Uptown Phoenix - Phoenix, AZ Area Guide

Windsor Square has roots as a Phoenix subdivision dating back to the early-20th century. Initial developers quickly constructed a real estate office in the late 1920s and listed several lots for sale soon thereafter. The Depression stunted the neighborhood’s growth until after World War II, when returning soldiers repopulated the area and brought it distinction.

Northeast of the neighborhood, across Route 51 stands the Arizona Biltmore, a grand hotel and resort that opened its doors to guests in 1929. Still referred to as “The Jewel of the Desert," the Biltmore has undergone major renovations since the 1990s, and remains a popular destination for vacationers and business travellers.

From popular regional restaurants such as Oregano’s with its Chicago-style pizza and Italian, to one-of-a-kind establishments such as Zookz Sandwiches, a variety of selections for meals out—as well as entertainment—surround Golden Groves/Windsor Square.

Check out The Windsor on North Central Avenue first. An American pub that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and even brunch, locals adore The Windsor for comfort food and brews. Enjoy the dimly lit patio, or sit in a booth next to the bar, and be sure to try the Brown Bag chicken sandwich with a side of the Joe’s Church Potatoes. After you polish off your meal, head next door for dessert at Churn, an ice cream parlor that’s decorated like a vintage candy shop. Some of its creations have landed a spot on world’s best ice cream list, so be sure to sample whatever entices you, and ask for your flavor of choice in a dish or the popular pretzel cone.

If microbreweries sound like your scene, stop by Sun Up Brewing Company on East Camelback Road. Meet friends for a pint of craft beer, or bring your family for lunch or dinner. The Shepherd’s Pie and Kobe burger rate as two popular menu items.

Culinary Dropout provides another trendy gastropub with two other locations in Tempe and Scottsdale. Parking proves tricky on North 7th Street, so take advantage of the valet. Enjoy this “adult playground” as it’s been termed by visitors, especially if you’re seated in The Yard, a patio beyond the bar and lounge. Many such establishments support live music, so check out their websites for schedules to plan your trip.

For those more interested in settling down to watch a movie on the big screen, the Harkins Christown Theater awaits not far from Golden Groves/Windsor Square. If your idea of entertainment includes laughing a lot and seeing people perform in the flesh, get tickets to see comedy at The Torch Theatre on North Central Avenue. The venue even provides classes for beginners to learn different improvisation techniques.

Attending a local festival is another neat opportunity for seasonal fun. Many pop up all over the greater Phoenix area, and one in Windsor Square, in particular, encourages people to go on self-guided tours through museum-like buildings in the historic neighborhood. Enjoy a setup of arts and crafts, fair food and live music.

An equal distance from Interstate 17 and Route 51, residents of Golden Groves/Windsor Square have quick access to Phoenix’s highway system. The heart of Phoenix awaits only a 20-minute drive South on 7th Avenue and less than 30 minutes on a bus.

If you do not own a vehicle, the Valley Metro Bus provides reliable transportation, equipped with wheelchair access and bike racks for your convenience. For those close enough to the historic Windsor district, you can access Phoenix’s light rail service that travels through it. The transit system’s website proves easy to navigate, allowing you to construct a custom schedule of your trip. If you prefer the convenience and speed of a taxi ride, use Lyft or Uber to travel in a hurry. Just call or use their user-friendly applications if you own smartphone.

For cyclists who like the exercise and open air while biking from place to place, enjoy extensive bike lanes throughout the greater Phoenix area. Wide and well marked, they help drivers remain aware of shared space on the road.

Even just on foot, Golden Groves/Windsor Square remains easy to navigate, especially if you live near any of the main east-west streets and north-south avenues where stores, restaurants and other businesses cluster.

Though encircled by urban life, the Golden Groves/Windsor Square neighborhood has a couple of parks nestled in nearby streets and sits a short drive away from major hiking spots. The Steele Indian School Park awaits a little over a mile south of Windsor Square with a playground for children, a man-made lake for fishing, and plenty of paths for walking or jogging. There’s also an area reserved for dogs, so feel free to bring your canine friends, and let them run.

For more a more rugged outdoor experience, hop in the car for an under-20-minute drive to either the Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or North Mountain Park, consisting of hiking trails that lead to two peaks with marvelous views. In between both lies the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, which contains individual parks, mountains and foothills.

While Camelback stands the highest of the Phoenix Mountains, Piestewa Peak in the Preserve ranks as the second tallest. After a series of attempts to change the name from its original branding as Squaw Peak, the state government approved of its new designation as a dedication to Lori Ann Piestewa, the first female soldier—and Native American—to die in combat during the Iraq War.

While Garden Groves and Windsor Square can be combined and considered as a single all-encompassing neighborhood when it comes to proximity to different destinations, their options for housing remain somewhat divergent.

The Garden Groves neighborhood consists of apartments with an average rental price of $665.

While real estate depends on what type of living situation you require, the cost of living in Garden Groves/Windsor Square remains reasonable, especially compared to the rest of the United States. Gas prices are about 10 percent lower in Phoenix than the national average. You can get a pint for under $6 and even cheaper during happy hours.

Because of its convenient location, Golden Groves/Windsor Square allows for simple and quick access to shopping districts and individual stores.

The curvy roads of Windsor Square branch out to a shopping district that’s more than sufficient. AJ’s Fine Foods awaits in the Uptown Plaza on North Central, and contains a deli and bakery with a supply of meats and treats. It’s also stocked with organic groceries.

South and east on Indian School Road, Antique Sugar showcases a wide selection of vintage clothing that were relics in different eras—from the 1920s to the 1980s—and remain in great condition. Also check out Melrose Vintage on North 7th Avenue and Modern Manor on West Hazelwood Street for unique collectible items.

The leading local marketplace remains the Uptown Farmer’s Market on the southeast corner of Bethany Home Road and Central Avenue. With a variety of artists, bakers and farmers in attendance, this mostly food-based organization of vendors serves the public on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.