Kristin’s guidebook
Food scene
Fantastic food and atmosphere right in the heart of Old Town! Amazing table side guacamole.
284 locals recommend
The Mission
3815 N Brown AveFantastic food and atmosphere right in the heart of Old Town! Amazing table side guacamole.
Steak 44
5101 N 44th StThe best steak in Phx.
Cafe Monarch
6939 E 1st AveFantastic for a special occasion or celebration
Delicious breakfast, fantastic gluten-free pancakes, a great way to start your day.
88 locals recommend
Butters Pancakes & Café
8300 N Hayden RdDelicious breakfast, fantastic gluten-free pancakes, a great way to start your day.
Yum, everything on the menu here is fantastic. Great location right off the canal in Scottsdale. Take a walk on the water front after dinner to see the most current art installation on the canal.
193 locals recommend
Barrio Queen
7114 E Stetson DrYum, everything on the menu here is fantastic. Great location right off the canal in Scottsdale. Take a walk on the water front after dinner to see the most current art installation on the canal.
Old fashioned ice cream shop, this has been a local favorite for years.
102 locals recommend
Sugar Bowl
4005 N Scottsdale RdOld fashioned ice cream shop, this has been a local favorite for years.
Delicious table side guacamole, amazing margaritas, comfortable atmosphere. This is where my husband and I were eating lunch when we decided to move to Scottsdale from Washington DC.
127 locals recommend
Blanco Tacos + Tequila
6166 N Scottsdale RdDelicious table side guacamole, amazing margaritas, comfortable atmosphere. This is where my husband and I were eating lunch when we decided to move to Scottsdale from Washington DC.
Tons of great bars and restaurants. Take an Uber as parking is scarce and you will have a safe ride home.
46 locals recommend
Entertainment District
Tons of great bars and restaurants. Take an Uber as parking is scarce and you will have a safe ride home.
Sightseeing
Fascinating history and architecture. Still an active architecture school studying in the ways of Frank Lloyd Wright. Go at dusk and see the amazing sunset.
296 locals recommend
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdFascinating history and architecture. Still an active architecture school studying in the ways of Frank Lloyd Wright. Go at dusk and see the amazing sunset.
So fun for kids (and adults, truth be told!) The sea trek is pretty amazing, it lets you get in the water with rays and small sharks.
603 locals recommend
OdySea Aquarium
9500 East Vía de VenturaSo fun for kids (and adults, truth be told!) The sea trek is pretty amazing, it lets you get in the water with rays and small sharks.
One of the largest butterfly lepidopterariums in the US. You start with a very educational movie about the life of a buttergly, then get to see butterflies emerge from their cocoons, and finally you get to roam the butterfly aviary. If you're lucky a butterfly will land on you! A favorite of kids and adults
413 locals recommend
Butterfly Wonderland
9500 East Vía de VenturaOne of the largest butterfly lepidopterariums in the US. You start with a very educational movie about the life of a buttergly, then get to see butterflies emerge from their cocoons, and finally you get to roam the butterfly aviary. If you're lucky a butterfly will land on you! A favorite of kids and adults
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E Mayo BlvdA lot of fun for kids and adults. Very educational and a good way to spend a hot summer afternoon.
292 locals recommend
Arizona Science Center
600 E Washington StA lot of fun for kids and adults. Very educational and a good way to spend a hot summer afternoon.
Absolutely beautiful and a great way to learn about Arizona's indigenous plant and animal life.
1231 locals recommend
Desert Botanical Garden
Absolutely beautiful and a great way to learn about Arizona's indigenous plant and animal life.
a fun, educational and easy hike for people of all ages.
138 locals recommend
Gateway Trailhead - McDowell Sonoran Preserve
18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwya fun, educational and easy hike for people of all ages.
Cute outdoor/ride on train that takes you around the park and several buildings full of impressive model train displays. They also have a playground.
211 locals recommend
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend RdCute outdoor/ride on train that takes you around the park and several buildings full of impressive model train displays. They also have a playground.
A fun way to spend the afternoon. Visit the local shops (some are pretty touristy but fun to explore), get something to eat, check out civic center park. After the sun goes down, Scottsdale has a pretty lively nightlife. You can get around by chauffeured golf cart ($10 a rider I believe)
1378 locals recommend
Old Town Scottsdale
3200 N Scottsdale RdA fun way to spend the afternoon. Visit the local shops (some are pretty touristy but fun to explore), get something to eat, check out civic center park. After the sun goes down, Scottsdale has a pretty lively nightlife. You can get around by chauffeured golf cart ($10 a rider I believe)
A fun and challenging hike. Go early in the day for the coolest temps. Bring way more water than you think you'll need. Fantastic views at the top make the climb worth it. They have restrooms at the trailheads.
1752 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveA fun and challenging hike. Go early in the day for the coolest temps. Bring way more water than you think you'll need. Fantastic views at the top make the climb worth it. They have restrooms at the trailheads.
A fun and easy hike. Most of it is "paved" with gravel. Fantastic views at the top, it's a pretty quick hike.
49 locals recommend
Pinnacle Peak
A fun and easy hike. Most of it is "paved" with gravel. Fantastic views at the top, it's a pretty quick hike.
Fun and challenging hike. Beautiful views of North Scottsdale when you get to the top. They have bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring lots of water. This hike doesn't get as crowded as Camelback.
41 locals recommend
Toms Thumb
Tom's Thumb TrailFun and challenging hike. Beautiful views of North Scottsdale when you get to the top. They have bathrooms at the trailhead. Bring lots of water. This hike doesn't get as crowded as Camelback.
Great way to learn about the history of Scottsdale and the indigenous people who originally occupied this land
121 locals recommend
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
3830 N Marshall WayGreat way to learn about the history of Scottsdale and the indigenous people who originally occupied this land
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E 2nd StA rustic 28-acre spread of barn-based studios that dates to the 1930s when the surroundings were cattle range rather than residences, and where today about a dozen artists work in wood, clay, paint, print and photography. There’s a public gallery at the entry, but visitors are invited to poke their heads into the work spaces to meet the artists and to shop.
Cattle Track Arts Compound
6105 N Cattletrack RdA rustic 28-acre spread of barn-based studios that dates to the 1930s when the surroundings were cattle range rather than residences, and where today about a dozen artists work in wood, clay, paint, print and photography. There’s a public gallery at the entry, but visitors are invited to poke their heads into the work spaces to meet the artists and to shop.