Mike and Kristen's Scottsdale Guide
Our Favorite Coffee Places
Places we live to relax and have a drink.
Black Rock Coffee is a great place to grab some coffee. It is great in the mornings if you want to sit outside, but be out of the sun.
7 locals recommend
Black Rock Coffee Bar
8670 E Thomas RdBlack Rock Coffee is a great place to grab some coffee. It is great in the mornings if you want to sit outside, but be out of the sun.
Craves grounds is one of our local favorite coffee places. We love to grab an Iced Latte with a bag of mini cinnamon sugar donuts.
Both the coffee and donut toppings are amazing. Worth checking out.
Crave Grounds
10105 East Vía LindaCraves grounds is one of our local favorite coffee places. We love to grab an Iced Latte with a bag of mini cinnamon sugar donuts.
Both the coffee and donut toppings are amazing. Worth checking out.
If you like Duch Bros, they just opened up. A quick drive or a 5 minute walk.
10 locals recommend
Dutch Bros Coffee
1326 S Alma School RdIf you like Duch Bros, they just opened up. A quick drive or a 5 minute walk.
The Mountain View and Hayden Starbucks is our favorite. It has many indoor and outdoor seating, and has the best staff. It is less busy than others in the area.
One of our tips, get the app and a gift card. You can order any drink you want, and then ask for a refill of any coffee, iced coffee, cold brew, or hot or cold tea. With app, refills are free!
97 locals recommend
Starbucks
4032 N Scottsdale RdThe Mountain View and Hayden Starbucks is our favorite. It has many indoor and outdoor seating, and has the best staff. It is less busy than others in the area.
One of our tips, get the app and a gift card. You can order any drink you want, and then ask for a refill of any coffee, iced coffee, cold brew, or hot or cold tea. With app, refills are free!
This is another local favorite. The coffee is great, and the best part is the great view of the lake.
The owner is updating this to a Press Coffee which is a local favorite as well. Worth checking out.
14 locals recommend
Lakeview Coffee
8300 N Hayden RdThis is another local favorite. The coffee is great, and the best part is the great view of the lake.
The owner is updating this to a Press Coffee which is a local favorite as well. Worth checking out.
Fitness / Walking / Hiking / Outdoors
Places we like to go to be active.
Modern Yoga
9619 N Hayden RdThis is our favorite yoga studio in the area.
www.modern.yoga
This is our place we love to work out. It is very close, and always great to visit.
https://daypass.planetfitness.com/
If you need a referral code, 6BT0XEQ4
Planet Fitness
1020 N 54th StThis is our place we love to work out. It is very close, and always great to visit.
https://daypass.planetfitness.com/
If you need a referral code, 6BT0XEQ4
This is just down the road. There is a playground, basket ball, and volley ball. And on the west side of the Senior Center, there is a great little walk where you can see a bunch of wild life.
8 locals recommend
Scottsdale Ranch Park
10400 E Vía LindaThis is just down the road. There is a playground, basket ball, and volley ball. And on the west side of the Senior Center, there is a great little walk where you can see a bunch of wild life.
This is one of the best local places to hike. It has parking, bathrooms and water. It has longer hikes, and also a short family friendly trail that loops around. It also has great views.
70 locals recommend
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
12601 N 124th StThis is one of the best local places to hike. It has parking, bathrooms and water. It has longer hikes, and also a short family friendly trail that loops around. It also has great views.
This is a great local hike. Parking is limited, so get there early.
It takes about 60 minutes to get to the top and it is not easy. But feel free to turn around anytime, or just enjoy the first part of the over look that only takes about 10 minutes to clime up the trail.
Bathrooms and water are at the base. It can get hot, so make sure to bring enough water.
1752 locals recommend
Echo Canyon Trail and Recreation Area
East McDonald DriveThis is a great local hike. Parking is limited, so get there early.
It takes about 60 minutes to get to the top and it is not easy. But feel free to turn around anytime, or just enjoy the first part of the over look that only takes about 10 minutes to clime up the trail.
Bathrooms and water are at the base. It can get hot, so make sure to bring enough water.
This is just a quick walk north west of the condo. Just walk to up Mountain View, and turn left, and walk down at the bridge. It great for walking or biking.
