From 3 PM until they close at 9 the Phoenix Art Museum on 1625 North Central Avenue lets the public in for free, and has an impressive range of exhibits for your viewing pleasure. On display every day is their beautiful permanent collection of Asian art, ranging from Japan to Thailand, 16th century to 19th century. However their acclaim resides in their ability to mix modern art, and a constantly rotating collection of it, with the relics of ages past. One of the most exciting exhibits on display is The Sea, running through July 15th, it's an exhibition that showcases a collection of fashion pieces from the 1800's to 1980's, all ocean-themed. Also on display is there Paper! exhibition, which showcases paper's versatile role in art and life as a medium and tool, with the time ranging from early Asia to 20th century contemporary art.
After your time at the museum, head down Central Avenue (remember you can't turn left out of the main parking lot, so cross over the two lanes of traffic and make a U-turn at the nearest intersection) to the Phoenix Public Market on Pierce Ave and Central Ave where every Wednesday from 4 PM - 8 PM the farmer's market has a regular line-up of some of Phoenix's best food trucks:
One of the trucks there is Jamburritos, a Cajun grille that has a fantastic menu of sandwiches and burritos, including grilled or fried catfish and chicken. The most expensive item on the menu us their catfish jamburrito, which runs $8, and can be bumped up another $2 if you add hush puppies (which I strongly recommend). A whole dinner, with sides and drinks, ran a friend and I $21, and we only ended up eating about half of the meal, because the portions were so generous. Another food truck available is Buzznbeez Good Food Truck, which offers up a wide variety of culinary tastes from around the world, including Thai Eggroll Casserole and Cajun catfish. Also driving around Phoenix is Hey Joe Filipino food truck, which specializes in food straight from the Philippines. Short Leash Dogs, is a truck that allows superb customization in the hot dogs ordered, allowing the customer to choose every aspect of their dog from actual meat choice all the way to which condiments and toppings surround their dog. And stop by Mama Toledo's for dessert, which has a variety of gorgeous pies to choose from, including their "best blueberry pie west of the Mississippi."
After your time at the museum, head down Central Avenue (remember you can't turn left out of the main parking lot, so cross over the two lanes of traffic and make a U-turn at the nearest intersection) to the Phoenix Public Market on Pierce Ave and Central Ave where every Wednesday from 4 PM - 8 PM the farmer's market has a regular line-up of some of Phoenix's best food trucks:
One of the trucks there is Jamburritos, a Cajun grille that has a fantastic menu of sandwiches and burritos, including grilled or fried catfish and chicken. The most expensive item on the menu us their catfish jamburrito, which runs $8, and can be bumped up another $2 if you add hush puppies (which I strongly recommend). A whole dinner, with sides and drinks, ran a friend and I $21, and we only ended up eating about half of the meal, because the portions were so generous. Another food truck available is Buzznbeez Good Food Truck, which offers up a wide variety of culinary tastes from around the world, including Thai Eggroll Casserole and Cajun catfish. Also driving around Phoenix is Hey Joe Filipino food truck, which specializes in food straight from the Philippines. Short Leash Dogs, is a truck that allows superb customization in the hot dogs ordered, allowing the customer to choose every aspect of their dog from actual meat choice all the way to which condiments and toppings surround their dog. And stop by Mama Toledo's for dessert, which has a variety of gorgeous pies to choose from, including their "best blueberry pie west of the Mississippi."
After dinner, if you'd like to extend your time together, leave your car in the gravel parking lot and walk up the street to Conspire coffee house. Open until 11 PM on Wednesday nights and just 7 blocks away from the market, it provides a perfect opportunity to walk through the hipster section of Phoenix (convenient Google directions here). Conspire offers a wide selection of vegan friendly options (it's vegan only, so if you're not into "no face no mother" and have absolutely no interest in trying vegan food, skip it. However there are people who absolutely rave about it on Yelp) and has paired with John Sagasta of Coffee Conspiracy to provide fresh, handmade coffee, tea, and specialty drinks.
Also available for after dinner coffee is Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe, which will require more driving than Conspire. Open until 10 PM every day of the week, hidden behind Buffalo Exchange on Ash Ave and University Ave, Cartel offers a nightly Happy Hour from 8-10, attracting an eclectic crowd from nearby Mill Avenue. They have fresh baked goods available everyday and handmade coffee (their cappuccinos are always served in a porcelain cup and they are very adamant that no, you cannot get the cappuccino to go). Their most notable drink is their iced toddy, which they create by grinding fresh South American coffee beans, allow them to sit in cold water for 24 hours, then filtering and serving. It is their most caffeinated drink, and the only thing that tastes great without cream or sugar.
Also available for after dinner coffee is Cartel Coffee Lab in Tempe, which will require more driving than Conspire. Open until 10 PM every day of the week, hidden behind Buffalo Exchange on Ash Ave and University Ave, Cartel offers a nightly Happy Hour from 8-10, attracting an eclectic crowd from nearby Mill Avenue. They have fresh baked goods available everyday and handmade coffee (their cappuccinos are always served in a porcelain cup and they are very adamant that no, you cannot get the cappuccino to go). Their most notable drink is their iced toddy, which they create by grinding fresh South American coffee beans, allow them to sit in cold water for 24 hours, then filtering and serving. It is their most caffeinated drink, and the only thing that tastes great without cream or sugar.
