Glendale, Arizona

The best time to visit Glendale is from October to April, when the weather is most pleasant with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 65°F to 85°F (18-29°C). This period offers comfortable conditions for outdoor activities and coincides with the NFL football season, holiday events, and spring training baseball.

Winter (December-February) is particularly popular due to the mild temperatures and major events like Glendale Glitters holiday light display, the Fiesta Bowl, and potentially the Super Bowl when it rotates to State Farm Stadium (next scheduled for February 2023). The NFL season runs from September through January, bringing Cardinals home games to State Farm Stadium.

Spring (February-April) features the Chocolate Affaire festival in February, MLB Spring Training at nearby facilities, and pleasant weather for exploring outdoor attractions.

Fall (October-November) offers cooling temperatures after summer heat and the beginning of the holiday season with various festivals and events.

Summer (May-September) brings extreme heat with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F (38°C) and occasionally reaching 115°F (46°C). If visiting during summer, plan outdoor activities for early morning, focus on indoor attractions during midday, and take advantage of evening events when temperatures are more moderate. Summer offers lower hotel rates and less crowded attractions, but the extreme heat can limit outdoor activities.

Glendale, like most of the Phoenix metropolitan area, is primarily designed for car travel. Here are the transportation options for getting around:

• Rental Car: Having your own vehicle provides the most flexibility for exploring Glendale and the surrounding areas. The city has a grid system with major streets running north-south and east-west, making navigation relatively straightforward.
• Rideshare and Taxis: Uber and Lyft operate throughout Glendale, providing convenient point-to-point transportation. Traditional taxi services are also available but are typically more expensive.
• Valley Metro Bus: Glendale is served by Valley Metro's bus system with routes connecting major destinations within the city and to neighboring communities. Service frequency varies by route.
• Bicycle: Glendale has been expanding its bike lane network, particularly in newer areas of the city. The flat terrain makes cycling viable for shorter trips, though summer heat limits this option to morning or evening hours.
• Walking: Downtown Glendale is walkable with shops, restaurants, and historic sites in close proximity. The Westgate Entertainment District is also designed as a pedestrian-friendly area. However, distances between major attractions can be substantial, making walking impractical for travel between different parts of the city.
• Special Event Transportation: During major events at State Farm Stadium or Desert Diamond Arena, special shuttle services are often available from designated parking areas.

For visitors planning to explore multiple areas of Glendale or venture to nearby cities, a rental car is recommended. Those staying primarily in the Downtown or Westgate areas might manage with rideshare services for nearby attractions.

Glendale encompasses diverse neighborhoods and districts, each with its own character:

• Historic Downtown Glendale: The city's historic heart, divided into two distinct areas:
• Catlin Court Historic District: Characterized by craftsman bungalows with white picket fences converted into specialty shops and restaurants
• Old Towne District: Features brick-trimmed sidewalks and historic buildings housing antique stores, boutiques, and eateries
• Westgate Entertainment District: Modern entertainment, dining, and shopping complex surrounding State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena, representing the new face of Glendale.
• Arrowhead Ranch: Upscale master-planned community in north Glendale with lakes, golf courses, and mountain views. Features the Arrowhead Towne Center shopping mall.
• Manistee Ranch: Historic neighborhood centered around the preserved Manistee Ranch property, with a mix of older homes and newer development.
• Thunderbird: Area surrounding Thunderbird Conservation Park in north Glendale, offering desert living with proximity to natural recreational areas.
• Maryvale: Neighborhood on the border with Phoenix that represents some of Glendale's more diverse and affordable communities.
• Glendale Sports and Entertainment District: The area around Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue that includes State Farm Stadium, Desert Diamond Arena, Westgate, and Tanger Outlets.
• Glen Harbor/Beet Sugar Factory: Historic industrial area undergoing revitalization, home to a growing arts scene and creative businesses.
• Agua Fria: Neighborhood along the Agua Fria River in western Glendale, featuring newer residential developments and the Glendale Heroes Regional Park.

For visitors, the Historic Downtown and Westgate Entertainment District offer the highest concentration of attractions, dining, and entertainment options. The Arrowhead area provides upscale shopping and dining in a suburban setting, while north Glendale features outdoor recreational opportunities at Thunderbird Conservation Park.

Glendale has established itself as a major event destination, hosting a variety of sporting events, festivals, and entertainment throughout the year:

• Super Bowl: State Farm Stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLII (2008), Super Bowl XLIX (2015), and is scheduled to host Super Bowl LVII in February 2023. These events bring international attention and significant economic impact to the city.
• NCAA Final Four: The stadium hosted the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four and is scheduled to host again in the future, bringing college basketball's premier event to Glendale.
• College Football Playoff: The Fiesta Bowl, one of the premier college football bowl games, is played at State Farm Stadium and regularly serves as a semifinal game in the College Football Playoff rotation.
• Arizona Cardinals NFL Games: During football season (September-January), the Cardinals play their home games at State Farm Stadium, bringing NFL action to Glendale.
• Glendale Glitters: Arizona's largest free holiday light event illuminates 16 blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale with 1.6 million lights from late November through early January. The event includes weekend festivals with food, entertainment, and activities.
• Chocolate Affaire: Held annually in February, this festival celebrates Glendale's chocolate-making tradition and features chocolatiers, romance authors, live entertainment, and family activities.
• Major Concerts: Desert Diamond Arena hosts major touring musical acts and entertainment shows throughout the year, bringing top performers to Glendale.
• Folk & Heritage Festival: This spring event celebrates diverse cultural traditions with music, dance, crafts, and food in Historic Downtown Glendale.
• Summer Band Concert Series: Free outdoor concerts in Murphy Park during summer evenings feature diverse musical styles in a family-friendly setting.
• Luke Days: Though technically at Luke Air Force Base in neighboring Litchfield Park, this major air show attracts thousands to the Glendale area.

Events at State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena typically require tickets purchased in advance, while many of the downtown festivals are free or charge minimal entry fees. During major events, especially the Super Bowl or Final Four, accommodations throughout the Phoenix area can book up months in advance, and prices may increase significantly.