Phoenix in a Weekend

[Aesop.]

Originally Posted by locolife

What weekend is it? This weekend?

No, it's a little ways off: 10/4-10/8. Ended up booking a hotel in Tempe right on the Salt River.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Aesop.

No, it's a little ways off: 10/4-10/8. Ended up booking a hotel in Tempe right on the Salt River.

October is great here, as you probably remember. You'll be here on First Friday in downtown Phoenix, if you like art and music you should definitely check it out that Friday night. If you went when you lived here in '01 it's grown a LOT larger than it used to be and now has shuttle buses that connect 3 different areas (Roosevelt/Grand/Uptown Museum area). There's bands, art, food and drinks as well.

https://artlinkphx.org/first-fridays/

I think others covered a lot of the major art stops around the valley, but keep an eye on the events page of the New Times: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/things-to-do

There's been a truckload of new music venues opened since 2001 as well, many are in downtown Phoenix The Van Buren, Crscent Ballroom, Lost Leaf, Last Exit, and Valley Bar have been added to Comerica,Talking Stick Arena (Suns arena). In Tempe Marquee is still rocking shows almost nightly as well and in Scottsdale BLK is usually hopping.

I think the biggest change you'll notice is a lot more buildings in downtown Tempe, I moved here originally in 2002 and I don't think any of the >5 floor buildings in Tempe were there then, now there's probably 15 and currently 6 or 7 cranes up adding more.

Downtown Phoenix has also come along way, with Cityscape and Roosevelt blowing up, so definitely check that area out. Old Town has grown as well but I'd say it's now been eclipsed by the other 2, when I moved here in '02 everyone went to Scottsdale, now that's not really the case anymore.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Aesop.

I'm visiting for the Tour de Fat festival. I'm not really into bikes, but a band I like is playing. I lived in Tempe back in '01 but never really got a chance to do and see much because I was young and broke and didn't stay very long. What should I do when I'm in town? I'll probably get an Airbnb in Tempe (possibly near Mill Ave.) but can walk or Uber all over. I don't drink or party. I like museums, live music, photography, eating, and hip(ster) neighborhoods.

Definitely hang around downtown Tempe and central Phoenix, and you can take the light rail back & forth. Others have offered some good suggestions about the things you can take in while you're here. Both Tempe and downtown Phoenix have come a long way since 2001. If you're coming in early October, be prepared because it can still be warm to hot during the day, but decent at night.