Does the sight of a cloche hat with feathers tickle your fancy? Do you adorn your walls with vintage advertising signs? Would the sight of a rusty flour sifter make your day? Then you have to check out Merchant Square in Chandler, AZ. more What Is Merchant Square? Imagine a warehouse stuffed full of collectibles, antiques, and memorabilia for your viewing pleasure. Now picture an outdoor marketplace where you can shop underneath the expansive Arizona sky. How about including a separate area where you can find charming decor exclusively for the home and garden? Add to the mix an old-fashioned cafe that is guaranteed to fill your belly with comfort food. Now you can start to get an idea of what is offered at the square. The Indoor Marketplace With over 58,000 square feet of space in the main warehouse alone, you would think they have plenty of room. But this store is jammed packed with vintage goods of all flavors. Pickers, collectors, and bargain hunters can all score that one of a kind piece to bring home. 250 shops are arranged within the gigantic space, and you'll discover all sorts of knick-knacks as you stroll down the aisles. One store might feature old toys, while another will burst with books. You will feel the delight of your inner child as you stroll down memory lane. The Outdoor Marketplace This area is where you will find larger pieces. From farming equipment to industrial tools, if you like your vintage rusty be sure to visit the Outdoor Marketplace. DIY'ers are certain to score here. You can transform a wooden door into a shabby-chic coffee table, or stick an old iron gate in the garden as a trellis for climbing plants. The possibilities are endless. Highland Yard Vintage Highland Yard is the place for those looking to spruce up a bland room in the house. The newest addition to the square dedicates 6000 square feet to treasures suited for the home and garden. Additionally, you may find local artists and designers practicing their craft. Highland Yard is only open four days a month, so be sure to check the calendar before you go. This is one highlight you won't want to miss. American Way Market Cafe The restaurant at the square not only features great food but is packed with vintage as well. The owners chose to decorate with great pieces they picked up all over the country. They repurposed the booth seats from a dance hall and snagged the chairs from an old schoolhouse. Don't let the decor distract you from the home-cooked food though. The cafe's outstanding menu features American classics such as pulled pork and barbeque chicken sandwiches. Plus you can sample a vintage soda from the fountain to wash it all down. If you can't fit all of your fabulous finds in your current vehicle, then it may be time for an upgrade. Swing by Earnhardt Ford today and check out our wide selection of vehicles in all sizes. At Earnhardt Ford, we've been the home of the No Bull promise since 1951.
Whether you want to plan a unique first date or take some time to reconnect with your significant other, you can find something fun to do in Chandler. You don't have to stick to the plain old dinner and a movie either. This part of Arizona has lots of activities and attractions you can check out if you want to do something different. Take a look at these date night ideas you can do in Chandler. more Digital Drive-In Take the short trip to Mesa and experience the area's first digital drive-in. The massive 24-feet by 40-feet digital high definition screen at Digital Drive-In AZ is the first of its kind in Arizona, and the drive-in is now showing movies seven days a week. You can pack a picnic dinner or just snacks to munch on during the movie and head to 1901 N. Alma School Road for a new-and-improved drive-in experience. If you want to get out of the car, you can sit outside right next to it. Bring your four-legged friend, too, as long as they stay in the car. The Digital Drive-In will play movies rain or shine, so keep your date even if it looks like rain. The Ivy Mediterranean Lounge The Ivy sits on the trendy southern end of Chandler. It features a Mediterranean menu with lots of Greek appetizers, such as spanakopita and hummus. For dinner, choose one of their exquisite entrees to share or indulge in for yourself. Try the paella with a Mediterranean twist, the lamb chops, or classic surf 'n' turf. Enjoy a romantic meal on the large, plush patio, a comfortable place to sit outside for a relaxing evening. Burst of Butterflies Get creative on your date at Burst of Butterflies Paint Your Own Pottery. You can each pick a piece to paint from the hundreds of different items, and there are paints, brushes, and glaze colors, too. Sit and chat while you paint your piece, and then hand it over to the staff who will kiln fire it for you. You can also choose from wineglasses, beer mugs, and mason jars if you want to paint glass instead of pottery. Call ahead to make a reservation if you have a group date, or just stop by if it's just the two of you. Imagine 3D Mini Golf If you are a fan of mini-golf, Imagine 3D Mini Golf makes a unique and fun date. This family-owned business has locations in Gilbert and Scottsdale, with 18-hole indoor glow-in-the-dark courses. It's also the perfect way to get out of the Arizona heat. You can play with or without 3D glasses depending on how much of a challenge you want, but adding the glasses also adds to the fun. Go on Thursdays after 5 p.m. to get two-for-one admission for you and your date. Take a drive to one of these Chandler-area locations for a one-of-a-kind date night. You can make the most of the area attractions and plan something fun. image via pixabay
Whether you're looking for a getaway hotel or a great place to stay during your trip to the greater Phoenix area, you have plenty of hotels to choose from. Here are a few of the best hotel options the Chandler, Arizona, area has to offer: more Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass One of the most luxurious hotels in the Chandler area has to be the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. Just 11 miles from PHX, this hotel embodies a Southwestern style that starts your Arizona trip off right. The hotel's amenities include Arizona's only Forbes five-star restaurant, access to golf courses, an outdoor pool with a twisting slide, a spa, a fitness room, and more. Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes Over in nearby Tempe, you'll find the Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes. This is one of the most sought-after hotels in the greater Pheonix area, in large part due to its beautiful design. The hotel is built around a mountain peak and its resort offerings make it as much of a destination as the city itself. This hotel's amenities include a fitness room, a large outdoor pool, a spa, a restaurant, and more. The resort is near the Sun Devil Stadium, Old Town Scottsdale, and the U.S. Airways Arena. Marriot Pheonix Chandler You don't have to spend an arm and a leg in order to stay in a hotel with plenty of exciting amenities. If you're looking for a good balance between luxuries and cost, check out the Marriott Phoenix Chandler. This hotel has over 200 modern rooms, as well as a health club, childcare center, restaurant, bar, and a business center. It's also pet-friendly and a short distance from many of the nearby attractions, such as the Ocotillo Gold Resort and the Lone Butte Casino. Home2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix Chandler Home2 Suites is another great choice for those who want to create a relaxing staycation. Chic and modern rooms feature couches, desks, privacy curtains, and more. Outside, you'll find a swimming pool to let the kids loose in. This hotel's amenities include free shuttles, a fitness center, a business center, free continental breakfast, and a computer station. If you're in Chandler on business, Home2 Suites is a worthy option. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Country Inn & Suites is a great choice for travelers looking for a quick night of rest or if they don't plan on spending their days at their hotel. It's a great headquarters for your Phoenix area adventure, and it's full of everything you might need from a decent hotel. This hotel has 64 smoke-free rooms, a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping, laundry service, a swimming pool, and free daily newspapers. Country Inn & Suites is clean, affordable, and cute. Explore each of these options to find the hotel that works best with what you're looking for during your stay. Finding the best balance between budget and amenities is easy with the Chandler area's options. image via pixabay
