The Best Things to Do in Glendale, Ariz.

The big silver structure that dominates the Glendale skyline is State Farm Stadium, home to Arizona Cardinals, the Fiesta Bowl, Super Bowls and soon the Final Four. It sits just off AZ-101, with parking lots that literally stretch for miles. A few blocks away you’ll find the Westgate Entertainment District, a food and entertainment complex that was formerly home to the Arizona Coyotes. It’ll be ground zero for any pre- and post-game parties around the big event.

The spring home to the Chicago White Sox and L.A. Dodgers is one of the coolest spring training facilities in all of Major League Baseball. The open practice diamonds just outside center field give visitors a chance to watch their favorite players from only a few feet away. The open grass between practice fields also makes for plenty of chance encounters with current and future big leaguers. Spring training games run from around the end of February to late March, but you can find players doing rehab assignments here all year round.

North 58th Avenue is effectively Glendale’s Restaurant Row, and its longtime anchor is Bitz-ee Mama’s. Best known for its epic breakfast burritos, the restaurant has a line at almost any hour as guests queue up for its red and green chili, fish tacos and smoky, sizzling fajitas. Not into Mexican food? Bitz-ee Mama’s has a full menu of American classics, too, so you can enjoy your chicken tenders while the rest of the table scarfs down fresh-made guac.

For something a little more pan-Latin, hit Bodega, which specializes in all things south of the border. Though raw fish in the desert might sound suspect, their pineapple and snapper ceviche stands out. As does the Cuban mojo pork tacos — or anything from the taco menu, really. And the blueberry grilled cheese with prosciutto and balsamic glaze might be more memorable than whatever game you’re in town for.

For the best gritty, the-flavor-is-worth-the-indigestion Mexican food in Glendale, nowhere tops downtown’s Don Juan’s. It’s every bit the family-run, secret-recipe taco joint intrepid travelers look for when visiting the Southwest. Though you may have to wait a while for a table at lunchtime, it’s always worth it.

This unassuming beer hall along Glendale’s main drag is a great place to stop in for an oversized German beer and an equally oversized pretzel. Wooden picnic tables fill the adjacent alley, making it ideal for outdoor dining on a warm evening. And the Bavarian interior feels almost like a trip to an Alpine chalet…if it weren’t 110 degrees outside.

Good Vietnamese food can be tough to find outside major cities, but this little house on North 57th Avenue puts out some of the best pho and spring rolls in the country. Don’t believe us? Ask the crowds who pack this place on weeknights, then become a believer when the spicy basil rice blows you away.

This local brewery and bowling alley sits inside the Westgate district and is easily the mall’s top destination for local beer and great food. In addition to State 48’s craft creations like Javelina Hefeweizen and Mango Wheat, it’s also got some stellar pizza. Both taste great while rolling a few frames at the on-site bowling alley, where you’ll burn off at least half of one of your pints.

If you’re looking to do a Glendale brewery crawl, your second and final stop sits just up North 67th Avenue at Throne. What it lacks in bowling it makes up for in fantastic beer, and the small, strip-mall taproom has a distinct local vibe.

Perhaps your sports weekend in Glendale has your competitive juices going, but you don’t want to commit to an entire round of golf. Hit the arcade at Carousel, where you can compete in everything from Skee-Ball to Mario Kart arcade games, with a full bar and food menu to boot.

Glendale’s best cocktail bar also sits inside the Westgate district. Though it lacks the splash of some of its neighbors, its low-key ambience is precisely its charm. Settle down inside and peruse the menu of creative drinks, which all lean tropical — heavy on rum and fresh fruit juices.

In a place as massive and sprawling as Metro Phoenix, finding a quaint little bottle shop filled with expert staff and unusual wines might seem impossible. Fortunately, you won’t have to look far: the valley’s top wine spot is right in Glendale. At Turquoise, you can sample vintage wine flights tailored to your personal wine preferences, nab $8 glasses at happy hour or make a meal out of the experience with dishes like wild mushroom and truffle oil flatbread and tomato basil bruschetta.

This 1,185-acre preserve on the outskirts of Glendale is the quintessential spot to get a little exercise while in town. Choose from 15 trails that crisscross the desert landscape, maybe scaling the Ridgeline and Summit Loop trails to reach the park’s highest point and its panoramic view of the valley. That two-mile hike takes about an hour to complete, though you can find shorter trails, too.

For the ultimate eye-popping vistas of the valley, get up early and head to Rainbow Ryders just north of Glendale on AZ-101. Your morning hot-air balloon ride will take you over golf courses and million-dollar homes, passing so close to the desert mountains you’ll be tempted to reach out and touch them. Resist that urge, and you’ll be rewarded with survival and a celebratory champagne toast at the end.

One wouldn’t immediately associate the Arizona desert with world-class watersports, but if you want to take in the valley’s unique landscape from a different perspective, try floating down the Lower Salt River. The calm waterway winds its way through greater Phoenix and has plenty of spots for a refreshing dip. Hit up Arizona Outdoor Adventures if you’d like a guided kayak trip or just want to rent a boat of your own.

No active traveler’s trip to Phoenix is complete without a trek to the top of Camelback Mountain. The 2.5-mile trail is just short enough that you won’t be deterred by its length, but steep enough and full of enough obstacles that you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something. Word to the wise: If you’re in town between May and October, start your hike before sunrise. Temps get into the triple digits quickly, and no amount of water can make up for 117 degrees Fahrenheit.

They say those who love laws and sausages should never watch either being made. Candy, on the other hand, is a different animal altogether. Watching the assembly line operation at this landmark candy factory is as joyful as it is delicious. Get a tour and walk past a giant chocolate Santa Claus, then try your hand making Ceretta’s famous prickly pear taffy. You can even leave with your own 5.4-pound milk chocolate football, which tastes especially delicious when you build the whole thing yourself.

If you’ve been to a Renaissance, you know what you’re in for: a big, conference-ready lobby, a pleasant outdoor pool with a view of Carl’s Jr. and big, comfortable rooms with flatscreen TVs and plenty of plugs. There’s nothing remarkable about this particular Renaissance, but it is walking distance from State Farm Stadium and Westgate, which few other hotels can claim. If proximity is your main priority, book this spot before you do anything else — around big events it’s almost always sold out.