Best of the Valley 2026: Our Favorites in Lifestyle & Entertainment

The Valley’s wellspring of cultural diversions – festivals, the arts, fitness, et al. – has never been deeper or more diverse. Grab your swimsuit and dive in! 

THE STAPLES

Best 10K/Marathon
Phoenix 10K & Marathon

“I think Life Time will really step up the pre-race and post-race experience,” one voter said of the longtime race’s new owners. phoenix10k.com

Yoga studio
Cat Yoga at PHX Cat Café

Ommmmeow. phxcatcafe.org 

Food/drink festival
Devour Culinary Classic, Pizza Fest (tie)

PM’s own Dish Fest takes a sabbatical in 2026, pays the price with voters. devourgoodfoo.com, phoenix.pizza

Music fest
M3F

Also receiving a vote: Dreamy Draw Festival. “I hope it returns this year!” m3ffest.com

Live-music venue
Crescent Ballroom

Not the hotspot it once was, but still the most audience-friendly. crescentphx.com

Museum
Phoenix Art Museum

Always a toss-up with MIM. phxart.com

Place to take visitors
Desert Botanical Garden

BOV heavy still our pick for killing time with houseguests. dbg.org

THINGS TO DO

Best Crafting Spot
Spacecraft/Craftspace 

We adored The Vintage Arizona, Shannon Steward’s love letter to all things old, particularly those belonging to her beloved father. So, when Steward announced she was switching things up, we were glued to her Instagram – till she announced her new concept. A crafting spot billed as a “thirdspace for weirdos”? We’re in. Pass the glue gun. 10637 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, @spacecraftcraftspace

Best Puzzle Action
Snakes & Lattes

This board-game bar hosts a puzzle tournament twice monthly featuring puzzles by the Ravensburger brand – all participants use the same puzzle to compete. The tournament is timed and team-based, so bring your besties and get puzzling. Tickets ($54/four-person team) include one drink and you get to keep the puzzle. 20 W. Sixth St., Tempe, 480-361-6644, snakesandlattes.com/tempe

Best Place to Get Your D&D On
Funkatronic Rex

There are plenty of places across the Valley to roll your 20-sided die, but none as welcoming as this Sunnyslope shop. Role players of all ages are welcome here, but if playing Dungeons and Dragons isn’t your thing, there is a slew of other board games on which you may geek out. 1343 E. Northern Ave., Phoenix, 602-531-0433, funkatronicrex.com

Best Place to DIY
Phoenix Forge

With a range of classes that will teach you how to make everything from a farmer’s market tote bags to coffee tables, there’s something for everyone who wants to make something at this makerspace operated by Gateway Community College – and open studio time, if you want to cast off on your own. 535 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 602-286-8599, phxforge.com

Best Elbow to the Face
Arizona Derby Dames

The state’s only banked-track roller derby league sells tickets ($25) to all races during their September-May season, with food and drink offered inside and at the local food trucks that roll up (ha!) outside. Arrive early to get your seat – first whistle blows right at 5 p.m.! 2517 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, arizonaderbydames.com

Best Place to See Classic Cars
Fourtillfour Café

Every weekend, Fourtillfour in the Scottsdale Arts District hosts events where auto enthusiasts can gawk at vintage and new cars, drink freshly roasted coffee and socialize with like-minded folks. The cars change weekly – sometimes it’s vintage Porsches or Volkswagens, and other times, it’s motorcycles and off-road vehicles. 7105 E. First Ave., Scottsdale, 602-888-3583, fourtillfour.com 

Most Creative OHV Excursions
Stellar Adventures

Consider this the off-road iteration of the high-brow/low-brow ideal – a rugged desert ride paired with a culinary experience at a Valley restaurant. Themed tours include Gravel & Grapes, an outing that concludes at Postino; Wheels & Whiskey, which brings you to O.H.S.O.; and Backroads & BBQ, which culminates with a meal at perennial BOV winner Frasher’s. 602-402-0584, stellaradventures.com

Best (Adult) Playground
Recess

This aptly named indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant invites guests to work off their calories with super-sized yard games – some nostalgic and familiar like tetherball and four square; others not so much (anyone heard of mölkky?). It’s like The Yard, but even more yard-y. 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, 480-256-8093, recessaz.com

