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Writer's pictureCamille Griffith

Travel Guide to Scottsdale, Arizona

I have been living in sunny Arizona for almost two years now, and I can tell you if you are looking for a fun getaway, Scottsdale, Arizona should be at the top of your list! Scottsdale is full of endless activities, amazing nightlife, trendy restaurants, and of course warm weather! 


To all my friends planning to come to Arizona for spring break this year, this guide is for you--


Where to Stay: Budget Friendly | Moderate | Luxury


Budget Friendly: Hotel Adeline

A stylish new boutique hotel in the perfect location minutes away from Old Town!

Moderate: The Scott Resort & Spa

My personal FAVORITE! Everything about this hotel screams Instagram trendy influencer vibes.

Luxury: The Four Seasons

four seasons scottsdale
Scottsdale has so many gorgeous 5 star resorts to choose from including the well known names: Fairmont Princess, Omni, Andaz, Hyatt, The W, and of course the Four Seasons! You can't go wrong with any of them!

Where to Eat

Original ChopShop

A local lunch favorite! ChopShop offers healthy food, fresh juices, protein shakes, acai bowls, and my favorite protein bowls!

Other health conscious places: True Foods Kitchen & Flower Child


Diego Pops (Mexican)

Cute, trendy, and by far the best quesadillas I have ever had. What’s fun is Diego Pops is open until 12am for those late night munchies!

Postinos (Wine Bar)

This is for my wine lovers! Seriously, this will make all your dreams come true. Postinos is a wine bar with a huge array of bruschetta selections. Go on a Monday or Tuesday after 8PM, and take advantage of a $20 bottle of wine and Bruschetta Board.

The Montauk

This place got me with the exterior beach-inspired vibe. I’ve been here for happy hour before a night out, brunch, and dinner. Such a fun and social place.

Culinary Dropout

Yard games, killer cocktails, live music, and literally the freaking best pretzel bites. This is by far one of my favorite places to go for a fun laid back restaurant.

The Henry

Technically this is in Phoenix, but I always stop here to eat after I hike Piestewa Peak. The coffee bar, the weekend brunch, and the mac n’ cheese can’t be missed. Take a picture in front of the instagram famous arrow wall.

Feeling Fancy??? Try Ocean 44, Toca Madera, or Maple and Ash!


Where to Eat: Desserts

  • The Baked Bear: 4 words: monstrous ice cream sandwiches.

  • Sugar Bowl: This is my dads and I’s favorite ice cream parlor. Every time we are driving by we HAVE to stop in and get something-- especially after hiking Camelback.

  • Crumbl cookies: The yummiest cookies YOU WILL EVER EAT!

  • Unbaked: For my cookie dough LOVERS

  • Churroholic: For my churro obsessed friends

  • ZuZu: THEE best and most picture perfect milkshakes


Where to go out



  • Club Feel: Old Town is the place to be! Bottle service, dancing, lights, DJs, etc. All are in walking distance, and you honestly can’t go wrong with any of them: Bottled Blonde, Casa, Bevy, El Hefe, HiFi Kitchen & Cocktails, Whisky Row, Riot House.

  • Chill / Dive Bar: (My personal favorites) Boondocks, The Hot Chick

  • Day Time Pool Parties: Maya Day & Nightclub 


What to do:

Relaxation | Adrenaline Junkies | Fitness | Family Fun | Sports



1. What to do: Relaxation

  • Go to a Spa: If I had to pick one spa, I would say go to the Phoenician! Or check Groupon-- a lot of resorts are ALWAYS doing deals. 


2. What to do: For my adrenaline Junkies

  • Jeep Tours: Wayward Winds is your one stop jeep shop for all your wild west adventures! The guides will take you through rugged trails, exploring through canyons, and all throughout the beautiful sonoran desert.

  • iFly or Outdoor Skydiving: If I can do iFly indoor skydiving so can you! If you want an outdoor skydiving experience I recommend Skydive Arizona

  • AZ Outdoor Fun ATV or UTV drives: So many different adventure options to choose from! I recommend the 3 hour ride and shoot combo, but you can check out all their offerings here.

  • Hot Air Balloon: A local family owned and operated business that will give you the best bird eye view of all of Scottsdale. Learn more.


3. What to Do: For my Fitness Friends

  • Hike Camelback (difficult): A difficult, but well worth hike. This hike is around 3.1 miles roundtrip and ascents around 1,540 feet, which brings beautiful 360 views of the Valley. Highly recommend if you are active and want a challenge! 

  • Hike at Papago Park (easy): Lots of easy hiking trails and beautiful scenery here! I recommend doing the "Hole in the Rock" hike.

  • Hike Piestewa Peak (moderate): If you want a slightly less intense hike than Camelback, Piestewa Peak is the one! This is located right outside North Scottsdale, or Paradise Valley, and I would consider it a moderate stair stepping hike that is around 2.2 miles roundtrip and ascents 1,151 feet. I promise you will still get in a great workout, and see a great view of the city. 

  • Fitness class: Bodi. I am addicted to this HIIT style workout class. If you need a quick effective workout to get our heart rate up and your sweat on, this is the place. Pick from a variety of classes: strength, sweat (cardio based), boxing, and yoga to name a few. Oh, and of course the first class is FREE!

  • Fitness Class: Party On a Bike (The Madison) The most energetic cycling class you will ever have. Who knew cardio could be SO MUCH FUN!

4. What to do: For Everyone in the Family

  • Top Golf: Coming from a girl that SUCKS at golf, this place is seriously fun for any one good or bad at golf. Top Golf is basically a high-tech driving range where you score points from hitting the targets.Between the food, drinks, and the friendly competition this is a popular activity to do in the valley. 

  • Escape Rooms: I FINALLY got to do an escape room as a teambuilding with my dance team girls, and it was a blast to say the least. I felt my inner Nancy Drew come out as we solved the clues to try to escape the room. Make sure you book ahead so you can reserve your spot! 

  • Octane Raceway: This is the only full time indoor/outdoor go kart track in the entire United States! Eat, drink, race, bowl, play arcade games, etc. this place has it all! 


5. What to do: For my Sports Friends

  • Spring Training: Starting in  February and throughout March you can see some favorite major league baseball teams play in the Arizona sun. Last year I saw the Chicago Cubs play at fairly cheap(ish) price that gave me an experience that I wouldn’t normally be able to afford!


Where to Shop

  • Fashion Square: This is the next best mall behind Mall of America. 

  • Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons for a unique upscale and outdoor shopping experience 

  • Phoenix Outlets: are not too far from Scottsdale and have a lot of great stores!

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There you have it: a complete guide to Scottsdale, Arizona! Please share this and let me know what your Scottsdale favorites are!


xoxo

Cami



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