Phoenix's Lush Green Neighborhood Has Mountain Adventures And A Hot Restaurant Scene

In the vast deserts of Arizona, Phoenix stands as an eternal oasis of exceptional hiking, local art culture, lively nightlife, and foodie hangouts. It's one of America's largest cities with a population exceeding 1.67 million people, epitomizing what it means to be a desert oasis. As you can imagine, a city of this magnitude is going to have numerous neighborhoods worth exploring beyond its downtown. Arcadia is one such neighborhood. Located about 10 miles from the city's center, it's one of Phoenix's more upscale areas, where the indomitable Camelback Mountain overlooks trendy shops and restaurants, lush citrus groves, and palm-fringed homes with sprawling green lawns.

Like any mesmerizing desert oasis, Arcadia has the kind of nourishment that will get you on your hands and knees, crawling through the sand towards satiation. Its local dining scene is considered one of the city's best and includes a collection of enticing breweries, cocktail bars, button-down eateries, and button-up restaurants. For example, The Henry takes you back to the Roaring Twenties with its Gatsby-inspired decor. Velvety booth seating, carpeted walls, and rich timber tables pair well with an American menu facilitating social brunches, romantic dinners, and festive happy hour cocktail sessions. From the 4,600-plus reviews on Google, The Henry is clearly a local favorite for its delectable food, attentive service, and outdoor patio with a top-shelf atmosphere.

Another great dining spot with an air of sophistication and style is Steak 44. It's one of Phoenix's hottest fine-dining restaurants, with over 4,200 reviews on Google and a sterling 4.7-star rating as of this writing. Book a table for dinner and treat yourself to meticulously prepared meat or seafood dishes, including wild-caught scallops, bone-in wagyu tomahawks, and whole racks of Australian lamb. You can pair your meal with red, white, or sparkling wine from some of the world's premier wine-growing regions.

It's unusual for a suburb to contain one of its city's most iconic mountains, but that's exactly the case in Arcadia. The 2,680-foot-tall Camelback Mountain overlooks Arcadia's patchwork quilt of houses, restaurants, canals, groves, and bars, providing scenic year-round hiking only 10 minutes' drive away. You can reach the summit by taking either the Cholla Trail or the Echo Canyon Trail, which approach from the east or west, respectively. Both routes provide a challenging and strenuous hike with rocky sections and thigh-burning inclines, so be prepared to huff and puff your way along the ridge lines. A popular option on AllTrails is to start from Echo Canyon and finish on the Cholla. This 2.7-mile route includes a 1,400-foot climb in just 1 mile to start, but finishes with the less steep Cholla Trail. You'll just need someone to pick you up once you finish.

Camelback Mountain is part of the wider Phoenix Mountains Preserve, which includes multiple peaks and hiking trails. At 2,608 feet tall, Piestewa Peak is another enticing challenge for hikers and provides impressive sunrise views. Note that the journey up Piestewa Peak is one of the most dangerous hikes in all of Arizona, so take precautions as you trek and avoid doing so on seriously hot days.

You don't have to scale summits to enjoy mountain adventures around Arcadia. You could hike around Piestewa Peak within the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area instead. It has more moderate options, such as the Dreamy Draw Nature Trail, which is only 1.5 miles long and has a more reasonable 180-foot elevation. It includes numerous Sonoran trees, wildlife spotting opportunities, and mountain views. The spring wildflowers here are particularly beautiful.

If there's a can't-miss local hangout in Arcadia, it's the Arizona Canal, which stretches east to west through the neighborhood. This popular walking, jogging, and cycling trail is a scenic way to spend a leisurely morning or evening, with many restaurants, bars, and parks just off its pathways. OHSO Brewery + Distillery is your spot for a laid-back vibe where dogs are welcomed as much as people. Backing onto the canal, it serves hearty brunch and dinner options (think smoked brisket, classic burgers, and breakfast tostadas) best washed down with expertly brewed beer or a cocktail. The outdoor patio is perfect for sunny afternoons or cool desert nights under the stars.

The canal also leads you to Vecina, an upscale restaurant specializing in Latin cuisine. Chefs work their magic in front of diners seeking modern twists on traditional Latin favorites. If you love smoked meats, tacos, and flavorsome seafood, this is a dining experience not to be missed. It's only five minutes' walk from Arizona Falls and G.R. Herberger Park, where you can enjoy some outdoor recreation between meals. The park has beach volleyball and tennis courts, while Arizona Falls lets you see the workings of a restored hydroelectric plant up close.

Arcadia is about 15 minutes' drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. You can fly here from numerous cities around the U.S., including San Diego, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and Miami. The neighborhood has a few resorts for vacationers, such as the uber-luxurious (albeit pricey) Phoenician, which has suites near the base of Camelback Mountain. Arcadia is just one of many Phoenix neighborhoods worth checking out whenever you're in the city. North Gateway is another one known for its safety, trails, and idyllic mountain scenery, while Garfield is an up-and-coming historic neighborhood and walkable gem.