Happy Valentine’s Day! But did you also know that today is the day we celebrate the birth of the state of Arizona? In it’s honor, I feel today is only appropriate to post all about this great state of mine with Camille’s Guide to Phoenix!
People who are stuck in their homes due to freezing temperature and snowfall, I’m pouring one out for you here. I keep watching the news and looking at social media and at night I pray for safety and comfort for most of the country. This polar vortex of a year has been a tough one for so many! I actually feel a little guilty as I look at the Phoenix forecast- 76-88 degree highs all week long. It made me think how much I want to offer lodging to so many who are feeling cabin fever and really just need to escape.
And then in dawned on me, maybe I should tell everyone why a trip to Phoenix should be in your very near future! We have reverse seasons, so the nice time of year is when the rest of the country is freezing, and the time to not come is when things are nice everywhere else. It’s so hot here in the summer and by month 3 of not being able to go outdoors without a heat headache, there’s nothing like an escape to cooler places to rejuvenate the soul and get us through the last few months of heat. If you are feeling this way about the polar vortex/cold you should definitely head to our neck of the woods and enjoy a place where you can wear a t-shirt and jeans in the winter comfortably.
When to Come:
What to Eat:
Breakfast
Lunch:
And if you’re a happy hour fan…
Dinner:
If you come on your birthday you can get $10 off showing your license, so there’s that. Plus The Food Network has featured this burger joint as one of the best around. Local ingredients and a quaint environment in Gilbert make this a great date spot as well as large party/family dining location.
Amazing ingredients plus the best fry sauce you’ll ever try make this a life-changing burger experience. If it wasn’t so far from where we live, we’d go weekly!
White Chocolate Grill
Definitely save room for dessert- the White Chocolate Brownie is to die for- but the food is also delicious and amazing! I’d hit this place up if you’re in North Scottsdale after a trip to the Musical Instrument Museum. Their ribs are the best of the best, and the crepes and salmon are so divine!
Treats:
You can find this Beverly Hills phenomenon in Scottsdale! Yes $3.50 is a lot for a cupcake, but I promise you won’t regret it once you have a delicious black and white in hand!
Slickables
Choose your fresh baked cookie flavor(s), your favorite ice cream flavor, and enjoy the most amazing ice cream sandwich of your life!
Things to Do:
Walk Around Tempe Town Lake
Yes, we have a lake! It’s particularly pretty at night, and a free, romantic thing to do outdoors.
Visit Arizona State University
Modern “green” buildings, a diverse student body, and it’s the largest university in the country make it a fun walk and a great place to people watch.
If you want to see how beautiful the desert can be you should definitely hit up the Desert Botanical Gardens. You’ll see the most beautiful plants the desert has to offer, as well as holiday exhibits, sculptures, and often live music.
Take a Cooking Class
Being neighbors with California and Mexico in addition to an amazing growing season has its perks, and we get some of the most amazing produce at some of the cheapest prices in the country. You could visit a farmer’s market and cook, or you could experience that same benefit from a cooking class. Sweet Basil is our favorite, but there are several others- feel free to Google it, you’re bound to find one!
Musical Instrument Museum
It’s truly one of a kind and a place you can spend half a day looking at the history of music and innovation of instruments throughout history. There’s also plenty of pop paraphernalia from modern artists, a cafe, and a concert hall that hosts many shows, big and small!
The Scottsdale Art Walk
Downtown Scottsdale is hipster central in AZ. Old Town encompasses Main Street and Scottsdale Road area, and you can walk around most shops on Thursday night to see unique art, Western influences, and enjoy a very cool atmosphere with lots of good restaurants and a hoppin’ bar scene (if that’s your thing)! If you need some food swing into one of our favorite Thai places, Malee’s! The Sugar Bowl is also a fun, quirky place on the walk.
Take a BYOB Painting Class
We’ve been to Art of Merlot many times, but there are lots in the area! Check out Groupon for great deals, and be sure to grab bubbly for one of the coolest nights of your life!
If You’re Willing to Drive a Little…
Make a week out of your trip and hit up one of our favorite getaway spots just a few hours outside of Phoenix:
Bisbee, AZ
The old wild West was born here, and Tombstone is only 20 minutes out. You’ll see history, can take a ghost tour, and enjoy the current artistic community here. Check out our posts HERE.
Sedona, AZ
The mountains and redrock combine for one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on Earth! Enjoy hiking, jeep tours, spa treatments, art galleries, and the best Mexican food around at Elote. Check out our posts HERE.
Flagstaff, AZ
You can ski/snowboard here, enjoy the mountains, and get a taste of another climate. It’s also not far from the Grand Canyon, a few hours of driving will get you to the overview to see one of the world’s wonders. Check out our posts HERE.
So what are you waiting for! Come to my state, and feel free to ask me any questions you may have! This guide to Phoenix is updated occasionally so come back often!
If you are a Phoenix reader, did I miss anything? Feel free to add any other favorites in the comments below so that YOU can be a guide!
Beyond Dinner and a Movie
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LOVE this!!! I've lived here my whole life and haven't heard of some of these places! I NEED to figure out where that waffle truck will be this weekend, I see it on SO many bloggers posts!! Thanks for putting this together!
You definitely should hunt down the truck! Their Instagram and Facebook feeds always let you know what's going on 🙂
Looks like I need to head down to Phoenix..ya know…to live. Utah winters suck. Ha
You totally should- you won't regret it!
Thanks for the great post! My husband and I moved to Tempe in December. I'm looking forward to checking some of these places out, yum!
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