Guidebook for Scottsdale
Food Scene
Small and quaint, with a warm and intimate atmosphere, this is a great restaurant for a date night. Best to make a reservation, this family run restaurant features outstanding food and a wonderful homemade limoncello aperitif! I get 'off menu' gnocchi pasta with vodka sauce and mushrooms.
7 locals recommend
Arrivederci Ristorante
7101 E Thunderbird RdSmall and quaint, with a warm and intimate atmosphere, this is a great restaurant for a date night. Best to make a reservation, this family run restaurant features outstanding food and a wonderful homemade limoncello aperitif! I get 'off menu' gnocchi pasta with vodka sauce and mushrooms.
Cibo is a great spot for happy hour, with $5 glasses of wine and inexpensive small plates. Tucked away in an adorable bungalow home in Phoenix, the patio is great during the cooler months.
191 locals recommend
CIBO
603 N 5th AveCibo is a great spot for happy hour, with $5 glasses of wine and inexpensive small plates. Tucked away in an adorable bungalow home in Phoenix, the patio is great during the cooler months.
If you're looking for a great vegetarian and vegan restaurant, look no further than Green. They offer a menu that caters to the comfort food component of vegan fare, so if 'fake meats' aren't your thing, best skip this destination. I highly recommend the Wendy's Pickle sandwich. Tucked next door is their sister shop, Nami, which serves up delicious vegan ice cream and sundaes.
163 locals recommend
Green New American Vegetarian
2022 N 7th StIf you're looking for a great vegetarian and vegan restaurant, look no further than Green. They offer a menu that caters to the comfort food component of vegan fare, so if 'fake meats' aren't your thing, best skip this destination. I highly recommend the Wendy's Pickle sandwich. Tucked next door is their sister shop, Nami, which serves up delicious vegan ice cream and sundaes.
I love to go out for breakfast and to that end, nothing beats Butterfields. Here you'll find the fluffiest eggs (and omelets!) that you'll ever eat. Service is fast and the food is fantastic.
47 locals recommend
Butterfield's Pancake House & Restaurant
7388 E Shea BlvdI love to go out for breakfast and to that end, nothing beats Butterfields. Here you'll find the fluffiest eggs (and omelets!) that you'll ever eat. Service is fast and the food is fantastic.
Frank and Lupe's is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in town! You can't go wrong with "The Frank" because, a fried egg on EVERYTHING is where it's at! They also have the BEST chips and salsa in town. The back patio is best for atmosphere and a trip here will introduce you to old town Scottsdale.
33 locals recommend
Frank & Lupe's Old Mexico
4121 North Marshall WayFrank and Lupe's is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in town! You can't go wrong with "The Frank" because, a fried egg on EVERYTHING is where it's at! They also have the BEST chips and salsa in town. The back patio is best for atmosphere and a trip here will introduce you to old town Scottsdale.
I'm limited in my burger consumption, eating only chicken and fish and my husband is a vegetarian so a burger place was not high on our 'to try' list. HOWEVER, Hopdoddy is probably one of our favorite local places! Close to the house, the turkey burger is fantastic (I get the mushroom one!) and my husband loves the homemade veggie patty. Additionally, the milk shakes are delicious!
68 locals recommend
Hopdoddy Burger Bar
11055 N Scottsdale RdI'm limited in my burger consumption, eating only chicken and fish and my husband is a vegetarian so a burger place was not high on our 'to try' list. HOWEVER, Hopdoddy is probably one of our favorite local places! Close to the house, the turkey burger is fantastic (I get the mushroom one!) and my husband loves the homemade veggie patty. Additionally, the milk shakes are delicious!
Delicious food and a charming atmosphere where outdoor dining is prioritized. Go inside to order, browse the adorable goods in the shop and settle in to a picnic table on the outdoor patio. A small spash pad for kids here during warmer months helps keep everyone cool!
https://lucisorchard.com/
79 locals recommend
Luci's at the Orchard
7100 N 12th StDelicious food and a charming atmosphere where outdoor dining is prioritized. Go inside to order, browse the adorable goods in the shop and settle in to a picnic table on the outdoor patio. A small spash pad for kids here during warmer months helps keep everyone cool!
https://lucisorchard.com/
One of my favorite dinner and drinks spots in town. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable. They also have an excellent brunch.
63 locals recommend
Richardson's Cuisine of New Mexico
6335 N 16th StOne of my favorite dinner and drinks spots in town. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable. They also have an excellent brunch.
Parks & Nature
I really enjoy this hiking trail, as it is not too strenuous for beginning hikers, offers some picturesque views, AND features small plaques along the way to educate you about the desert around you. It is a simple out and back hike and has had great reviews from friends and guests whom I've dragged up there over the years.
119 locals recommend
Pinnacle Peak Park
26802 N 102nd WayI really enjoy this hiking trail, as it is not too strenuous for beginning hikers, offers some picturesque views, AND features small plaques along the way to educate you about the desert around you. It is a simple out and back hike and has had great reviews from friends and guests whom I've dragged up there over the years.
