Guidebook for Phoenix-Scottsdale
Parks & Nature
Pinnacle Peak
Hiking, less extreme than Camelback.
Historic Neighborhoods of central Phoenix. Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft and others. Head for the park and drive the neighborhoods surrounding; many people don't realize this exists in Phoenix.
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Encanto Park
Historic Neighborhoods of central Phoenix. Willo, Encanto-Palmcroft and others. Head for the park and drive the neighborhoods surrounding; many people don't realize this exists in Phoenix.
Less crowded than Camelback, totally different scenery, city views
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Piestewa Peak Trails
7232 N Squaw Peak DrLess crowded than Camelback, totally different scenery, city views
TOUGH hike bring lots and lots of water and real shoes, and if it's hot go EARLY (sunrise)
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Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveTOUGH hike bring lots and lots of water and real shoes, and if it's hot go EARLY (sunrise)
Desert Botanical Garden
My favorite hiking in the area. Dog friendly. About an hour drive. Not too steep, most of the trail is wide enough to walk next to a friend and talk, busy enough if you are solo, often some water in the creek and the “oasis”, and a variety of classic Sonoran scenery, giant saguaros, often butterflies and wildlife. Bring cash for nominal per person fee at gate. Grab lunch in cave creek afterwards - El Encanto is fun. There are also riding stables in this area if you want to go for a trail ride.
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Spur Cross Ranch Conservation
44000 N Spur Cross RdMy favorite hiking in the area. Dog friendly. About an hour drive. Not too steep, most of the trail is wide enough to walk next to a friend and talk, busy enough if you are solo, often some water in the creek and the “oasis”, and a variety of classic Sonoran scenery, giant saguaros, often butterflies and wildlife. Bring cash for nominal per person fee at gate. Grab lunch in cave creek afterwards - El Encanto is fun. There are also riding stables in this area if you want to go for a trail ride.
Superstition Mountains has incredible scenery. Not too far - about an hour. Bring WATER and be prepared if hiking. Hats, shoes, sunscreen and a map or AllTrails. Tons of hiking trail options. Some trails are very difficult and rocky.
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Lost Dutchman State Park
6109 N Apache TrailSuperstition Mountains has incredible scenery. Not too far - about an hour. Bring WATER and be prepared if hiking. Hats, shoes, sunscreen and a map or AllTrails. Tons of hiking trail options. Some trails are very difficult and rocky.
Scenic drive via Hunt Hwy to the lake esp in Springtime. Wildflowers and often the Salt River wild horses can be seen along the roadside. Good hike around the lake, and you can swim in the lake. Dogs on leash. Tonto day pass needed to park; available at many gas stations along the way - search "Tonto day pass" for more info from forest service website.
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Saguaro Lake
Scenic drive via Hunt Hwy to the lake esp in Springtime. Wildflowers and often the Salt River wild horses can be seen along the roadside. Good hike around the lake, and you can swim in the lake. Dogs on leash. Tonto day pass needed to park; available at many gas stations along the way - search "Tonto day pass" for more info from forest service website.
Good hike, easy access, restrooms & water fountain at trailhead, no fees, loop trail not too rocky, desert views and some elevation - definitely a workout but not extreme. Bring water. Dogs OK on leash. Multiple trail options here incl flatter Accessible options. Always quite busy and volunteers at trailhead, so if you are solo or inexperienced you will feel safe here. Go to The Vig nearby for lunch after.
Gateway Loop Trail, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA
Good hike, easy access, restrooms & water fountain at trailhead, no fees, loop trail not too rocky, desert views and some elevation - definitely a workout but not extreme. Bring water. Dogs OK on leash. Multiple trail options here incl flatter Accessible options. Always quite busy and volunteers at trailhead, so if you are solo or inexperienced you will feel safe here. Go to The Vig nearby for lunch after.
Food Scene
Phoenix is spoilt for choice with dining options.
Neighborhood favorite - consistently good. Tables inside and patio and open bar seating.
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North Italia
4925 N 40th StNeighborhood favorite - consistently good. Tables inside and patio and open bar seating.
Flower Child
Healthy / Vegetarian and Vegan friendly
Sip Coffee & Beer
Coffee and a secret basement cocktail bar
Neighborhood hotspot, always busy- coffee, bakery, food all day and pizza at night. Wine and gift shop. Parking is nuts so be patient (extra spaces in back).
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La Grande Orange Grocery & Pizzeria
4410 N 40th StNeighborhood hotspot, always busy- coffee, bakery, food all day and pizza at night. Wine and gift shop. Parking is nuts so be patient (extra spaces in back).
Something for everyone. Can usually always walk in and get a seat at the bar.
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Doughbird
4385 E Indian School RdSomething for everyone. Can usually always walk in and get a seat at the bar.
Comfort food, fresh and homemade. Drive thru or pickup. Family style meals to go are available.
Eat Up Drive In
Comfort food, fresh and homemade. Drive thru or pickup. Family style meals to go are available.
Patio and a few indoor seats. Try the Chopped salad or fried chicken sandwich or burger. Cocktails to go. Also curbside / take out. Opposite La Grand Orange.
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Ingo's Tasty Food
4502 N 40th StPatio and a few indoor seats. Try the Chopped salad or fried chicken sandwich or burger. Cocktails to go. Also curbside / take out. Opposite La Grand Orange.
