Although Phoenix isn’t known for being a truly walkable city like New York City or San Francisco, pockets of the Valley of the Sun are walkable. If you don’t have a car, you can live in some metro Phoenix places and still get around.

Here are four walkable spots in metro Phoenix where you can live if you’re car free. An added bonus? These are all vibrant spots in the Valley that have plenty to offer residents.

Popular downtown Phoenix entertainment venue the Crescent Ballroom. (Photo provided by Downtown Phoenix),

Downtown Phoenix

Downtown Phoenix is one of the Valley’s most walkable areas. For starters, downtown is home to plenty of shops, restaurants, apartments, and entertainment venues that are all within walking distance of one another. The Valley Metro Rail—more commonly known as the light rail—also runs through downtown and can transport you to many different areas of the Valley. The light rail only goes to a somewhat limited number of places (see the map here), but you’d have access to it and can get around town sans car. A full day pass costs $4.  

I personally love eating at one of downtown’s great restaurants and then catching a show or game. I recently dined at Mexican hot spot Huarachis Taqueria before a Phoenix Mercury game at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Residing downtown means having access to some of the city’s best entertainment and dining options and having great nights out on the town. A few other top downtown venues include Crescent Ballroom, The Van Buren, and the Arizona Financial Theatre. I’ve seen shows at all of them, and I especially love The Van Buren, which was built in 1929 for the Phoenix Motor Company and still has a historical feel to it. The venue features high ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and colorful murals depicting a desert scape on both sides of the stage. I’ve seen artists like Death Cab for Cutie, Canadian rock band Metric, and country star Ashley McBryde here. It’s somewhat rare to find places in Phoenix that feel old, but the Van Buren feels classical and modern all at once. The venue can hold up to 1,900 people standing and is a very intimate setting to watch an artist perform.

Just a few blocks from the Van Buren is award-winning cocktail bar Bitter & Twisted. I’m a big fan of its whimsical atmosphere and love looking through its cocktail book when I’m there. Downtown Phoenix does only have two grocery stores—one Fry’s located downtown and another Safeway—meaning your options are pretty limited. But overall, if you want to live in Phoenix without a car, downtown would be a great place to reside—especially if you love nightlife.

Mill Avenue in Downtown Tempe is a popular destination for nightlife. (Photo provided by Downtown Tempe).

Downtown Tempe

Downtown Tempe is home to plenty of high-rise apartment buildings, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues that make this a vibrant place to live. In particular, Mill Avenue is a hot spot for nightlife. The street is packed with lively bars, restaurants, and other hot spots. If you’re ever feeling bored, just take a stroll down this street. The light rail also has stops in Tempe, which makes it easier to navigate the city sans vehicle. The city of Tempe also offers a complimentary Orbit shuttle that travels to a variety of destinations in town. Learn more about the specifics here. 

Located on the outskirts of downtown, The Chuckbox is one of downtown Tempe’s most storied restaurants. The cash-only, old-school burger joint is a place where you can order a patty grilled over mesquite and then top it yourself from a toppings bar. In business since 1972, The Chuckbox hearkens back to a time when burgers were simple, inexpensive foods, not gourmet fare. I went here to celebrate the Fourth of July one year because I felt that nothing is more American than a hamburger. Other stellar downtown Tempe restaurants include Proof Bread, Alter Ego, and Mexican joint Loco Patron. I enjoyed a truly incredible meal at the Lucero Rooftop Lounge and Terrace, which is perched on top of the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU. Lucero also features roof-to-floor windows showcasing stellar views of Tempe all around.

Arts-wise, downtown Tempe is home to the Tempe Center For The Arts. The center hosts live theater, open mic nights, and special events like the Native Holiday Market. Tempe Beach Park and Tempe Town Lake are located alongside the Salt River and offer up plenty of greenery and water. Take a pleasant stroll here or enjoy special events like the musical Innings Festival. This is one of my favorite events. I’ve seen Eddie Vedder, the Foo Fighters, Billy Strings, and St. Vincent all perform on this massive stage. Enjoy comedy at Tempe Improv and live music at places like the Marquee Theatre and the Low Key Piano Bar. Overall, Tempe is a vibrant place to reside and is home to plenty of hot spots—both old school institutions and newer restaurants—that are within walking distance of one another.

