Have you ever wanted to go back to a time when life was a bit slower and less inundated with smartphones and other devices? Although we cannot build a time machine for you (it’s not in the budget), we can offer some suggestions for places in Arizona that have a retro feel. Check out what we found!
Please note, Mac Alpine’s Restaurant is temporarily closed.
- 50s Diner Backseat Bar, Cordes Junction
50s Diner Backseat Bar/Yelp
50s Diner Backseat Bar/Yelp Let’s start off this list with a trip to a 50’s style diner and bar. The checkerboard patterns, linoleum tables, and thick milkshakes will get you in the mood for some retro fun. The restaurant is located at 19780 East Hitching Post Way in Cordes Junction.
- Castles n’ Coasters, Phoenix
Castles N’ Coasters/Facebook
Castles N’ Coasters/Facebook Skip the roller coaster and other wild attractions. Instead, head for the arcade where you’ll find a large variety of retro arcade and pinball games. It’s located at 9445 North Metro Parkway East in Phoenix.
- Cool Springs Station, Kingman
Jasperdo/Flickr Want to get a taste of the old Route 66? Check out this stop which was a former gas station along the route. Restored a decade ago, it houses a small museum and gift shop with Route 66 memorabilia. It’s located along Route 66, approximately 20 miles west of Kingman before Sitgreaves Pass.
- Glendale 9 Drive-In Movie Theatre, Glendale
Michael Kilgore/Flickr
Glendale Drive-In and Public Market/Facebook The last remaining drive-in theatre in the state, this area has been showing movies in an outdoor environment for decades. Stop by the theatre at 5650 North 55th Avenue in Glendale.
- Greg & Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner, Green Valley
Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner/Yelp Please note, Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner has permanently closed. Get a taste of 50’s style soda shops at this restaurant in Green Valley. The decor creates quite the ambience and even the servers dress up in poodle skirts. The restaurant is located at 720 West Calle Arroyo Sur, Suite 100 in Green Valley.
- Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale
Hotel Valley Ho/Facebook
Hotel Valley Ho/Facebook Since Mad Men is now over, you can get your fill of Mid-century modern beauty at the Hotel Valley Ho. Renovated to stylishly honor that architectural aesthetic, this is a great place for an overnight stay or dine in their on-location restaurant, Zuzu. The hotel is located at 6850 East Main Street in Scottsdale.
- Kon Tiki Restaurant and Lounge, Tucson
Kon Tiki/Facebook The tiki bar—a romanticized, Americanized vision of Polynesian culture—took off post-World War II. Not too many exist today but one great example is Kon Tiki, located at 4625 East Broadway Boulevard in Tucson, that will give you an idea of the tiki bars of years past.
- Mac Alpine’s Restaurant, Phoenix
Mac Alpine’s Soda Fountain/Yelp
MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain/Facebook When was the last time you visited a real soda shop? If your answer is years ago or never, you’ll want to check out Mac Alpine’s, which is located at 2303 North 7th Street in Phoenix.
- Pete’s Gas Station Museum, Williams
Loco Steve/Flickr This interesting little place at 101 East Route 66 in Williams is great for spotting old Route 66 memorabilia and purchasing related gifts. Check it out the next time you’re in the area!
- Rollero Family Skating Center, Phoenix
Ms. Phoenix/Flickr
Rollero Family Skating Center/Facebook Please note, Rollero Family Skating Center has permanently closed. I haven’t been to a roller rink in years but there are many surprising options in the Phoenix-metro area and more scattered across the state. One example is Rollero. They use wood floors for the rink (not something you’ll find at many rinks these days) and regularly have skating specials throughout the week and on holidays. Rollero is located at 7318 West Indian School Road in Phoenix.
- The Shady Dell, Bisbee
Lynn Friedman/Flickr
Lynn Friedman/Flickr Looking for a unique place to spend the night? Head over to the Shady Dell in Bisbee, where you can stay in one of the unique Airstream-style trailers. Each one has a unique style and decor, so you can get a different experience during each stay. The Shady Dell is located at 1 Douglas Road in Bisbee.
