There’s so many more places I need to go in Arizona, to hike and explore. But, Scottsdale and area, has been a gorgeous start – and it’s perfect for families!
Activities
- For starters, hang out by the pool – I’m sure where ever you choose to stay, there is a pool to lounge by, swim in, and catch some rays of sunshine!
- Hike Pinnacle Peak Trail – I love the terrain in Arizona; and please, pack water (lots and lots of water)
- Do a quick hike of the Hole-in-the-Rock – short and sweet, and kind of iconic!
- If you have more energy after the Hole-in-the-Rock, you could do a bit more exploration in the Papago Park area – we did the Double Butte Loop
- Check out the Phoenix Zoo
- We didn’t get a chance to experience this, but I’ve heard amazing things about the Butterfly Wonderland
- Civic Center Park has a great playground, green space, and so much more to wander and explore (this is a perfect spot to hit if you’re wandering Old Town Scottsdale)
- Lego Discovery Center is a perfect indoor activity, which gives you a tiny little taste of LegoLand, with a couple rides, lots of lego building, some Lego movies, and some play centers
- Music Instrument Museum, or “MIM,” has so much going on that you couldn’t do it all in one day, but from hands-on playing, the seminars, to learning about instruments all over the world, this is a very worthwhile spot
- Here’s another “we need to go back” item – the Japanese Friendship Garden, but even if you don’t want to pay the entrance fee for this one, there is a phenomenal playground right on the other side of it (Margaret T. Hance Park)
- Wander around Scottsdale Quarter and the surrounding area
- Scottsdale Fashion Square – in all honestly, my mom and I didn’t last more than one store here on Black Friday, before I said, “do you want to go get food and a dirty martini somewhere?” But for those who like shopping, it would be a great stop!
Other activities that I didn’t get a chance to do, but were recommended and/or researched:
- Hike Camelback – good view of Scottsdale at the top (difficulty level, rated hard)
- If you want to golf, check out Boulders or Troon North
- Enjoy the Spa – Well & Being at the Fairmont has a rooftop pool and bar, and gives you access to fitness classes for the day as well
Now to the Food…
Restaurants
- True Food Kitchen – I could eat here every meal of every day; healthy and delicious
- Culinary Dropout – good American food, when you need a break from shopping at Fashion Square
- Grimaldi’s – for some Brooklyn-style pizza!
- Cava – my husband says this is a must (Mediterranean magic)
- Sugar Bowl – there’s just something about eating ice cream out of a glass ice cream bowl that hits differently; this is such a fun diner experience
- Taco Boy’s – a pick all your sides taco experience that worked well for a taco picnic in the park
Other restaurants that I didn’t get a chance to try, but were recommended and/or researched:
- Flowerchild – healthy, and lots of veggie options
- Bourbon Steak – also offers cocktail classes!
- Toro – Latin-Asian Fusion; great drinks and get some sushi!
- Elements – upscale dining at the Camelback Mountain Resort
- J&G Steakhouse – try the tasting menu with wine pairings
I hope you get some R&R (and exploring) in, while in beautiful Scottsdale!