From a Rat Pack-esque steakhouse to a classic 1950s ice cream parlor, Phoenix and Scottsdale are home to countless historic hotspots worthy of a visit. Below is a look at some of The Agency’s favorite historic, must-see destinations.
DURANT’S STEAKHOUSE – Behind the infamous powder-pink facade of Durant’s Steakhouse in central Phoenix and through its famous back entrance (which opens to the kitchen), is a dining room filled with stories and secrets. Since opening its doors in 1950, the Old Hollywood-style haunt has assumed an enduring mystique, its tufted leather banquetes the preferred hideaway for celebrities, politicians and mafiosos alike as they doled out deals over martinis and steaks. If you’re looking for a throwback experience—and a heavy-handed pour of something stiff—this is the place.
SOUTH MOUNTAIN PARK – At a staggering 16,000 acres, South Mountain Park is the largest municipal park in the country—and one of the largest urban parks in the world. Among its highlights are incredible, scenic biking, walking and horseback riding trails. Thousands of ancient petroglyphs created by the Hohokam people adorn popular pathways and trails, including the Judith Tunnel and Mormon Loop. Established in 1924, the park has become synonymous with its incredible views of the Valley, visible from Dobbins lookout, which sits at 2,330 feet in elevation and offers panoramic vistas stretching to ASU, Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak and beyond.
WRIGLEY MANSION – When it was first built by Chicago chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. in 1931, Wrigley Mansion was a lone estate on a deserted hill. Today, it is an upscale private club and popular private event spot surrounded by the Arizona Biltmore resort and high-end shops and restaurants along Camelback Road. A Phoenix landmark, the mansion recently underwent a $1 million renovation, updating many of its 24 rooms while remaining true to the property’s original 1930s design. While temporarily closed for updates, the mansion offers lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, along with daily tours that offer visitors a glimpse into its storied history.
SUGAR BOWL – An Old Town Scottsdale institution since 1958, this classic ice cream parlor and restaurant is as old school as it gets. The shop features classic diner food and all the sweet treats one might expect from such an establishment (sundaes, malts and shakes, plus custom creations like the Dusty Road Sundae and Desireme Banana Split)—with a perfectly frozen-in-time-vibe that will delight kids and nostalgic adults alike.