Chelsea's Kitchen
5040 N 40th StGreat food, large shady patio. A favorite.
Locals and their dogs abound at this canal-side open-air very casual spot. If you want to watch a game, this is a good spot.
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O.H.S.O. Eatery & nano-Brewery
4900 E Indian School RdLocals and their dogs abound at this canal-side open-air very casual spot. If you want to watch a game, this is a good spot.
El Chorro
5550 E Lincoln DrOld Arizona vibe. Lovely patio - happy hour or brunch.
Buck & Rider
4225 E Camelback RdSeafood and non-seafood. Great happy hour.
Saturday mornings. Old Town Scottsdale.
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Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market - open October through May
3806 N Brown AveSaturday mornings. Old Town Scottsdale.
Old Town. Decent coffee, baked goods, breakfast in the market section.. solid restaurant for lunch/brunch/dinner with a great canal side patio.
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Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback RdOld Town. Decent coffee, baked goods, breakfast in the market section.. solid restaurant for lunch/brunch/dinner with a great canal side patio.
Arts & Culture
Phoenix Art Museum
1625 N Central AveScottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E 2nd StWestern Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
3830 N Marshall WayTaliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdMost people really enjoy a visit here. Good rainy or hot day activity.
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Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo BlvdMost people really enjoy a visit here. Good rainy or hot day activity.
Essentials
Sprouts Farmers Market
2824 E Indian School RdSafeway
Groceries and CVS pharmacy is next door
Safeway
Groceries
Target
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods Market
4701 N 20th StEntertainment & Activities
Luxurious cinema with bar and food options. At Fashion Square mall.
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Harkins Camelview 14 Theatre
7014 E Camelback RdLuxurious cinema with bar and food options. At Fashion Square mall.
For an afternoon pool party vibe; good food & drinks, live music weekends. Affordable small Spa which will get you a pool pass.
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Hotel Valley Ho
6850 E Main StFor an afternoon pool party vibe; good food & drinks, live music weekends. Affordable small Spa which will get you a pool pass.
Popular with families, this modern zoo has a wide variety of creatures and is a pleasant walk around. Holiday zoo lights is popular.
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Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin PkwyPopular with families, this modern zoo has a wide variety of creatures and is a pleasant walk around. Holiday zoo lights is popular.
They offer horseback trail rides, and kayaking trips along the Salt river. You will very likely see the wild horses that frequent the river.
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Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch
13020 N Bush HwyThey offer horseback trail rides, and kayaking trips along the Salt river. You will very likely see the wild horses that frequent the river.
Drinks & Nightlife
Unique nautical / tiki experience - Reservations recommended, but if not, it's worth a try to walk in (off hours are more likely to have luck as a walk-in). No food, drinks only (NA options).
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UnderTow
3626 E Indian School RdUnique nautical / tiki experience - Reservations recommended, but if not, it's worth a try to walk in (off hours are more likely to have luck as a walk-in). No food, drinks only (NA options).
Endless array of bars, clubs, restaurants.. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE, zero tolerance policy. Uber, Lyft, Waymo, golf cart, walk.. not scooters unless you want a trip to the ER.
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Scottsdale
Endless array of bars, clubs, restaurants.. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE, zero tolerance policy. Uber, Lyft, Waymo, golf cart, walk.. not scooters unless you want a trip to the ER.
Casual spot with good food, often live music on the patio on weekends.
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The Vig Arcadia
4041 N 40th StCasual spot with good food, often live music on the patio on weekends.
Award winning immersive bar experience. Reservations recommended. Possibly try walk-in during off-hours and you might get lucky. This building houses 3 unique bars: UnderTow, Platform18 and Grey Hen Rx.
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Century Grand
3626 E Indian School RdAward winning immersive bar experience. Reservations recommended. Possibly try walk-in during off-hours and you might get lucky. This building houses 3 unique bars: UnderTow, Platform18 and Grey Hen Rx.
Local divey owl themed hangout. Late night. Games such as Skeeball and usually a DJ late on Thurs-Sat if you aren’t tired yet.
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The Little Woody
4228 E Indian School RdLocal divey owl themed hangout. Late night. Games such as Skeeball and usually a DJ late on Thurs-Sat if you aren’t tired yet.
Trevor's Liquor
Upscale Liquor Store & Bar with Wood Fired Pizza
Shopping
Vintage, MCM, furniture art etc. Cafe Restaurant Valentine on site. Melrose district has a variety of vintage and eclectic stores.
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Modern Manor
4130 N 7th AveVintage, MCM, furniture art etc. Cafe Restaurant Valentine on site. Melrose district has a variety of vintage and eclectic stores.
Smaller than Fashion Square, lower key and easier to get in and out. A few good dining options.
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Biltmore Fashion Park
2502 E Camelback RdSmaller than Fashion Square, lower key and easier to get in and out. A few good dining options.
Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E Camelback RdUpscale mall with shopping, dining and movies.
Outpost of Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti. Mainly it’s a retail for the famous bells. But worth a stop in and browse.
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Cosanti Originals
6433 E Doubletree Ranch RdOutpost of Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti. Mainly it’s a retail for the famous bells. But worth a stop in and browse.