Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training
Tempe Town Lake near Sloan Park (Credit: Tempe Tourism Office)

Spring Training

Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training

Got tickets but no wheels for Spring Training? We got you—with ideas on where to eat, shop and have fun near each stadium, and most just a short walk (or Uber/Lyft ride) away.

After the game, keep the fun going outside the stadium while exploring some of the best eats and shopping sure to make you a fan. You won't have to go far from where you're staying either. With a little something for everyone, these places will satisfy your hunger and shopping needs for a homerun trip.

Things to Do Near American Family Fields of Phoenix

Location from central Phoenix: Maryvale, 14 miles west

Eat: After a day of baseball, fill your soul (and your stomach) at Sue's Soul Food Heaven on Indian School Road. A 20-minute walk east of the stadium, and decorated with colorful murals, this family-owned, black-owned spot features smoked meats and your favorite sides, including mac & cheese, yams, greens, and red beans and rice.

Or grab a burger at The Habit Burger Grill. Be sure to check out the charburgers and frozen treats at this popular chain; they have something on their menu for everyone, from adults to small fries.

Do: Down the street, you can find the Desert Sky Mall a short drive from the stadium. There are classic stores to grab essentials and maybe an outfit or two to sport at the next game. Most residents and students in the area will venture east to the Biltmore Fashion Park for a luxurious, outdoor shopping experience.

Things to Do Near Surprise Stadium

Location from central Phoenix: Surprise, 32 miles northwest

Eat:
Just down the road from Surprise Stadium is State 48 Brewery. This restaurant has a brew site and brewpub on-site that is sure to quench your thirst. Put your feet up with a refreshing beverage and enjoy a menu featuring bar favorites like Hibiscus-Chipotle Glaze wings and their signature Sonoran burger.

If you're looking for something more casual before you set out to the fields, Sunsational Coffee lives up to his name. This neighborhood coffee shop has any coffee drink you can dream of and treats to complement them. For the most local experience, skip the Starbucks line and grab your first sip of the day here. They even have a drive-thru!

Do:
Take an afternoon stroll in White Tank Mountain Regional Park's beautiful desert landscape or pick a hiking trail to conquer during your stay. Make a splash at this regional park, which also has areas to fish, scuba dive and swim. Remember to practice Leave No Trace at this park so that others can enjoy the beauty as well.

Things to Do Near Camelback Ranch-Glendale

Location from central Phoenix: Glendale, 14 miles northwest

Eat:
Gather around a table (or a bowl of pasta) at La Bona Pasta in nearby Litchfield Park and soak in the best wins of the day. The casual elegance of this local restaurant will have you feeling classy and full of pasta. Indulge your taste buds in authentic Italian cuisine: favorites include the creamy Carbonara or the Eggplant Parmigiana. The intimate atmosphere and great company make this place an unforgettable experience.

Do:
For a day of shopping and food, get a ride to the Westgate Entertainment District next to the Tanger Outlets. Try your luck at the outlet stores to see where you can find the best deals.

If shopping isn't your thing, take a swing at Topgolf for a ton of fun. Topgolf is a one-stop shop for food, activities and hole-in-ones.

Two images, one night and the other day, both of a brunette woman holding a drink in front of a mirror glass ball and bar.

Night and day at AZ/88 is like, well, night and day (Credit: @kloee.brown and @kassreil on Instagram)

Things to Do Near Scottsdale Stadium

Location from central Phoenix: Scottsdale, 12 miles east

Eat: AZ/88 mixes modern art with classic cuisine and inventive cocktails for a perfect night out. Borrowing inspiration from its museum neighbors, the restaurant displays a rotating selection of modern art installations to wow guests. And it's only a short, six-minute walk from the stadium, just past the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.

For a casual lunch or dinner try Los Olivos Mexican Patio. For 70 years and several generations, this family-owned establishment has been serving up award-winning enchiladas, tacos and burritos made with handmade tortillas and salsas. The unique architecture of the building, built by the family patriarch, is worth a trip alone.

