Welcome to Phoenix, Kevin Durant. Here's your bucket list of best things to do in Arizona

NBA superstar Kevin Durant is already bringing the thunder as a new member of the Phoenix Suns. Three games into his tenure with the team, the power forward has notched 80 points while contributing to three straight wins.

Suns ticketholders can see him take the court for the first time at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix on Wednesday, March 8.

But take it from us, KD, so much awaits you when you're done playing and practicing. Metro Phoenix — heck, all of Arizona — is overflowing with restaurants, nightlife, music festivals and ways to blow off steam. Here are insider picks for the best ways to enjoy your new hometown.

Ultimate guide:The best things to do in metro Phoenix and around Arizona this spring

Snap a selfie at Durant's steakhouse

If your name is Kevin Durant and you've just moved to Phoenix, a picture in front of Durant's steakhouse on Central Avenue is a must. Opened in 1950, it's the subject of legend and of film; maybe KD will become its latest regular.

— Bill Goodykoontz

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Try this cardio hike without the Camelback crowds

Why waste time jostling for parking and elbow room at Camelback Mountain's jam-packed Cholla and Echo Canyon trails? The Hau'pal Trail at South Mountain Park and Preserve in Phoenix is 3.2 miles of heart-pumping, thigh-burning goodness and the stellar Valley views will keep you pushing to the top.

— Jill Cassidy

More:Here are the best desert hikes to try in metro Phoenix

Eat birria for breakfast

The true breakfast of champions is tender beef or goat that's simmered overnight and then served as a crispy, cheesy quesabirria taco like they do at El Super Taco, or with a stack of fresh tortillas, like they do in the birria corridor in south Phoenix. Served with a warming cup of consume for dipping and sipping and a plate of chopped onions, cilantro and fresh lime, it’s the most comforting way to start the day in Phoenix.

— Felicia Campbell

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Spend spring as it was meant to be spent: at a baseball game

Phoenix has always been a Suns town, but the Cactus League takes over during spring training, when stadiums fill with fans all over the Valley. And it's not just baseball on the menu; there are plenty of deals at local restaurants for before or after watching your favorite team play. (Or why not both?)

— Bill Goodykoontz

Get a uniquely Arizona spa treatment at a luxe resort

Why not unwind after a big game with a Sonoran-style spa treatment? Hotel spas at metro Phoenix resorts offer treatments inspired by plants native to Arizona. The Well and Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has a full body massage that uses oil from the jojoba, a shrub found in the Sonoran Desert. The oil blend used in the signature massage at Joya Spa at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia in Paradise Valley includes the rare "Queen of the Night" cactus flower that blooms just one night a year.

— Michael Salerno

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Get a cup of seriously good Taiwanese boba tea

Just down the road from the Chicago Cubs' spring training ballpark, Sloan Park in Mesa, is Xing Fu Tang, a Taiwanese boba chain that debuted in Arizona last year. The chewy, gooey, cooked-to-perfection brown sugar boba is a must, regardless of the type of drink you choose.

— KiMi Robinson

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See a concert at the Van Buren

The Van Buren exists in that perfect middle ground: a venue with just enough space to host well-known acts in a small and intimate setting. I prefer to feel like part of the action so I buy floor tickets, but if you'd rather sit and enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, the balcony offers a more relaxed experience. Nno matter where you are inside the 1K capacity venue, you will have a great view of the stage.

— Endia Fontanez

Shop for music, streetwear and more at Trill

Trill bills itself as hip-hop's flagship store for Phoenix. And it's not just records, either, although there are definitely those, CDs and cassettes. Trill has everything from streetwear to art supplies, DJ equipment and hip-hop collectibles. There's even a hip-hop museum, all at 1817 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix.

— Ed Masley

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Can an ice cream sandwich change your life? This one might

Novel Ice Cream has some of the best ice cream flavors in town, with special varieties regularly popping up on the menu. But don't just stop at a scoop. Its dough melt, a unique riff on the ice cream sandwich, is a must-try. It's a simple glazed doughnut stuffed with ice cream, but the combination just satisfies the soul.

— Bahar Anooshahr

Find your next great read at Changing Hands

Forget the chains and go local when you're looking for your next book. Changing Hands has two locations, one in Phoenix and one in Tempe. Both of which have, in addition to tons of titles, that independent bookstore vibe that makes them great places to hang out as well as shop. Relax with a beer, wine or snack at the First Draft book bar in the Phoenix location.

— Bill Goodykoontz

Get away from it all on the Mogollon Rim

Less than two hours from downtown Phoenix, the Mogollon Rim is a backcountry wilderness of towering pine forests, mountain lakes and cooler temperatures all year long. Woods Canyon Lake is an idyllic and easy hike for wandering and contemplation, though perhaps the most adventurous way to enjoy the rim is to keep on driving past the turnoff for the lake and spend a few hours winding along the staggeringly scenic Forest Road 300.

— Felicia Campbell

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Take in the desert and city views at Pinnacle Peak Park

It might take some time adjusting to the desert scenery after four years in Brooklyn, Kevin. A visit to this mountain park about 25 miles from downtown Scottsdale will help. It offers spectacular views of saguaro cactuses and other desert plants. Those who tackle the moderately challenging hike to the peak are rewarded with some of metro Phoenix's best city views.

— Michael Salerno

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Toast to a beautiful sunset at Taliesin West

Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and final resting place, Taliesin West, doesn't just host daily tours that teach visitors about the renowned architect and how he and his students used local natural resources to build the desert laboratory. The UNESCO World Heritage Site in Scottsdale also hosts a variety of events, such as tai chi classes, screenings, live performances and a semimonthly sunset happy hour.

— KiMi Robinson

Metro Phoenix has so many music festivals to choose from

We have TONS of music festivals — M3F Fest, Innings Festival, ZONA and the big daddy of them all, Country Thunder (OK, it's in Florence, a reasonable drive south of Phoenix). But the one we're recommending means a road trip. Phoenix rapper Mega Ran is curating his first multi-day festival, the Dream Master Mixtape Festival, at Red Moon Ale House in Yuma, Arizona, with a mix of indie-rock and local hip-hop acts (including Futuristic) the weekend of May 12-14.  It's the perfect way to dive into the local hip-hop scene.

— Ed Masley

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Check out one of Phoenix's unique cafes

Metro Phoenix is home to a lovely array of coffee shops for all tastes, from the upbeat vibes at LUX Central to the relaxed and quaint Songbird Coffee & Tea House. Pair coffee with a concha at Tres Leches Café or find your new favorite album at Central Records.

— Endia Fontanez

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Welcome to Phoenix, Kevin Durant. Here are the best things to do in AZ