If you haven’t started planning your trip to Phoenix, it’s time. WordCamp US is less than two months away, and the local community is gearing up to welcome you to town. Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress-er or just getting started, WordCamp US has something to offer you.
I chatted with WordCamp US Lead Raquel, a local to Phoenix, about the ins and outs of her city. We talked about the weather, getting around, food, and of course, coffee. I’ve put together her recommendations along with a few things I learned when I was in town for WordCamp Phoenix 2024. Be sure to pay close attention to these sites; many of them are proudly powered by WordPress!
Coffee
No WordCamp US planning post would be complete without at least a small mention of coffee. After all, our community is made almost entirely of coffee. There are several options close to the convention center where you can get a taste of the local coffee scene:
- Cartel: A favorite with coffee lovers, they even have a quiz that you can take to reveal your perfect match.
- Songbird Coffee & Tea House: A Phoenix community favorite, they offer locally-sourced craft coffee and tea, plus a resident cat named Inky Bob.
- Press Coffee: Located in the convention center, Press Coffee offers coffee, tea, and some basic bites, including empanadas.
Food
One of my favorite parts about traveling is getting to try the local food. Phoenix has an impressive array of options, but here are a few places we highly recommend:
BBQ
What WordCamp US would be complete without sampling some of the local barbecue? I wasn’t sure if this was a “thing” in Phoenix, but Raquel responded almost immediately with Little Miss BBQ. She said it’s so good you don’t need any sauce. If the photos on their website are anything to go by, she’s definitely right.
Fry Bread
Fry bread was invented out of necessity when the US government forced indigenous people from their lands and they lost access to the foods that comprised their diet. Since then, it has made its way into Phoenix’s food scene, and there’s just one place to go try it. James Beard Award Winners: The Fry Bread House. Cecelia Miller brought her family recipes with her from the Tohono O’odham Nation, and started her restaurant in 1992. The restaurant’s signature dish uses her mother’s fry bread recipe, combined with beans and red chile sauce made from ground red chile pods. You can also try fry bread there as tacos, and even sweet fry bread for dessert.
Street Tacos
Phoenicians love their street tacos. Raquel’s top picks for while you’re in town are Taco Boys and Tacos Calafia. If you want to make a trip to another James Beard Award winning restaurant, Huarachi’s should definitely be on your list. Visit Phoenix has put together a list of other taco places that you might want to check out as well.
Pizza
Something that Phoenix isn’t short on is outstanding food. To round out our food list, we’re going to end with pizza:
- Pizzeria Bianco: The owner and chef, Chris Bianco, has won two James Beard Awards – one for Best Chef: Southwest in 2003 and Outstanding Restaurateur in 2022. Since opening in 1988, Chris’ restaurant has offered the same six pies – the Wiseguy, Rosa, Sonny Boy, Biancoverde, and the classic Margherita and Marinara.
- CiBO Pizzeria: For our gluten free crowd, CiBO has you covered. Raquel reports that not only are their gluten-containing pizzas amazing, but they have a delicious gluten free pizza that “rivals Italy itself.” Having eaten many disappointing gluten free pizzas, I will definitely be giving this one a try.
Local Nightlife
After dark, the temps go down (a bit), and you might feel like wrapping up the day with an evening out with your new WordCamp friends. Here’s where to find good drinks, good beer, and good atmosphere:
Good Drinks
Looking for a fancy cocktail to wind down the night? Check these two out:
- Bitter & Twisted: Located in the former Arizona Prohibition Headquarters, this award-winning cocktail bar offers hand-crafted cocktails and a selection of eats, both big and small.
- Little Rituals: Hidden on the fourth floor of the Courtyard Marriott Downtown, they serve craft cocktails made with high-quality spirits, fresh-squeezed citrus juices, and house-made syrups, infusions, tinctures, foams, flawless ice, and garnishes. If you do plan to go, make note of their seating policy.
Good Beer
Raquel’s immediate answer to the place for local brews was Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. The closest location will be DTPHX. They have a seasonal rotation of beers and other drinks available, plus a food menu that can meet a variety of dietary needs. We had the speaker/sponsor event at the DTPHX location, and it was a great fit for socializing with large groups of people.
Good Atmosphere
Looking for a unique experience to go with your drinks and food? Check out Wren & Wolf, a chef-driven dining concept. Their dinner menu features craft cocktails and steakhouse fare, including aged steaks and chops, along with fresh salmon, tuna, and halibut. If you want to visit earlier in the day, you should check out their coffee bar with fresh pastries, a selection of sandwiches, salads, and shareable plates.
Shopping
I really love taking back some treasures from local businesses while I’m away. Here’s a few places to check out:
- Retail Therapy: Founded by two moms, Retail Therapy’s mission is to connect small business owners to the community. Their businesses offer apparel, art, locally-made products, and more.
