Phoenix
Phoenix is my hometown! I was born and raised in Phoenix and called the desert my home until I moved to Boulder, Colorado for college. While I haven’t lived in Phoenix since I was 18 years-old, I still visit family and friends in the Valley of the Sun and try to stay up to date on new places popping up in Phoenix and Scottsdale. It was an incredible place to grow up and I’m so lucky to have some of my very best friends still from my childhood in Arizona! I highly recommend visiting the Phoenix area mid-October through mid-May for the incredible weather. There are lots of outdoor activities to do from hiking to golf and handfuls of great hotels and resorts that offer amazing pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and spas. There are few things that beat an Arizona sunset too… it’s called the Painted Desert for a reason! Enjoy!
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Shop
Stephanie's
Without question, Stephanie’s is my favorite women’s clothing and accessories boutique in Phoenix. They do a wonderful job with their buying as they carry so many brands I love to shop including CO, Ganni, Kule, Staud, Xirena, and Zimmerman. The selection of items Stephanie’s carries has a slight edge to it, which I always like because I see and end of loving items I might not otherwise gravitate towards. -
Shop
Bungalow
A home showroom meets an interior design + décor store meets a fashion + accessories shop. Bungalow has it all! Bungalow is full of a mix of furniture, lighting, and home accessories that range from modern pieces to rustic pieces to shabby chic pieces. Everything you see on the floor is available immediately! Bungalow also curates a selection of fashion and accessories from wonderful brands like The Great and Xirena.
Eat
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Eat
The Henry
The Henry is one of our go-to restaurants when in town. Make a reservation for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner for a delicious meal. I absolutely love the neighborhood feel and everything on the new-American style menu. Note to self: The Henry does beverages right. For starters, their in-house coffee bar is a must. They also have a cocktail cart that wheels around the restaurant. -
Eat
La Grande Orange
La Grande Orange, or LGO as locals call it, is the best. I always think it feels like it could be the set of a Nancy Meyers movie because it’s the cutest, most bustling little café. You order breakfast and lunch at the counter and can browse gifts, home goods, wine, cheese, and other nibbles while you wait for your table. At dinner, LGO serves up come of my favorite pizza in town (get the avocado pizza!). -
Eat
Postino
Postino is my favorite wine and cheese café in Phoenix! The wine is all very approachable and affordable so it’s one of the best deals in town! The soups, salads, and paninis are downright fabulous but the real menu highlight is the bruschetta. Get a mix of bruschetta for the table and you won’t be disappointed! P.S. there are multiple locations around Phoenix now but I always go to the original Arcadia location. -
Eat
Chelsea's Kitchen
Chelsea’s Kitchen is one of my longtime favorite Phoenix restaurants. Simply put, they do food right! I love absolutely everything from their crispy chicken sandwich for lunch to their chilaquiles for brunch to their grilled salmon for dinner. However, the best part is the chocolate chip cookies they pass out as you leave the restaurant after your meal… to die for! -
Eat
Vincent
Vincent is a Phoenix staple! The restaurant serves a unique take on French recipes using Southwestern ingredients. We love going here for a nicer dinner out! The Bistro next door is a more casual option for both lunch and dinner. Finally, visit Vincent’s Saturday farmer’s market from late October to early May (the freshly made omelets and crepes are delicious!). -
Eat
SumoMaya
The menu concept at SumoMaya might throw you for a loop when you first hear it but I can vouch that it totally works and is very yummy! It’s a mix of sushi and Mexican food! I know, it sounds odd but it’s great! The atmosphere here is pretty relaxed for lunch and then picks up at dinnertime as Scottsdale gets going at night. -
Eat
True Food Kitchen
There are currently True Food Kitchens around the country but the restaurant started in Phoenix before it blew up and expanded! When I want a filling, delicious, healthy meal, I make a beeline to True Foods! The restaurant was founded on the notion that delicious food and conscious nutrition should go hand in hand. -
Eat
Windsor
The restaurant Windsor is named after the historic neighborhood it calls home and, as such, is truly a neighborhood joint. It serves up delicious comfort food and elevated bar food that makes everyone feel at home. Windsor a great choice for a casual lunch or dinner. Don’t forget their great weekend brunch too!
Drink
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Drink
Berdena’s
If you love adorable coffee shops, then pay a visit to Berdena’s! The pastel interiors and patterned tiles are what coffee shop dreams are made of. It’s right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and known for their perfect avocado toast. My sister also dies over their honey lavender latte! -
Drink
Postino
Postino is my favorite wine and cheese café in Phoenix! The wine is all very approachable and affordable so it’s one of the best deals in town! The soups, salads, and paninis are downright fabulous but the real menu highlight is the bruschetta. Get a mix of bruschetta for the table and you won’t be disappointed! P.S. there are multiple locations around Phoenix now but I always go to the original Arcadia location. This is a wonderful place to cozy up with friends and a few bottles of wine! -
Drink
Whiskey Row
The bar scene in Old Town Scottsdale resembles a small-scale Vegas so I don’t really recommend it. However, if I were going to recommend a watering hole in the area, it would be Whiskey Row. The bar is owned by Dierks Bentley so it is country themed and plays predominately country music!