Best Adult-Beverage Activity
LDV Wine Tasting Room Classes

Discover the art of wine and cheese pairings while tasting award-winning wines, including a master charcuterie class where each participant enjoys a glass of LDV vino and creates a charcuterie board to savor onsite or take home. Another class immerses you in a wine aromatherapy session to expand your wine knowledge and awareness. 7134 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, 480-664-4822, ldvwinery.com 

Best Date Night Idea
Moonlight Horseback Rides at MacDonald’s Ranch

For four nights prior to every full moon, this family-owned ranch offers a guided canter through a lunar-lit desert. Saddle up at the stables, then follow your wrangler past glowing creosote and silhouetted saguaros. It’s eerie, romantic and uniquely Arizona. From $142/person, 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-585-0239, macdonaldsranch.com 

Best Old-School Way to Gamble Away Your Paycheck
Bingo at the Italian American Club

Phoenix, prepare your daubers and get out your cash. It’s time to play bingo. There’s nothing fancy about the Sunnyslope-adjacent Italian American Club – and that’s how we like it. Just plenty of space for multiple cards, good fries, plenty of wine and friendly callers. Call ahead for hours. 7509 N. 12th St., Phoenix, 602-975-8294, azaiclub.com

THE ARTS

Best Old Artist Colony
Cattle Track Arts Compound 

Not much dates to the 1930s in the Valley of the Sun, which is just part of what makes Cattle Track so precious. The arts complex is home to the ghosts of artists like Phillip C. Curtis and Fritz Scholder. Today, you can find painter Timothy Chapman and ceramicist Mary Van Dusen on site. 6105 N. Cattletrack Rd., Scottsdale, 480-935-9755, cattletrack.org

Best Art Fair
Art in the Garden

Sherrie Zeitlin’s is perhaps best-known for Tempe’s Art Resource Center, but did you know about the ARC fundraiser held each spring at her Arcadia home? Along with a peek at her gorgeous garden, there’s plenty of art for sale by Zeitlin and other creatives. Keep an eye on the ARC’s IG account. @the_art_resource_center_

Best New Artist Colony
Rocking S Art Ranch 

Patricia Sannit is a visionary – not only with her own ceramic creations, but as a leader of the local arts community. Her Rocking S Art Ranch offers much-needed space for Phoenix artists to hole up and create. With fellowships, open studios and critiques, there’s plenty for all. 3131 E. Sheridan St., Phoenix, 602-510-6971, rockingsartranch.com

Best Art Exhibition
FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse 

This video exhibition by ScanLAB uses time-lapse videos to capture the fragility and resilience of the flora and fauna within Desert Botanical Garden, as well as the threat posed by humans. Don’t take our word for it – the exhibition was also praised by The New York Times last year. 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, 480-941-1225, dbg.org 

Best Place to See a Broadway Show
The Phoenix Theatre Company

Yes, we know the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, cake-shaped building in Tempe gets the official Broadway tours, but the performances (and acoustics) never quite match up to Phoenix Theatre. Next season, catch a classic like Sweeney Todd or the new hit Kimberly Akimbo. You can’t go wrong. 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-254-2151, phoenixtheatre.com

Best Free Art Drop
Timmy Ham

Phoenix artist Timmy Ham is turning the Valley into a treasure hunt, hiding vibrant canvases in plain sight and posting clues online. “If you find it, you can have it,” he writes. It’s part art, part scavenger hunt… and lots of good karma. @iamsloth

BEST OF THE VALLEY
HALL OF FAME

Musical Instrument Museum
Best Museum (2012-2014, 2016, 2018-2021, 2023-2025)

With more than 7,500 instruments from over 200 countries and territories, Scottsdale’s Musical Instrument Museum has captivated the Valley’s imagination – and BOV voters – since opening in 2009. “This museum is one-of-a-kind,” says MIM’s executive director Craig Culy. “You’re not just looking at the instruments, you’re able to hear them and connect with each exhibit as you walk through. It’s truly an interactive experience.” Going to MIM can be an all-day outing – visit the exhibits, dine in the café, check out the gift shop and stick around for a live music performance in the museum’s intimate 300-seat theater, an acoustic godsend that itself has earned numerous BOV editorial awards for Best Music Venue. In keeping with its pedigree as a perennial Best Museum winner, MIM regularly stages special exhibitions (e.g. recent celebrations of hip-hop and the music of Ireland) along with gallery performances, workshops, classes and discussions to draw in the community. “It’s a great place for people to connect,” Culy says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an adult or a kid, MIM is for everyone.” mim.org 

