Going to Cards camp?
Here are 10 things to do at Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale.
If you’re headed to University of Phoenix Stadium for Cardinals training camp, there are plenty of dining and entertainment options, as well as shopping and services. Whether it’s live music, hands-on arcade fun, or a relaxing spa treatment, it’s easy to score a wellrounded day while in Glendale.
The district includes more than 20 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. The newest additions include Dave & Buster’s, Hot N Juicy Crawfish, Fractured Prune Doughnuts and Crave Gourmet Waffle Sandwich Creations.
All these options are at Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, unless noted otherwise. 623-385-7502, westgateaz.com and at facebook.com/WestgateAZ.
Dave & Buster’s
This Glendale entertainment destination, open just since Nov. 2015, features a large, circular sports bar with massive walls of high-definition televisions on either side and lots of seating for sports enthusiasts and gaming fanatics. It holds more than 160 arcade games such as Candy Crush saga and Angry Birds Arcade. Prizes at the Winner’s Circle include choices for kids and adults ranging from giant Pokemon Pikachus to Xboxes to iPads and Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.
Details: 11 a.m. to midnight SundaysThursdays, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 9460 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale. 623-759-7800, daveandbusters .com.
Desert Diamond Casino West Valley
Open since Dec. 20, 2015, this new 40,000-square-foot casino is packed with 1,089 gaming machines. The Tohono O’odham Nation purchased the land for its Desert Diamond Casino West Valley near Glendale more than 10 years ago. A larger permanent casino, hotel and convention center complex will be developed within several years.
Details: 9431 W. Northern Ave., Glendale. 623-877-7777, ddcaz.com/ west-valley.
Free concerts at Fountain Park
On Friday and Saturday nights, the lineup ranges from country to rock to pop to jazz to R&B. Upcoming concerts include Come Back Buddy, a three-piece Buddy Holly tribute band; Ratio, a funksoul-R&B group; and Peppermint James, an indie-alternative band. The shows take place across from AMC Westgate 20; the park also has a splash pad for kids from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. westgateaz.com/livemusic.
Gallery Glendale
Westgate teamed up with Glendale to create the free gallery, featuring works from the city’s art collection. The gallery also hosts regular classes and activities. Check the website for a complete schedule.
Details: 6-9 p.m., Thursdays; 4-9 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays through Aug. 27. Gallery admission is free; prices vary for workshops. 623-930-3557, westgateaz.com/gallery.
As You Wish Pottery Painting Place
Visitors can create their own pottery pieces. Design your pieces with the provided paints and brushes, and within a few days the works will be glazed, fired and ready to pick up.
Details: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. MondaysThursdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. 9410 W. Hanna Lane, Glendale. Adults pay an $8 studio fee plus the cost of pottery; kids 12
or younger pay $6 plus the cost of pottery. 623-7725403, asyouwishpott ery.com.
WaterDance Plaza
The open-air plaza across from Gila River Arena features a water show inspired by the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas. The water sprays are synced to music and video imagery. Sit on one of the many mosaic benches to watch the show, and feel free to throw coins into the fountain. They’re donated to the 100 Club of Arizona, which supports first responders killed or injured in the line of duty.
Shows begin at 11:30 a.m. daily and run every half hour till 2 p.m. and from 4 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and from 4 to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
AMC Westgate 20
Catch the summer’s biggest blockbusters at this 20-screen cineplex, which includes an IMAX screen and RealD 3-D screens for intense special effects.
At the northern end of Westgate. amc theatres.com/westgate.
Bull riding at Saddle Ranch Chop House
The mechanical bull is front and center at this casual Western-themed restaurant and bar. If you think you have what it takes to best el toro, challenge your party to a competition. Treat yourself to all-you-can-eat ribs from 6 to 11 p.m. Tuesdays.
11 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-midnight Sundays. 9375 W. Coyotes Blvd., Glendale. 623-8897770, thesaddleranch. com/glendale.html.
Book a spa treatment at this stylish hotel. Services include the aroma stone massage, seasonal sugar body scrub, refresh facial and signature pomegranate pedicure.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays; 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Renaissance Glendale, 9495 W. Coyotes Blvd. 480-5188099, spabotanica glendale.com.
Happy hour at Westgate bars
Cardinals trainingcamp sessions run from 2 to 4:30 p.m., ending at prime time for weekday happy hours. From 4 to 7 p.m. Bar Louie specials include $3.25 select drafts and half-price appetizers like chicken quesadilla, boneless wings and flatbreads. At Whiskey Rose from 3 to 7 p.m. domestic pints and bottles are $2 Mondays through Fridays. Half Yard beers at Yard House are $7-$10 from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and get half off draft beers and appetizers at McFadden’s from 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. If Japanese cuisine suits you best, there are sushi rolls for $2.95-$7.95 at Kabuki from 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Several restaurants also offer reverse happy hour. Get all the details on the Westgate website.
westgateaz. com/dine/happy-hourspecials.