One of my favorite spots in the city, the Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful showcase of the flora of the Southwest and Phoenix. I didn't realize that the desert could be so beautiful before I lived here, and visiting the garden always reminds me of how stunning this landscape is. www.dbg.org
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
One of my favorite spots in the city, the Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful showcase of the flora of the Southwest and Phoenix. I didn't realize that the desert could be so beautiful before I lived here, and visiting the garden always reminds me of how stunning this landscape is. www.dbg.org
If you're visiting with kids, this is a must see! The 30-acre park, located in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona, is the most unique park of its kind in the country. Take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and the 1950-vintage Allan Herschell carousel. Visit a variety of shops and museums, play on our one-of-a-kind playgrounds, or just relax in the grass under a tree in one of Scottsdale’s most beautiful parks.
https://www.therailroadpark.com/
212 locals recommend
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend RdIf you're visiting with kids, this is a must see! The 30-acre park, located in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona, is the most unique park of its kind in the country. Take a ride on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and the 1950-vintage Allan Herschell carousel. Visit a variety of shops and museums, play on our one-of-a-kind playgrounds, or just relax in the grass under a tree in one of Scottsdale’s most beautiful parks.
https://www.therailroadpark.com/
Shopping
An outdoor shopping and dining area with open air charm. Kierland offers something for everyone in the area of shopping or food.
699 locals recommend
Kierland Commons
An outdoor shopping and dining area with open air charm. Kierland offers something for everyone in the area of shopping or food.
Across from Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter is an extension of more outdoor dining and shopping. Also featured here is a splash pad for hot summer days with the kids. There is a movie theatre and plenty of parking in adjacent garages. Occasionally they feature special events on the weekends.
428 locals recommend
Scottsdale Quarter
15279 N Scottsdale RdAcross from Kierland Commons, Scottsdale Quarter is an extension of more outdoor dining and shopping. Also featured here is a splash pad for hot summer days with the kids. There is a movie theatre and plenty of parking in adjacent garages. Occasionally they feature special events on the weekends.
Arts & Culture
Distinctive architecture defines the Burton Barr in downtown Phoenix. Often featuring art installations and other special events, it is a destination for the bibliophile in the group.
57 locals recommend
Burton Barr Central Library
1221 N Central AveDistinctive architecture defines the Burton Barr in downtown Phoenix. Often featuring art installations and other special events, it is a destination for the bibliophile in the group.
Essentials
Down the street from the house, Fry's has it all. Stop in for any forgotten items and to stock the fridge!
62 locals recommend
Fry's Food And Drug
20427 N Hayden RdDown the street from the house, Fry's has it all. Stop in for any forgotten items and to stock the fridge!
Entertainment & Activities
This is dubbed a Family Fun park and features mini golf, bumper boats, a driving range and more in close proximity to the house.
84 locals recommend
CrackerJax
16001 N Scottsdale RdThis is dubbed a Family Fun park and features mini golf, bumper boats, a driving range and more in close proximity to the house.
An institution in Mesa, AZ, about a 25 minute drive in metro Phoenix, but one of a kind fun! Rising up to an elevated stage you'll find Organ Stop’s Wurlitzer theatre organ. It was built for the Denver Theatre and installed in 1927. Check hours because they typically open at 4pm and accept CASH ONLY for pizza. Kids and adults alike love this place!
https://www.organstoppizza.com/
60 locals recommend
Organ Stop Pizza
1149 E Southern AveAn institution in Mesa, AZ, about a 25 minute drive in metro Phoenix, but one of a kind fun! Rising up to an elevated stage you'll find Organ Stop’s Wurlitzer theatre organ. It was built for the Denver Theatre and installed in 1927. Check hours because they typically open at 4pm and accept CASH ONLY for pizza. Kids and adults alike love this place!
https://www.organstoppizza.com/
Get the competitive juices flowing and visit Top Golf for a date night or a big group. Drinks and food compliment the high rise driving range that features a number of custom games that participants can choose from.
https://topgolf.com/us/riverwalk/
597 locals recommend
Topgolf
9500 Talking Stick WayGet the competitive juices flowing and visit Top Golf for a date night or a big group. Drinks and food compliment the high rise driving range that features a number of custom games that participants can choose from.
https://topgolf.com/us/riverwalk/
Sightseeing
SOLERI STUDIOS AT COSANTI
Soleri Studios is a production site for Soleri windbells and sculptures. Iconic bells, great for gifts or mementos from your time visiting can be purchased at this small studio in Scottsdale. The Gallery offers:
Soleri Bronze Bells, Sculpture and Special Assemblies
Soleri Ceramic Bells, Planters and Ceramic Tiles
Publication (Books, Videos, CDs, Postcards, etc.)
Original Drawings and Limited Edition Prints
https://arcosanti.org/visit/cosanti/
46 locals recommend
Cosanti Originals
6433 E Doubletree Ranch RdSOLERI STUDIOS AT COSANTI
Soleri Studios is a production site for Soleri windbells and sculptures. Iconic bells, great for gifts or mementos from your time visiting can be purchased at this small studio in Scottsdale. The Gallery offers:
Soleri Bronze Bells, Sculpture and Special Assemblies
Soleri Ceramic Bells, Planters and Ceramic Tiles
Publication (Books, Videos, CDs, Postcards, etc.)
Original Drawings and Limited Edition Prints
https://arcosanti.org/visit/cosanti/