I find Phoenix very easy to get around as long as you don't hit the rush hours but a car is a must.

Central Ave runs north south in the middle of Phoenix and streets run n/s from 1st to nth East of Cental and aves run n/s 1st to nth West of central. Washington is the dividing line for the North south addesses. You can make a big circle from the airport depending on the time you are landing. if it is time to lunch time, try a little pizza, either Oreganos or Pizzeria Bianca details below. Bianca is downtown at 623 E Adams St and many people say it is the best - yes best - in the US. I don't know, will be there in February so I will try it then but I do like Oreganos. There is one on Camelback, about 1000 E Camelback iirc. Here are some restaurant reviews.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ix+restaurants


If you do go downtown, you can head north on Central ave (or the one next to it if it is one way, I can't remember) and stop at the Heard Museum, worth a couple hours, but not the best imo. certainly my kids complained about it as we prefer outdoor activities. What i would do instead would be to head north up rt 51 and head East on Lincoln Dr and stop at the base of Piestiewa (Squaw) Peak (just 1/4 mile from 51) and maybe even hike up a short way for a nice view then head back east on Lincoln and work your way onto the back side of Camelback Mountain. Again, I like to hike these mountains when in town, but for 7 hours and no shower, I guess just cruise the neighborhood and try to get as close to Camelback as possible, near 44th Street and McDonald.

If you follow Lincoln Dr east, you will come to Scottsdale Blvd. Take a right and head to Old Town Scottsdale. Stop at the Sugar Bowl (4005 N. Scottsdale) for an ice cream and check out the Family Circus cartoons. You can walk around this area for shops. Personally I have little use for shopping and malls, but if you want there are plenty of malls around here, instead saddle up and head south again on scottsdale to McDowell Rd. Take a right onto McDowell and and a left and head into Papago Park and see the buttes (climb the hole in the rock butte near the zoo if you want, you won't get too sweaty and you will like it) or check out the botanical gardens if you want to see some really neat cacti.

your exercise is over. head over to Tempe and walk along Mill Ave. There is a Greek Place right on the main drag I like or just find a bar where the ASU coeds dance on the tables and have a couple cold ones. Then back to the airport and off you go.

Realistically, how much of this would I do? Pizza, Piestewa base, camelback base, ice cream in Scottsdale and a short stroll, Papapo hole in the rock and a cocktail on Mill Ave. Have fun.