- Wigwam Motel, Holbrook
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr Finally, add a stay at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, a Route 66 staple. Although not representative of actual Indigenous tribes in Arizona nor of actual wigwams, it’s a unique little place that certainly beckons curious minds. The motel is located at 811 West Hopi Drive in Holbrook.
What places or activities do you miss most from previous decades? Alternatively, for you younger folks, what places would you like to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
50s Diner Backseat Bar/Yelp
Let’s start off this list with a trip to a 50’s style diner and bar. The checkerboard patterns, linoleum tables, and thick milkshakes will get you in the mood for some retro fun. The restaurant is located at 19780 East Hitching Post Way in Cordes Junction.
Castles N’ Coasters/Facebook
Skip the roller coaster and other wild attractions. Instead, head for the arcade where you’ll find a large variety of retro arcade and pinball games. It’s located at 9445 North Metro Parkway East in Phoenix.
Jasperdo/Flickr
Want to get a taste of the old Route 66? Check out this stop which was a former gas station along the route. Restored a decade ago, it houses a small museum and gift shop with Route 66 memorabilia. It’s located along Route 66, approximately 20 miles west of Kingman before Sitgreaves Pass.
Michael Kilgore/Flickr
Glendale Drive-In and Public Market/Facebook
The last remaining drive-in theatre in the state, this area has been showing movies in an outdoor environment for decades. Stop by the theatre at 5650 North 55th Avenue in Glendale.
Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner/Yelp
Please note, Greg and Amy’s Twist and Shout 50’s Diner has permanently closed. Get a taste of 50’s style soda shops at this restaurant in Green Valley. The decor creates quite the ambience and even the servers dress up in poodle skirts. The restaurant is located at 720 West Calle Arroyo Sur, Suite 100 in Green Valley.
Hotel Valley Ho/Facebook
Since Mad Men is now over, you can get your fill of Mid-century modern beauty at the Hotel Valley Ho. Renovated to stylishly honor that architectural aesthetic, this is a great place for an overnight stay or dine in their on-location restaurant, Zuzu. The hotel is located at 6850 East Main Street in Scottsdale.
Kon Tiki/Facebook
The tiki bar—a romanticized, Americanized vision of Polynesian culture—took off post-World War II. Not too many exist today but one great example is Kon Tiki, located at 4625 East Broadway Boulevard in Tucson, that will give you an idea of the tiki bars of years past.
Mac Alpine’s Soda Fountain/Yelp
MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain/Facebook
When was the last time you visited a real soda shop? If your answer is years ago or never, you’ll want to check out Mac Alpine’s, which is located at 2303 North 7th Street in Phoenix.
Loco Steve/Flickr
This interesting little place at 101 East Route 66 in Williams is great for spotting old Route 66 memorabilia and purchasing related gifts. Check it out the next time you’re in the area!
Ms. Phoenix/Flickr
Rollero Family Skating Center/Facebook
Please note, Rollero Family Skating Center has permanently closed. I haven’t been to a roller rink in years but there are many surprising options in the Phoenix-metro area and more scattered across the state. One example is Rollero. They use wood floors for the rink (not something you’ll find at many rinks these days) and regularly have skating specials throughout the week and on holidays. Rollero is located at 7318 West Indian School Road in Phoenix.
Lynn Friedman/Flickr
Looking for a unique place to spend the night? Head over to the Shady Dell in Bisbee, where you can stay in one of the unique Airstream-style trailers. Each one has a unique style and decor, so you can get a different experience during each stay. The Shady Dell is located at 1 Douglas Road in Bisbee.
James Marvin Phelps/Flickr
Finally, add a stay at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, a Route 66 staple. Although not representative of actual Indigenous tribes in Arizona nor of actual wigwams, it’s a unique little place that certainly beckons curious minds. The motel is located at 811 West Hopi Drive in Holbrook.
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