ALLIE IN THE VALLEY
Quintero Golf Club
Top of Camelback Mountain
Speakeasy inside Hotel Adeline.
Starfire Golf Club
Bottom of Pinnacle Peak trail
Top of The Rock restaurant
Troon North Golf Club
Camping at The Rim in Payson
Troon North Golf Club
Putting World
Trevor's (Mayo Location)
Tempe Town Lake
Peralta Trail, Superstition Mountains
Old Town Canal at Christmas
Duke's Sports Bar
Isabella's Kitchen
Troon North Golf Club
Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff
The Scott Resort
Papago Park
The Living Room
Mountain Shadows Short Course
Beers with friends at Isabella's Kitchen
Devil's Advocate
Tom's Thumb trail
Piestawa Trailhead
Troon North Golf Club
GolfBoards at Western Skies
Troon North Golf Club
Weaver's Needle Trail at Superstition
Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium
GOLF
TROON NORTH
The number 1 public course for a reason. The best course conditions, true Arizona views, and challenging layout. I prefer to play Pinnacle over Monument, but both are outstanding.
QUINTERO
I wish Quintero wasn't so far from Scottsdale because I would play it every day!!! Well-kept, involves a lot of strategies, and just gorgeous elevation changes all around.
WE-KO-PA
Cholla or Saguaro, I don't care which one I play, they're both fun as heck, and you're truly out in the Arizona wilderness on a rezy. Impossible not to have a great round out here.
PAPAGO
It's not a perfectly manicured course, but this old gal is still one of my favorites. I love a good vibey muni, and this is it. Old school, not terribly punishing, and I'm looking forward to all of the renovations it's getting.
OTHER COURSES I LOVE…
I kid you not, I literally do not care what kind of golf course I am on as long as I'm out there playing. I'm lucky not to have to pay full price for golf most of the time because I am involved in the golf industry (THAT DOESN'T MEAN I STIFF THE GUYS OUTSIDE THOUGH😊).
I was lucky enough to play TPC Scottsdale all the time, right before and right after the WMPO. I also get to play Phoenix Country Club a lot, which is also one of my favorite courses out here. However, I still love bopping over to cheaper places like Starfire or Orange Tree for a 3 pm round. I literally do not care, if I'm invited to play golf, I'm in.
Here are some of my other faves…
HAPPY HOUR
ISABELLA'S
If you couldn't already tell, yes, we stan Isabella's. It's my favorite place to go to after a round of golf or a long day at work. Big golfer spot, and I love sitting around one of the fire pits with all my friends and a Pacifio. Inject it into my veins.
BOONDOCKS
The one bar I will actually commit to going to in Old Town. Casual enough to wear whatever I want and a great spot to bring a bunch of peeps. Huge TV to watch games, huge outdoor patio, buckets of beer, yes.
ZIPPS
You know what you're getting at every Zipps you go to in the valley - great happy hour pricing, 32-ounce beers, and yes, it is true that the Zipp-artia limit is three (for a good reason).
GOLDWATER BREWERY
It's tiny, it's a total brewery vibe, and the beer they craft is SO GOOD. The bartenders here are so nice. I love this place for a beer with friends or to bring my laptop in and do some work.
FOOD
AZ WILDERNESS BREWING
I love the downtown location so much - large outdoor seating with picnic tables, two different long a$$ bars, and a great menu. Really fresh food with locally sourced ingredients (I love their Earth Bowl), and they do so much to support nature conservation.
Yes, they have awesome beer, and my favorite is named Don't F#%K It Up, and I love it.
POSTINO WINECAFE
Basic b*tches rise up! Just kidding, this is a great spot to go with my girlfriends, but it's a simple menu, good wine selection, and chill vibes. Lots of snack-y items like olives and charcuterie boards, but their piled-up bruschetta is the highlight. I go Monday or Tuesday for bottle and bruschetta board night ($30!) or their $5 beer and wine happy hour.
OLIVE AND IVY
My hands-down best restaurant that I take all of my visitors to! It's classy, has a beautiful patio, and you cannot go wrong with what you order- whether it be the pasta, the flatbread, or the sea bass. Sit on the patio if you can, and I always get a reservation because it is popular.
HIRO SUSHI
SUSHI FIENDS - this is secretly the best authentic sushi restaurant in town!!! The freshest, most high-quality sushi-grade fish, and they have all the exotic ones to try too. It's a cozy spot with no TVs and a sushi bar to sit at and watch the chefs prep rolls. I love their caterpillar roll (and it's cute, lol).
OTHER FOOD AND DRINK PLACES I LOVE…
If you couldn't tell, I really love beer and happy hour. I love getting dressed up to go out to a fancy spot, but most of the time, I'm going straight from the golf course to the bar with my buddies.
LOW-KEY SPOTS
HIGHER END FAVES
BARS
You will not catch me in the “dirty circle” (AKA Old Town Scottsdale's club scene) I have been there and done that, but plenty of people I know love going out down there on the weekends. I am from Kentucky, so sorry for these recommendations in advance.
And yes, I am guilty of going to the casino…Talking Stick is expensive but higher payouts. Casino Arizona has cheap drinks and a way quieter atmosphere (yes, you are gambling with all the blue hairs), don't call it ghetto because it can be way more fun with your friends.
HIKES
CAMELBACK
Definitely one of the hardest hikes, but it is a must-do. Easy to get to, a great workout (like a stair stepper, and you definitely have to use your hands), and panoramic views. Love chilling at the top, there's plenty of room to sit even though the trail gets crowded. Do the Echo side. My personal record is 1 hour 39 minutes, and I'm proud of it, lol.