BEST OF THE VALLEY TRIO

Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-257-1880, phxart.org

1. Best Fine Art That Kids Love
The Thorne Rooms at PAM

If you grew up in Phoenix, your mom likely dragged you to the museum and you balked – till you saw artist Narcissa Niblack Thorne’s miniature rooms depicting wealthy homes. Now take your own kids. 

2. Best Museum Restaurant
Alden 

Nobody expects much from museum restaurants, which is why Alden comes as such a pleasant surprise. Chef Tyler Baggs offers an urbane menu combining global dishes with American comfort food (Korean fried chicken, fattoush and grilled cheese), all in a serene, multi-windowed setting. 

3. Best Museum Deal
Pay-What-You-Wish Wednesdays 

Every Wednesday, art lovers can make a monetary donation for general admission and pay reduced rates for special engagement exhibitions, enabling equal access for all. Bravo! 

MOVIES & MUSIC

Best Embodiment of Everything We Love About Movie Theaters
Pollack Tempe Cinemas

Cheap tickets ($3.50!). Fresh popcorn. Movie memorabilia. Big blockbusters and classic-film and indie screenings. Plus, a friendly staff of film buffs ready to nerd out with you on all things movies make this throwback Tempe theater our personal cinema paradiso. 1825 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, 480-345-6461, pollacktempecinemas.com   

Best Local Cinephile Mystery
Whither the Valley Art? 

We’re about five years removed from the pandemic. Life has generally returned to normal – but not for the Valley Art. Arizona’s oldest movie theater, located on Mill Avenue in Tempe, still isn’t open. An online petition was launched calling on owner Harkins to reopen the single-screen cinema, but the company hasn’t offered a reason for keeping the doors locked.

Best Music Festival
Viva PHX

What was once a one-day marathon of local bands morphed this year into a nearly week-long celebration of indie rock in the desert. This year’s multi-venue event took place across the city, inviting local legends Meat Puppets to return to the stage while treating hipsters to the moody alt-rock of Interpol. vivaphx.com 

Best Westerns
Reel West Sundays at Western Spirit Museum 

What could be more quintessentially American than catching a cowboy flick at a Sunday matinee? The infinite variety of the Western genre is showcased with this ongoing series, held on Sundays at 2 p.m. Stars from Clint to The Duke ride the range. Free with museum admission; $10 for the movie alone. 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 480-686-9539, westernspirit.org

Best Local Glow-Up
Arizona Science Center’s Dorrance DOME

Everyone is so dazzled by the Sphere in Las Vegas these days, it was easy to miss the unveiling of a new Downtown Phoenix video screen that rivals that venue. The Dorrance DOME opened in October and features a 60-foot, 8K LED screen that might cause motion sickness for those in the front row. 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, 602-716-2000, azscience.org

Best Intimate Concert Venue
The Rosetta Room

Large venues deliver high production and high energy, but for a more stripped-down – and more affordable – experience, this 400-person-capacity coffee shop and concert space is the best place in the Valley to catch alt and indie bands before they make it big. 104 E. First Ave., Mesa, 480- 494-7580, therosettaroom.com

Best Big-Screen Community
Phoenix Film Festival

Award-winning indie films, filmmaker-focused programming, educational workshops, and a famously lively social scene all come together under one roof, making this one of the Southwest’s most accessible and welcoming film festivals. Tickets start at $17. Held annually in early to mid-April. phoenixfilmfestival.com

4 CORNERS: BEST JAZZ JOINT

West Valley
Westside Blues & Jazz

Opened in 2021, it’s the go-to for WV juke jointers in the know. Inviting vibe, inventive cocktails and five shows a week (Wednesday-Sunday) in a comfortable, lounge-y space. 17045 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, 602-761-6816, westsideblues.com

