Phoenix

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Phoenix with Jeremy Duda and Jessica Boehm.

Axios Phoenix

Standard

Phoenix Members

Membership

Phoenix Alerts

Alert

Axios Phoenix Partners

Axios Phoenix Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Restaurants and boutique retail slated to replace old Los Olivos car wash

The Corner at Midtown, featuring restaurants and retail, will replace the old Los Olivos car wash.

News

The site of a demolished central Phoenix car wash that closed nearly a decade ago is finally getting new life as a retail and restaurant hub with a downtown feel.Why it matters: The vacant land on the northwest corner of Third Street and McDowell Road is a prime location in a booming central Phoenix neighborhood.

McDonald's teases collab with Devin Booker and Nike

A cryptic Sedona video hints at new turquoise kicks.

In a trippy, cryptic video, McDonald&#x27;s is giving us a preview of an upcoming collab with Suns star Devin Booker and Nike.Zoom in: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="iconic turquoise arches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.scenic.org/2025/06/26/sedonas-turquoise-arches-show-how-communities-maintain-control/" data-vars-content-id="d18d724e-9eb5-4365-9252-c35f99bde7a1" data-vars-headline="McDonald&#x27;s teases collab with Devin Booker and Nike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.scenic.org/2025/06/26/sedonas-turquoise-arches-show-how-communities-maintain-control/" target="_blank">iconic turquoise arches</a> in Sedona — which is one of the few McDonald&#x27;s locations without golden arches — appear to be central to whatever it is the fast-food chain, basketball star and footwear company are cooking up.

"Classic" Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona

Retro Pizza Hut restaurants are planned for southern Arizona amid a nationwide revival.

If you grew up eating at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="old-school Pizza Hut restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/pizza-hut-classic-virginia-locations" data-vars-content-id="874df07a-591f-4cb9-96f5-27ef1694a1ad" data-vars-headline="&quot;Classic&quot; Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/pizza-hut-classic-virginia-locations" target="_self">old-school Pizza Hut restaurants</a> with the red roofs and classic decor, get ready for a big dose of nostalgia.The big picture: There&#x27;s been a wave of conversions in recent years as owners have gone retro, transforming restaurants back to the &quot;Pizza Hut Classic&quot; version with checkered tablecloths, Tiffany lamps, red cups and other old-school features.

Terrible's gas stations are coming to the Valley

Nevada-based Terrible's is expanding its gas station and convenience store empire to the Valley.

Terrible&#x27;s is bringing its gas stations, convenience stores and unforgettable name to the Valley.The big picture: Terrible&#x27;s — known for decades as Terrible Herbst until a recent name change — is a southern Nevada institution that&#x27;s spread throughout the West.

Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel

Despite high gas prices, AAA expects 850,000 Arizonans to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend.

Arizonans aren&#x27;t expected to let sky-high gas prices get in the way of their Memorial Day weekend plans.Why it matters: With gas pushing an average of $4.82 per gallon — about 25 cents higher than the national average, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AZ" data-vars-content-id="cc72bec7-6f7b-427b-a483-4c837dc1dc35" data-vars-headline="Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AZ" target="_blank">per AAA</a> — your long-weekend road trip will cost a lot more than it did last year.

What to know before tubing the Salt River

Here's how to plan your Salt River tubing trip this summer.

Salt River tubing season is in full swing and we&#x27;ve got everything you need to know to enjoy the classic Valley summertime outing.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recreation portion of the Salt River" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/water-activities/salt-river/" data-vars-content-id="6f334ad0-3a19-4164-96c2-38ab8b265d0d" data-vars-headline="What to know before tubing the Salt River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitphoenix.com/sonoran-desert/water-activities/salt-river/" target="_blank">recreation portion of the Salt River</a> in far east Mesa is about 40 miles from downtown Phoenix.

Tea Around Town brings its unique bus tours to Phoenix

Tea Around Town brings its afternoon tea party tour bus to Phoenix.

Put on your fanciest clothes and enjoy a tea party on wheels in the heart of Phoenix.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tea Around Town" data-vars-click-url="https://topviewtix.com/phoenix/tea-around-town-classic" data-vars-content-id="e1678d60-2ed7-4981-8f8b-fec2296c3311" data-vars-headline="Tea Around Town brings its unique bus tours to Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://topviewtix.com/phoenix/tea-around-town-classic" target="_blank">Tea Around Town</a> offers a unique experience — an afternoon tea party combined with a scenic tour of the city.

