Meet Glendale Phoenix's Not So Little Brother
Phoenix continues to rise from the dusty desert, thanks to air conditioning and 300 sunny days a year. As the most populous city capital in the United States, Phoenix is also a busy hub for snowbirds nesting or tourists escaping winter for sunshine. While Phoenix might be rising, the west suburb of Glendale is exploding. For decades now, we’ve visited my in-laws who retired to Arizona, just west of Phoenix. It used to be that the west side was the sleepier side, a cowboy and cactus country sprinkled with retirement communities. Not anymore, Phoenix has spread its wings east to west. That expansion is most evident in Glendale. Tourism ballooned when Cardinal Stadium, part of the National Football League, was built in 2006. From there, we saw Westgate Entertainment District pop up with shopping, enter-
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By Sarah Miller Freelance Travel Writer
tainment, and restaurants. Places like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and a western-themed spot where you could ride a mechanical bull and dine on BBQ catered to tourists. Those are all gone now, like the setting sun in the west. That doesn’t mean Glendale is snoozing, far from it.
What’s Next? Barbie, Pickleball, and Music
Glendale is preparing for a colossal 2024. Hot new attractions that capitalize on pop culture and travel trends are poised to rise this year. Let’s lift the lid on what Glendale has planned, and what you might want to add to your upcoming travel plans.
Mattel Adventure Park
Imagine all your favorite iconic Mattel toys– Barbie, Hot Wheels, and more– morphed into January, 2024~ ExtendedWeekendGetaways | -43-