Phoenix
The Nash Jazz Club

Illustrious past performers include Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter and Kenny Barron. But no mere music venue, The Nash is also a nonprofit cultural engine that supports summer camps and other educational efforts. 110 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix, 602-795-0464, thenash.org 

East Valley
Vybe Lounge

Formerly The Forum Lounge, this Chandler event complex hosts regular shows, including a Latin jazz night on Tuesdays. Unlike most jazz joints, it also offers private karaoke suites. 2301 S. Stearman Dr. Chandler, 480-462-2890, vybechandler.com

Scottsdale
Ravenscroft

The Valley’s most ambitious and fully-realized jazz venue boasts its own craft cocktail lounge, Jazzbird, plus seating for 200 in its main performance hall. Check out its Friday-only Jazzbird Nights series, spotlighting emerging talent. 8445 E. Hartford Dr., Scottsdale, 800-785-3318, theravenscroft.com

URBAN SCENE

Most Tranquil Way to End the Week
Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix

Find serenity among waterfalls and koi ponds, meandering pathways and peaceful meditation spaces. This urban oasis – from a partnership between the City of Phoenix and Himeji, Japan – offers a quiet retreat among the hustle of big-city living. Visit on the first Friday of the month for free admission. 1125 N. Third Ave., Phoenix, 602-274-8700, japanesefriendshipgarden.org

Best Recycling Effort
Senior Bridge

The City of Phoenix contributed $750,000 to the first phase of this innovative transitional housing project, which was created using repurposed shipping containers manufactured by local firm Steel + Spark. These 40 solar- and lithium-powered units feature twin beds, bathrooms, mini-fridges and microwaves, offering a cost-effective way to help seniors experiencing homelessness. 2835 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, steelandspark.com

Best Downtown
Main Street, Mesa 

Phoenix, Shmeenix. Go east, Downtowner! Specifically, to Mesa’s Main Street, where you can actually walk around from shop to restaurant to shop to bar. From OG spots like the DQ, Mesa Typewriter and Milano’s to newer arrivals Pedal Haus Biergarten and Tacos Chiwas, there’s a little something for everyone. downtownmesa.com

Best Cultural Re-Think
Changes to First Friday 

The death of First Friday has been greatly exaggerated. According to longtime RoRo arts leaders, removing roadblocks and bidding farewell to vendors hawking bedazzled lighters is the best thing that’s happened since Modified Arts hung tiny white lights decades ago and signaled that the arts had arrived in Phoenix. rooseveltrow.org

Best Tribute to Analog
Phoenix Film Revival

Before our phones had cameras, we preserved our memories on film. Longing for those days, Daniel and Stacy Iannaccone created a community darkroom along Grand Avenue so others could get in on the fun. They even offer classes and workshops to help budding photographers develop their skills. phxfilmrevival.com

Best Corner on Grand Ave.

grandavenueartsandpreservation.org

Grand Avenue & 13th Avenue

• Symbolic heart of the district as it supplants Roosevelt as the Valley’s best arts district – i.e. not yet overrun with breweries and bored kids.
• Southeast corner is where artist Beatrice Moore hangs thrifted stuffed animals from trees wrapped with colorful crocheted blankets. A bright spot in a too-beige city.
• Also here: Oh, just a little up-and-coming restaurant called Bacanora.

Grand & Fillmore/11th Avenue

• Intersection boasts arguably the coolest collab in the Valley: Pueblo nursery and Caffio Espresso, a once-mobile coffee truck parked right there among the ferns.
• On the northeast corner: the gearhead mensches at the nonprofit Rusty Spoke bike repair co-op.
• Sealing its best-ness: Malegria Latin Cafe, Novel Ice Cream and a very solid body-piercing studio.

Best Pro Sport Team Ambassador

Go the Gorilla
nba.com/suns

• Accidental icon. His story began in 1980 when singing telegram messenger Henry Rojas donned a gorilla suit during a Suns game. One timeout dance later, a mascot legend was born.
• He’s global! Has appeared in more than 20 countries, from China to Australia.
• In 2005, Go became one of the first three inductees into the Mascot Hall of Fame, alongside the Phillie Phanatic and San Diego Chicken.

