Ok, I'm going to give this place 5 stars because, technically, it is a cool place that not a lot of…read morepeople know about. It's actually a hydroelectric plant along the Arizona Canal. As we approached the building (you can't go in it), the smell hit us and I thought, oh no, I've made a huge mistake. I think I was just there on a bad day or something, because I didn't see many reviews mention the smell at all. What smell? Raw sewage, very sulphur- and trash-like. I mean, it STUNK. It was strongest at the top overlook, right next to the building. As we went down the staircase to the lower level, the smell began to dissipate and eventually, to my nose, disappeared altogether. On the lower level, we saw the waterfalls. You can walk under/behind two of them and there are "seats" made of stone blocks in front of the third. The water was flowing pretty hard the day we visited, so the seats and all the pavement was wet and there was a slight mist coming off the middle one. The overall place is like a mixture of industrial and environmental architechture. There are metal-looking columns holding up the upper deck, yet the waterfalls look like they were copied from Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater, and there are large stones/rocks embedded into the walls everywhere. It sits on the edge of a small park with a decent sized lot and there are hiking paths. We only came for the falls, so I can't speak to the hike, but the area looked fairly nice. I'd like to see it at night as it looks pretty cool in pictures I've seen. If you're looking for something a little different to do or show your visitors from out of town, this is a neat place to go. Hopefully, the smell is a one off, but even if not, hold your breath and go down the stairs..... 13/2026

I heard about this place recently and was in the area and decided to check it out. It basically…read more mini-hydroelectric plant on the canal system and the origin of the canal system is traced back to the Hohokam Indians that lived in the valley about 1500 years ago. The water falls are a cool secondary benefit of the water works plant at Arizona Falls. There is a nice park and biking trail that we look forward to exploring on our next visit. Highly recommended for a unique opportunity to enjoy waterfalls in the valley of the sun and learn about how the innovative Hohokam Indians.

Welcome to the colorful urban area of Roosevelt Row of Phoenix. Here you will find small funky…read morebusinesses, plenty of graffiti and restaurants throughout the area. The area has undergone some gentrification with shiny new bars and eateries popping up here and there. You can still find free street and metered parking. Fewer galleries now than before. All in all, it's a cool hangout for a beverage Al fresco. This is also the First Fridays art walk where vendors will take over the streets selling their goods. Past issues during First Fridays has caused the event to shrink in size.

If you're into murals, stop by Roosevelt Row (otherwise known as RoRo)!…read more I loved checking out the alley that had various murals from different local muralists. The area also has art galleries, boutiques, and various eateries. Easily accessible via the bus or the light rail. +murals

Over the years, I have visited the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus and Civic Space Park on a regular…read morebasis. While there have been different people, different roles, and even different buildings, one consistency has been the "Her Secret is Patience" sculpture in the park. In fact, almost 13 years ago, I even did a photo shoot under the sculpture. The sculpture is in the Civic Space Park, where there is a nice, grassy area, some tables, and chairs right next to the US Post Office and ASU Student Center. I have seen groups of students and even community members holding events in the park either in front of the Student Center entrance at the tables and chairs (gatherings by students or staff), on the grassy lawn area (community members playing soccer, frisbee, or having a picnic), or even on the south side of the walkway (though the lighting wasn't very good in the evening in that area). "Her Secret Is Patience" is a public art sculpture commission designed by artist Janet Echelman for the City of Phoenix. The sculpture consists of painted, galvanized steel, polyester twine netting, and colored lights. It is 145 feet tall and suspended as an aerial sculpture. It is monumental yet soft, fixed in place but constantly in motion. It dances gently in the air, choreographed by the flux of desert winds. During the day, the sculpture hovers high above heads, treetops, and buildings. The sculpture creates what the artist calls "shadow drawings," which she says are inspired by Phoenix's cloud shadows that captivated her from the first site visit. At night, the illumination changes color gradually through the seasons. The goal in selecting the colors is to provide residents some small climate relief through color, adding cool hues in summer, and warm tones in winter. The lighting design also changes what portion of the sculpture is illuminated, leaving parts obscured in mystery, much like the phases of the moon. I've heard students and staff at ASU discussing how the artist was supposedly inspired by monsoon cloud formations and the shadows they cast, in addition to forms found in desert flora. Now that I work only a short walk away from the sculpture, I see it almost every day at work!