Aerial shot of Culdesac’s apartments. (Photo provided by Culdesac).

Culdesac

Situated about a 15-minute drive from Old Town Scottsdale, Culdesac claims to be “the first truly walkable neighborhood built from scratch in the United States.” Residents aren’t given parking spaces, so if you own a car, you can’t park within a one block of Culdesac. Culdesac features 700 apartments and feels very modern. The community also features over 20 (mostly local) businesses and welcomes shoppers. Visitors and residents can buy dog products from Oaty Bear boutique, make their own natural candles and soaps at Brite Candle Co., take home imported gifts celebrating Japanese design and style at Kinkan Gifts, and eat Korean food at Busan Mart. It’s also home to numerous courtyards where residents gather and mingle. I went here for an event recently and loved the atmosphere. The buildings are all a soothing white color and well spaced-out. The lights hanging overhead lend a charming vibe to the space. Plus, the vendors on the ground floor are so unique and vibrant. I was particularly charmed by the dog store Oaty Bear and the Native-owned pastry shop, ReddHouse.  

The galleries in the Old Town Scottsdale Arts District host the free weekly ArtWalk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday. (Photo provided by Scottsdale Gallery Association).

Old Town Scottsdale

Best known for its nightlife, let’s just say that there’s a reason why the phrase “Scottsdale before the veil” is a thing. You’ll often spot bachelorette parties when you stroll or drive around Old Town on the weekends. But if you love nightlife and don’t mind noise on the weekends (Old Town is not quiet), Old Town Scottsdale might be perfect for you. In addition to some of the area’s best restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and art galleries that are within walking distance of one another, Old Town has plenty of apartments. Although there’s no light rail stop in Old Town Scottsdale, the city of Scottsdale offers a free trolley to popular stops like Chaparral Park and the Civic Center Library. Trolleys operate Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Read more about this service here: https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/transit-system. The trolley also drops off riders at the light rail.

The entertainment district located just south of Camelback Road is home to over 10 clubs and bars that are all within walking distance to one another. I personally love Old Town’s restaurant scene. Pizzeria Virtu and Virta from top chef alum Gio Osso are both excellent Italian restaurants. Malee’s Thai Bistro is another gem. The green basil curry is savory and sweet and a perfect dish for a cold winter’s day. Old Town is also nearby Scottsdale Fashion Square, which is one of the Valley’s premier shopping centers that features a Harkins movie theater and some stellar restaurants. A few that have just opened are Sam Fox-backed French brasserie Society Swan and seafood-centric Catch. Some top nightclubs include Wasted Grain and Maya Day + Night, which has its own pool, and the chic W Hotel’s Cottontail Lounge. Nightlife aside, the beloved Poisoned Pen Bookstore has been in business for decades and hosts many author events. Head here to check out the latest book titles.

Old Town also has plenty of events throughout the year. My absolute favorite is Canal Convergence. Situated along the Scottsdale Waterfront, Canal Convergence is a series of interactive art installations along the man-made canal. This year’s edition was a technicolor dream featuring a circular spiral in the water that changed many different colors. One installation featured a large television displaying vintage clips from past TV programs. The main attraction was a fire feature in the middle of the canal where flames shot high from circular items placed in the water that were synced to music. It’s always impressive, and I look forward to this event every year. During Scottsdazzle, the Waterfront is lit up with an assortment of colorful holiday decorations. Residents can look forward to events like a Christmas tree lighting and holiday film screenings. In early January, residents can enjoy the Parada del Sol Historic Parade, which attracts about 35,000 spectators and celebrates the founding of Scottsdale. The parade ends with a family-friendly, Western-themed Trail’s End Festival.

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