Valley of the Sun

50 States in One Meal

Proof Canteen, in the Scottsdale Four Seasons Resort, lets you sample the whole country at once. Drinks are sourced from all 50 states and the menu features regional specialties such as fried green tomatoes and Maine lobster rolls.

Photo courtesy...

My Horseshoe

My version of a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona. It is downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. It is accessible via a -mile (0.8 km) hike from the access parking lot. No railings, no...

Bang Some Gongs at MIM

Don a headset, approach an exhibit, and wirelessly listen to African thumb piano or Mongolian throat singing at the vast Musical Instrument Museum. Besides browsing some 15,000 artifacts that represent different musical genres, visitors can catch...

Eating Well in Scottsdale

The original restaurant in an all-star group that now consists of Baratin wine bar, Bodega market, and AZ Wine Merchants, FnB is still the favorite choice for dinner. Try such seasonal dishes as sunchoke-stuffed trout and the famous braised-leek...

Richardson's/Rokerij: A Renewed Favorite

I've been going to Richardson's as my favorite neighborhood local since they opened over 20 years ago. Great southwestern food, seafood and margaritas. They opened a sister restaurant a few blocks away called Rokerij a few years ago. It was really...

Flowers & Coffee in Phoenix

Sometimes the experience of coffee is enhanced by pleasing color schemes. That is exactly what I discovered at Matt’s Big Breakfast in Phoenix, Arizona.

Pizza Charred to Perfection

This place always has a wait (unless you make a reservation with party of 6 or more). Thankfully there is a bar across the street for you to widdle away the time.

It's worth the wait. Trust me. Bianco restaurants has earned a big following in...

Toffee Heaven

Goody Twos Toffee is not only hands down the best toffee I have ever had but also a great local experience. The owners of this little company regularly serve up bite-size samples– just enough to fuel my addiction and start a conversation.

They...

Popular Inn

Camelback Inn is offers my dream staycation. This AAA 5-Diamond hotel has maintained its excellence since it first came around in the 1930's. it has an old pueblo-style feel that really exemplifies Southwestern culture.

You'll get the most amazing...

Get Transported into Mad Men

I am obsessed with the hit series Mad Men and the Hotel Valley Ho is one of my favorite hotels to stay at because it feels like you get transported into another time.

Walking distance from Old Town Scottsdale and in the heart of a thriving...

GROWop Phoenix

I stumbled across GROWop while taking a little stroll down Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. It's a clothes shop meets home decor store meets vintage finds meets local vegetable garden.

The support a creative community of artists and local...

Beer for the Angels

This is the newest destination for any lovid beer fan. It boasts 36 beers and 6 wines on tap that they rotate out quite frequently. Their entire design and concept centers around beer. It's designed to to flow around a cooler to offer patrons the...

Christmas on Steroids

Vist the Coach House. With the holiday season rapidly approaching everyone in the valley seems to make a detour to their favorite local watering hole to experience the festive spirit unlike anywhere else.

Staffers shut down the place to deck the...

Phoenix's Hidden Treasures

When I heard Smeeks was moving from their downtown Phoenix location I thought I might lose it until I heard about the hip new concept they were becoming a part of thanks to the opening of Union at Biltmore Fashion Park. It is a one-stop shop for...

Music Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Phoenix has been begging for a great music venue that supports top-notch indie tastemakers all while helping create a thriving music scene in the valley. Bands like Iron and Wine, Phantogram, Dawes, Blitzentrapper and more have graced this music...