Help with Planning a 30th Birthday Weekend in Phoenix
 

In early March, I am surprising my husband with a four day trip to Phoenix to stay at the Phoenician in Scottsdale. His parents and brother are meeting us for the surprise. I have never been to the area and I am trying to make some excellent plans for day and night. As of now, we have plans on his birthday to go to T. Cooks at the Royal Palm (my in-laws favorite restaurant).
Any day activities and dinner ideas would be apreciated. Thanks!

Hi jallard,

What do you enjoy? Phoenix/Scottsdale has wonderful golf courses, shopping, terrific spas... You could take a day trip north a couple hours and see the Grand Canyon. It is a lovely area in March.

Best wishes.

We enjoy a little of everything. We will definitely spend a couple days at the pool and may golf once at the resort. I am interested in shopping, although my husband may not be. How far is the Grand Canyon. We would enjoy this for sure. Can you recommend any good tours?

We also enjoy fine dining :)

Any other ideas?

Don't miss Old Town Scottsdale. There are tons of shops and galleries!
Also, the hike up Camelback Mountain is intense but the view is well worth it!

The grand canyon is about 5+ hours away from the Phoenix metro area. There are one day (or more) tours available. We have sent visiting parents on the one day Grayline tour http://www.graylinearizona.com/sight...on=tour_detail which is a long day but does get you there and back. Its a bit much to fit in during a four day visit. If you are interested in Native American culture, the Heard Museum is world class. There is also a new city pass from Showup.com http://www.showup.com/?app=pass which has some good options for cultural activities.

Great choice, the Phoenician is beautiful. I would suggest Elements Restaurant at Sanctuary, eat outside and watch the sunset over Camelback mountain it is incredible. Also March is Baseball Spring training. I'm not a baseball fan but Spring training is really fun. The players will be all around Scottsdale...

For breakfast, you should try El Chorro, it's not too far from the Phoenician, and its such a wonderful place to sit outside, enjoy the yummy sticky buns and eggs benedict. Don't forget the mimosa!!!

Another thing that is fun to see is the Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture School in Scottsdale. It will take you about a half hour to drive to. It has tours throughout the day. It is so much fun to see!

If you want to go out dancing, a good place for you would be South Scottsdale, maybe Six, or Devil's Martini South.

If you are looking for a truely Southwestern Meal, you should go to Richardson's (resevations a must!), its not badly priced, but the food and decor is too fun! Great Prickly Pear Margaritas!

Instead of going all the way up to the Grand Canyon (which is 4-5 hours), I would go to Sedona, its so pretty and only about 2 hrs away. Make sure to stop in to Telaquipaqui!

Have fun!!!!

Hi,
Thanks for you're responses. As of now we have scratched the idea of the Grand Canyon. We may plan a hummer tour of the desert. We have also booked Zen 32 (sushi) and T. Cook's for dinner. I will check out the restaurant at the Sanctuary. I've heard so many nice things about that resort.

thank you chusten.

I love all the suggestions. I have checked the web for the time of sunset before booking dinner at Elements to time it correctly. Even if you only go part of the way up Camelback you should do it for a cool perspective of Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley.

I like Scottsdale Fashion Mall because where I'm from you can't find entire stores of Gucci, LV, Kate Spade, etc.

For a casual evening that includes burgers and beer and dancing under the stars with locals and tourists of all ages hit Greasewood Flat. If you google it you can find out more. You can toast marshmallows over the oil drum firepits around the dance floor to make S'Mores...

Here's our final plan:
1) Dinner Thursday night when we arrive at The Phoenician at Windows on the Green (we really just wanted to not have to drive anywhere our first night and the concierge suggested it)
2) Hummer tour on Friday morning
3) Dinner Friday night at T.Cooks
4) Dinner Saturday night at Elements at Sanctuary
5) As of now, I do not have dinner planned on our last night. It will just be my husband and I and we won't have a car. Any suggestions for a nearby restaurant - nothing very fancy, but good food and atmosphere. Maybe japanese, sushi, italian or mexican?

Check www.showup.com. You can get tickets for many different events and they are at a discount.

Find out if the Phoenician has a free shuttle servie to Old Town Scottsdale for guests.

You might try Malee's on Main for your last dinner. Thai, but not completely authentic according to some people. I've always had good meals there and its fun to stroll around the galleries in Old Town after dinner. Its not far from the Phoenician so even a taxi would be okay.