Do: Find great shopping at Old Town Scottsdale, the Southwest's largest shopping destination with a mix of stores selling turquoise and western-wear, fashion-forward clothing, art and more. For a locally-owned store that features merchandise from your favorite teams, take a stroll to Baseballism in Scottsdale and pick up something for the next game. Rolling Rack Boutique sells edgy streetwear-inspired clothing and accessories from a brick n' mortar location on 5th Avenue and occasionally a traveling pop-up shop (schedule posted online and changes weekly). Check out Arizona Party Bike's Spring Training pre-game pub crawl, where you'll pedal your way to two bars and get conveniently dropped off at Scottsdale Stadium right before game time!

Other area attractions include art galleries and museums such as Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West.

Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training
Tempe Town Lake (Credit: Tempe Tourism Office)

Things to Do Near Sloan Park

Location from central Phoenix: Tempe, 10 miles east

Eat: It can be difficult to find a restaurant to satisfy everyone's needs, but Daily Dose Kitchen and Bar will make your life easier. If you want breakfast or brunch to go on without a hitch, head here for breakfast nachos, tacos and good vibes. They have a happy hour in the middle of the day from noon - 3 p.m. that's sure to keep everyone happy.

Experience Japanese cuisine with modern and traditional flavors at Makitto Sushi in Mesa Riverview, which connects to Sloan Park via the Rio Salado Pathway, a multi-use path. For anyone craving fresh sashimi, the local chef offers a variety of specialty fish on the menu and for the less adventurous types, there are modern sushi rolls.

Do: After indulging in top-quality cuisine at Makitto Sushi, walk to Riverview Park. Stroll the aforementioned Rio Salado Pathway that runs along the Salt River and connects Riverview Park to Sloan Park, Mesa Riverview outdoor shopping center and Tempe Town Lake with its bevy of activities. It's great for picnics or spending time on the water in paddleboats, kayaks and more—many for rent on-site.

Things to Do Near Tempe Diablo Stadium

Location from central Phoenix: Tempe, 10 miles east

Eat: Hearty food on your mind? Cornish Pasty Co on West University Drive has filling meals that will leave you feeling warm and full. Dive into their signature pasties—think calzones or big empanadas—filled with a variety of meats, vegetables and the like. Picture a shepherd's pie inside a flaky, toasted pastry. Yum! If you are looking for comfort food this will be a hit in everyone's books with plenty of options for meat-eaters and vegetarians.

At Top of Rock Restaurant at Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes prepare to dig into fancier fare. This Southwest-inspired contemporary restaurant features local ingredients with barrel-aged cocktails. Get dressed up, quench your thirst and taste the Southwestern flavors.

Do: Book a ride or drive down to Mill Avenue where you can explore stores and more. Located next to Arizona State University, this area bustles with college students checking out the scene and all the trendy restaurants.

Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training
Kart racing, VR and arcade gaming await at Octane Raceway

Things to Do Near Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Location from central Phoenix: Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community, 25 miles northeast

Eat: Begin the day with Butters Pancakes & Cafe for a delicious breakfast or brunch to fill your stomach that's affordable, family-friendly and has something for everyone. It's bustling with people and big portions paired with piping hot coffee. Be prepared to wait for a table, but trust us: The wait is worth every bite. It's a bit of a walk from the stadium—22 minutes or so—but you may enjoy the light exercise after filling up on breakfast.

At night, blast to the past at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Scottsdale. After you spend the day on the baseball field, make a night of it at the Arizona Castle located conveniently next to the stadium. Dine on a four-course feast fit for kings while you watch a lively tournament and root for your favorite knight. This epic adventure show will be one for the books.

Do: The entirety of Talking Stick is one big entertainment destination. There's Talking Stick Resort and Casino with gaming, dining, golf and a spa. Around the corner, you can find The Pavilions at Talking Stick. This shopping center is the place to look for essentials you may have forgotten (thank you, Target) or get an adrenaline rush at iFly indoor skydiving and Octane Raceway Kart racing. Bam Kazam is the latest venture that combines physical obstacles and escape room puzzles for challenging fun.