PIESTEWA (SQUAW) PEAK
Easier and shorter than Camelback, but I love taking people on this one because it has the same great views! You don't have to use your hands as much, and there's not too much room to sit up at the top, but to me, it's perfectly challenging enough to where I'm not sore the next day.
TOM'S THUMB
My favorite all-around hike!!! The trailhead is way up north, but the drive is gorgeous. The hardest part of the trail is the first 30 minutes as you walk up the mountain, but the views are so crazy. The big boulders are crazy, and the “Thumb” that you can see from the highway is WAY bigger in person. No crazy climbing is involved. Hit The Thumb barbecue spot after I promise you will have earned it.
PINNACLE PEAK
An easier hike that is so great to do with friends (you can actually talk and not be catching your breath). I like to think I'm manifesting while I'm sweating out on the trail, looking down on Estancia's pure grass and the insane mansions. It's the perfect hike if you're trying to save some time and get a quick workout in.
OTHER AWESOME TRAILS
If I could hike every day, I would!!! There is nothing better for me than getting a good workout outdoors in the amazing scenery. Here are some more of my go-to's.
OTHER RECS
TREVOR’S LIQUOR
My go-to spot to pick up wine and find a good bourbon! Not just a liquor store- it has weekly events and tastings, a full bar, and the North Scottsdale location has a golf simulator you can rent out!
AZ SNOWBOWL
I love making a quick road trip up here - it’s only 2.5 hours away and gets really good snow! The views are awesome, and I love visiting Flagstaff - feels like you're in a mini Colorado for the day.
SPRING TRAINING
It's March, the weather is perfect, the town is buzzing, and spring training games are a great time. Located all throughout the Phoenix Valley, and it's fun to see all the top players and those up-and-coming compete. Beer, cocktail, and wine stands are a nice bonus.
SEDONA
Sedona is a must-do if you haven't been already. The pictures don't do justice- it feels like you're on Mars with the huge red rocks. Such a peaceful town, too, it's always super relaxing to get away from the hustle and bustle of Scottsdale.
JEROME
I have zipped up to Jerome for a fun adventure day so many times! Incredible views, and it's fun to bop around an old ghost town with friends and be a tourist for the day. It's close to Sedona too!
SALT RIVER KAYAKING
Unreal views and a great workout too! The wild horses along this river are just so cool to see (along with some wild cows and goats). The granola girl in me loves it.
LOST DUTCHMAN'S
So the “ghost town” of Lost Dutchman's is slightly touristy, but something different to do outside of the city. A little old-timey gold mine attraction with food and activities. The hiking trails around here are where it's as if you want to see real Arizona beauty (see Hiking). Take the extra 45 minutes to Canyon Lake while you're out that way - absolutely stunning!
WMPO
Duh. If you're a golf fan (or not), this tournament is a bucket list. Yes, it's packed and crazy, but that is the entertainment of it all. Plus, you can get up close to your favorites that you've seen many times on TV. Every super golf nut comes here, and you can be blackout drunk shaking ass or up close and center watching the best golf in person. I tell myself after living here for 5 years, I don't need to go and waste my time again, but I never regret attending. A true Scottsdale holiday.
BUFFALO CHIP SALOON
The best and most rowdy time! I enjoy going here for a change-up of the sometimes snooty Scottsdale scene. Live-bull riding and big cheap beers - not to mention live music and line dancing (yes, I have screamed at the band before to please play Copperhead Road already, no shame). Worth the long Uber to go up with my friends and get rowdy.
PUTTING WORLD
For all you golf nerds out there and for those looking for something to do on a rainy day in Scottsdale (yes, those happen), this is a fun little spot. Not only an 18-hole putting course, but a pro shop, lessons, and a bar and restaurant. This was fun to go to with my golfing buddies and not a shitty little putt-putt track. Highly recommend!
TIPS AND MORE INFO
Personal Recs
Golf Lessons
Cell: (603) 724-8372
Email: [email protected]
Cell: (928) 830-8424
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @stickit_steff
Cell: (641) 680-0194
Email: [email protected]
Real Estate
Loan Officer
Cell: (219) 308-8869
Email: [email protected]
connect with Shawn and mention the "ALLLISON" discount!
MORE TBA!
More Reading!
These websites are great to read through if you're looking for more information about the area.
Other Social Media to Follow
Hop on Instagram, and you'll find plenty of accounts highlighting local spots and fun things to do!
@welcometoarizona (website at www.welcometoarizona.co)
@azfoodie (website at www.arizonafoodiemag.com)
@wildjoyexperiences (website at www.wildjoy.com/?r_done=1)
LAY OF THE LAND
What to Know
Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe are all within 20–30 minutes of each other (before I came out here, I thought they were all an hour apart, lol).
Surrounding towns of Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa are more suburb-y (although they are getting more popular all the time and still have cool spots to check out!). Glendale is the home of the Arizona Cardinals and some big-time concerts- it can be over an hour's drive from the city of Scottsdale.
Goodyear, Surprise, and Buckeye to the west are where a lot of retired folks live.
The Neighborhoods
You'll see on the map where all the pockets that the locals refer to.
Traffic
Whoever designed Arizona's road system, I want to kiss them on the mouth. Streets are in a grid traffic pattern, highways loop around the city, so you can get to where you need to quickly, and there are multiple ways to get to where you need to go.
