I’ve lived in Phoenix my whole life, all 35 years. It’s safe to say I know this city pretty darn well. Not every part of it, of course, because Phoenix is a big, booming metropolis and I’m not a fan of driving long distances. But there are certain places I visit over and over again and today I’m going to share them with you.

South Mountain Park

Lovely South Mountain Park and Preserve is a mere quarter of a mile from my house so I take my dog there to walk almost every day. There are tons of different trails to explore, all with various levels of difficulty. I’ve seen owls, coyotes, javelina, hawks, and all sorts of other cool birds. The best time to go is in the cooler months but it’s open all year round.

Nello’s Pizza

If you like thick crust, chunky tomato sauce, and the cheesiest cheese, you’ll love Nello’s. A Valley institution, they have several locations so you can go to one no matter where in Phoenix you are. My fave combo is pepperoni, green peppers, and black olives. They also have amazing salads and pastas.

Valle Luna

Continuing on with my food theme, if you’re in the mood for some hearty Sonoran Mexican food, you must visit Valle Luna, a local chain with three locations. They have the best chips and salsa, and I always find myself ordering the beef tacos with rice and beans despite my vows to try something new.

AJ’s Fine Foods

This local grocery store chain is awesome. Expensive, but awesome. It has a Whole Foods vibe but at a much smaller scale. The butcher always has a great selection of meat and the produce is top-notch. Plus it’s full of local products, which I love. Support your local!

Changing Hands Bookstore

Speaking of local, if you’re looking for an awesome bookstore, stop by Changing Hands. They have two locations now, the original in Tempe and the newest location in downtown Phoenix. I actually worked at the Tempe location for two and a half years and still carry fond memories from it. CH sells a mixture of new and used books and there’s always something amazing to be found in the gift section. Plus the Tempe store is linked to Wildflower Bread Company, a bakery/restaurant with delicious salads and sandwiches!

Burton Barr Library

All Phoenix library locations are great but Burton Barr is the best. Not only is the architecture of the building cool, but it also holds thousands of books. You could pretty much spend all day here and find something awesome on each floor. I try to visit at least once a month and always leave with my bag stuffed full of books.

Lotions & Potions

My fave local store for perfume oils and other bath and body products is located on Mill Avenue near ASU. The store may seem small but it’s stuffed to the brim with loads of cool stuff besides candles and lotions. You can find cards, jewelry, books, and even outdoor decorations.

Kiwanis Park

Another awesome place to check out while you’re in Tempe is Kiwanis Park. I’ll be honest, the main reason I love it so much is because it reminds me of my childhood but the paths and the lakes have some lovely views and plenty of grass for my dog to sniff. It’s a nice, calming presence in the middle of a busy city.

So there you have it, some of my favorite spots in Phoenix.