Glendale (Arizona)

Glendale is one of the largest suburbs in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and is rapidly growing as an media/entertainment center in the Valley of the Sun.

Get in

By plane

As a suburb of Phoenix, Glendale does not have its own major airport. Airplane owners may find it convenient to fly into Glendale Municipal Airport (located in the western portion of the city), but most people may find it prudent to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the area's major airport.

By road

Glendale has the benefit of numerous freeways that travel through the Phoenix metro area.

• The southern portion of the city is easily accessible from Interstate 10, exiting between 43rd Avenue and the Loop 101 and traveling north on the arterial streets.
• The eastern portion is accessible from Interstate 17, exiting between Camelback Road and the Loop 101.
• Northern Glendale is accessible from the Loop 101, which is the only freeway in the Regional Freeway System to cross through the city. The Loop 101 travels north from Interstate 10 and turns east at the northern boundary of Glendale, where it intersects Interstate 17. Northern Glendale can be accessed by exiting the Loop 101 between 51st Avenue and Bell Road.
• West Glendale, home to Gila River Arena (NHL) and State Farm Stadium (NFL), is accessible by exiting Loop 101 between Northern Avenue and Camelback Road. The arena and stadium are easily accessible from exiting at Glendale Avenue and heading east.

Get around

See

• 🌍 Historic Downtown, 5800 W. Glenn Dr. (59th/Glendale), ☎ [phone]. Known as one of the best locations for antiques. Has many historical and cultural facilities and events. 

Do

• 🌍 Westgate City Center (101 & Glendale). Billed as the "Times Square of the desert", home to the Cardinals (NFL) and Coyotes (NHL) as well as bars, restaurants, shops and cinema. 

• 🌍 Arizona Cardinals, 1 Cardinals Dr, ☎ [phone]. Check out one of the newer NFL stadiums in the country, State Farm Stadium, named by Business Week as one of the 10 “most impressive” sports facilities on the globe due to the combination of its retractable roof and roll-in natural grass field. They are the oldest NFL team still in existence (after relocating twice) and after a long bout of mediocrity have gotten rather good in recent times. (updated Nov 2015)
• 🌍 Arizona Coyotes, 9400 Maryland Ave, Glendale, ☎ [phone]. NHL Hockey team. 2011-12 Pacific Division Champions. Plays in Gila River Arena. 

• 🌍 Cerreta Candy Factory, 5345 W. Glendale Ave. 30 minute guided tours. M-F, 10AM and 1PM. Very fun place for all ages and all the chocolate you can eat. 

Parks and recreation

• 🌍 Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave, ☎ [phone]. A 17-acre historic park. 13 original buildings; rose garden, barnyard & historic orchards. Tours available in Sept. and Oct. Public area includes sports fields, dog park, playgrounds, seasonal events. 
• 🌍 Foothills SK8 Court Plaza,, 57th Avenue and Union Hills. Free public skate and vert ramp for skaters of all ages and skills. 
• 🌍 Thunderbird Conservation Park, 59th Avenue between Deer Valley & Pinnacle Vista Rd.. A free public 1,185-acre park. Mountain biking, horseback riding, jogging, bird watching, GRS mapping 
• 🌍 Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (Glendale Aquatic Center), 5600 West Union Hills Dr, ☎ [phone]. Public Recreation Facility, Activity room, rock climbing wall, indoor track and basketball court. 
• 🌍 Wet'n'Wild.  - located in Glendale

Buy

Eat

• Haus Murphy, 5739 W. Glendale Ave. Traditional food from Germany with even a Bier Garden outside. Live entertainment 
• Bitz-ee Mamas, 7023 N, 58th Ave. A popular destination for breakfast and lunch with a large variety of menu items. 
• Lenny’s Burgers, 5713 W. Glendale Ave. Traditional burger joint without a drive-thru window 
• A Touch of European Café, 7146 N. 57th Dr., Ste. C. A quaint café serving mostly Polish style food 
• Pizza Old Roma, 5740 W. Glendale Ave. Thin crust Sicilian-style pizza, other menu items include subs and lasagna 
• Le Chalet, 5626 W Bell Rd, Suite 101 (On Bell, between 57 & 55 Ave), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Su-Th 11AM - 10PM, F-Sa 11AM - 11PM. French/Swiss cuisine, with an emphasis on fondue and crepe $20-$30. 

Drink

• Bitz-ee Mamas, 7023 N, 58th Ave. A popular destination for breakfast and lunch with a large variety of menu items. 
• Old Chicago, 5695 W Bell Rd. 2AM every day. Different drink/food specials every night of the week. Happy hour and reverse happy hour Sun-Thurs. Lots of beers on tap, even more in bottles. Mini tours, flights, a beer lovers delight. 
• WestGate, 6770 n sunrise blvd. Glendale's premier shopping and entertainment center. Sports arenas, lots of shopping and restaurants with night life bars coming alive after sundown. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Saddle Ranch, Kabuki, The Shout House, Hells Half acre, and more. Essentially the only west side hot spot. 
• Salty Senorita, 8011 West Paradise Ln. Mexican style party bar. Lots of land and lots of activities to do outside. 

Sleep

• 🌍 Comfort Suites, 9824 W Camelback Rd, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. The area surrounding this hotel is a sports enthusiast's dream with the University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena, Peoria Sports Complex and the Phoenix International Raceway nearby. 
• MainStay Suites at Metro Center, 9455 N. Black Canyon Highway, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. An extended stay hotel with full amenities for business travelers and vacationers looking for weekly accommodations or longer. 
• 🌍 Motel 6 Glendale, 7116 N 59th Ave, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Renovated in 2007. Free WiFi, personal voice mail, heated pool, free continental breakfast. Conference/Meeting space for up to 60 attendees. 
• Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale/Westgate, 6630 N. 95th Ave, ☎ [phone]. Great location within the Westgate City Center, home of the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Coyotes. Enjoy an On The House Hot Breakfast, free hi-speed Internet, business center, outdoor pool & whirlpool, fitness center and the 100% Hampton Guarantee. 

Stay safe

The types of crime most common in the Phoenix area usually do not affect visitors or tourist locations. However, some sections of Glendale, especially the southern tier of the city bordering the Maryvale area of Phoenix, are somewhat dicey and should be avoided at night.

Go next

Routes through Glendale

Blythe ← Litchfield Park ←	W  E	→ Phoenix → Tucson
Flagstaff ← Camp Verde ←	N  S	→ Phoenix → END
Quartzsite ← Peoria ←	W  E	→ Phoenix → Socorro
Peoria ←	S  E	→ Phoenix → Scottsdale