D. Baxter
dbacks.com

• Despite his fangs and claws, the D-backs’ bobcat sidekick is easily the cuddliest of this bunch.
• He’s a survivor! Specifically, he survived being retired as a mascot when his namesake, Bank One Ballpark (BOB), was renamed Chase Field in 2005.
• Allegedly house-trained! But if not, the sand-like infield at Chase will do nicely.

Scorch
mercury.wnba.com

• Cosmic mystery! The Phoenix Mercury’s purple extraterrestrial mascot defies classification. Bat? Kangaroo? Dog? No one knows for sure – and that’s part of his (her?) charm.
• Disruptor! Scorch loves to agitate opponents – including, most famously, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson, visibly startled by one of the mascot’s signature flying somersaults in 2025.
• Go-to anthem: the Beastie Boys’ “Intergalactic.”

Ray
valley.gleague.nba.com

• Attached to the Phoenix Suns’ G-League team, the Valley Suns, this flare-like creature is something of a mascot “deep cut.”
• He’s budget-friendly! Catch Ray in action for as little as $15 at Mullett Arena in Tempe.
• Science over chicanery. He skips the fancy acrobatics, relying instead on pure charisma and the miracle of nuclear fusion.

OUTDOOR & FITNESS

Best Pole Fitness Studio for Groups
Pole Power Fitness 

For a fun, full-body workout that feels more like self-expression than exercise, this small, welcoming studio offers pole fitness, flexibility and flow classes for all experience levels. It’s also known for its pole dance parties, ideal for bachelorettes, birthdays or a spicy girls’ night out in a supportive, judgment-free environment. 2432 W. Peoria Ave., Phoenix, 602-448-9328, polepowerfitness.com

Best Free Fitness
PV Phoenix

Long gone are the days of speed-walking the corridors of Paradise Valley Mall for exercise. Built on the bones of the now-demolished shopping center, PV Phoenix is a new live-shop-play-dine complex where fitness fans enjoy free yoga in the park on Thursday evenings and a run-club-led jog through nearby neighborhoods on Tuesday nights. 4568 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, reddevelopment.com/pvphx 

Best Barrier-Free Trail
West Skip Rimsza Paseo

Wheelchair users, stroller-pushers, folks with mobility challenges or anybody seeking a hike absent of tricky terrain can find easy immersion in nature at West Skip Rimsza Paseo. The 3.1-mile trail follows a smooth concrete path with little to no elevation gains and desert views in all directions. 1600 E. Sonoran Desert Dr., Phoenix, 602-495-6939, phoenix.gov

Best Way to Start the New Year
Christiansen Trail Run

Kickstart that new-year, new-you resolution with this 14-mile race through the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. The route traces Trail 100 from Mountain View Park to Dreamy Draw and back, challenging runners with steep inclines but sweetening the deal with city skyline views. Launched in 1987, the annual event takes place the first weekend of January. trail100run.com

Best Off-Label Place to Do Yoga
Desert Botanical Garden

Relax while listening to the melodies of singing bowls and gongs during a sound meditation class at Desert Botanical Garden. Morning classes meet outside surrounded by nature; and evening classes meet both inside and out, depending on the season. DBG also offers yoga classes to help you find inner peace. Namaste. 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, 480-941-1225, dbg.org

Best Place to Stargaze
Four Peaks Park, Fountain Hills

The heavens come alive at night, but city light pollution makes it difficult to see all the meteor showers and galaxies when the sun goes down. With Fountain Hills officially recognized as a DarkSky International community, Four Peaks Park offers an unobstructed view of the moon and planets above. 14789-14827 N. Del Cambre Ave., Fountain Hills, fountainhillsaz.gov

Best Route for a Summer Run/Walk
Murphy Bridle Path

Phoenicians know that, come summer, shade rivals water or gold or a winning lottery ticket as the most priceless commodity around. That’s why Murphy Bridle Path is such a treat. The 5.3-mile urban trail parallels tree-lined Central Avenue, gifting runners and walkers with a leafy, cool canopy. Parking available at NPHX Church, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix

