GETAWAY GUIDE - SCOTTSDALE, AZ
We have a soft spot for Scottsdale Arizona. It holds a very special part of our hearts and this last trip we got to explore so much more! Last year when we went we were in Scottsdale for the whole trip with a day trip out to Sedona. Scottsdale is one of the CLEANEST places we've ever been and its so nice to unwind when were there! The food is amazingly delicious, the views are so cool, but the best part is the fitness! There are SO many people that are in shape and we as fitness lovers love seeing that! Its really a place where you get your butt up and move! So let me break down what we do and where we go when we are there!
By the time we got here this time we were ready for some relaxation after about 4 days of non-stop activities - we got a taste for fast past vacations during Vegas/Zion and love having a mixture of downtime and adventuring! We stayed at the Westin Keirland Villas and its so nice there! There pool is so relaxing but it gets HOT! The only thing were not a huge fan of there is the gym - its just not our taste but its a nice one. We end up going over to the Lifetime a bit down the road and working out there for the week. Its an AMAZING gym with literally everything and we love seeing the people working out there!
We realxed by the pool for the most part but did get out hiking to Echo Canyon! After Bear Mountain in Sedona we wanted to do another summit so we chose this! There are tons of hiking trails in Scottsdale but this is a hike and a workout! We woke up super early because it gets packed fast! This is a trail a lot of locals use as their morning workout before heading in to work. It was so awesome to see people running this - which we have no idea how they did because you're climbing over huge rocks lol! It was exhausting walking it that running seems insane! The view looks over the city and its so pretty! Bring a little snack and enjoy that at the top :)
The food scene is unreal! For breakfast & lunch there are two places you should hit up! The one place you have to go if you're into smoothies & juices is Kaleidoscope Juice! There are several locations and they have an awesome menu! Their green juices, their immortal machine smoothie & acai berry bowls are SO good! Plus the selection of breads, muffins & cookies is amazing! Its all gluten free and made with healthy ingredients - so its a must when were there!
The other place you need to go to is Virtu Honest Craft. Really cute little place that has delciousssss breakfast/brunch! After we hiked Echo Canyon we headed over to this little place and got the tatiest brunch drinks & meal! We got the veggie hash with eggs & french toast and OMG was it sooooo good!
Our faveeeee place for dinner this time was Cafe Monarch! This was easily one of the best meals we have ever had. The ambiance of the restaurant was perfection and food was incredible! If you want to go there we recommend making reservations with a little note to be outside because while the inside is so cute the outside is magical! Get the Monarch drink too - one of the BEST gin drinks!
Another favorite of ours is The Mission. Its an old church turned restaurant and its ALWAYS packed! This is another we would recommend a reservation for! Its Mexican/Southwestern fair and the guacamole is BY FAR some of the best in the whole world! The whole menu is great, but go for the guac & the spicy caesar salad!
A great casual dinner place is True Food. We love that all the food is so fresh and its made to be good for you too! Its right in the heart of the shopping center there and its so nice to walk around before or after dinner :) For drinks get a margarita or a juice (they have such delicious juices!). We got the roasted veggies & avocado dip for appetizers and amazing pizza.
The House Brasserie is one of our favorites for a good date night! Delish food and a great patio! The drinks are sooooo good and we had the shaved artichoke on brushetta - OMG! Desert was incredible here! It was a goat cheese cheesecake and we wish we were eating it right now lol!
Another new one for us this time was Flourish and another home run! The food was incredible and the restaurant is up on a hill so the view is also incredible! Do yourself a favor the drinks and dessert are the star of the show here! Order whatever the specialty cocktail of the night is and get the olive oil cake for dessert - it was the BEST dessert we've had in a longggg time!
Lastly we always end our last night at Elements at the Sanctuary Hotel - which may be one of the most gorgeous hotels ever! It also has a great view overlooking on top of hill and if you're early enough you can catch the sunset. The drinks are again fabulous but the food is insanely good and the waiter's know what they are talking about. But if you do get the chance go and spend some time here :) Get a drink on the patio before dinner and then just relax and take in the view!
