I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and while I currently live in Austin, Texas, I always tell people the main things you can do in Arizona include: eating, drinking, hiking and going to concerts and raves. If you are visiting Arizona for the first time while attending Decadence Arizona, here are some things you can do before or after depending on how long you are staying.
Eating
I’m a major foodie so I have to include a section about the yummy restaurants. These are the restaurants I’m still thinking about being thousands of miles away.
- Before you do anything, make a pitstop at Dutch Bros for my coffee and tea lovers. If you need a quick energy boost, order a Rebel and ask the worker to surprise you with a flavor.
- Postino: get a bruschetta board and you will not be disappointed. You can do a bottle of wine and a board of bruschetta for $20 on Mondays and Tuesdays!
- Oregano’s: the pasta, the pizza, literally everything is so yummy. I get the Zany Ziti because it comes in a bread bowl. You can also get the Bollo Pasta and they’ll do a free refill (aka free leftovers!)
- Sauce: Another yummy casual Italian place.
- Los Favoritos and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop: These are my two favorite Mexican spots. If I’m craving it I usually just go home to my parents, but if I can’t then I’ll hit up these two places.
- Shady Park: The BEST ramen. This will be the place I hit up post-Decadence.
- For Brunch: Checkout Hash Kitchen for a Bloody Mary bar or mimosa flight and Blasted Barley for bottomless mimosas!
Drinking
If you want to grab a drink or go out while you’re in Arizona, here are some options:
- Hit up Mill Avenue to get the full experience of how Arizona Sun Devils party in Arizona. CASA will forever be my favorite bar where you can get a whole drink in a bucket.
- Old Town Scottsdale has more of your club type of places to drink. A little more on the dressier side and more expensive, but if that’s your vibe then it’s a good time.
- Downtown Phoenix has some cool and hip spots. Checkout Valley Bar, Cobra Arcade Bar and The Whining Pig.
Sightseeing
Here are some other sights and attractions in Phoenix that would be fun to checkout:
- Hiking: I LOVE hiking in Arizona. It’s actually one of the things I’ve missed since I’ve moved. You can do a more easier hike like “A” Mountain in Tempe or South Mountain in Ahwatukee is a more moderate hike or if you want the challenge you can hike Camelback in Scottsdale.
- Zoo Lights: If you like the zoo and you like lights, go checkout Zoo Lights to see a zoo lit up in millions of lights. You’re in luck because the lights will still be up after Christmas through til the 13th of January!
- Desert Botanical Garden: The Botanical Garden has a night time holiday celebration as well. Checkout Las Noches de las Luminarias which also features an Electric Desert that has incredible lights and visuals over a desert landscape.
Hopefully this gives you ideas to make the most out of your trip to Arizona amidst the chaos of attending Decadence. If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, I highly recommend you do soon it’s going to be the best way to ring in the new year!
Ticket Information
General Admission passes for Decadence Arizona are on sale now for $199, before fees. VIP passes will be available at two levels: Standard VIP, including everything that a GA ticket provides plus express VIP entrance, a commemorative lanyard, access to VIP lounge, access to VIP viewing deck, premium restrooms and passed desserts in the VIP areas. Platinum VIP includes everything that the Standard VIP pass includes, plus: complimentary drinks, side stage viewing, access to artist hospitality lounge, steakhouse quality dinner, exclusive festival gift bag, and festival concierge. You must be age 21 and up to purchase Platinum VIP passes. For full details and all ticket options, visit www.decadencearizona.com. Decadence Arizona is an 18+ event.
If you have never been to an event in Arizona, I highly recommend it! The Arizona rave scene is what got me into going to festivals in the first place and I have some of the best memories from my events there. Check out my review of last year’s Decadence Arizona to get you excited too! Also checkout my outfit ideas for Decadence Arizona if you aren’t sure of what to wear.
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