Glendale is one of the largest suburbs in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and is rapidly growing as a dominant media/entertainment center in the Valley of the Sun.

Understand

The NFL's Arizona Cardinals play their home games in this city. They are considered to be the oldest NFL team still in existence, but have relocated twice in modern times, starting out as the Chicago Cardinals and being known as the St. Louis Cardinals before finally moving to Arizona. They also hold the record for most NFL losses of any team.

Get in

By plane

As a suburb of Phoenix, Glendale does not have its own major airport. Airplane owners may find it convenient to fly into Glendale Municipal Airport (located in the western portion of the city), but most people may find it prudent to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the area's major airport.

By road

Glendale has the benefit of numerous freeways that travel through the Phoenix metro area.

• The southern portion of the city is easily accessible from Interstate 10, exiting between 43rd Avenue and the Loop 101 and traveling north on the arterial streets.
• The eastern portion is accessible from Interstate 17, exiting between Camelback Road and the Loop 101.
• Northern Glendale is accessible from the Loop 101, which is the only freeway in the Regional Freeway System to cross through the city. The Loop 101 travels north from Interstate 10 and turns east at the northern boundary of Glendale, where it intersects Interstate 17. Northern Glendale can be accessed by exiting the Loop 101 between 51st Avenue and Bell Road.
• West Glendale, home to the Glendale Arena (NHL) and the University of Phoenix Stadium (NFL), is accessible by exiting Loop 101 between Northern Avenue and Camelback Road. The Arena and stadium are easily accessible from exiting at Glendale Avenue and heading east.

See

Westgate: Our Time's Square of the desert, home to the Cardinals (NFL) and Coyotes (NHL) as well as an awesome nightlife selection of bars, restaurants, shops and cinema. [www.westgateaz.com Westgate City Center]

• Westgate Cotu Center (101 & Glendale). 

Do

• Historic Downtown, 5800 W. Glenn Dr. (59th/Glendale), ☏ +1 623 930-4500. Known as one of the best locations for antiques. Has many historical and cultural facilities and events. 
• Cerreta Candy Factory, 5345 W. Glendale Ave. 30 minute guided tours. M-F, 10AM and 1PM. Very fun place for all ages and all the chocolate you can eat. 
• Deer Valley Rock Art Center, 3711 W. Deer Valley Rd., ☏ +1 623 582-8007. 9AM-5PM. Great outdoor activity. Beautiful petroglyphs and pictographs to view up close and personal. Adults: $7 Seniors/students: $4 Children 6-12: $3 5 & under: free. 
• Sahuaro Ranch Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave, ☏ +1 623 930-4200. 17-acres of Historic Park. 13 original buildings; rose garden, barnyard & historic orchards. Tours available in Sept. and Oct. Public area includes sports fields, dog park, playgrounds, seasonal events 
• Foothills SK8 Court Plaza,, 57th Avenue and Union Hills. Free public skate and vert ramp for skaters of all ages and skills. 
• Thunderbird Conservation Park, 59th Avenue between Deer Valley & Pinnacle Vista Rd.. Free public park consisting of 1,185 acre park, mountain biking, horseback riding, jogging, bird watching GRS mapping 
• Glendale Aquatic Center, 5600 West Union Hills Dr, ☏ +1 623 930-4600. A good public aquatic facility with Slides, diving boards, play area for young child and toddlers. 
• Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center, 5600 West Union Hills Dr, ☏ +1 623 930-4600. Public Recreation Facility, Activity room, rock climbing wall, indoor track and basketball court. 

Eat

• Haus Murphy, 5739 W. Glendale Ave. Traditional food from Germany with even a Bier Garden outside. Live entertainment 
• Bitz-ee Mamas, 7023 N, 58th Ave. A popular destination for breakfast and lunch with a large variety of menu items. 
• Lenny’s Burgers, 5713 W. Glendale Ave. Traditional burger joint without a drive-thru window 
• A Touch of European Café, 7146 N. 57th Dr., Ste. C. A quaint café serving mostly Polish style food 
• Pizza Old Roma, 5740 W. Glendale Ave. Thin crust Sicilian-style pizza, other menu items include subs and lasagna 
• Le Chalet, 5626 W Bell Rd, Suite 101 (On Bell, between 57 & 55 Ave), ☏ +1 602 337-8760, reservation@lechalet-llc.com. Su-Th 11AM - 10PM, F-Sa 11AM - 11PM. French/Swiss cuisine, with an emphasis on fondue and crepe $20-$30. 

Drink

• Bitz-ee Mamas, 7023 N, 58th Ave. A popular destination for breakfast and lunch with a large variety of menu items. 
• Old Chicago, 5695 W Bell Rd. 2AM every day. Different drink/food specials every night of the week. Happy hour and reverse happy hour Sun-Thurs. Lots of beers on tap, even more in bottles. Mini tours, flights, a beer lovers delight. 
• WestGate, 6770 n sunrise blvd. Glendale's premier shopping and entertainment center. Sports arenas, lots of shopping and restaurants with night life bars coming alive after sundown. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Saddle Ranch, Kabuki, The Shout House, Hells Half acre, and more. Essentially the only west side hot spot. 
• Salty Senorita, 8011 West Paradise Ln. Mexican style party bar. Lots of land and lots of activities to do outside. 

Sleep

• Comfort Suites, 9824 W Camelback Rd, ☏ +1 623 271-9005, fax: +1 623 271-9808. The area surrounding this hotel is a sports enthusiast's dream with the University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena, Peoria Sports Complex and the Phoenix International Raceway nearby. 

• MainStay Suites at Metro Center, 9455 N. Black Canyon Highway, ☏ +1 602 395-0900, fax: +1 602 395-1900. An extended stay hotel with full amenities for business travelers and vacationers looking for weekly accommodations or longer. 

• Quality Inn, 7116 N 59th Ave, ☏ +1 623 939-9431, fax: +1 623 937-3137. Renovated in 2007. Free WiFi, personal voice mail, heated pool, free continental breakfast. Conference/Meeting space for up to 60 attendees. 

• Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Glendale/Westgate, 6630 N. 95th Ave, ☏ +1 623 271-7771. Great location within the Westgate City Center, home of the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Coyotes. Enjoy an On The House Hot Breakfast, free hi-speed Internet, business center, outdoor pool & whirlpool, fitness center and the 100% Hampton Guarantee. 

Stay safe

The types of crime most common in the Phoenix area usually do not affect visitors or tourist locations. However, some sections of Glendale, especially the southern tier of the city bordering the Maryvale area of Phoenix, are somewhat dicey and should be avoided at night.

Go next

Routes through Glendale

Blythe ← Litchfield Park ←	W  E	→ Phoenix → Tucson
Flagstaff ← Camp Verde ←	N  S	→ Phoenix → END
Quartzsite ← Peoria ←	W  E	→ Phoenix → Socorro
Phoenix/West ← Peoria ←	S  E	→ Phoenix/North → Scottsdale