Anyone know Phoenix/Scottsdale area?

[eks6426]

I''m going to Scottsdale Arizona during spring break (week of April 6) with my parents and my husband and 10 year old son. We''re staying at the Scottsdale Camelback Resort where my parents have a time-share condo.

I''m looking for things to do in the area that would keep us all entertained. Preferably things that don''t cost a lot.

2nd, I''m looking for an nice outdoor dining restaurant for my husband & I to visit on our "date" night when my parents will watch my son. I really want to try something local...no chains please. It doesn''t need to be the "in, hot, be seen" sort of place...just some place with nice outdoor ambiance and good food that is not too expensive.

Suggestions for both activities and restaurants hugely appreciated.

 

[Ellen]

Many moons ago, I visited my girlfriend in Phoenix, which I don''t think is too far from Scottsdale. We went up north to Sedona (I''m thinking it''s an hour or so north, maybe someone will clarify) Great little town to visit.

http://www.visitsedona.com/

 

[chiefneil]

You''re in a pretty nice location for activities. Just a few blocks East is Fashion Square Mall, which is the premier shopping mall in AZ. A really nice restaurant with a great outdoor area is Olive and Ivy. It''s in the mall area, but on the South side of Camelback Rd. in a pedestrian area that''s accessible from the mall but not actually part of the mall itself. It''s hard to describe, but definitely worth checking out. I don''t know what your price range is, but I think entrees there run in the mid-$20 range.

Phoenix is generally about the hiking when talking about outdoor activities. Camelback and Squaw Peak aren''t too far. One of those is supposed to be kinda challenging, I forget which one. Up North I like Pinnacle Peak for hiking - it''s a nice trail that a 10 year old can handle. It''s also in the Troon area which is beautiful. There''s also some great patio restaurants in the Troon area, but it''s about a 40 min drive from your condo so probably too far for dinner.

You''re also adjacent to Old Town Scottsdale, which has lots of great art galleries, shopping, and tourist traps. It might be boring for your DS, though. Up North, not quite as far as Troon, is AZ On The Rocks, which is a rock-climbing gym. If your DS has never tried it, it''s worth a trip. Then afterwards it''s just 10 mins from there to Pinnacle Peak if you still have energy to hike.



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