Anything. Hole in the wall and up. Only restriction is probably attire... I'll be packing light and casual, so wouldn't be able to do mandatory jacket or something like that. I'd happily sit in mud if the food is excellent, but if there's must-have southwestern with a $50 main I'd consider it (hopefully that main is a 28oz dry aged rib steak).
I'm not usually fond of southwestern food, but these 3 are good (I've been to all 3, liked them all):
EDIT: there's also z-tejas. I thought it was a national chain, but it looks like it was started here. Been there once 10 years ago, it was pretty good, and affordable.
We found the DoubleTree Resort Hilton which would cost 220$ per night.
Are there anything as close but cheaper?
If you're looking for a deal, Scottsdale is going to be expensive. The best deals are going to be around the airport, and I'd just use Priceline for that (the name-your-own-price thing). You'll be centrally located, and everything in town will be within a 15-30 minute drive.
EDIT: there's also z-tejas. I thought it was a national chain, but it looks like it was started here. Been there once 10 years ago, it was pretty good, and affordable.
There are some excellent urban hikes as well, that put you right in the natural desert/mountain setting, that are challenging and close to where you will be staying.
The first "Camelback Mountain" is the more difficult trail and one the the Coyotes have hiked during camps.
The second "Squaw / Piestewa Peak" is a little less strenuous (the last third is a workout if your in moderate condition) and also offers a "circumferance trail" that is not all that difficult, but beautiful.
How cold does it get in the arena? I'm in the nosebleeds and was just planning on wearing a tshirt and a jersey, but should I bring a hoodie just in case or is it not really needed?
How cold does it get in the arena? I'm in the nosebleeds and was just planning on wearing a tshirt and a jersey, but should I bring a hoodie just in case or is it not really needed?
Just came back from the trip, really had a great time! People in Arizona are nice, random people kept asking us how we were doing.
My tourist point of view of the trip :
1- Westgate, don't spend more than 2 hrs there. Nothing to do at all during the day.
2- Scottsdale, great city, loved it. Shotgun Betty's was awesome. It was National Metal day when we went, so it rocked! I felt bad for the girls dancing but I enjoyed it quite a lot haha.
Half a day walking around Old Town Scottsdale was enough. There's not so much to do around tho. To do the fun stuff we had to get outside of the area.
We went to the Four Peaks Brewery at Tempe, a must. Loved the place, loved the beers, loved the music and lotta chicks (it's right in the University campus). My hamburger was delicious.
For any outsiders (Canadians) I would highly recommend going to the Scottsdale Gun Club. We had the chance to shoot with guns for the very first time and it was worth all the money (not that expensive, in between 80-200$).
All in all I would've stayed at least 2 more days in Arizona (we had 3 full days to visit). We didn't have the time to drive far away from the big cities to see Sedona, Tombstone or the Grand Canyon, which would've been awesome.
There's not so many places to go. A couple shops, a few restaurants and that's it. We went at 11 am in the morning, it was dead empty. We sat alone in the McFadden's for lunch.
Loved the Yardhouse tho, great place to drink beers on tap.
There's not so many places to go. A couple shops, a few restaurants and that's it. We went at 11 am in the morning, it was dead empty. We sat alone in the McFadden's for lunch.
Loved the Yardhouse tho, great place to drink beers on tap.
A little souvenir of the trip :
Youre right that Westgate isnt a spot to spend all day there. However YardHouse is my favorite place to be at Westgate.
I love getting the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. I also love getting the Sliders, Wings, Mac and Cheese2 from there as well. Expensive but great food there.
Hopefully you guys rented a car as well since getting cab rides to get around are expensive.
Tried to warn you - there's indeed nothing to do at Westgate. Sorry you had to kill an entire afternoon there.
To be fair it's not like it's a problem with Westgate per se, after all unless you're 14 why would anyone want to hang out at a mall all afternoon?! That said, Westgate is a pretty cool spot on game nights or weekend nights.
Fair enough. I had never seen petrified wood, I thought it was an interesting stop on the way to monument valley. But yeah, I wouldn't make it a destination.