4 CORNERS: PRETTIEST GOLF HOLE

West Valley
Hole 18 of Victory Course at Verrado Golf Club

A tidy green nestles between hulking boulders and craggy rocks – a picturesque scene on its own. But it’s the spectacular backdrop of the White Tank Mountains that steals the spotlight on this Par 5. 20855 W. Tiger Mountain Dr., Buckeye, 623-518-9967, verradogolfclub.com 

Phoenix
Hole 10 at Lookout Mountain Golf Club at Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort

Looming 14 stories tall, Hole 10 ranks as the highest-elevation tee box in the city. This means unfettered sightlines to Piestewa Peak and a bird’s-eye view of coyotes and javelina roaming the desert below. 11111 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-866-6357, lookoutmountaingolf.com 

Scottsdale/Northeast Valley
Hole 8 of Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club

A deep wash burrows to the left of this Par 5, while pristine desert sprawls to the right. And mountains surround the course, making for an unspoiled panorama – true desert golf at its best. 18200 WeKoPa Way, Fort McDowell, 480-836-9000, wekopa.com

East Valley
Hole 5 on Dinosaur Mountain Course at Gold Canyon Golf Resort & Spa

Contouring the landscape’s peaks and valleys, this course features stark elevation changes and adventurous play. The Par 3 Hole 5 perches at the highest point, where the Superstitions throw deep shadows and deliver dramatic vistas. 6100 S. Kings Ranch Rd., Gold Canyon, 480-982-9090, gcgr.com 

Best Place for Beginner Birders

Liberty Wildlife
2600 E. Elwood St., Phoenix, 480-998-5550, libertywildlife.org

• This 6-acre wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center allows visitors to get up close and personal with red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and bald eagles.
• Staff are happy to teach beginners how to identify birds and understand migration patterns.
• Seeing injured birds under expert care can turn curiosity into lasting awareness and promote responsible birding – no binoculars or extensive field experience required.

Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center
3131 S. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-468-6470, audubon.org/rio-salado

• The 11-acre restored riparian habitat is home to more than 200 bird species, including egrets, herons, hawks, owls and hummingbirds.
• The center frequently offers free guided tours that train beginners to recognize bird calls and behaviors in real time.
• Interpretive trails, exhibits and on-site experts make learning and conservation accessible without advanced skills or equipment.

CHILD’S PLAY

Best Place for Kids to Feel Their Oats
Spilled Batter

Founded by former elementary school teacher Sally Houx, Scottsdale’s Spilled Batter offers hands-on cooking classes for kids ages 3 to 13, where young chefs learn the basics in a safe environment. Designed to inspire creativity and build confidence, the classes make learning fun and downright delicious. Spilled Batter also hosts themed birthday parties and cooking camps. 5515 E. Laurel Ln., Scottsdale, 602-448-3647, spilledbatter.com 

Best Mall for Kids
Chandler Fashion Center

As big-ticket diversions such as Disneyland becomes increasingly unaffordable, more school breaks are now spent locally. With a play area, a bowling alley, arcade, LEGO Store, Build-A-Bear Workshop and various fun and games at Scheels, this East Valley mall is purpose-built for family fun. It’ll still cost you, but it’s cheaper than a trip to California. 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 480-812-8488, shopchandlerfashioncenter.com

Best Bubble Bath
Bubble Planet

There’s no actual bathtime, but Bubble Planet guests do step into an interactive exploration of bubble- and bubble-like encounters. Roam from room to room for an LED “underwater” walk on the ocean floor, a “swim” through billowy balloons or a perfect selfie inside a light-fractured prism. Arizona Mills, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Cir., Tempe, bubble-planet.com

Best Reptile Meet-and-Greet
White Tank Nature Center

This educational facility at White Tank Mountain Regional Park houses all kinds of desert creatures and critters, from spiders and scorpions to reptiles and tortoises (OK, one tortoise). The center also houses a gift shop – think books, toys and nature-themed souvenirs – plus monthly lectures and workshops. White Tank Mountain Regional Park, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Rd., Waddell, 602-652-3000, maricopacountyparks.net 

Best Old-School Arcade
StarFighters Arcade

No kiddie fun spot in the Valley captures the vibe of an old-school Chuck E. Cheese better than StarFighters Arcade. This family-friendly East Valley venue has nearly 200 antique games and pinball machines, along with tournaments and trivia throughout the week. The only thing (thankfully) missing is the singing animatronic animals. 4840 E. Jasmine St., Mesa, 602-513-9532, starfightersarcade.com

HAPPY 250TH, AMERICA!

