Elizabeth & Josh
Things To Do
Hyatt at Gainey Ranch- Golf, Tennis, Pools, Spa
So much to do at the hotel: Amazing golf courses (book your tee time in advance- https://scottsdale.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/golf.html) Take a gondola ride Visit the 2.5 acre/ 10 pool water park Visit the spa Play tennis Borrow the bikes Drinks by the pool Take the shuttle to Old Town Scottsdale Hike around the 27 acre property
Old Town Scottsdale
The perfect place to visit for that "old west" feeling- many shops featuring local and Native American art to check out, as well as restaurants and nightlife.
Restaurants
There are endless options of places to eat and drink in Scottsdale and a fun, thriving nightlife scene. Here are some of our recommendations: COFFEE: Sip Coffee & Beer Kitchen (coffee and beer, need we say more) Maverick Coffee (a hip local coffee house just North of the Hyatt) BRUNCH/LUNCH: Hash (buzzy spot with a mod vibe and DIY Bloody Mary bar) The Montauk (Old Town Scottsdale brunch spot) Juice Core (Old Town, for your organic juice fix) DINNER: Barrio Queen (Old Town Scottsdale, great tacos, Mexican fare, fresh table-side guac service and delicious cocktails) SumoMaya (funky Mexican-Asian fusion cuisine) Olive + Ivy (Old Town, bustling hot spot serving California-Mediterranean fare) Citizen Public House (upscale gastropub in Old Town) Cafe Monarch (amazing four course tasting menu, having 5 somms on staff ensures excellent wine pairings, voted most romantic restaurant in America on Yelp. We went last time we were in town and it was on point!)
Bars, Music & Nightlife
BARS: Rusty Spur (a Scottsdale must do! Small bar with non-stop live music and great people watching) Geisha A Go Go (Old Town, high-design lounge w/ private karaoke rooms) Kazimierz (dark, low key wine bar with small plates and live music) Pattie's First Avenue Lounge (bar games and dancing) Coach House (open-air lively bar in Old Town) Hyatt Hotel (hotel has nightly music and drinks) Second Story Restaurant & Liquor Bar (Fun rooftop bar in Old Town) Fox Cigar Bar Wasted Grain The Library Wine Bar Kelly's at Southbridge (Old Town, relaxed gastropub w buzzy patio)
Scottsdale Wine Trail (Tasting Rooms)
Head to Old Town to hit up one of the many tasting rooms on the Scottsdale Wine Trail. There is a free shuttle from the hotel (book with the concierge) or it’s just a $10 uber ride. Once you get there, you can visit 5 tasting rooms that are all walking distance and located within a few blocks of one another. Josh and I did some tastings last time we were there, and had a great time. And I was shocked to discover that Arizona wine is actually quite good! Apparently, it’s come a long way in the past 10 years. Cheers to that!
Desert Botanical Garden
See how lush the desert really is! The perfect place to learn about Sonoran Desert flora and hopefully see some beautiful blooming cacti.
Casino Arizona at Talking Stick Resort
Want to bet that you can lose some money while you’re in Arizona? Hit up the casino at Talking Stick, which is about 10-15 minutes from the hotel! They also have bangin’ pool parties with DJs every Sunday if you still have stamina...
Sedona
Less than a two hour drive from Scottsdale, you'd be remiss to come to Arizona and not check out the red-rock buttes and thriving southwestern artists community of Sedona. Sedona is a true oasis, a vacationer’s paradise in the middle of the Arizona desert. Here, you’ll find resorts and spas, canyons and red rock formations. Bell Rock and Oak Creek Canyon are great hiking spots, and the dramatic architecture of the Chapel of the Holy Cross is a religious experience itself. When the sun dips down below the horizon it introduces the best show in Sedona: the night sky.
Camelback Mountain hike
The Camelback Mountain hike is one of the most popular hikes in Phoenix. Camelback Mountain is just 20 minutes from downtown and can be seen all over the area, rising to 2,707 feet. It’s a popular spot for hikers, rock climbers, and tourists, so make sure you do the hike as early as possible, with sunrise being the sweet spot. There are a few ways to hike Camelback Mountain, but the Cholla Trail is a nicer way to hike Camelback Mountain and a must-do Phoenix hike.
Grand Canyon National Park
One of the world’s most amazing natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, is located just 3 ½ hours north of Scottsdale by car. Though the Canyon has been well-recorded in photographs, paintings and in movies, nothing can replace the awe-inspiring experience of standing on the Canyon’s rim and taking in its grandeur. There are many ways to explore the Canyon – here are a few suggestions to get you started. Please note that most Canyon adventures and accommodations require reservations in advance, so it’s best to plan ahead for your visit.
Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak, at 2,610 feet is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, after Camelback Mountain, and the third highest in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is climbed thousands of times per week by locals and visitors seeking a cardio-vascular workout, great views, or a family outing. However, quite a few hikers do not actually reach the top due to the fact that this trail is more difficult than it looks, especially in the summer when temperatures are well over 100 °F (40 °C).
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
Nestled in the lower Verde River basin, the 21,099-acre park is a desert jewel in the northeast Valley. Elevations in the park rise to 3,000 feet along the western boundary at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Visitors enjoy a full program schedule, over 50 miles of multi-use trails, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. A stroll through the park will allow visitors to likely see deer, javelina, birds, and coyotes.