This is one of the most eye-catching pieces of public art that I have had the pleasure of seeing…read more It is located in the Civic Space Park and is the work of artist Janet Echelman who made the piece in 2009. Echelman got the name of the piece from a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is constructed of painted, galvanized steel, polyester twine netting, and an assortment of ground mounted colored lights that give the nets its color. The piece is not cheap though and costed $2.5 million. The massive piece starts at 38 feet off the ground and extends to 100 feet in the air. To give it more perspective, the piece's largest ring is about 100 feet wide. The piece is intended to resemble a cumulus clouds. However, I see a tornado or jelly fish when I looked at it. It was given the title of Best Public Art by the Phoenix New Times. The wonderful mix of blue, orange and purple just draws you in like a moth to a flame. It is cool to visit during the day, but is amazing at night. The color of the piece changes constantly with the seasons throughout the year. The piece is not without its critics. Many people question the cost of the piece and whether that money could have been used elsewhere. Additionally, the piece's nets and lighting has to be replaced every five years, which makes this piece a gift that keeps on costing. It is unknown how much this periodic maintenance costs the city. This piece has metered street parking located within a reasonable walking distance, as well as commercial parking lots. There is also a train stop right in front of the piece, if you are plan on taking public transportation to get there. I really like this piece. It is a marvel, but I too am a critic of the price tag and reassuring maintenance fee. This piece can rally become the face of the city and one of its iconic images. It is very picturesque and Instagramable. Anyway, as with most public art that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 10 minutes. So, you may want to consider making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. You can start with Civic Space park, where the piece is located.

This spot should definitely be on your radar if you are an art lover and happen to be in Phoenix!…read moreTouring the spot Is as easy as driving your car down the alley! If you wanna get out and take some hot photos with some really dope backgrounds, that's a choice too but keep it cute because you are literally in someone's alley! I'm not sure of the story behind these installations but whoever owns these properties have to be cool AF and I tip my hat to them for allowing such an amazing situation to happen!

Zonies invade SoCal every summer so it's fitting that we invade Phoenix during winter…read more There's a lot of great things about visiting Arizona besides gas being a dollar cheaper than in California. Maybe the best thing about Phoenix in the winter are the great hiking experience that you can have under cool conditions. Top touristy things to do in Phoenix during the winter. - Cave Creek horseback riding - Lost Dutchman State park - Goldfield Ghost Town (tourist trap tho) - Dutch Bros coffee ( any of them) - Wildflower restaurants (family-friendly) - Desert Botanical Garden - South Mountain Trails ( Fat Man's Ass) - Sonoran preserve trails Tip - If you're looking for a fun 1/2 day trip check out Quartzite Az after Jan 1 to see a huge gem, mineral, and fossil swap meet...

When you grow up in Buffalo, NY, you know what real winter is. Winter always meant 5 months of snow…read moreand clouds (Nov. to Mar.). With all to often a blizzard in October and April. Well, enough about Buffalo. Phoenix winters are starkly different. You get 2 seasons in one day during the winter months in Phoenix. Winter in the morning - with a biting dry cold that pierces your clothes, Fall/Spring weather in the midday to evening. It's an awkward mid 60s that has you rolling down your window, turning the heat on, taking off your jacket and putting on your hat and gloves. Then, back to Winter at night. You'll be able to see your breath in the morning, sweating at noon and shivering at night. Also, when it rains it pours. During December and some of January I've seen the most clouds and rain of any other time, and you see almost no cloudy days or rain in June and July (when you can use a break from the sun the most). Traffic also picks up significantly in December due to the snow birds from Chicago, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Meanwhile cacti are dressed in holiday garb and the palo verde is now a Christmas tree. Now that I've vented significantly... I can say it sure beats Buffalo weather! You can grab a drink and sit on the patio during the day and enjoy sunshine. Winter is also short lived. Winter only lasts from December to February, then it starts to get hot again. I would say March to April in Phoenix is the best weather on the planet. It's mild in the mornings and night and sunny and warm enough to swim, hike and enjoy the great Arizona wilderness.

