Things to do in Phoenix/ Scottsdale

Don't forget the golf!!! Greyhawk, Troon North, WeKoPa and TPC are tremendous.  

I’ll throw in my vote for Pizza Bianco as well.  It’s the best Neapolitan pizza I’ve had.

Roger Penske has a dealership / automall in Scotsdale with a racing museum as part of that.  If you're into Indy / F1 racing, it's an interesting place to check out.  Also, they have some really high-end automobiles that are fun to look at.  Last time I was there (which is 10+ years ago) they had a used Rolls Royce that was priced at only $250,000.

Information can be found here.

My college roommate lived there for 10 years.  Last time I was there he took us to a restaurant called Taco Guild.  The building is a converted old church, great food, cool bar.

Go skiing or snowboarding. Not the best conditions currently, but the Arizona Snowbowl is open and not that far. Most people don't realize you can ski so close to Phoenix. 

Double double

And I would've posted a picture of in n out on mobile, but I don't think I can. That said, in n out is in Phoenix, right?

There's a romantic dinner spot for you 😉

Took a balloon ride there with my wife a few years ago. Left early in the morning from somewhere on the north side. Lasted about an hour or so. Touched down on the West side. They had breakfast for us where we landed. It was really really nice. If you want details, let me know and I'll see if I can dig up a link.

Keep checking the local forecast because as of today, the NOAA office in PHX is forecasting rain or showers all day Wednesday and a 50% on Thurs then a 30% on Fri. Hate to give the bad news. The weather dries out Friday and on game day. A hiking activity won't be in the cards on those rainy days. Pack a poncho for just walking around outside. 

Congrats on making the trip down there but there will be plenty to do indoors. Bring us luck for a Wolverine victory on Saturday!

Also, brunch at the Wrigley Mansion was excellent. 

Like… everything.

Go to South Mountain.  It isn’t much of an ordeal and is really cool.  Great view of Phoenix at night.

I moved to Phoenix last year, so I know a bit, but I'm very far from an expert. I'll make this response more general for all the people heading into Phoenix metro for the game.

What you should do and where you should go is entirely down to where your tastes lie. If you are an upper middle class or wealthy person between 40 and 70, I'd say Scottsdale is the place for you (though avoid old town at night). There will be golf courses, upscale restaurants, and wine bars to go to. I don't fit into that category, so I don't have any specific recommendations for those kinds of places. However, I went to Roka Akor for my wife's birthday (its a reasonably upscale Japanese place in Scottsdale) and it was quite good.

If you want to party like you're still in college, Old Town Scottsdale has a lot of places that will allow you to do that. I'm in my 30s and its too much for me, but if that is what you're looking for, a lot of people like it.

As far as what I like, I'd recommend Roosevelt Row over Old Town Scottsdale for sure. Its still gonna run on the younger side, but there is a little more sophistication to the places than in Old Town Scottsdale. I like beer and cocktails over wine, so my recommendations for drinks would be places like the Whining Pig, which has a very large selection of beer. I also like Cobra Arcade Bar. As far as cocktails, Killer Whale Sex Club is good, so is Little Rituals, Pigtails, Bitter and Twisted, and Highball. When it comes to restaurants, I don't agree with the Pizzeria Bianco recommendations. I've only been there once, but I didn't think it was even remotely worth the hype. I liked the Parlor's pizza more and I didn't have to wait. Valentine is really good. Reathrey Sekong is a good Cambodian restaurant with really nice owners. Taco Boy's has great steak tacos for a decent price. Lastly, Lom Wong is one of the best Thai restaurants I have ever been to, its totally worth checking out.

For people who are staying near the stadium, Westgate is your best bet. However, I used to work kind of near there, and if you have a car, Ta'Carbon has good tacos for cheap and is about 10-15 minutes from the stadium. Fabio on Fire is straight up the 101 from the Stadium in Peoria and is one of the best Italian places I've had in Phoenix (including pizza I liked more than Bianco).

Lastly, for outdoors type stuff, I wouldn't recommend Sedona this time of year. It is a really beautiful place, but its gonna be kind of cold this time of year. Phoenix in the winter has good hiking and nice weather during the day. 

Last recommendation to people who have never been to Phoenix before, you don't need many pairs of shorts. Its gonna be nice during the day, but  at night it gets chilly. So bring a jacket and pants (a couple pair of shorts might be good, but more pants).

Pizzeria Bianco is great if you are a member of Oprah’s Book Club. 

I lived in North Scottsdale for 17 years, but I moved back to Chicagoland last year.

1. Wrigley Mansion: grab a good bite, walk around with drinks and explore, and enjoy the views. Aunt Chiladas & the Biltmore Hotel are near by, grab a bite n drink there too.

2. Go to the bar at Sanctuary Resort, great outside views of Paradise Valley. 

3. Hike Pinnacle Peak, I was married there, it won’t kill you like Camelback. Piestawa Peak is a little more challenging but awesome views. Tom’s Tumb has a level circle trail at the base lot.

4. Fountain Hills & Cave Creek are great day trips. Do not go to Mesa, Chandler, or Peoria, for any reason, ever. (Except the game.)

5. Talking Stick Resort has a rooftop bar & restaurant with decks with city views, stay out of the casino. Reservations required, I usually blow of the table reservation and stay in the bar/deck area instead, they also have food.

Food: Lots of great choices, I miss these the most: OHSO at Paradise Valley, any Oregano’s, LAMP Pizza, CIBO Pizza, Isabella’s Kitchen (on a golf course), almost anything on High Street Desert Ridge, lots of great breakfast options, but get packed after 8:30 am, I love Breakfast Kitchen Bar.