Stay
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Stay
The Andaz
The Andaz is a great Scottsdale hotel with a fun modern Sonoran Desert vibe. The Andaz is a perfect hotel for a desert escape with its art-focused, mid-century modern design! There is a bit of a pool scene but it’s nothing too crazy so you can have fun by the bar or lounge in cabanas. -
Stay
The Saguaro
The Saguaro Hotel is another hotel that screams Instagram. This bright and colorful hotel is nestled right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale so it’s within great walking proximity to a lot things. This is a great hotel choice for bachelorettes! P.S. this is a second location of the Palm Spring Saguaro Hotel. -
Stay
The Omni Montelucia
When you check into The Montelucia, you feel like you’re checking into a desert oasis! It is such a beautiful hotel with amazing views of Camelback Mountain. I always think this hotel is perfect for a couples’ weekend away. If you say here, my #1 piece of advice is to book spa appointments. It’s one of my favorite spas in Phoenix! -
Stay
Hotel Valley Ho
For über cool desert vibes in Scottsdale, check into The Valley Ho. The hotel is known for its mid-century modern décor, great location in the Arts District, yummy restaurant (Zuzu), and lively pool scene. It was one of the first ‘IT’ hotels to hit the scene in Old Town Scottsdale and for that reason it might be my favorite! -
Stay
Royal Palms
Royal Palms has a desert sanctuary feel to it and is beloved among Phoenicians. It has been around for years and has really stood the test of time against so many of the trendier hotels that have popped up. The fabulous historic Spanish-inspired resort is great to sneak off to for a weekend with your special someone! -
Stay
The Phoenician
If you’re heading to Arizona for an all-around outdoor experience and are looking for a resort to stay at, then The Phoenician is an amazing choice. The Phoenician has golf, lots of swimming pools, tennis, a spa, everything! It’s also nestled up against Camelback Mountain so it’s a pretty spectacular landscape. The location is great too as it’s right by Scottsdale and Arcadia. The Phoenician reminds me so much of growing up (rip the old ice cream parlor) and high school because we used to sneak into the pools here all the time! -
Stay
The Biltmore
Influenced by architect Frank Lloyd Right, the Biltmore is one of Phoenix’s oldest and most iconic hotels. The Biltmore is a classic well-rounded resort with gorgeous grounds, two golf courses, pools galore, multiple restaurants, tennis courts, and a lovely spa. The Biltmore brings back so many memories from growing up (and yes, the pool here was another high school favorite for sneaking into). -
Stay
Camelback Inn
A true Southwestern hotel that is an iconic Phoenix resort. The whole property is done in a Pueblo Revival style so you can really embrace the Arizona spirit while staying here. You can go on hikes right from the hotel, enjoy gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain, and enjoy the delicious Southwestern food at the restaurant Rita’s.
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Hike
Phoenix has some wonderful hikes right in the middle of the city! My favorite hike is Camelback Mountain. There are two sides of the mountain you can hike up to the top, Echo Canyon, which is steeper and Cholla, which is longer. The views are amazing and it is a great way to get some serious exercise fast (warning: this hike can be dangerous in the extreme Arizona summer heat and late in the evening as it gets dark and can be difficult to follow the trail so be smart). I also like hiking Piestewa Peak, Papago Park, and South Mountain Park in Phoenix! -
Do
The Camelback Market (aka Vincent's Farmer's Market)
Vincent’s farmer’s market runs on Saturday mornings from late October to early May and is full of stalls filled with fresh produce, homemade breads, pastas, cheeses, jams, preserves, etc. There is also a wine bar, a made-to-order omelet station, a made-to-order crêpes station, and a wood-fired pizza oven station. It’s a great place to spend a Saturday morning. -
Do
Resort
One of the main reasons people visit Phoenix/Scottsdale is to take in the glorious weather and enjoy the resorts along with all they offer. So, I definitely recommend Phoenix/Scottsdale as a destination for relaxing and resetting. Read my “Stay” section to pick a resort and enjoy golf, tennis, pools, and spas! -
Do
Spring Training
One of Phoenix’s biggest annuals draws is spring training! 15 MLB teams come to the greater Phoenix area in February and March for their spring training leading up to the regular season. What to expect: sunny weather, affordable tickets, small stadiums, and lots of family-friendly fun. -
Do
Hot Air Ballooning
One of the most beautiful ways to experience the beauty of the desert is to see it from above in a hot air balloon. I’ve done hot air balloon rides in Arizona a handful of times for birthdays etc. and they are always so fun and so beautiful! There is nothing like an Arizona sunset from a balloon ride (Phoenix is called the Painted Desert because of the sunsets!).