21 locals recommend
Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt
This is just a quick walk north west of the condo. Just walk to up Mountain View, and turn left, and walk down at the bridge. It great for walking or biking.
This is is next to the Phoenix Zoo. It is a very easy climb for all ages. It has parking and bathrooms, and only takes about 5 minutes to walk up to the Hole in the Rock. It gives you great views of both sides of Phoenix, and even has a cool breeze!
This is worth the visit, and if you check out google, there is an In-N-Out on the way if you are looking for some food before and after.
184 locals recommend
Hole in the Rock
625 N Galvin PkwyThis is is next to the Phoenix Zoo. It is a very easy climb for all ages. It has parking and bathrooms, and only takes about 5 minutes to walk up to the Hole in the Rock. It gives you great views of both sides of Phoenix, and even has a cool breeze!
This is worth the visit, and if you check out google, there is an In-N-Out on the way if you are looking for some food before and after.
This is just a fun park, just a few minutes away in Fountain Hills. Great for walking and seeing the worlds biggest fountain.
59 locals recommend
Fountain Park
12925 N Saguaro BlvdThis is just a fun park, just a few minutes away in Fountain Hills. Great for walking and seeing the worlds biggest fountain.
The best local Food!
These are the places we love to go.
This is my favorite BBQ in the area. From something that you cannot get anywhere else, get the Brisket Stack.
17 locals recommend
The Thumb
9393 E Bell RdThis is my favorite BBQ in the area. From something that you cannot get anywhere else, get the Brisket Stack.
One of our favorite places for happy hour. We love the shoe string fries, and the Brownie with Icecream.
43 locals recommend
Grassroots Kitchen & Tap - Scottsdale
8120 N Hayden RdOne of our favorite places for happy hour. We love the shoe string fries, and the Brownie with Icecream.
Old Town Scottsdale has one of our favorite places. It is nice and upscale. The Salmon Caesar salad is one of my favorite.
314 locals recommend
Olive & Ivy
7135 E Camelback RdOld Town Scottsdale has one of our favorite places. It is nice and upscale. The Salmon Caesar salad is one of my favorite.
This has the best BBQ. Make sure you check out the website and hours. It will have a wait, but it is worth it. It is about 25 minutes away to the West, but worth it if you like BBQ. They also have one in Tempe if interested.
37 locals recommend
Little Miss BBQ Sunnyslope
8901 N 7th StThis has the best BBQ. Make sure you check out the website and hours. It will have a wait, but it is worth it. It is about 25 minutes away to the West, but worth it if you like BBQ. They also have one in Tempe if interested.
This has the best local ice cream. It is just across the street from sprouts. Sign up for the rewards, and you can get something free.
49 locals recommend
Sweet Republic
6054 N 16th StThis has the best local ice cream. It is just across the street from sprouts. Sign up for the rewards, and you can get something free.
We found this place up in Sedona and loved it, and just found out it is down here as well. The pizza and Salad was great.
12 locals recommend
Picazzo's Healthy Italian Kitchen Scottsdale
7325 East Frank Lloyd Wright BoulevardWe found this place up in Sedona and loved it, and just found out it is down here as well. The pizza and Salad was great.
This is our #1 local favorite place. It is just a few minutes away. Everything is great.
And one tip is have someone order the Kids meal. You can get Steak, any 2 sides you want. (Mac and Cheese, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, or Mash Potatoes are amazing) You get a drink with it all for under $7.
167 locals recommend
Flower Child
100 E Camelback RdThis is our #1 local favorite place. It is just a few minutes away. Everything is great.
And one tip is have someone order the Kids meal. You can get Steak, any 2 sides you want. (Mac and Cheese, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, or Mash Potatoes are amazing) You get a drink with it all for under $7.
It has been in a few local guide books and could be worth checking out.
135 locals recommend
Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse
6823 E Cave Creek RdIt has been in a few local guide books and could be worth checking out.
Groceries and Everyday Shopping
This is the same thing as a Kroger. This is the closest one, and is less busy than the one up the road.
83 locals recommend
Fry's Marketplace
1311 E Bell RdThis is the same thing as a Kroger. This is the closest one, and is less busy than the one up the road.
Our best local place to shop for fresh food. You can even walk to it when it is cooler out.
