NBA Basketball Arena Review
- US Airways Center
 The Phoenix Suns have enjoyed a
tremendous amount of success in the NBA in recent years, and that
can mostly be attributed to the great fans who fill the U.S. Airways
Center for all 41 home games during the regular season. The U.S.
Airways Center provides a wide-open, engrossing stadium experience
that makes it easy to forget that you are not relaxing at your home
watching the game on television. From the ample amounts of food and
beverage options to the great service that a patron receives from
ushers and arena staff alike, the U.S. Airways Center is truly a
pioneer in the world of sports arenas.
Originally known
as America West Arena when it initially opened in 1992, U.S. Airways
has seen some of the best professional basketball players hoop it up
for the Phoenix Suns on its court over the past two decades. What
was once the home to Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson, this
downtown Phoenix location, which is situated in the heart of East
Jefferson St., now serves a new breed of run-and-gun basketball led
by former MVP Steve Nash. It has also housed the WNBA's Phoenix
Mercury since 1997 and at one time served as the home ice of the
Phoenix Coyotes.
With over 14,000
square feet of total area, U.S. Airways Center provides Phoenix Suns
faithful with an expansive experience that beams with bright lights
and big noises. With only a lower and upper bowl along with boxes
separating the two, there is really not much room to complain about
having a bad seat. The action is upfront and center and the arena's
lighting fundamentals are impeccably designed. While so many arenas
are worried about getting as many fans as possible into the
building, U.S. Airways Center takes a different approach by equally
spacing out seating so that all 18,500 screaming Phoenix Suns fans
are able to enjoy themselves.
Valley Metro
provides all of the public transportation to and from the arena
through their buses, light rail system, and rideshare program. All
three modes of transportation are designed to get the fan to the
arena in a timely fashion, so they do not miss a minute of game
action. There are also several parking lots and garages that are
within a 5-10 minute walk from U.S. Airways, thereby making driving
an automobile to the location a relevant possibility.
Inside U.S.
Airways, there are many outlets to look to in order to get your
hunger and thirst addressed before, during, and after a Phoenix Suns
game. From a Starbucks outlet to a Bacardi Rum bar located right in
the stadium, patrons can enjoy their favorite pick-me-up anytime
they find themselves parched. The Lexus Club & B Lounge are the
arena's signature dining experience, as many ticket holders frequent
this combination of style, grace, and fine dining that anyone is
sure to enjoy. From live music and DJs to perfect viewing of the
arena floor from any one of a number of guest tables, the Lexus Club
& B Lounge is the preeminent spot for anyone looking to combine
their dining and entertainment experiences.
If you're looking
for a dining experience outside of the U.S. Airways Center, look no
further than Majerle's Sports Grill. With cold beer, many
televisions, and just a great general atmosphere, Majerle's serves
up service that will take care of all of your needs. From fantastic
burgers and steak platters to the coldest beer on tap, you will want
to look to Majerle's for your Phoenix Suns post-game celebration
party. Other restaurants in close proximity to U.S. Airways Center
are Pizzeria Bianco, Lo Lo's Chicken & Waffles, and The Breadfruit.
There are also numerous sports bars in very close proximity to the
arena including Jackson's on 3rd, Friday's Front Row Sports Grill,
and Sports City Grille. All of these locations serve great bar food
and make sure that your drink is fresh and always chilled.
Staying at a
hotel in the area is also quite easy, as there are many lodging
options for Phoenix Suns fans to look into for either the short
overnight stay or the week-long vacation. Located within a mile from
one another are many different hotels that are ready to cater to
your every need. From Holiday Inn to Super 8 and from the Sheraton
to the Hyatt, there are many different options available for any
budget that is looking to stay within a mile of the U.S. Airways
Center.
Phoenix Suns fans
are sure to enjoy the many local points of interest within the
general vicinity of U.S. Airways Center. The Phoenix Symphony Hall
is located close by in case you would like to have a low-key
relaxing evening before or after the Suns game is played. The area
formerly known as Cooper Square, now referred to simply as Downtown
Phoenix, is also a great area to visit if you are looking for a
place to eat or shop while you are waiting for the game to commence.
Also, make sure to check out CityScape, which is a mixture of
residential living, hotel, public park space, and more rolled up
into one central area that serves countless numbers of tourists and
local residents everyday. Don't forget to take one of the many
hot-air balloon or Jeep/Hummer rides through peaks and valleys of
the Phoenix terrain. The Mystery Castle, with its great back story
and relevance to the Phoenix landscape, can also be seen on a tour
of Phoenix. If you attend at different points throughout the year,
you may also be able to see the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Barrett
Jackson's Auto Auction, or Cactus League spring training baseball.
If you're looking for a great shopping experience, look no further
than Arizona Mills, the Outlets at Anthem, and Scottsdale Fashion
Square, all of which all give NBA fans an opportunity to enjoy
world-class shopping before they see world-class basketball.
Downtown Phoenix
and the U.S. Airways Center provides the perfect backdrop for a
great chance to watch some of the best professional basketball on
the planet. A great arena and a terrific basketball team in the
Phoenix Suns only begins to tell the story of what a visitor to this
area will find intriguing. It is truly one of the best experiences
an NBA fan could every ask for.
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