29 reasons why we're thankful to live in Arizona — from America's best pizza to Route 66

Time is nearly up on 2022. Where the year went, we couldn't tell you. What did we learn? Not much. A whole lot. Maybe somewhere in between. It's hard to say. But after a year's worth of ups following downs and chaos punctuated by calm, it's as right a time as any for a little reflection on the good. Of that, we're sure.

Here are three things we know: We're thankful for each other. We're thankful for you. And we're thankful for these 29 things.

Grand Avenue is where it's at

Let other downtown Phoenix stretches cosplay as Mill Avenue Jr. Grand Avenue is holding steady, and then some. Cha Cha's Tea Lounge and Testal are must-trys. Pueblo is verdant as ever and home to an encased Sarah Hurwitz mushroom sculpture. Oh, you want spa vibes? Booking a facial at Skin by Ruby is about as competitive — and worth it — as scoring a brunch reso at Bacanora. Go explore. There's so much more. — Becky Bartkowski

Phoenix record stores keep spinning

For the promotion of her latest album, “Midnights,” Taylor Swift encouraged her legions of fans to “visit your local record store?” on Oct. 23. I knew exactly where to go that Sunday and headed to my closest Zia Records first thing in the morning to get my hands on a “Midnights” CD. Having a local business to support — and sometimes count on to have signed albums — makes me feel better about the money I spend on my favorite artists. — KiMi Robinson

Downtown Phoenix's cocktail scene is world class and growing

Downtown Phoenix is a seriously good place for a cocktail and I’m not just talking about the OGs like Bitter & Twisted and Little Rituals. A flurry of new bars opened in the last year turning out well balanced cocktails in memorable spaces, like the Palo Verde Old Fashioned at Kim Haasarud's Garden Bar bungalow or the The Silk Road at Khla, where you'll find transporting decor and cocktails. — Felicia Campbell

Our carb kings were crowned

Call 'em the carb kings: Chris Bianco and Don Guerra deal in dough. The respective driving forces behind Phoenix's Pizzeria Bianco and Tucson's Barrio Bread are well known for a reason. They're good at what they do. Like, galaxy-brain good. Small wonder that the James Beard Awards honored Bianco as Outstanding Restaurateur and Guerra as Outstanding Baker. — Becky Bartkowski

Arizona's natural beauty is unparalleled

I have a theory that the longer you're in Arizona, the greater the number of sunset photos is in your camera roll. But even those photos can hardly capture the beauty in its full glory, and that goes for all of the state's natural wonders. I still find myself ooh-ing and aah-ing out my car window sometimes when I drive past the beautiful mountain views that I can see from the freeway. — Endia Fontanez

When a bookstore feels like a second home

Yes, online ordering is convenient, but going to a bookstore is more rewarding. Bookstores are a feeling: the feeling of promise upon entering. Surely those shelves hold a new (or used!) novel to get lost in or a nonfiction that will educate, inspire or even enrage me. Changing Hands in Phoenix and Tempe and Bright Side Bookshop in Flagstaff are my happy places. The booksellers are so welcoming and passionate to help customers find a new gem. I dare you to leave empty handed. Going to a favorite bookstore isn’t merely shopping, it’s community. — Jill Cassidy

There's always something to do

One of my favorite things about Phoenix is that I never run out of things to do. As a sports fan, I try not to take for granted that we have so many professional teams. I love cheering on the Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks and Coyotes. There's a consistent lineup of concerts for every type of music fan — from must-see shows at Rebel Lounge and underground acts at Valley Bar to unforgettable nights at The Van Buren. — Endia Fontanez

Route 66 still kicks

The Mother Road was decommissioned in 1985, but the unique pieces of Americana within its 359 miles in Arizona continue to thrive. Route 66 draws interest from travelers worldwide – including those heading to the Grand Canyon – for the vintage charm of its roadside attractions and historic downtowns. Along with seemingly countless trading posts and diners, Arizona’s Route 66 towns collectively boast limestone caverns, a championship golf course, a meteorite impact site, the observatory where Pluto was discovered and a population of free roaming burros. — Michael Salerno

You can run this town, thanks to all the paths and trails

Whether you are training for a 5K, a marathon or you’re just trying to get some fresh air, the Valley is teeming with awesome running and walking paths. I ran my first half-marathon in March and was able to explore many routes. Some favorite places included running along the canals, through the Encanto Palmcroft neighborhood, the sprawling Chaparral Park in Scottsdale and around the buttes at Papago park. — Shanti Lerner

