Real Estate Blog

What To Do Downtown Phoenix? 

Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and the 12th largest Metropolitan area in the U.S. Home to approximately 1.7 million people, Phoenix is the only capital city in the U.S. to have over a million residents. Downtown Phoenix is a major center of employment for the region, with many financial, legal, and other national and international corporations housed within the area’s skyscrapers. Several major banks including JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, US Bank, Bank of America, Compass Bank, and Midfirst Bank are all located within or close proximity to the area. Major arts and cultural institutions are also located in Downtown Phoenix. The area is encompassed by Seventh Avenue on the west, Seventh Street on the east, the railroad tracks south of Jackson Street, and Interstate 10 on the north.

The majority of downtown development is concentrated in the smaller area surrounding the intersection of Washington Street and Central Avenue. The Central Corridor runs along Central Avenue from Portland Street to Camelback Road. You don’t need a car downtown or have to worry about over parking or finding a designated driver after a fun night out with friends, thanks to Valley Metro Rail. On Friday nights, service hours are extended: the last full trip begins at 2 a.m., arriving at the opposite end of the line at 3 a.m. Saturday morning. Trains arrive every 12 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; all other hours, every 20 minutes. 

A thriving business and entertainment district, Downtown Phoenix is home to indie restaurants, live music, professional sports, craft brews, cocktail culture, shopping at CityScape, and art galleries on Roosevelt Row, where the art community of Downtown Phoenix congregates. Murals decorate the walls of the buildings, and colorful sculptures adorn the streets. CityScape is a vibrant and trendy center in Dowtown Phoenix covering three city blocks filled with shops, eateries, bars, and clubs. It’s the place to be on a late afternoon or evening where you can enjoy happy hour on the terrace at Blue Hound or while bowling at Lucky Strike.

You can also watch an open-air movie in the plaza at CityScape or eat dinner in one of the many restaurants before hitting the downtown club scene. If you’re a movie buff and enjoy quality films, Filmbar on 2nd St. is one of the coolest places to visit at night for great indie, foreign, classic, cult, and local films and events. A bar, tamales, and two funky screens, Filmbar is open weekdays from 5 pm to 12 midnight, and 2 pm to 12 midnight on weekends. 

The Phoenix Art Museum, located on North Central Avenue in the Central Corridor (1.4 miles from the downtown core), is the largest art museum in the southwestern United States providing access to visual arts and educational programs. With over 19,000 works of art, the Phoenix Art Museum is one of the go-to places for fun things to do day or night. Located on No. 7th Street is the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, an expansive museum with 300 plus interactive play areas for kids age 1 to 10 as well as exciting hands-on exhibits.

At Heritage Square, you’ll discover what Downtown Phoenix was like during the Victorian era, with buildings that date back to the late 1800s. The Rosson House on the square is a museum with rooms furnished in keeping with Victorian times. You can purchase replica Victorian jewelry, handicrafts, and homemade wooden toys at The Bungalow museum store. Also on the square are several restaurants including a British pub, a pizzeria, and one featuring Japanese cuisine.

The Arizona Science Center is an interactive museum in Downtown Phoenix’s Heritage and Science Park on Washington Street. Home to over 350 permanent hands-on exhibits, the center also provides shows in the Dorrance Planetarium and in a giant screen IMAX Theater. Clustered around the Arizona State University campus (ASU) in Downtown Phoenix (one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the U.S.) you’ll find a plethora of brewpubs, cocktail bars, cafes, pizzerias, and breakfast spots.

Downtown Phoenix has a large sports presence. Phoenix is one of only 13 cities in the U.S. to have a franchise in four major sports leagues as well as being the only city to host an entire spring-training league for MLB, the Cactus League. Chase Field baseball park, located on East Jefferson Avenue, is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The park has a retractable roof and is also used as a venue for concerts and large public events. Footprint Center, a downtown Phoenix complex previously called Talking Stick Resort Arena, is home to the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Arizona Rattlers.   

Located in Papago Park, not far from Downtown Phoenix (9.1 miles) is the Desert Botanical Garden, one of only 24 botanical gardens accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Unlike most botanical gardens, it focuses on the plants that thrive in—as well as the animals and people that live in—the Sonoran Desert, which surrounds the city. Throughout the year, the 140-acre garden hosts concerts, art installations, plant sales, and special events like Las Noches de las Luminarias. It’s even home to a top-rated restaurant, Gertrude’s, featuring local ingredients from artisans and farmers around Arizona and the Southwest.

With so much going on in Downtown Phoenix, day and night, you'll never run out of exciting things to do!

Cathy Carter, Top-rated REALTORⓇ in Phoenix

If you are looking to move to the greater Phoenix area and buy a home, Cathy Carter is a top-rated REALTORⓇ in Phoenix and a luxury home specialist. With over 25 years of local experience, Cathy can help you find the perfect home in the right neighborhood - whether you prefer to live in the heart of the city or in one of the surrounding East Valley communities.

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As your agent, Cathy will protect your best interests, advocate for you, negotiate on your behalf, and be your guide and advisor throughout the home buying process. Feel free to contact Cathy directly at (480) 459-8488 or by email. 

RE/MAX Cathy Carter Real Estate & Luxury Homes
Professional REALTOR®
ABR, CRS, CDPE
RE/MAX Alliance Group 
725 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 111 
Gilbert, AZ. 85233
Email or Call: 480‑459‑8488
Toll-Free: 800-519-5578