- Bunky Boutique: Bunky Boutique is proudly LGBTQ+ owned. They offer clothing, jewelry, gifts, and more.
- Frances Vintage: Georganne Bryant opened Frances (named after her grandmother) in 2006. They offer clothing, jewelry, home essentials, gifts, and more. If you’re looking for an Arizona-themed shirt to take home, they offer several from local brand State Forty Eight.
- Practical Art: This business’ driving principle is “art with intention.” As such, much of their wares are things that you would use every day, with an artsy spin.
- Cosanti Originals: This one is a little bit out of the way, but if you have time to visit, it’s definitely worth it. Not only is this a place to shop around a bit, it’s a living art exhibition. Many of the structures and dwellings that make up Cosanti were built in the 1950s and 1960s by Paolo Soleri (1919-2013). This art studio is known for its hand-cast bells, as well as ceramics and jewelry.
Things to See
WordCamp US days are usually jam-packed with things to do, and might not offer time to get away to see the sights. If you do find yourself lucky enough to have the spare time, check out these local treasures.
Find a Saguaro Cactus
Dozens of species of cactus are native to Arizona, but the saguaro is the most well-known. If you’ve ever watched an American western movie, they are on just about every set. Some fast facts about this desert plant:
- Tall, but slow growing: They can grow to be over 50 feet tall, but only grow about a foot a year. They can grow as many as 50 arms or branches.
- Long lifespan: Saguaro live between 150 and 200 years. They don’t grow their first arm until they’re about 50 years old.
- They’re protected: It is illegal to harm or damage a saguaro. If one gets in the way of construction in Arizona, you have to get a special permit to get it transported to a different area so it can continue growing.
- They produce flowers and fruit: Arizona’s state flower is the saguaro blossom. These show up each spring on the tops of the spears (central part of the cactus) and their arms. They also produce a red, mildly sweet fruit. This fruit is used to make jams, syrup, and wine.
- They’re sharp: Saguaro are covered with extra sharp spines. These spines act like leaves, catching rainwater. The spines are as sharp and strong as a steel needle, so admire from a distance.
A great place to see a saguaro cactus, plus much of the other local flora is the Desert Botanical Gardens. If you want to check it out after the heat of the day, you’re in luck. Now through the end of September, you can check out Summer Garden After Dark, a series of light installations along the garden trails, plus a number of other nighttime experiences.
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Art Museum is considered the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Home to 20,000 objects, they see 300,000 visitors pass through their doors each year. Their mission is to “to ignite imaginations, create connections, and serve as a vibrant destination, a brave space, for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art.”
With ongoing and rotating exhibitions, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Visit them Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 8p.m. or weekends between 10a.m. and 5p.m.
Downtown is Buzzing
If you’re looking for more ideas about how to spend your downtime, check out DTPHX’s Events Calendar. There are a variety of activities happening in the area around the convention center just while we’re in town!
Getting to Phoenix and Getting Around
Phoenix’s airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (airport code: PHX). You can see a list of passenger airlines that have routes to Phoenix here. Once you arrive, there are a few ways to make your way to WordCamp US’s official hotel:
- Rideshare: Waymo, Uber, Lyft, Wridz, and HUM are all options to and from the airport. Pricing varies depending on time of day. Fun fact: Waymo’s earliest testing of its autonomous vehicles was completed in the Phoenix area.
- Taxis and Shuttles: Several taxi companies are available to take you to and from the airport. Minimum fare for taxis is $18.
- Public Transportation: With this option, you would take the SkyTrain from the terminal to the A train and ride the A train all the way downtown. You will get dropped off a few blocks away from the hotel. This costs less than $5. It’s a pretty simple route to follow.
From the hotel, the Phoenix Convention Center is a 5-minute walk down the street.
Weather and Things to Pack
In case you aren’t aware, Phoenix, Arizona, is in the southwestern part of the United States. It’s situated on the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert. For these reasons, Phoenix in August is HOT. Daytime temperatures in August average 105°F (40°C) and fall to the 80s F (upper 20s C) in the evening. Fret not, the venue and hotel both have air conditioning that will keep you comfy, if a little chilly. Raquel recommends bringing along a sweater or other warm-ish layer to wear when you’re inside, since the air conditioning can get a little extreme sometimes.
Phoenix’s monsoon season runs June 15 to September 30, but the storms are usually short-lived. Phoenix gets an average of nine inches of rain per year, so these intermittent storms are a welcome sight to locals.
When packing, lightweight, loose-fitting layers will be your best bet. Think cottons and other breathable fibers. Also, make sure to pack a water bottle so that you can stay hydrated during the conference.
More Ideas
The 2024 WordCamp Phoenix organizers put together a local guide for their event. Be sure to give this a look for even more amazing local fare.
To make planning a little easier, we’ve gathered everything into a Google Map.
Get Your Ticket
Tickets to WordCamp US are just $100 for Contributor Day and three days of sessions. We hope to see you there.