recommendations for Phoenix and Scottsdale

ross · May 12, 2020

hi all,
will be going to visit my sister in law in Phoenix in a month. she and her husband just moved there.
was wondering if you had any recommendations for things to do and see in the area, and any restaurant and bar advice.
i have been but more than 10 years ago, so am sure things have changed. the only thing i know i want to go see is Taliesen West.

any suggestions?

arizonaitalian · May 12, 2020

using the search here and in the silver forum, I recall giving a bunch of recs in the past 6 months or so...

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/going-to-phoenix-whats-fun.604333/page-2

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/spending-christmas-in-sedona-grand-canyon-winslow-cottonwood-and-phoenix.611671/page-2

One of my posts therein:

arizonaitalian said: ↑

My recommendations for best things to see/do and I put a * next to the ones that imho are must do in those "general" areas in no particular order and aside from the obvious like Sedona and Grand Canyon (several of these are already on your list):

- Petrified Forrest
- Taliesin West Tour *
- Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden * (should be luminaries this time of year, so night tour/event)
- Scottsdale Old Town Art Walk (if there on thursday, or just wander on your own, works well after dinner at The Mission or Maestro's City Hall or Ocean Club old town - see below)
- Montezuma's Castle
- Sunset Crater National Monument (Meteor crater sucks imho)
- Stay at the Wigwam in Holbrook before Petrified Forrest rather than in Holbrook
- Drive Route 66 from Kingman to Oatman (thru the apply named Cool Springs)
- Tombstone sucks imho (save the very long drive)
- Stay near old town Scottsdale * when in the PHX area (many hotels to choose at all price points)
- Evening drink and cigar (if that is your thing) at the Royal Palms *. Just walk the grounds until you find your favorite spot to sit near a fire or fountain and spend some time with your lady.
- Air museum in Tucson (you mention one in PHX, did you mean the one(s) in Tucson?
- If going to Tucson, consider a stop in Sagauro National Park at the Desert Museum.

Where to eat? There are dozens if not a hundred worthwhile food experiences in PHX metro...you mentioned you had good recommendations for most but wanted some non-mexican oriented ideas. Ok, here goes (but I'm going to include my favorite mex-style place too):

- The Mission * (just go, I know its mex style, but still, go. Its the only mex stype rec I'll make. Just be sure to get the guac and the tecate steak tacos at min from the menu, but everything there is fantastic)
- Olive and Ivy * for lunch if you get decent weather and sit outside. (again, just go, but only to sit outside. and as a bonus its not mexican. I'm a big fan of their ravioli's - they are not heavy despite how their read. and the med salad with shrimp added. Their bruscetta is the best I've ever had anywhere. But again, don't go if you can't sit outside near the "waterfront")
- Maestro's City Hall and sit at the bar and have dinner. (if you want to see the caricature of Snottsdale, or better go to the new ocean club close by. Best people watching on Fri/Sat)
- Mint Indian for the lunch buffet (low end and super yummy)
- Mekong Palace for the lunch dim sum carts (low end and yummy and a bit of an experience)
- Pizzeria Bianco * (because its historically the most famous eatery in PHX. Either location is fine, the original or town and country. T&C is less crowded)
- Little Miss BBQ (because its now the most famous eatery in PHX, with the lines to prove it)
- Inn & Out burger (if you haven't tried it, but only if you promise to get the "double double animal style" and skip their lousy fries and don't order any other burger)
- Okay, edited to add one more "not fancy" but cool little place in Old town; Old Town Tortilla Factory. Again, sit outside only.
- Edit number 2. If you really are staying in PHX and not Old Town Scottsdale, then try Durant's for old school steak house and/or take the recommendation above for Rokerji/Richardsons.
- Not listed here are several world-class taco joints with authentic real deal mexican bbq'd meats...unless you ask for them...
- Also not listed here are many of the hipster places that I try to avoid, and certainly no chains (other than maestro's, but they started here in PHX, so its never been a chain in my mind)

Final thought re location in PHX, as you can see, the recommended places to eat are in old town. The botanical is close by. Taliesin is nearby. Art walk in nearby. Royal Palms is 8 minutes away. Stay in old town, there are dozens of fine hotels at all prices.
Click to expand...

malcolmb · May 12, 2020

ross said: ↑

hi all,
will be going to visit my sister in law in Phoenix in a month. she and her husband just moved there.
was wondering if you had any recommendations for things to do and see in the area, and any restaurant and bar advice.
i have been but more than 10 years ago, so am sure things have changed. the only thing i know i want to go see is Taliesen West.

any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Ross, I love staying at the Hermosa Inn, great restaurant and bar, in Paradise Valley. Lots of good food in the area, I will let the locals advise you.

azfast1 · May 12, 2020

TALIESIN WEST IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, DUE TO COVID-19

Does not say when they plan on re opening

ross · May 13, 2020

thanks guys !
very helpful!

TR91 · Jun 26, 2020

Short answer: With the area now the #1 Covid-19 hotspot in the country, do nothing.

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recommendations for Phoenix and Scottsdale

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