Phoenix is known for its hiking, and Camelback Mountain (choose from the Cholla or Echo Canyon trails), is the first one you'll see listed in all of the travel guides. It's also the mountain that the wedding venue overlooks! Be careful, though, because it is not for the faint of heart. This hike is doable for most (even for Kate who loathes cardio), but it is not a good choice if this is your first hike ever. Bring plenty of water! The Phoenix sun sneaks up on you fast even in the "winter".
This is another great hiking option in the center of Phoenix. It also offers amazing views of the city. While it is a shorter hike than Camelback Moutain, it's steep! Ryan calls it "the stair master" for a reason. The water recommendation applies here as well - stay hydrated!
The Old Town—also known as Downtown— district of Scottsdale offers boutique shopping featuring souvenirs, jewelry and art with a Southwestern flair, as well as a myriad of restaurants, bars and lounges. We used to live in this part of town and some of our favorite places to eat and drink in the Valley are here. It it also less than 10 minutes away from the venue/hotel.
A top attraction on any travel guide. It's a beautiful place to wander, especially during the mild Phoenix winters. The restaurant and bar here are great, too!
Ryan prefers animals to plants, so he'll recommend this over the Botanical Gardens any day. Lucky for you, they're right next to each other and you don't have to choose! But really, this is a hidden gem of a zoo and a great time for kids AND adults.
Neither of us golf so we won't pretend that we're able to give good recommendations. But Phoenix is a winter golfing destination for a reason and there are some amazing courses to play out here (so we're told). The link below is a good guide to the top spots. https://www.visitphoenix.com/things-to-do/golf/
The famous red rocks of Sedona are a quick 1.5 - 2 hour drive from Phoenix. It's a wonderful spot for hiking and other outdoor excursions (or just sitting and oohing and aahing at the beautiful scenery), as well as shopping and some wonderful restaurants. It's an easy day trip to squeeze in, or a great way to extend your vacation and stay longer!