City: Tempe, AZ

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (480) 491-7300

Address: 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle

Description: Arizona Mills opened to much media hoopla in late 1997, partly because it was Arizona’s first shopping center from the Mills Corp., the developer of Ontario Mills near Los Angeles and other “Mills” malls. The company brought “shoppertainment” to the Valley of the Sun, mixing outlet stores from dozens of nationally known retailers with a variety of entertainment venues and innovative restaurants. Arizona Mills strives to outshine the ordinary mall by conveying a lively, almost futuristic atmosphere. The walkway through its oval design winds through six theme neighborhoods that evoke an aspect of Arizona, from desert plants to ancient petroglyphs. Arizona artists designed many of the murals, mosaic tiles, metal sculptures, and pottery. Another fixture in the colorful and decor-intense mall is the profusion of video screens overhead, which blare commercials, mall promotions, and music videos. The shopping is fun, but be prepared for sensory overload.There are more than 180 retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues at the complex near the junction of I-10 and US 60. Mall anchors include Last Call by Nieman Marcus, Ross Dress For Less, Burlington Coat Factory, JCPenney Outlet Store, Sports Authority, and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th. In women’s apparel, other stores include Pacific Sunwear and a Kenneth Cole outlet store. You’ll also find factory outlets for Nike, Nine West, Van Heusen, and others. There are a dozen house wares and furniture outlet stores, along with a half dozen cosmetic stores. It may have more shoe stores than any other venue in the Valley, with options including Skechers, Tilly’s, and Journeys, which also has a kids-specific store in the mall.Other interesting stops include Vitamin World, which offers supplements, packaged foods, and a juice bar. There’s a food court with an enormous seating area, plus a 24-screen cinema complex, an IMAX theater, and the popular Gameworks arcade/restaurant. Arizona Mills is open daily.