SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Located 20 minutes from Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona is a gorgeous desert city with loads of trendy restaurants, stunning hikes and endless blue sky days! My cousin Amelia is from Scottsdale and she and her family shared their favorite restaurants, activities and the best spots to watch a life-changing desert sunset. Happy Traveling!
Travel Tip:
- Visit in the winter, late fall or early spring. It gets crazy hot in the summer and while Arizona is famous for its dry humidity-free heat, it’s a shock to the system. It’s busier in the winter so make sure you book ahead.
One fun thing:
- On the first Friday of every month, there’s a big arts walk in downtown Phoenix. It’s starting back up in May 2021 after being shut down for COVID-19 concerns. You can tour art galleries and venues with booths set up showing artists’ work while grabbing a bite to eat at some food trucks and listening to music. It’s a big to-do if you’re in town on a first Friday.
- The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain: a nice hotel that feels like a little natural retreat on the side of the mountain. They have a pool with a great view. Jade bar is nice there as well.
- Mountain Shadows Resort: a hip spot that also has a fun bar, restaurant, and view.
- The Andaz: a trendy hotel that has a good restaurant and spa too.
- AirBnB: always a good choice. Check out options with pools!
- Hikes: the best thing to do in Scottsdale is to eat all the amazing food, then go hike it off. Climb Camelback for a challenge, climb the most popular hike of the area, Piestewa Peak for a little less of a challenge but still a big workout, or go to a “Hole in the Rock” if you are hella hungover or not a huge fan of hiking. At any of the locations, you’ll get to experience AZ’s best nature and red rocks.
- Desert Botanical Gardens: where you can check out cool Arizona nature. It’s a showcase of all the funky desert plants. You’ll also find some cool sculpture art and exhibits.
- Musical Instruments Museum (MIM): a huge one-of-a-kind museum with musical instruments, memorabilia and sounds from around the world. It has lots of interesting music memorabilia like John Lenon’s piano and Taylor Swift’s costumes.
- Old Town Scottsdale: wander around Old Town Scottsdale for fun western scenes, interesting galleries and entertainment. There’s a Farmers Market on the weekend. The area used to be filled with galleries focusing on western American art, and while many of those galleries are still there, it’s now built out to have more bars, restaurants and stores. The old western scenery can be cheesy, but it’s still fun!
- Day trip to Sedona: go see the red rocks and splash around in Slide Rock State Park. Sedona is about a two-hour drive from Scottsdale. Slide Rock was created naturally from the water flowing through it. Go in your swimsuits and slide down the rocks or hang out in the streams. It will get very busy if it’s a nice day.
- Scottsdale Quarter: if you’re looking to get some shopping done, this outdoor mall is the best spot. It has mostly brand name stores and walking around the palm tree-lined roads while popping into a few stores can make for a good time.
- La Grande Orange (LGO): a local favorite for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The coffee cake is to die for and they serve very solid iced coffee. You must try the large salted chocolate chip cookie, it’s crumbly and chunky yet chewy. If you go at lunch or dinner try the cheeseburger and fries and the corn pizza.
- Lux Coffee: a fun café with a hipster ambiance. They have great coffee and pastries. There is plenty of seating.
- Brunch: a must-do in Downtown Scottsdale where you’ll find a million and one amazing spots. You can pick any restaurant here from The Morning Squeeze for standard breakfast in a quaint atmosphere to The Herb Box for a healthy choice. Amelia’s personal favorite is The Breakfast Club. Try the breakfast grilled cheese which is served on thick crispy bread and will have you in a food coma for the rest of the day, but it will be worth it.
- Postino: the family favorite and they often visit at least once a week. It’s a casual but classy spot that offers delicious sandwiches and bruschetta boards. The flavor combinations on the bruschetta are amazing. The Brie, Apple & Fig Spread is a must-try.
- Two Hippies Beach House: a casual budget-friendly stop for solid Mexican food, especially yummy tacos. It’s a fun and funky spot with a cute exterior.
- True Food Kitchen: A trendy spot for salads, bowls, sandwiches and more. They have a great selection of healthy food options in two locations. Try the edamame dumplings and hummus.
- Culinary Dropout at The Yard: a perfect spot for dinner and some fun in Phoenix. Their huge outdoor patio is set up with games like ping pong and cornhole. They have a wonderful happy hour and delicious comfort food like fried chicken and burgers with pretzel bread.
- Tratto: high-end rustic Italian deliciousness with Southwestern influence. Excellent pasta and meat dishes from a James Beard Award-winning chef. Looking for something more casual? Try the sister restaurant, Pizzeria Bianco for some bomb pizza.
- Toca Madera: a contemporary Mexican restaurant located in “the spot,” a triangle of the bougie restaurants (Nobu & a fancy French restaurant, Francine). Not only will you get a fantastic dinner, but the people watching and fancy car spotting is a treat too! It is very popular so you’ll need to make a reservation in advance. It is pricier but yummy enough to justify the cost. Try the tacos!
- Maple and Ash: a fancy option for a special occasion with a moody ambiance. They have the best thick and juicy bacon you will ever have in your life. Their bar is classic, trendy, and old-fashioned with dark curtains and tasty cocktails.
- Elements at the Sanctuary: for the unbelievable views of the mountain and a special night out. They serve farm-fresh American cuisine with an Asian flair. It’s pricey, but it’s incredibly worth it for the spectacular views.
- Shakes and Cones: a little ice cream stand in the main area of Downtown Scottsdale. Their ice cream is rich and creamy and you should try their many choices of mix-ins. Try fun flavor combos like Nutella pretzel.
- Sugar Bowl Ice Cream Parlor: a standard ice cream shop for sundae choices. It is locally famous for its fun pink exterior and classic ice cream shop vibes.
- Creamistry: a different ice cream option made with liquid nitrogen. It’s fun to watch the process and you get a mouthwatering treat at the end!
- Old Town Scottsdale: wander around Old Town Scottsdale to find a bunch of bars mixed in with an old western scene. There are some fun saloon-type places along with more fancy bars.
- Bottled Blonde: a popular spot on Saturday nights in Scottsdale. It has an upbeat, party vibe.
- Beverly on Main: a cocktail bar with more of a lounge atmosphere.
