I have wanted to live in Arizona since I was a kid and finally made it happen in 2024. There’s something about the desert that I just love. This is the Holy Grail of all my favorite parts of living in Scottsdale.
Food & Bev
Citizens Public House
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Go for their chopped salad. Mondays beginning in June they are $15. Everyone in the restaurant will order one!
Diego Pops
Location: Old Town
Mexican American fare with a phenomenal outdoor patio. Probably our favorite spot in all of Scottsdale. Get the brussel sprout nachos!! All apps half off during happy hour 3-6pm EVERY DAY.
SumoMaya
Location: Scottsdale Road
THE brunch spot. Hands down. All you can eat with excellent food & service! Worth the price. Not my favorite for dinner, but definitely a winner for brunch.
One Handsome Bastard
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Great drink specials, love the wacky bartender suggestions that are on the table tents. Haven’t eaten there yet, so not sure how good the food is. Happy Hour Specials: ½ price all cocktails and a dollar off Draft beer and wine. Monday-Friday: 4:30PM-7:30PM.
El Camino
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Big fan of their smash burgers, super cheap. Cool old-timey vibes without being cheesy. The music is a bit loud, so be prepared for that if you decide to go.
Salad and Go
Location: Multiple
Drive-thru salads! Easy and cheap quick lunch if you are looking for something healthy.
Original Chop Shop
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Great, healthy bowl place. Pretty quick and affordable. Perfect lunch spot to walk around and shop in the north side of old town.
AJ’s Fine Foods
Location: Scottsdale Road
Groceries here are outrageous but it’s fun to shop! We go here for their deli sandwiches all the time that are $10 for a box. They are also well known for their tea and lemonade at the front counter- be prepared to wait.
Goldwater Brewing
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
No food here but we love walking over. Nice indoor/ outdoor vibes. There’s a good rooftop to see the sunset.
DeFalco’s
Location: Scottsdale Road
This is an Italian delicatessen that doubles as an Italian restaurant. People are obsessed with DeFalco’s. If you love hot sandwiches and great pasta, this is the place for you.
The “Vortex”
Location: .. the Vortex
This is the strip in Scottsdale with all of the major clubs- day and night. Bottled Blonde, Maya, Boondocks, Hot Chick, Hi Fi, and many more.
Shopping
Fashion Mall
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
This is a phenomenal mall for upscale brands. The Nordstrom is one of the top ranked in the USA.
Scottsdale Quarter & Kierland
Location: North Phoenix
Even when it’s warm this is a really beautiful outdoor mall to go shop and bounce from AC to AC. There are many upscale but attainable shops here- Anthro, Johnny Was, Sundance, Marine Layer, etc.
Nordstrom Last Chance
Location: Camelback Road & 51
This nasty basement is my favorite place to shop for a good deal. Last Chance is the Nordstrom Rock Bottom with insane designer brands for cheap. We’re talking Cinq a Sept $345 shorts for $25. Their shoe department also has kickass finds- lots of Paul Green & Stuart Weitzman. You have to go with some patience and try to avoid the weekends.
Reclectic
Location: Tempe
Reclectic is newer to the area and everyone is hype that we have one. This is the Anthropologie discount warehouse. There are no fitting rooms, so dress accordingly to try things on easily.
Merchantile Market
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
This is a darling, booth style store featuring prints from the Painted Lady (the guy who did the pink greyhound!). This is also a great starting point to shopping all of OLD old town shops with Native American art and jewelry.
The Painted Tree
Location: North Phoenix
Not far from the Scottsdale Quarter, this is where all of the little booths are (including a Tyler Candle booth with the fancy detergents). In the same plaza is a Nordstrom Rack, Ulta, and World Market.
Activities
Desert Botanical Gardens
Location: South Scottsdale
Really beautiful place to see the unique flora and fauna of the desert. Wait in line at the library 30 minutes early to get a culture pass for 2. You can check online what day passes are due back.
Old Town Art Galleries
Location: Old Town Scottsdale
Every Thursday from 7-9pm, the art galleries open their doors for people to walk through. Artists and owners will be in the galleries talking about the art and serving champagne. It is way more casual than it sounds! Really cool opportunity to look at the galleries in a relaxed environment. Start on Main St. & Goldwater and work your way east.
Gilbert Farmers Market
Location: CHANDLER
This is one of my favorite local activities. 100% go early for the Benny Blanco Tortillas. Get 1 of every flavor at a minimum. We also love the kefir guy with the samples! He has the amazing lemon kefir.
Walk the Nice Neighborhoods
Location: Exeter Blvd.
Take the dog early in the am or once the sun sets. Park at 4211 N 66th street.
Culture Passes
Location: Scottsdale Library
If you have access to a library card, go browse the tickets for free things to do. They update throughout the week on availability. You can do 2 passes in a month and there’s 2 tickets per pass. Recommendations: Desert Botanical Gardens, Heard Museum, Arcosanti is a whacky day trip (call ahead to secure a time slot).
Indiana Jane 