Hop in a car to Scottsdale Fashion Square further down the road to experience the best shopping that the area has to offer. This world-class mall is full of designer stores and restaurants, making it a one-stop shop for adventure.

Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training
Sunset rides by Corral West Adventures (Credit: Cait Oponski)

Things to Do Near Goodyear Ballpark

Location from central Phoenix: Goodyear, 20 miles west

Eat: Feeling thirsty after spending a day in the sun? Cool down with a drink at Soda Bomb. Sip on a refreshing lemonade or create your own custom soda. You can't miss their cookies, a local favorite being the Butterscotch Betty, a chewy vanilla pudding butterscotch cookie. Wow, that's a mouthful! Only a 20-minute walk north of the stadium (or a four-minute drive), this spot will give you the perfect boost of sugar in your day.

Even further north, about two miles from the stadium, sample a locally owned and operated slice at the Arizona Pizza Company. Pizza may seem like a typical fare, but the Arizona Pizza Company takes it to the next level by prioritizing using only fresh, locally grown ingredients. If you have an appetite for more, their menu boasts wings and salads that are just as satisfying as their pizza pies.

Do: After filling up on food, check out some eccentric vintage stores in the area. Grungy Galz is a home decor store where you're sure to find something spunky for your home or at the very least feast your eyes on something interesting to talk about. If you fancy t-shirts with some history, the Ivory House vintage store on North Estrella Parkway is full of clothing with memories. Be sure to look at their Instagram @ivory_house to check their hours before making the trip.

There must be something in the air in Goodyear because it's home to not one but two trampoline-style parks: Goodyear Elevate Trampoline Park and Urban Air Adventure Park. For more fresh air, visit Estrella Mountain Regional Park, which is popular for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The park partners with Corral West Adventures to provide trail rides, including the ever-popular sunset ride.

Things to Do Near Arizona Spring Training
Worth Takeaway (Credit: @wamproductionsaz on Instagram)

Things to Do Near Hohokam Stadium

Location from central Phoenix: Mesa, 18 miles east

Eat: Take a short car ride to Downtown Mesa and Worth Takeaway. This small, snug restaurant serves up craft sandwiches made with locally baked bread and ingredients sourced from area farms and partners. The staff treats you like family and can even offer the best local recommendations from shopping to adventuring. Sit on the street-side patio and enjoy!

About a block away sits Cider Corps, Arizona's first cidery and taproom, located in a historic warehouse. Ciders rotate seasonally and are inspired by Arizona flavors, like prickly pear and ancho chile. If you're feeling adventurous, try one of the specialty pizzas coming straight out of the oven on the other side of the warehouse from Myke's Pizza. A local favorite pizza is the Potato & Bacon featuring aged gouda. Nothing gets more gouda than that!

Do: Downtown Mesa is the central spot for shopping, arts and entertainment that's easily walkable and accessible. For a unique shopping experience, head over to the Antique Plaza on Main Street where you'll find Sonoran Moon Vintage and the Nash Vintage Collective. A block off of Main Street are three museums: Arizona Museum of Natural History (follow the dinosaur prints on the sidewalk to the entrance); I.D.E.A. Museum (great for those with toddlers and young ones); and the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (with frequent appearances by "low-brow" artists and thought-provoking exhibits).

Things to Do Near Peoria Sports Complex

Location from central Phoenix: Peoria, 17 miles northwest

Eat: Locally owned restaurant, The Social on 83rd is just down the street from the Peoria Sports Complex. Local musicians and bands perform on the weekends as part of their concert series each season, perfectly complementing a menu full of real treats. The ambiance at this West Valley spot is lively and spirited, and they offer a killer happy hour.

Do: Arrowhead Towne Center is a short drive away if you are in the mood for shopping. The outdoor mall includes a food court and familiar stores such as Apple, Box Lunch, H&M, JCPenney and Sephora. Get your shop on at this mall while you're in town. There is also a state-of-the-art AMC movie theater in the mall if you need a break from the spring training fun in the sun.

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Arizona Office of Tourism

These articles are brought to you by the staff of the Arizona Office of Tourism, and occasionally local tourism organizations around the state.

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