Roosevelt Row faces reckoning over First Friday

Changes to First Friday reignite debate over art, growth and the district's identity.

May&#x27;s First Friday art walk on Roosevelt Row will look different after organizers scrapped the vendor market and street closures, citing a string of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ugly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNQd_LEkvo/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="f436b103-34cf-4e75-b830-d7b3df3dea0a" data-vars-headline="Roosevelt Row faces reckoning over First Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNQd_LEkvo/?img_index=1" target="_blank">ugly</a>&quot; and violent incidents.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a moment of reckoning for Roosevelt Row — a once-scrappy arts district that many locals say has lost its authenticity amid downtown Phoenix&#x27;s rapid growth.

It's a new season with new attractions for the Barefoot Trail

Northern Arizona's Barefoot Trail will feature new events and attractions when it reopens May 6.

It&#x27;s almost time to kick off your shoes and take a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="walk through nature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/08/02/barefoot-trail-flagstaff-earthing" data-vars-content-id="69318202-5ee1-4846-b0bb-82ff7f49097c" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s a new season with new attractions for the Barefoot Trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/08/02/barefoot-trail-flagstaff-earthing" target="_self">walk through nature</a> on the Barefoot Trail, which has new attractions that might get you to make multiple visits this year.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Barefoot Trail" data-vars-click-url="https://thebarefoottrail.org/" data-vars-content-id="69318202-5ee1-4846-b0bb-82ff7f49097c" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s a new season with new attractions for the Barefoot Trail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thebarefoottrail.org/" target="_blank">The Barefoot Trail</a> west of Flagstaff, near Bellemont just off Interstate 40, is opening for its third season on May 6.

Phoenix summer deals offer locals big savings

Resorts and waterparks roll out steep summer discounts as tourism slows.

If you&#x27;re stuck in the Valley most of the summer, it&#x27;s time to make your plan for taking advantage of Phoenix&#x27;s slow season.Why it matters: When <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temperatures shoot up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="c50f1069-40e9-45ff-a973-492506eb5d8e" data-vars-headline="Phoenix summer deals offer locals big savings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" target="_self">temperatures shoot up</a>, tourism drops off and locals can get into resorts and attractions at significant discounts.

Sneak peek: Phoenix gets a smaller Ikea store

Arizona&#x27;s newest Ikea will have the meatballs, the iconic showroom and a grab-and-go marketplace, but it won&#x27;t take you an hour to peruse.What it matters: Phoenix residents have been clamoring for another, more central Ikea for decades.

What to check out at Final Four fan events

Fans can enjoy games, panels and concerts during Final Four weekend festivities.

Sports

<figure><img alt="A gif of kids shooting baskets with &quot;Fina Four&quot; branding." height="450" id="daf4e127-5a00-43de-a698-587eaa09efc8" src="https://images.axios.com/I06J-oWCyFHdNiDpPOyxgIGkPLY=/2026/04/02/1775166745955.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>There are too many hoops to count at Tourney Town. GIF: Jessica Boehm/Axios</figcaption></figure>Downtown Phoenix is abuzz with basketball fever and plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fan fun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/25/phoenix-womens-final-four-free-fan-events-downtown" data-vars-content-id="2e15843e-5794-46b9-a86a-f08d69c96b2a" data-vars-headline="What to check out at Final Four fan events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/25/phoenix-womens-final-four-free-fan-events-downtown" target="_self">fan fun</a> for locals to enjoy.Why it matters: This is Phoenix&#x27;s first time hosting the women&#x27;s Final Four.

Phoenix unveils new South Mountain Activity Complex

After more than two years of work, Phoenix unveiled the South Mountain Activity Complex.

If you&#x27;re looking for a scenic event space, a spot for a family picnic or a good place to start a hike, the new South Mountain Activity Complex may be the place for you.State of play: After more than two years of work, the city of Phoenix unveiled the new activity center, off Central Avenue near the South Mountain Visitor Center.

Things to Do 🗓

Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel

"Classic" Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona

What to know before tubing the Salt River

Tea Around Town brings its unique bus tours to Phoenix

Roosevelt Row faces reckoning over First Friday