Our Favorites

Restaurants

Glai Baan - Brooke's Favorite

Best Thai food in town. More street food focused. Cutest little restaurant in an old Arcadia home. Call 2 weeks ahead in order to get a reservation.

Richardson's Restaurant - Michael's Favorite

Specializing in New Mexican cuisine, Richardson's and its sister restaurants, Rokerij and Rosie's, have some of the best food in town. The plates are massive and come with rice and beans that will be in your dreams for months after. Everything is great. Michael recommends the smoked turkey enchiladas or the carne adovada.

Ocean 44

Ocean 44 is our favorite seafood/steakhouse in town. This is where we went to celebrate after getting engagement! They have great ambiance and even better food. The steaks are cooked to perfection and the seafood is always a treat. Save room for corn crème brûlée and Boursin whipped potatoes!

Buck & Rider Phoenix

The best oysters in town! Buck and Rider has always been a favorite of ours, seated right in our neighborhood of Arcadia. Happy hour is always packed and the patio has a great vibe! Don’t forget to try their ceviche.

Huarachis Taqueria

James Beard Award winning Mexican restaurant in downtown Phoenix. The restaurant is super casual and yet hits every time. From the Al pastor or chicken platters with quesadillas, peppers, and possibly the best beans in the valley to the tacos, you can’t go wrong with this place. Drinks are fun and the spot will get you dancing!

Vecina

Local Latin fusion spot that specializes in smaller plates. The ceviche rocks our socks every time we order it. The skirt steak taco is pretty stellar as well!

Tee Pee Mexican Food

Tee Pee is a constant in the rotation for us, week in and week out. We love to sit on the patio, drink some margaritas and looks at the view of Camelback Mountain. Brooke swears by the Machaca beef. Grab a cheese crisp and enjoy a Phoenix classic.

théa

Mediterranean restaurant on the top floor of the global ambassador hotel. Perfect views of camelback mountain. The dips are great, octopus is well massaged and the people watching is on point

Élephante Scottsdale

A new addition to old town. Mediterranean/Italian flair the restaurant is beautiful inside. Right in fashion square mall elephante is a great spot for a nice night out

Olive & Ivy

Olive and ivy is a great spot on the waterfront in old town. With a great patio outside, this rustic Italian restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner. The gyro is different but good. Also the lasagna is tasty

Mensho Ramen

A new spot to the valley, Mensho is a Japanese/ramen restaurant that makes you feel like you’re in Osaka. The ramen is sensational. Make sure to get there earlier to get in cause it’s a small joint. The enoki mushrooms are a nice add.

DeFalco's Italian Deli & Grocery

An Italian deli in south Scottsdale. Our favorite spot for a weekday lunch date. Top pizza in town. Great sandwich. What more can you ask for??!?

Cornish Pasty Co

Cornish Pasty is our go to English pub/comfort food home. Serving up big 32oz steins and the most delicious luffed pastry pockets stuffed with a multitude of fillings. Kind of like an empanada. I like to call them little pockets of love. Favorites are pilgrim (think thanksgiving), Guinness stew, French dip, Italian and Sheppard’s pie. Make sure to ask for a side of cranberry sauce!

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers

Casual sports bar in old town with plenty of tvs to watch your favorite team. Build your own burger is good and the draft list is large

Mekong Palace Dim Sum Chinese Restaurant

if your'e around on Sunday, we highly recommend stopping by for dim sum. 10:30am is prime time-- not too early that you're in line waiting for a table, but late enough that all the dumplings are flowing and fresh!

Things To Do

Old Town Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is like a cowboy put on designer boots and decided to brunch—packed with quirky shops, art galleries, and bars all within a tipsy stroll of the Hotel Valley Ho. It’s got Western charm, modern flair, and enough margaritas to make you buy a turquoise bolo tie. Perfect for exploring before the wedding... or recovering after.

Scottsdale Quarter

Scottsdale Quarter is like Rodeo Drive on a desert getaway—think upscale shops, trendy restaurants, and sunny strolls lined with palm trees. It’s perfect for a shopping spree, stylish lunch, or casually pretending you’re being followed by a reality TV crew. Come for the vibes, stay for the cocktails and retail therapy.

Fashion Square Mall

Scottsdale Fashion Square is where your shopping dreams come true, with luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Dior making your wallet sweat. It's the ultimate spot for indulging in high-end retail, just a short drive from the Hotel Valley Ho. Come for the designer bags, stay for the people-watching and gourmet snacks.

Papago Park

Papago Park is a desert oasis with stunning red sandstone formations, perfect for hiking, picnicking, or simply soaking in the views. Just a short drive from the Hotel Valley Ho, you can explore the famous "Hole in the Rock" trail or relax by the park’s serene fishing lagoons.

Camelback Mountain

Want to see the valley from the highest point in town? Lace up your hiking shoes and check out Camelback Mountain! Make sure to bring water. Moderate difficulty.

Lost Dog Wash Trail

Pretty hike through the McDowell Mountains. Difficulty is easy with not too much elevation change. Great spot to see spring time desert blooms!

Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is home to over 1,400 animals and is the perfect place to pretend you're on a wildlife documentary. From giraffes to reptiles, it’s a whole safari without needing a passport. Bonus: It’s great for people-watching—humans can be pretty wild too.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden is the place to go when you want to get up close and personal with cacti that could easily double as sci-fi props. It’s a stunning showcase of desert flora, and don’t worry, the plants won’t judge you if you forget your sunscreen.

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market

The Scottsdale Farmers Market is where locally grown kale gets more attention than influencers and even the dogs wear sunglasses. It's a vibrant maze of organic veggies, artisan breads, handcrafted soaps, and free samples that somehow convince you to spend $12 on a jar of pickled enlightenment. Come for the produce, stay for the bao buns.

Phoenix Glass Center

The Phoenix Glass Center is where you can watch artists turn molten glass into works of art without risking third-degree burns. It’s a chance to see the magic of glassblowing up close—don’t worry, no one’s asking you to try it unless you want to leave with molten hands.