Alain's Recommendations
Favorite Restaurants
Only top picks made this list of MUST-TRY places.
Slanted Rice Vietnamese Bistro
6149 N Scottsdale RdThe chargrilled rice plate is delicious!
If you like spicy food, get the Bruce Lee Spring Roll!
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Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant
2241 N 7th StIf you like spicy food, get the Bruce Lee Spring Roll!
Happy Bao's
66 South Dobson RoadDo you like dumplings? Baos? Dan Dan Noodles? Check out this cute place in Mesa!
Upscale Mexican restaurant with amazing Pozole and Steak Tacos. Full bar with mixologists available. Great for date night.
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Chico Malo
50 W Jefferson StUpscale Mexican restaurant with amazing Pozole and Steak Tacos. Full bar with mixologists available. Great for date night.
From The Rooftop
222 E Portland StLocated at the Cambria Hotel... beautiful views of the city
Looking for a place to hang out and have a fun time with friends? This place has a huge assortment of board games to play while you enjoy coffee, a cocktail or some delicious snacks!
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Snakes & Lattes Tempe
20 W 6th StLooking for a place to hang out and have a fun time with friends? This place has a huge assortment of board games to play while you enjoy coffee, a cocktail or some delicious snacks!
Lovely outdoor restaurant, perfect for a weekend brunch!
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The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S 32nd StLovely outdoor restaurant, perfect for a weekend brunch!
This is what happens when a Japan meets Central America. Get the Mexican Fideos! A little spicy, but oh so delicious! Their rolls are also pretty amazing.
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SumoMaya
6560 N Scottsdale RdThis is what happens when a Japan meets Central America. Get the Mexican Fideos! A little spicy, but oh so delicious! Their rolls are also pretty amazing.
Take A Day Trip
Nearby towns and places to spend the day
Sedona is less than a 2 hour drive, and a beautiful one at that! Great for a day trip to go hiking, exploring shops, restaurants and the incredible red rock views.
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Sedona
Sedona is less than a 2 hour drive, and a beautiful one at that! Great for a day trip to go hiking, exploring shops, restaurants and the incredible red rock views.
Great place for local shopping and dining. Homes are beautiful to look at.
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Scottsdale
Great place for local shopping and dining. Homes are beautiful to look at.
Plan a romantic day trip to Tucson to discover an array of local shopping, dining and hiking.
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Tucson
Plan a romantic day trip to Tucson to discover an array of local shopping, dining and hiking.
Shopping
Looking to score some great deals? The Tanger Outlets feature a Nike Factory Store, Vera Bradley, Michael Kors, Abercrombie and many more popular retail stores without the high price tags. You'll always find super sales here.
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Tanger Outlets Phoenix
6800 N 95th AveLooking to score some great deals? The Tanger Outlets feature a Nike Factory Store, Vera Bradley, Michael Kors, Abercrombie and many more popular retail stores without the high price tags. You'll always find super sales here.
Tempe Marketplace is a beautiful place to hang out with family and friends. Dave & Busters offers Latin Dance nights on Thursdays and Sundays on the rooftop.
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I-Tempe Marketplace
2000 E Rio Salado PkwyTempe Marketplace is a beautiful place to hang out with family and friends. Dave & Busters offers Latin Dance nights on Thursdays and Sundays on the rooftop.
This is the place to go for high-end luxury shopping and the most sought-after brands like Zara, Express, Sephora, Aldo, and more. Food court food is not recommended, but there are plenty of good restaurants nearby.
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Scottsdale Fashion Square
7014 E Camelback RdThis is the place to go for high-end luxury shopping and the most sought-after brands like Zara, Express, Sephora, Aldo, and more. Food court food is not recommended, but there are plenty of good restaurants nearby.
Sightseeing
The perfect place for a romantic walk or a solitary run around the lake. Kayaks are also available for rent.
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Tempe Town Lake
620 N Mill AveThe perfect place for a romantic walk or a solitary run around the lake. Kayaks are also available for rent.
Entertainment
Do you have youngsters in your group? Take them to Castles N' Coasters! A great place to spend the day for an adrenaline rush.
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Castles N' Coasters
9445 N Metro Pkwy EDo you have youngsters in your group? Take them to Castles N' Coasters! A great place to spend the day for an adrenaline rush.
LOVE Tempe Improv. They offer great stand-up events and have some top-notch comedians from all over the world. Check out their website for the latest event schedule.
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Tempe Improv
930 E University DrLOVE Tempe Improv. They offer great stand-up events and have some top-notch comedians from all over the world. Check out their website for the latest event schedule.
You'd be surprised at how fun TopGolf can be, even if you're a rookie. Great place to spend with friends and family. Food and drinks are available.
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Topgolf
9500 Talking Stick WayYou'd be surprised at how fun TopGolf can be, even if you're a rookie. Great place to spend with friends and family. Food and drinks are available.
Want to go horseback riding? This is right around the corner from the house! Highly recommended. Visit their website for more info.
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Ponderosa Stables Inc
10215 S Central AveWant to go horseback riding? This is right around the corner from the house! Highly recommended. Visit their website for more info.
Perfect for a romantic, intimate date or to teach the little ones about the magic of nature. Surround yourself with real butterflies of all shapes and sizes.
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Butterfly Wonderland
9500 East Vía de VenturaPerfect for a romantic, intimate date or to teach the little ones about the magic of nature. Surround yourself with real butterflies of all shapes and sizes.
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Dobbin's Lookout Sunset Viewpoint
Type in "Dobbin's Lookout" into your GPS and follow the winding road up South Mountain for one of the most breathtaking views of the sunset you'll ever see... a beautiful 20 min scenic drive!
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Salsa Dancing Spots
Phoenix has a great dance scene (we are dancers). You can find Salsa and Bachata dancing at the following places:
Mijana - Friday Nights (Scottsdale)
Dave and Busters - Wednesday and Sunday Nights (Tempe)
The Duce - Thursday Nights (Phoenix)
Barcoa Agaveria - Tuesday Nights (Phoenix)
Sip - Monday Nights (Scottsdale)
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Hiking Trails (also see books on coffee table)
If you walk out of the neighborhood on 7th street and make a left, follow the dirt path along the mountain side and you'll find yourself at the entrance of a hiking trail.
If you'd like to drive to a nearby hiking trail, input one of the following into your GPS:
- Mormon Trailhead
- Camelback
- Phoenix Mountain Preserve
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Leave your winter coat at home
Unless you're visiting in the wintertime, you won't need any large coats or warm-gear. Even in the winter, you'll be fine with layering up, as it gets warm in the sunlight.
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Stay Hydrated!
Bring bottles of water wherever you go, especially between May-August. Dehydration will sneak up on you. Carry a small ice chest in your vehicle full of water if you're able to.