46 locals recommend
Sprouts Farmers Market
9301 E Shea BlvdOur best local place to shop for fresh food. You can even walk to it when it is cooler out.
This is the target we like to use. It is just a few exits south, and is not as busy as the north Target.
16 locals recommend
Target
9000 Talking Stick WayThis is the target we like to use. It is just a few exits south, and is not as busy as the north Target.
This one is just a few minutes away. It is a great place to stock up on food for the week.
413 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
7720 W Bell RdThis one is just a few minutes away. It is a great place to stock up on food for the week.
Fast Food that People Love!
This is the closest one for now. They will be building one right next to BlackRock at the 101 and Pima and we cannot wait!
15 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
7467 E Frank Lloyd Wright BlvdThis is the closest one for now. They will be building one right next to BlackRock at the 101 and Pima and we cannot wait!
If you want something quick, this is one of the best / closes places around.
36 locals recommend
Chick-fil-A
25 W University DrIf you want something quick, this is one of the best / closes places around.
This just opened last year, and people love going there! If you like White Castle, this is just 1 exit south. It is right across from the Rusty Taco and Starbucks.
10 locals recommend
White Castle
9310 East Vía de VenturaThis just opened last year, and people love going there! If you like White Castle, this is just 1 exit south. It is right across from the Rusty Taco and Starbucks.
Entertainment and Events
If you want to watch a movie and have some food, this is the place. The seats are comfortable and the food is good. A good option for days that you want to stay cool.
It is next to the the Target at Talking Stick.
38 locals recommend
RoadHouse Cinemas - Scottsdale
9090 E Indian Bend RdIf you want to watch a movie and have some food, this is the place. The seats are comfortable and the food is good. A good option for days that you want to stay cool.
It is next to the the Target at Talking Stick.
This is a fun time to swing some golf clubs, and enjoy a great view of the mountains. Grab some clubs, nachos, and some drinks.
Fun for all ages.
597 locals recommend
Topgolf
9500 Talking Stick WayThis is a fun time to swing some golf clubs, and enjoy a great view of the mountains. Grab some clubs, nachos, and some drinks.
Fun for all ages.
OdySea Aquarium
9500 East Vía de VenturaThis is great for the family and is just 1 exit south.
This a a fun in door water park for year round fun. It is just down the road,.
29 locals recommend
Great Wolf Lodge
7333 N Pima RdThis a a fun in door water park for year round fun. It is just down the road,.
Lots of entertainment and bar food. Worth checking out if you were looking for something to do. They also have a huge outdoor area with a bar and huge TV for sporting events.
29 locals recommend
Mavrix
9139 Talking Stick WayLots of entertainment and bar food. Worth checking out if you were looking for something to do. They also have a huge outdoor area with a bar and huge TV for sporting events.
Octane Raceway
9119 Talking Stick WayJust some fun indoor/outdoor electric go carts.
Great for Spring Training (Rockies or Diamondbacks), or our favorite, the Arizona Fall League. (Minor League Players, but cheap seats and tons of fun!)
344 locals recommend
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N Pima RdGreat for Spring Training (Rockies or Diamondbacks), or our favorite, the Arizona Fall League. (Minor League Players, but cheap seats and tons of fun!)
This is an amazing event that people come in from around the world.
38 locals recommend
Barrett Jackson Pro Em
9489-9523 E Westworld WayThis is an amazing event that people come in from around the world.
Check out the West World Events Calendar. There might be something really interesting when you are here.
132 locals recommend
WestWorld of Scottsdale
16601 North Pima RoadCheck out the West World Events Calendar. There might be something really interesting when you are here.
This is a fun place for people of all ages. It has a small train and a park for kids. We have just enjoyed walking around the area.
Across the street is a Starbucks and Wildflower, if you wanted to grab some food or drink.
211 locals recommend
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
7301 E Indian Bend RdThis is a fun place for people of all ages. It has a small train and a park for kids. We have just enjoyed walking around the area.
Across the street is a Starbucks and Wildflower, if you wanted to grab some food or drink.
Bowlero Via Linda
9027 E Vía LindaJust a normal bowling alley, but it is in walking distance if intersted.
Old town is worth checking out. Logs of great food, shopping, and walking.
1378 locals recommend
Old Town Scottsdale
3200 N Scottsdale RdOld town is worth checking out. Logs of great food, shopping, and walking.