There’s culture and creativity every which way

There hasn't been a day Phoenix when I haven’t met a person making a mark on this city’s vibrant, colorful culture. Artist Antoinette Cauley came back from Germany with a whole gallery of paintings. Phoenix Art Museum presented a lowrider exhibition for the books. There are fewer blank walls because muralists claim them every day.  People truly want to make Phoenix beautiful – and it shows. — Sofia Krusmark

Say hello to the boba boom

Metro Phoenix is home to some fantastic locally owned boba shops, such as Glendale’s Aloha Tea and Coffee and Mochi Fresh in Tempe. But several highly anticipated international bubble tea businesses that serve delicious drinks have arrived in the Valley, too. In the East Valley, there’s Xing Fu Tang, where tapioca pearls are cooked in brown sugar right in front of you, and Meet Fresh, where my go-to is black sugar boba milk tea. It’s a delight having a plethora of options. — KiMi Robinson

The Nash turns 10

The Nash celebrated its 10th anniversary in downtown Phoenix as the Valley's premier destination for jazz. But rather than resting on their laurels — like how the venue opened with a Wynton Marsalis concert and was named a great jazz destination by Downbeat magazine — the venue's team spent much of 2022 focused on the future, launching new diversity initiatives and expanding its outreach through the Valley. — Ed Masley

It's a tennis player's paradise

Tennis a sport I never considered until I noticed public courts everywhere. It got me thinking; with little more than a secondhand racket and a good dose of humility, I too could play! At the base of North Mountain, I discovered the joys of whacking a ball at The Gold Key Racket Club. It’s fun, but I never would have made it beyond the first class if it hadn't been for the welcoming attitude. That casual tennis culture means that each week I can have a good time, laugh at myself and get a little better. — Felicia Campbell

Al McCoy is a Phoenix Suns icon

Al McCoy has been calling Phoenix Suns games for 51 years. Let that sink in. The Suns have only been playing for 54. He’s called three trips to the NBA Finals and described the exploits of players from Dick Van Arsdale to Charles Barkley to Devin Booker. And he hasn’t lost a step. Put this one in the ol’ deep freeze. McCoy’s a legend.  — Bill Goodykoontz

Our farmers markets are everything

Farmers markets are my feel-good places. It’s not just where I go to buy produce. It’s where I go to connect with people and hear their stories. And I’m endlessly surprised at how some vendors got their start. Marvin Williamson built an entire food business to avoid wasting brisket. Arepa Babe helped Angelica Urrego reconnect to her culture. Stone Grindz Chocolate began with two friends at an apartment and went on to international recognition. — Bahar Anooshahr

Arizona sunrises and sunsets in the time of smartphones

It’s no accident that the Phoenix Suns’ colors are orange and purple. Sunrises and sunsets in Arizona are an explosion of color, often those two. And while they won’t turn you into Ansel Adams, it’s almost impossible not to capture their beauty with a half-decent smartphone. I’ve taken hundreds of such photos. Not one stinks. You have to love anything that makes you an artist. — Bill Goodykoontz

Sunnyslope is a gem

I’ve grown fond of Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood. It’s a place with creativity on tap and businesses that feel like home even though you’ve been once. Tony’s Italian Delicatessen has been around for 55 years – and its old-school charm is magic, not to mention the $4 Italian subs. I fell in love with Cultivate Coffee, too, a place that does more for its community than serve up chai lattes. Just like Sunnyslope, it's special. — Sofia Krusmark

Hard-to-find ingredients aren’t so hard to find

I can’t describe the smell or taste of fenugreek except to call it distinctive. It’s the magic behind many Indian and Persian dishes, the fragrant note you just can’t put your finger on. The trouble is that the fresh stuff can be tricky to find. But here in Phoenix, we’re blessed with an incredible array of international markets like Turmeric Indian Cash and Carry. That's where I pick up channa masala, paratha and, you guessed it, fresh fenugreek. There’s almost no ingredient out of reach, which makes me feel #blessed. — Felicia Campbell

Wine tasting in southern Arizona is a trip

The Verde Valley has rightly become a hot spot for people interested in Arizona wine. So many choices in close proximity, and Old Town Cottonwood is walkable. But if you’ve never gone wine tasting in southern Arizona, you’re missing out on an entirely different experience. Wineries like Flying Leap (try Trio, a sassy white blend), Rune and Los Milics have created surprising and delightful outdoor tasting areas where views of mountains and rolling grasslands accompany your tasting. Don’t miss the Pronghorn Pizza wagon sat Dos Cabezas WineWorks. — Jill Cassidy

