Encanto - Phoenix, AZ Area Guide

The start of this area dates back to the late 1920s. Construction boomed in the Palmcroft subdivisions until the stock market collapsed. Starved for funds, parts of the undeveloped land were sold off to the City of Phoenix for what eventually became Encanto Park. Building picked up again by the late 1930s and expanded outward over the next 15 years.

You don't have to travel far to enjoy some food and fun in the Harborwood/Encanto area. The retro vibe lives on at Hula's Modern Tiki. Describing itself as a “modern urban twist on the classic tiki bars and restaurants,” Hula's presents a full food menu and specialty cocktails. The Hula's Mai Tai packs more of a punch than its namesake and lacks some of the fruity flavor. Bring along friends (or make a few there) to share a Volcano, which serves four to six people.

Experience a more rustic atmosphere at Royale Lounge. Named 2013 Dive Bar of the Year by Phoenix New Times, Royale lives up to that reputation with pool, pinball and pickled eggs. The place attracts hipsters on nights and weekends and a more varied crowd during the day. You can also grab plenty cold beers if you grab some cash first, as they do not accept credit cards.

You can find more than a fair share of taquerias in the area. For an authentic experience, venture off the beaten path to PHX Burrito House. Start your day with a breakfast burrito. If the chorizo sounds too spicy for your morning, opt for a bacon or sausage instead. Lunch and dinner selections cover the basic burritos and tacos, and the menu fills out with quesadillas, a salad and the PHX Especial. The basic dish tops your eggs with grilled onions and jalapeños, potatoes and cheese. A small upcharge adds carne asada.

If you want to eat healthier but have trouble with cravings for comfort food, head to Green Restaurant. Chef Damon Brasch has put together a menu he calls New American Vegetarian. Starting with vegetarian chili fries for an appetizer to entrees such as the no harm chicken parm po-boy and the vegetarian bacon burger, the whole meal comes from organic ingredients. Prepared fresh daily in-house, even the soft-serve ice cream comes from vegetarian sources. This establishment also makes gluten-free meals upon request. Local vegans and carnivores alike consider Green a favorite.

Valley Metro serves the area with light rail and nearly a dozen bus lines. Weekday buses run roughly every 20 minutes during weekdays and hourly on weekends and holidays. The light rail line along Central Avenue runs almost every 10 minutes on weekdays. The rail line closes at 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. This allows residents to enjoy nightlife downtown or in Tempe without worrying about driving home.

Those with cars can make use of Interstate 17 to the west and State Road 51 to the east. Hikers, bikers and walkers can travel along the Grand Canal trails for a workout or just to enjoy the sights. Dedicated bike lanes run along 3rd, 5th and 15th Avenues, 12th Street and parts of Encanto Boulevard, Osborn Road, Campbell Avenue and Highland Avenue. If you don't own a bicycle — no worries. The Grid Bike Share program covers short-term rentals and memberships at 50 locations throughout Phoenix, with a quarter of them in the Harborwood/Encanto area.

In a city known for public parks, several reside within the Harborwood/Encanto area. One of the Phoenix Points of Pride, Encanto Park features a wide variety of options for the whole family. Named one of the nation's Best City Parks by Forbes Magazine, activities here range from golfing and swimming to a leisurely picnic. Kids from two to 10 enjoy Enchanted Island Amusement Park. Popular attractions here include the Encanto Carousel and the replica C.P. Huntington Train. While admission to the park is free, the rides cost extra.

Dogs big and small also have a place to call their own. Separate enclosed areas at the Steele Indian School Dog Park allow dogs to enjoy the fresh air without a leash. This park even provides water fountains designed for the four-legged friends to lap up some cool relief on a hot day.

Each fall, the Arizona Sate Fair draws crowds from the neighborhood and across the state. From food and rides to acrobats and animals, the multi-week event features everything you'd expect from a fair. Nightly concerts span a wide variety of music. Past performers include Weezer, Wiz Khalifa, John Fogerty, Barenaked Ladies and Cobie Caillat.

Living in the Harborwood/Encanto area leaves some extra cash in your wallet each month. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $785 a month, about 30 percent less than Phoenix overall. You'll also see savings every time you fill up. Gas prices sit roughly 13 percent lower than the national average. All-day passes for Valley Metro cost just $4 when purchased in advance, and they cover bus and light rail trips. Enjoying a domestic beer sets you back about $3.25 on average, with imports closer to $5.

For everyday shopping, head out to the big-box and chain stores along Camelback Road, but for real fun, check out some of the smaller shops scattered throughout the neighborhood. For retro furniture to fill your mid-century modern home, look no further than Modern Manor. The vintage furniture store sells everything from knickknacks to eight-tracks, with an emphasis on furniture. Browsing around the store makes you feel like you walked out of the desert and onto the set of "Mad Men." While bargains abound, the store leans toward antiques, with a focus on quality.

Swing by Zinnias at Melrose for a more eclectic collection of antiques. This 12,000-square-foot antiques mall includes items from 30 vendors. Recognized multiple times as one of the best antique malls in the entire Phoenix area, you can dig up treasures here ranging from furniture to appliances to vintage signs.

For some sweet sounds, march to Stinkweeds at its current location of Central Avenue and Camelback Road. The independent shop buys, sells and trades music on CD and vinyl. The books, magazines and music memorabilia here shouldn't be overlooked. Preview some music at more than 80 listening stations or ask owner Kimber Lanning for some suggestions.

Several chain grocery stores dot the area. You can also visit AJ's Fine Foods, an upscale gourmet market in the Phoenix area. Smaller markets specialize in Latino, Asian and Middle Eastern foods.