If you haven\u2019t started planning your trip to Phoenix, it\u2019s time. WordCamp US is less than two months away, and the local community is gearing up to welcome you to town. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned WordPress-er or just getting started, WordCamp US has something to offer you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I chatted with WordCamp US Lead Raquel<\/a>, 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\u2019ve put together her recommendations along with a few things I learned when I was in town for WordCamp Phoenix 2024<\/a>. Be sure to pay close attention to these sites; many of them are proudly powered by WordPress!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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: <\/p>\n\n\n\n What WordCamp US would be complete without sampling some of the local barbecue? I wasn\u2019t sure if this was a \u201cthing\u201d in Phoenix, but Raquel responded almost immediately with Little Miss BBQ<\/a>. She said it\u2019s so good you don\u2019t need any sauce. If the photos on their website are anything to go by, she\u2019s definitely right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s food scene, and there\u2019s just one place to go try it. James Beard Award Winners: The Fry Bread House<\/a>. Cecelia Miller brought her family recipes with her from the Tohono O\u2019odham Nation, and started her restaurant in 1992. The restaurant\u2019s signature dish uses her mother\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phoenicians love their street tacos. Raquel\u2019s top picks for while you\u2019re in town are Taco Boys<\/a> and Tacos Calafia<\/a>. If you want to make a trip to another James Beard Award winning restaurant, Huarachi\u2019s<\/a> should definitely be on your list. Visit Phoenix<\/a> has put together a list of other taco places that you might want to check out as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something that Phoenix isn\u2019t short on is outstanding food. To round out our food list, we\u2019re going to end with pizza: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s where to find good drinks, good beer, and good atmosphere: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for a fancy cocktail to wind down the night? Check these two out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Raquel\u2019s 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<\/a> available, plus a food menu<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for a unique experience to go with your drinks and food? Check out Wren & Wolf<\/a>, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I really love taking back some treasures from local businesses while I\u2019m away. Here\u2019s a few places to check out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dozens of species of cactus are native to Arizona, but the saguaro<\/a> is the most well-known. If you\u2019ve ever watched an American western movie, they are on just about every set. Some fast facts about this desert plant: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A great place to see a saguaro cactus, plus much of the other local flora is the Desert Botanical Gardens<\/a>. If you want to check it out after the heat of the day, you\u2019re in luck. Now through the end of September, you can check out Summer Garden After Dark<\/a>, a series of light installations along the garden trails, plus a number of other nighttime experiences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phoenix Art Museum<\/a> 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 \u201cto 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n With ongoing and rotating exhibitions, there\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for more ideas about how to spend your downtime, check out DTPHX\u2019s Events Calendar<\/a>. There are a variety of activities happening in the area around the convention center just while we\u2019re in town!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phoenix\u2019s airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport<\/a> (airport code: PHX). You can see a list of passenger airlines that have routes to Phoenix here<\/a>. Once you arrive, there are a few ways to make your way to WordCamp US\u2019s official hotel<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the hotel, the Phoenix Convention Center<\/a> is a 5-minute walk down the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case you aren\u2019t aware, Phoenix, Arizona, is in the southwestern part of the United States. It\u2019s situated on the eastern edge of the Sonoran Desert. For these reasons, Phoenix in August is HOT. Daytime temperatures in August average 105\u00b0F (40\u00b0C) 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\u2019re inside, since the air conditioning can get a little extreme sometimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Phoenix\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2024 WordCamp Phoenix organizers put together a local guide<\/a> for their event. Be sure to give this a look for even more amazing local fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make planning a little easier, we\u2019ve gathered everything into a Google Map. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCoffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
BBQ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fry Bread<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Street Tacos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pizza<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Local Nightlife<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Good Drinks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Good Beer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Good Atmosphere<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shopping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Things to See<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Find a Saguaro Cactus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Phoenix Art Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Downtown is Buzzing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Getting to Phoenix and Getting Around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Weather and Things to Pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n