The workmen are making progress on the construction by the scenic drive. S temporary wall…read moreseparating drivers from the equipment has been removed. Drivers are now able to go along a newly paved street. Hooray! Several drivers have rebounded and nicked the wall, so it is good to have it removed. Good to see the progress.

The original intent of the scenic drive has seriously waned over the years, as the area has become…read morecommercialized. It's okay--but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

This alley is very busy, as far as art goes, and has a lot going on. It is almost overwhelming…read more Murals runs the full length of the alley and is very vibrant and colorful. It spans between 1st and 2nd Streets and Adams and Washington Streets. A large portion of the alley pays tribute to Latino icons. This was a herculean effort led by the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC), with help from the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Convention Center, and Latinos Now. When they say that it takes a village, that it an understatement when it comes to this area. The alley features work from many local artist including Jose Andres Giron, Roman P. Reyes, Carlos Rivas, Ramon Aguirre, Edgar Fernandez, Elizabeth Toledo, Alfred Bilducia, Noreen Ayonayon, Tavo Barrios, Angel Diaz, Karlito Espinosa, Ivan Garcia, Luis Munoz, Edgar Munoz, Raul Rodriquez, Rey Lugo and Catyana Falsetti. This alley really grabs you and draws you in. The mural is on the backside of a parking garage and faces the back of some local business and has a good view of their dumpsters. Some notable images that I saw in the alley were the Virgin Mary, a rose, a portrait of U.S. Army Private First Class Silvestre Santana Herrera, who was presented the Medal of Honor during World War II, there arew a bunch of flowers, R2D2, Lalo Guerrero, American guitarist, singer and farm labor activist, a phoenix, a horse head, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, in Uniform and Carlos Santana, That is just a fraction of the images of art in the alley. It is something that you just have to see. You will notice the different styles of murals that make up the collection and also different skill levels of the artist. Most of the work is pretty good, but some of them are notable better than others. There is metered street parking and commercial parking garages within a reasonable walking distance from the alley if you want to park, get out and take a closer look. This is definitely not a destination stop, so I would highly recommend combining this with other stops or making this part of a larger itinerary.

Yes there was fries what that. But what else would one expect from a Ronald McDonald after party…read more Alice and her crew from the wonderland were there. Fun times were had with a video to flip book setup. I think they should call this steam punk you tube. There were chess boards all about, topple tower on the patio. Two bars, some music and of course food. Antipasto platters, French fries platters, Sliders and cookies for desert. Overall all a nice evening party, however I think a bit more music and a dance fool could have helped spur the fun as it did not seem to quite make it over the cocktail hour hurdle to a true party. Maybe next year.

With public art, the effort -- if not the outcome -- is almost always appreciated. But in this…read morecase, they really hit a home run! George Rhoads is one of my favorite artists. And "Based on Balls" is one of my favorite sculptures. This is an audiokinetic sculpture. Like much of his work (which can be found in public buildings, science museums, hospitals and airports around the world -- from Rishon LeZion to LAX), "Based on Balls" is a complex sequence of tracks and contraptions. In the middle, a conveyor belt continuously brings balls to the top and gently releases them onto the track. What happens next is easy to enjoy but hard to describe. It's not enough to say that the balls simply roll down the tracks. As they go, they push pinwheels, change direction, and trigger mallets to hit everything from wood-blocks to gongs. The result is an awe-inspiring symphony of sound and stimulation. Listen, I'm trying to describe this thing and I'm failing miserably. Why not just take a look at the thing yourself?! I put a couple videos of "Based on Balls" on youtube to help you do just that. Take a look, review it, visit it, and -- most of all -- voice your support. Governments and businesses will only provide us with things like this if they know that they're appreciated. Click on the following links for videos of "Based on Balls", one by me and one by fellow-yelper Matt R: http://youtube.com/watch?v=40qWtKwEOI8 http://youtube.com/watch?v=-SE-Jld6uKA Enjoy!

Best exsperence I had. It's not your regular car show, lot to see and lots of burn outs from all…read moresorts of cars. Had a great time.