Happy New Year friends and welcome to 2019! The past year was a relatively low key travel year for The Traveling Gers. We had some big trips (Sydney for work, ten days in Paris & the South of France, London in the Spring, etc.) but we were in New York City A LOT! I love NY in the Summer and Fall, so no complaints from me, but I'm really hoping to see more of the world, plus check off a couple more USA cities this year.
Day 1 -
Stay at The Arizona Biltmore for Frank Lloyd Wright influences (Albert Chase McAuthor designed the space, after studying under Wright and Frank Lloyd Wright was a consultant on the project). The architecture is unreal and the grounds are gorgeous. I love the outdoor bar with fire pits, the beautiful structured flower garden, and the famous Paradise Pool. Explore the grounds and enjoy the amenities. After all, this place ain't cheap!
Walk off your poolside tacos by exploring the Arizona Canal path. There are miles of pathways and desert landscape along the canal through Phoenix and Scottsdale. Stop at OHSO Brewery for drink along the way.
Dinner should be at Aunt Chilada's at Squaw Peak. The patio is large and loud and the margaritas & Mexican beer are flowing. I love the veggie fajitas (so many vegetables!) and Matt is a fan of the enchiladas, but do not skip the basket of half corn, half flour tortilla chips. Those flour chips are one of the top foods I've ever had! The guac, salsa, and queso are a perfect accompaniment.
Day 2 -
Get up early and hike Camelback Mountain. Enter on the Cholla side and bring your walking shoes. The hike is easy enough to do in sneakers and yoga pants, but definitely gets your heart racing and your glutes burning! The landscape is gorgeous and the views are breathtaking. It's my favorite thing to do in Phoenix. After the hike, you deserve breakfast. Eat at Chelsea's Kitchen on the patio.
If The AZ Biltmore has you craving more Frank Lloyd Wright, head up to Taliesin West to tour one of Wright's most personal creations. Book a reservation in advance and bring your camera! After your busy morning, you'll be hungry, so enjoy an afternoon snack at The Vig in Arcadia. If you're still in the mood for history, check out the Wrigley Mansion. And you can always go shopping at Biltmore Fashion Park.
Dinner tonight is one of our all time favorites, La Grande Orange. There are so many good pizza combos, you have to order a few pies! We were really sad to see our favorite fig and prosciutto pizza and the basil corn pizza were not on the menu anymore :( but I'm still a huge fan of the avocado pizza and the gladiator! Drink lots of sangria and check out the grocery market on your way out!
Day 3 -
We're heading into Old Town Scottsdale today so pack up your things and let's check into the W hotels (or the Aloft) right in the heart of Old Town. You'll be hungry right away, so head to The Breakfast Club for stuffed omelettes and lots of coffee. If you still have room after breakfast, stop at Sweet Dee's for pink lattes and vegan donuts. Walk around the cutest shops on 5th Ave and stop in each one as they are all unique and adorable. Check out the local beer scene at Goldwater Brewing Co. You can never have too much Mexican food, so stop for tacos at Salty Senorita on your walk back towards all the art along the Arizona canal. If tacos aren't your thing, stop by the Phoenix institution, Oreganos. The pastas and pizza's are perfection and I love the Vino Bambino salad. There are a number of locations around the valley and all have great patios, a broad drink selection, and the best dessert ever, the chocolate chip skillet cookie!
The next stop is the Desert Botanical Garden. Located near the Phoenix zoo, the DBG is a living museum dedicated to saving the desert and it's natural beauty. I am a sucker for a good botanical garden or conservatory, and this one is top notch!
Dinner is at the new(ish) gem, The Mission. This is new since we lived in Phoenix and getting a lot of buzz for a very good reason. The food is excellent and the atmosphere is very old world. It is DARK in there so bring a flashlight and don't expect any food photos! Order a table full of appetizer and entrees, but make sure the table side guacamole is one of them; Delicious!
Day 4 -
After breakfast in Scottsdale's bright & airy health food mecca, Farm & Craft, it's time to head to downtown Phoenix, which was starting to blow up when I left AZ in early 2009. I used to only visit for Phoenix Suns games and Pizzeria Bianco, but now it is so much more (please go for Pizzeria Bianco - best pizza I've had since Napoli!) Heritage Square is the center for the arts in Phoenix and houses all the museums, the symphony and the planetarium. Eat at Pizzeria Bianco or at Nobuo at Teeter House (if you can get in). Check out the amazing walls and street art all along Roosevelt St. and the Roosevelt Row Art District. I could pose in front of walls all day, every day, but some were too cool to block the shot! Check out the art galleries and stop for Mexican Mochas at the cafe at Paz Cantina.
For dinner tonight, it's the beautiful Elements, at the Sanctuary Hotel. Request the main dinning room overlooking the mountains as the view isn't as good from the side dinning room. Either way, the food is fantastic and the service is excellent. Make a night of it and stay for a drink at Jade Bar.
It's the perfect way to toast your 4 perfect days in Phoenix, Arizona.
Over the past year or so, my two best girlfriends from Chicago moved back to Phoenix, so I see quite a few trips in my future. Cubs Spring Training anyone?
xoxo, Erin
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