, and ends pleasantly at a splashdown in a tree-shaded creek. Okay, that’s the halfway point — you still have to get back. But that’ll take less time than many desert escapes do, because Seven Springs is basically the far, far north Valley. Getting there is easy — just hop on Cave Creek Road and drive north. The prominent Phoenix thoroughfare eventually turns into the rural Seven Springs Road, which is nicely signed the whole way. Take picnic or camping supplies, including plenty of water for the full ride. (Go to the district office listed above to pay camping fees.) Another option is to take the abbreviated trip to the Sears Kay Hohokam ruins, found a few miles up Seven Springs Road. Don’t forget your Tonto Pass. And remember to tread lightly, pack out your trash, and leave all treasures, manmade or natural, in good shape for the next people to check out.

In the age of blockbuster amusement parks, the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park stands as a reminder that community parks have their own charms. The spacious 20-acre park has plenty of open green space where families can picnic, children can run off their energy, and couples can enjoy some outdoor time together. Tickets to the railroad rides and carousel are cheap, and the park has several other amenities, including playgrounds and actual railcars that bring train history to life. For a generation used to electric scooters and car sharing, the Scottsdale Railroad Museum presents a fascinating look at how people moved from place to place in generations past. There’s even a building filled with train models, which brings out the childlike wonder in visitors of all ages, fueling romantic dreams of riding the rails free of everyday responsibilities.

Since 1969, Big Surf has been the closest thing Valley residents have to a real beach, featuring everything from a wave machine to children crying about hot sand between their toes. The 2.5-million-gallon Waikiki Beach Wave Pool tends to be packed with older kids and adults astride rafts, boogie boards, and surf boards (all available for rental). Other park attractions make a splash with younger tykes, like Captain Cook’s Landing (for toddlers), Bora Bora Bay, and smaller Otter Slides for kids under 4 feet tall. Adults can whet their appetite for water slides with seven different attractions, including The Black Hole enclosed slide and winding Tornado Twisters body slides — perfect for racing friends into the plunge pool below. You can even learn to surf here; lessons are available on designated weekends.

When in Phoenix, do like the Phoenicians do — find a good deal on a nice hotel in the summer and plan a family staycation. You can’t do better than this resort (despite its politically incorrect name). For $80 to $100 per night, your family will be treated to a nice room that comes with access to the resort’s phenomenal pool complex. Put on your sunscreen for a few slow spins around the lazy river, catch the kids as they come down the slides, or just enjoy the cool splatter of a waterfall on your head. We’re always sad to leave here, but it’s nice to have someone else clean the pool for a change.

Talking Stick Resort & Casino is our favorite place to hold ’em and fold ’em in the Valley. It has all the slot machines you could ever need (even penny slots!), plus blackjack, keno, and Arizona’s largest poker room. And once we’re out of money — because we’re not very lucky — there’s still plenty to do. The Wandering Horse Buffet is quite good (try the blood orange gelato); the view of the sunset from the Orange Sky restaurant is spectacular; and we’ve had many a memorable evening dancing the night away at the Degree 270 lounge. While the casino is back up and running, some of the amenities are not, so keep checking the website to find out when you can get the full Talking Stick experience.

Saguaro cactus, dust storms, triple-digit temperatures — with sharks and penguins? OdySea is the largest aquarium in the southwest U.S., boasts 370 species among over 6,000 animals, and is well worth an afternoon. Located in a food-and-entertainment complex now called Arizona Boardwalk, OdySea has some pretty cool shark exhibits, and it’s good to see jellyfish every now and then to remind you what a bizarre planet this is. Our kiddo spent an inordinate amount of time at the Stingray Bay touch pool, then followed it up with some relaxation at the cafeteria, which has a lighthouse to explore. And if you’re willing to drop a little extra change, OdySea offers some delightful animal encounters, like petting penguins or swimming with the fish. It’s a refreshing taste of ocean life in the middle of the desert.

Like its namesake book-turned-movie, Ready Player 1 Arcade taps into hardcore nostalgia. Located inside Jesse James Comics in Glendale, the place is packed with retro games galore, including 35 pinball machines (both classic and modern) and a few dozen old-school arcade titles. The throwback thrills come cheap, too: Arcade games are only a quarter and pinballs cost 50 cents a pop. Everything comes from the personal collection of owner Danny Moreno, who keeps each unit operating in peak condition. So, if you get wasted by the enemies of Double Dragon, The Simpsons, or NARC, don’t blame the joystick. Your skills might be lacking, just like they were back in the day.

A bounty of billiards tables is just the tip of the iceberg at Freezer’s. The Tempe establishment also offers darts, cornhole, ping-pong, and giant Connect Four games. Still, the 24 Diamond pool tables are what really make the place shine. The exquisitely crafted multi-wood and slate tables remain smooth with nary a snag in their cloth surfaces, despite their constant use. Orbiting these gems are more than 70 large-screen TVs and servers ferrying more than 24 kinds of different beers from the taps to the tables. Good deal alert: There’s free pool from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with a $10 food or drink purchase.