Pinnacle Peak Patio

A great place to get some grub is Pinnacle Peak Patio. Just don't dress up there. The Cowboy folk will cut your tie off and hang it from the ceiling-no joke!





http://www.pppatio.com/home/default.asp

In-N-Out Burger

Sooo... technically this is not valley of the sun specific since In-N-Out Burgers are all over the west coast but none of my friends who visit can resist stopping there at least once during their stay! The best burgers ever, made anyway you would like. I like mine protein style. that is subbing the bun for large lettuce leaves!-yum yum!

http://www.in-n-out.com/

Chaparral Dog Park

If you are a dog lover you MUST take your fur0kid to Chaparral Dog Park. It is a huge dog park sectioned off into three areas. One is for larger more active dogs and another is for more passive dogs. The third one is rotated so that the grass is always green!

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Parks/OffLeashAreas/

Hieroglyphic Trail

The Hieroglyphic Trail is a fairly easy trail but be prepared to go early and bring LOTS of water because there is no shade until you reach the very top! But the top is so worth the sweat. There are ancient Native American carvings in the rock at the top. You will also find a spring (I wouldn't drink the water though) and holes in the rock where the Native American used to grind their corn.

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XMR014-028

Desert Botanical Gardens

There is always something going on at the Desert Botanical Gardens. In the winter they have a luminaries event every evening and in the spring they have a butterfly exhibit.




http://www.dbg.org/

Casino Arizona

If you like to Gamble Casino Arizona provides an assortment of gaming options. Too broke for Vegas? Can't get away for the weekend? come to Casino Arizona! They also have an array of shows each week and great restaurants as well!


http://www.casinoarizona.com/

The Lost Dutchman Trails

A favorite of my Supersition Mountain hikes are the Lost Dutchman trails. They offer the beautiful views plus the mystery of the Lost Dutchman!


http://www.superstitionmountainmuseum.org/

Tortilla Flats

Tortilla Flats by far has the best chili ever! It is a cute little "town" (AKA tourist trap) near the Apache and Superstition Mountians. There is a small shop and a restaraunt that grills up burgers, dogs and serves spicy chili. yum yum!




http://www.tortillaflataz.com/

Camelback Mountian Hiking

Along with shopping I also love to hike. Camelback has some fairly challenging hikes that produce spectacular views of Scottsdale or Phoenix, depending on where you are hiking on the mountain.


http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikecmlb.html

Kierland Commons

Well of course my favorite thing to do is shop! :) And one of the best places to go shopping here in the Valley is Kierland Commons. Kierland Commons has many high-end stores and great places to have lunch or dinner. You can stop off at Cold Stone and get an ice cream before you leave or stop in Barnes and Noble for a coffee and to look at books!

www.kierlandcommons.com

Dirty Pretty

If you want to really get dressed up and go out Dirty pretty is the place to go! They play an awesome variety of music and there are tables, lounges and dance floors. Sure to please anyone!



http://www.dirtyprettyaz.com/

Sapporo Sushi

Sapporo Sushi not only has fresh sushi but also amazing drinks! This is the place to go if you want to have a bite to eat and then just relax with friends and enjoy a cocktail!



http://www.sappororestaurantgroup.com/

Devil's Martini

Devil's Martini is the place to go if you want to dance. They play great dance music and always have 2 for 1 drink specials! There is also a stripper pole in the middle of the dance floor so don't drink to much or you might end up on it! (see my friends on the pole)


http://www.devilsmartini.com/

Four Peak Brewery

Another great place to go is Four Peaks Brewery. They have great food and great beer! The atmosphere is very chill and they have indoor and patio seating.


http://www.fourpeaks.com/

Dos Gringos

One of my favorite places to go here in Phoenix is Dos Gringos. There are five locations around the valley but my favorite is the one in Old Town Scottsdale. It is a Mexican inspired bar and has margaritas on tap! mmm yum margaritas!! The bar is mostly outdoors and is two levels. They have great drink and food specials everyday of the week. it is a really laid back place and it is right next to the FREE (yes!-FREE) parking garage Old Town.


http://www.dosgringosaz.com/scottsdale_main.html

Why I love Phoenix

I love Phoenix because of the always-blue skies and the mountain views. I love that it hardly ever rains here and that I do not have to shovel snow in the winter. I love the cactus and wildlife. All of it is different from what I am used to from Ohio. I also love the proximity to Vegas, Sunny California and the beaches of Mexico. There are so many great places to visit outside of Phoenix that are only a5 hour car ride or a 30 minute plane ride away! I also love Phoenix because there is such a variety of restaurants to choose from and some of them are owned by Mexican Natives and offer real authentic Mexican Cuisine.