Visiting Students

The Southwest School of Woodworking welcomes students from Arizona and beyond.
If you are traveling to attend one of our classes, you may find the following resources helpful.

NOTE: Inclusion on this list does not equal an endorsement, nor is the School affiliated with any of the following businesses or organizations.

Location:
Southwest School of Woodworking is located at 621 North 7th Avenue in downtown Phoenix, on the campus of Rio Salado College and at the west end of the Roosevelt Historic District.

Driving directions:
From I-10, take exit 144 for 7th Avenue and drive south on 7th Avenue for 0.4 miles. The School is on the east (left) side of the street.

Transportation:
We are a 15-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, which is served by all major U.S. air carriers, and a 45-minute drive from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway airport, which is served by regional carriers Allegiant and Sun Country. Both airports offer rental car services from multiple providers.

If you prefer public transit, Valley Metro includes light rail and bus routes and offers a helpful online trip planner or phone app to see route options, fares, and schedules.

We are approximately 0.8 mile west of the Central Ave & Van Buren light rail stop, and we are served directly by several bus routes that stop in front of our campus.

Ride-share and peer-to-peer driving options include Lyft, Uber, Turo, and Waymo.

Lodging:
Thanks to our downtown location, there are more than two dozen hotels and motels within a 10-minute drive of the School, and many more in the surrounding area.

The closest lodgings, within walking distance, include:
Egyptian Motor Hotel at 765 Grand Ave
Downtown Phoenix Hotel at 424 W Van Buren St
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown/State Capitol at 950 W Van Buren St
San Carlos Hotel at 202 N Central Ave

Since there are a wide variety of price points and amenities available, we suggest using a site like Expedia, Booking.com, or TripAdvisor to help narrow your search based on your own criteria and to read reviews from other visitors.

The Phoenix area attracts many visitors, especially in the winter months, and prices for lodging fluctuate seasonally. They tend to be highest December–March and during major sporting or cultural events.

Dining:
When seeking a meal close to the School, students have a variety of options.

Within a short walking distance, there are fast-food restaurants including McDonalds, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks, as well as many locally owned spots.

El Norteño food stand at 1002 N. 7th Ave serves classic Mexican fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Cocina Adamex at 416 N 7th Ave is a Mexican bakery and cafe serving breakfast, lunch & dinner.
UrBo at 603 W Fillmore is a convenience mart with coffee, tea, juices, prepared foods, and a selection of groceries and snacks available all day.

For breakfast and lunch:
Snooze at 800 N Central and
Matt’s Big Breakfast at 825 N 1st St both offer eggs, pancakes, and breakfast burritos, as well as sandwiches.
Rush Bowls at 555 N Central Ave serves smoothie-style bowls for breakfast and lunch.

For lunch and dinner:
Cibo Pizzeria at 603 N 5th Ave offers upscale wood-fired pizza and Italian dishes.
The Vig at 606 4th Ave offers sandwiches, salads, and pub food.
Pita Jungle at 1001 N 3rd Ave offers Mediterranean-inspired options including pitas, wraps, and bowls.
SoSoBa Ramen at 214 W Roosevelt  offers ramen and Asian-fusion dishes.
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken at 341 W Van Buren St offers (you guessed it!) fried chicken, plus sides and pie.
Ziggy’s Magic Pizza Shop at 401 W Van Buren St offers classic pizza and subs.
State 48 Brewery at 345 W Van Buren offers pizza, burgers, and pub fare.

And that’s just the immediate vicinity. Within a short driving distance, there are many more restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines.

In addition, many local restaurants will deliver via DoorDash.

Grocery:
Nearby grocery stores include Safeway at 340 E McDowell, Fry’s at 100 E Jefferson, and Milk & Honey at 333 E Roosevelt, all within 2 miles of the School.

If you prefer not to drive, several nearby grocery stores offer delivery through Instacart.

Additional information:
We would be delighted to welcome you to the Southwest School of Woodworking, so if you have any questions or would like additional information about visiting us in Phoenix, please email director@sw-sw.org and we will be happy to help.