Celebrate the semiquincentennial BOV-style with this backyard party planner – populated exclusively with 2026 BOV winners.

Best TV Morning Show
Good Morning Arizona (3TV/Arizona’s Family)

The highest-rated morning show in the Valley since forever, GMAZ is also a perennial Readers’ Pick. Anchors Scott Pasmore and Tess Rafols deliver trusted coverage with upbeat Valley energy – perfect for a bright holiday weekend kickoff. azfamily.com 

Best Landscape Designer
High Desert Design

Award-winning designer and Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest Chad Norris crafts resort-quality, sculptural outdoor spaces – fire pits, kitchens, putting greens and desert plantings – built for sunset entertaining, summer gatherings and all-season Arizona living. highdesertdesigns.com

Best Beer Ensemble
Readers’ Picks Craft Beer Winners

Populate your beer cooler with reader-approved selections from our annual BOV vote. From Catalyst Crafted Ales IPA to Fate Brewing Candy Bar Milk Stout, they’ll keep the buzz going. See page 198 for a full list. 

Best frozen Conversation Piece
Armitage Ice

Simply put, Mark Armitage is the Michael Jordan of Valley ice sculpting. You want an entire bar made out of ice? He did that for Super Bowl XLVII. Have an idea to incorporate fire? Did one of those for the WM Phoenix Open. Need an ice luge (pictured) to liquor up your party guests? He’s got some ideas. armitageice.com

Best Return of a Pizza Prodigy
Justin Piazza

After a stint in Los Angeles, pizzaiolo Justin Piazza returns to the Valley with Grandioso, slated to open on Grand Avenue early this summer. Expect late-night Detroit, Roman, and New York-style slices; wings and sandwiches; plus dive-bar energy with DJs, karaoke, pool and graffiti walls. @grandiosophx

Best Cookout Ready Bread
Noble Bread

Jason Raducha’s small-batch, stone-hearth bakery Noble Bread uses naturally leavened organic dough and a 36-hour fermentation process to craft complex ancient-grain loaves. Adored by Charleen Badman, Christopher Collins and countless other Valley chefs, Noble will take your bun game up a notch. getnoblebread.com

Best Big Dogs
Hobe Meats

Since 1962, the Phoenix meat monger has kept the classic American butcher tradition alive, now under owner Bret Pont. Offering prime Omaha beef, natural chicken and pork, plus game meats and Wagyu, it’s a one-stop-shop for backyard cooking year-round. hobemeats.com

Best Canned Cocktails
Ingo’s Tasty Food

These fresh-squeezed, small-batch canned cocktails are ideal for haute cooler-stocking. From greyhounds to lavender lemonade to the tequila-forward Diego Rivera, these grab-and-go drinks deliver crisp, all-American summer party energy. ingostastyfood.com

Best DJ to Have on Hand in Case of Medical Emergency
Dr. Vie

Talk about a spin doctor. Under the stage name Dr. Vie, Valley psychiatrist Mona Amini conjures high-vibe soundscapes for wellness retreats, brands and events, blending music with intention. Find her at The Duce or Namaste Yoga – or book this beatmatching shrink at your own event. monaaminimd.com/speaking

Best Gelato
Jelato 88

A perfect cool-down after a long summer day of celebrating, this handcrafted gelato is made daily, often with bold, experimental flavors. See page 156. jelato88.wordpress.com 

Best Ginger Beer
Big Marble Organics

Nothing beats sipping a mule under the fireworks, and no ginger beer in the Valley beats the one canned by beverage maestro Dwayne Allen. Fair trade, USDA-certified and made in Downtown Phoenix. bigmarble.com 

Best Cornhole
AZ Boards & Games

Using Baltic birch and hand-finished designs, this Valley game-smith has been crafting custom, premium cornhole sets since 2012.  Let the backyard braggadocio begin! azboardsource.com