KWSS-FM is going big

After years of slowly fading as you headed east across the Valley, indie radio station KWSS-FM expanded its signal and added a second channel at 99.5 FM. The new channel carries the signal to Mesa, Tempe and Old Town Scottsdale. Listeners in Phoenix will still want to tune to 93.9 FM, home to the radio station known for spinning an eclectic mix of national and local artists since 2005. — Ed Masley

Women are shaping the beverage scene and beyond

Women in the beverage scene inspire in ways that go beyond the glass. It’s not just creativity. It’s how they give back. There's Aspen Bingham, the lead bartender at Garden Bar, who's pushing conversations about sustainability. Amanda Gunderson founded a nonprofit that offers emergency funding for hospitality workers and helps advance the careers of women, femme and nonbinary individuals. Her work won her a Tales of the Cocktail award, a.k.a. an Oscar of the beverage industry. — Bahar Anooshahr

Zona: The music festival downtown Phoenix needed

Twelve years after founding Psyko Steve Presents, Stephen Chilton is launching his first major music festival at Margaret T. Hance Park in December. And Zona Music Festival is off to a beyond-auspicious start, boasting sets by Beach House, Portugal. the Man, Bleachers, Tegan and Sara, and Japanese Breakfast alongside a truly ambitious commitment to the local scene, from Playboy Manbaby to PAO. No other festival comes close to repping Phoenix on this scale. — Ed Masley

We can answer the call of the wild on Mogollon Rim Road

High above Payson, Mogollon Rim Road winds around pines along the edge of the cliffs. Trails run like veins off the narrow dirt path that invites intrepid drivers with four-wheel-drive vehicles to explore. The rewards for these bumpy rides are primitive campsites where where you’re sure to enjoy unobstructed views of rock formations that stand like steeples amid the dense forest that stretches to the horizon. The price for this million-dollar view is zero. It requires nothing of us but the urge to explore. — Felicia Campbell

Day trips

Arizona is a gold mine for refreshing getaways. In a matter of hours, I can be drinking Chai at the Chai Spot in Sedona, walking through the pine trees in 60 degree weather in Flagstaff, or dancing in saguaro cacti in Tucson. And the best part is you can always be back in the comfort of your own home after a full day of exploring. — Sofia Krusmark

Nanay's is a little piece of home

One of the many reasons I'm thankful for Phoenix is that I can get this taste of home — the Philippines — right in the Valley. My favorite Filipino restaurant is Nanay's in Chandler, where you can get a cafeteria-style sampling of different dishes on one plate. My favorite combination is a vegetable dish called pinakbet, chicken adobo, lechon kawali all paired with a generous helping of rice. — Shanti Lerner

All the sweet tooth fixes

Arizona is home to wonderful dessert makers, from Tucson’s Raging Sage Coffee Roaster pastries to Phoenix’s J.L. Patisserie, Geordie’s and Weft + Warp Art Bar + Kitchen. Then there’s Novel Ice Cream. Their Zoe dough melt, a lavender ice cream-stuffed doughnut with cinnamon crunch cereal, keeps me coming back. — Bahar Anooshahr

Arizona musicians take the mainstage

It's always nice to see familiar local faces making waves outside the Valley. Jimmy Eat World and the Maine played one of this year's hottest music festivals, Where We Were Young in Las Vegas. Mega Ran placed a song called "Tractor Beam" on the soundtrack to Kevin Smith's "Clerks III." And part-time Valley resident Rob Halford was honored for Musical Excellence by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Judas Priest. — Ed Masley

There’s more than one way to experience the outdoors

Arizona has a scenic vista for everyone, whether their preference is the saguaro-dotted Sonoran landscapes of Phoenix and Tucson or the vast pine forests of Flagstaff. There’s no shortage of exciting ways to experience the state’s natural beauty: horseback rides through the desert, hot air balloons for unparalleled mountain and desert views, treks through the Sedona red rocks aboard Pink Jeeps and helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, just to name a few. — Michael Salerno

Halloween is a promise of good things to come

People love Halloween for the costumes, the scary movies, the candy, the creepshow vibe. In Arizona we also love it because it is the traditional dividing line between summer and fall — better late than never. Which means the temperature is between surface-of-the-sun hot and just kind of warm. Temperatures drop, moods rise. Now that’s a holiday.  — Bill Goodykoontz

Reach the editor at rbartkowsk@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @beckybartkowski.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 29 reasons we're thankful to live in Arizona: Route 66, pizza, wine