A 6-stop tour of Arizona’s literary hotspots

Explore Arizona’s six most bookish spots, including poetry slams, book bars, creative centers, a historic literary landmark, and a fairytale-inspired land.

Arizona is known for its adventure offerings, world-class golf courses, and vibrant sports culture, but it’s also a hidden gem for literary enthusiasts. From unique bookstores and historic author homes to iconic settings from novels and beautiful libraries, the state offers plenty for book lovers to explore.

If you’re passionate about literature and the joy of reading, check out our literary tour through Arizona’s most bookish destinations. Here’s the map for you to follow along (and then hit the road!).

1. First Draft Book Bar

I dare you to name something better than a bar inside a bookstore. First Draft Book Bar is exactly that. Located within Phoenix’s beloved independent bookstore, Changing Hands, First Draft is the perfect spot to pair your next read with a glass of bubbly, a crisp draft beer, or a handcrafted cocktail. It also hosts a monthly book club, making it the ideal place to discover a new fictional favorite—and maybe a new friend, too!

Pint of beer at First Draft Book Bar in Phoenix. (Austin Kleon/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

2. The Rebel Lounge

Hear me out: While The Rebel Lounge is best known for its legendary concerts and vibrant music scene, it’s also a must-visit spot for poets and poetry enthusiasts. Once a month, The Rebel Lounge hosts the Ghost Poetry Slam, an event where 15 poets from The Ghost Poetry Show—a community of writers in the Phoenix area—compete in a three-round poetry show. Their performances are judged by five randomly selected audience members, which adds an exciting element. If you’re local, be sure to check out one of their monthly writing nights to see what it’s all about. 

3. Cherokee Elementary School

You can’t miss a visit to the very first literary landmark in Arizona—Cherokee Elementary School in Paradise Valley. This landmark was created in memory of Barbara Park, the author of the beloved “Junie B. Jones” series. The school served as the inspiration behind Park’s book “Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus,” the first in her bestselling series. Park was inspired to write the story after seeing a young Cherokee student walking home from school after missing the bus. A visit here will transport you right back to the joy of reading “Junie B. Jones” as a child.

Copy of “Junie B. Jones and the Smelly Bus.” (T-Bone Sandwich/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

4. Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing 

The Virginia G. Piper Center is Arizona’s hub for literary craft, culture, and community. This is where renowned writers like American poet and essayist Rita Dove have spent years honing their craft and finding inspiration. If you’re visiting Arizona, you’ll want to check out the center’s diverse events, which range from talks and readings to literary engagements featuring everyone from national bestsellers to local voices. It also offers classes, workshops, and programs that bring the community together, all while staying true to its mission to ‘create brave spaces where individuals can discover and claim their stories.

Rita Dove speaking at “Legacies: A Conversation with Sandra Cisneros, Rita Dove and Joy Harjo” hosted by archiTEXTS and the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. (Gage Skidmore/CC BY-SA 2.0)

5. The University of Arizona Poetry Center

If you’re a poetry lover, a stop at The University of Arizona Poetry Center in Tucson is a must. Recognized as one of the leading literary institutions in the U.S., the Poetry Center has one of the largest and most impressive collections of contemporary poetry, both in print and digital formats. If you’re looking for something to do, it also hosts reading and lecture series, offers educational programs for both adults and children, and provides discussion groups as well as art and library exhibitions. A visit here is sure to leave the writer within feeling inspired. 

Entrance to The University of Arizona Poetry Center. (Henry Tom/CC BY 3.0)

6. Valley of the Moon

Have you ever wished to step into a land that feels straight out of a fairytale? A place where reality fades away and imagination takes over? Valley of the Moon in Tucson provides an opportunity for just that. Made over the span of 9 years, George Phar Ledger designed and created an enchanted storybook land to inspire kindness and spark imagination. With its whimsical charm, Valley of the Moon offers private and public events, including fairy night lights, historic tours, storybook picnics, and more!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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