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Three of my closest associates and I simply got here again from an unimaginable women’ journey in Scottsdale, Arizona. And we had an enormous cause to have a good time — this 12 months, the 4 of us are all turning 40!
On this journey have been me, Beth, Lisa, and Jen, and the 4 of us have been greatest associates for 25 years. (Jen is a pseudonym; she requested anonymity and I’m honoring her needs.)
We used to journey collectively so much after we have been youthful! Montreal at 18, the place we tasted our first authorized alcohol. Vegas at 23, the place we took selfies with Ice-T and Coco. After shifting away, we might go to one another for the weekend in DC, in New York, in faculty cities in Pennsylvania and upstate New York.
However as we received into our thirties, the journeys slowed to a cease. I’m certain a bunch of you may relate to that. We have been busy with marriages, infants, jobs, and levels — quickly the closest factor we needed to a women’ journey was an in a single day keep for a mutual good friend’s wedding ceremony.
However this time, we have been decided to make up for misplaced time, and plan the last word women’ journey in Scottsdale, Arizona. A visit with superb meals, pool time, wine tasting, tradition, and a lot bonding.
Our journey was SO good that you may comply with the blueprint for it and be thrilled. So I made a decision to share our blueprint for you. Be at liberty to steal it in your personal journey!
This submit is delivered to you by Expertise Scottsdale. Many because of their unimaginable group for organizing a visit we’ll always remember!
This submit was printed in July 2024, primarily based on a visit taken in June 2024.
Why We Selected Scottsdale
Why did we select Scottsdale for our fortieth birthday journey? We needed to go someplace reflecting the ladies we’ve now grow to be.
What we needed, total, was VARIETY. A vacation spot that would supply tradition, rest time, nice meals, and nightlife. However not a spot overrun with twenty-somethings or hard-partiers.
Additionally on our listing: direct flights or driving distance from Boston, and first rate climate in late June.
After analysis, dialogue, and nameless voting, we narrowed it down to a few finalists: Scottsdale, Bermuda, and distantly behind the opposite two, Newport, Rhode Island.
We axed Newport for being too shut and “same-y” to our residence, the North Shore of Massachusetts, and commenced debating the deserves of Scottsdale vs. Bermuda.
Truthfully? Scottsdale supplied much more selection in issues to do, a very totally different feel and look than Massachusetts and was a lot extra fairly priced than costly Bermuda. Scottsdale it was!
Expertise Scottsdale determined to work with us for this journey.
Step One: Discover the Excellent Lodge
In case you’re round my age, you in all probability have recollections of cramming 4 folks onto two queen-sized mattresses in a single room to maintain bills down. The 4 of us have achieved that SO many instances through the years.
However on the cusp of 40, we needed one thing higher — a pleasant resort that felt like a vacation spot itself, relatively than someplace simply to cross out each evening.
In my analysis, I saved going again to the Lodge Valley Ho time and again, and after conferring with the women, we determined to remain right here. The Lodge Valley Ho is a mid-century trendy marvel with a ton of historical past — and it’s additionally positioned a stone’s throw from Previous City Scottsdale, making it a lot extra handy than the further-away motels.
And as a substitute of 4 folks in a single room, we booked one of many Tower Suites and an adjoining Tower Room, splitting a king mattress and two queens between the 4 of us.
Now, if you happen to’re happening any sort of women’ journey at this level in your life, I can’t advocate this setup sufficient. Simply having actual locations to take a seat that aren’t beds makes all of the distinction on the planet. And having a number of rooms makes it simpler to have one room be the sleeping room and one room be the hanging out room.
(Added plus: the kitchen sink was appreciated by our good friend who was breast pumping and was glad she didn’t have to scrub all her tools within the rest room sink.)
The Lodge Valley Ho additionally places on occasions for locals and guests, and we received to take pleasure in a Sip + Store Summer season Market Collection, a free occasion that includes plenty of free samples of drinks to attempt. Additionally there was Chef Peter McQuaid, current winner of Chopped, who served up essentially the most scrumptious scallops!
Step Two: Make a Plan to Thrive within the Warmth
In case you’re visiting Scottsdale between spring and fall, you’ll be coping with warmth a minimum of a part of the time — however if you happen to go to in the summertime like we did, you might want to be ready for very excessive temperatures, although it’s a dry warmth.
Listed below are some methods to organize for and handle the summer time warmth in Scottsdale:
Perceive that you just received’t be capable to do as many out of doors actions in summer time. Scottsdale has SO many nice out of doors actions, however in the summertime, you must keep on with being exterior very early or late. DO NOT HIKE MID-DAY.
Make plans for the most popular time of day. You recognize what’s nice to do in Scottsdale when it’s actually scorching exterior? Museums. Spas. Eating places. And whereas they’re outside, pool events are nice when it’s scorching, too!
Deliver solar safety. I like to recommend a wide-brim hat and a few light-weight however lengthy sleeves — suppose linen. And naturally, sunscreen and sun shades!
Take it simple. In case you’re a continual speed-walker, SLOW DOWN within the Arizona summer time. You may’t stroll as quick as you normally do when it’s over 100 levels exterior. Your physique will thanks. Even for us avid walkers, we didn’t wish to stroll longer than three blocks or so through the day.
Deliver a reusable water bottle and benefit from water dispensers. They’re EVERYWHERE in Scottsdale, and I cherished that! Particularly after they had spa water with fruit inside it, like within the Lodge Valley Ho foyer.
Know that visiting in summer time has main benefits! Summer season is off-season in Scottsdale, and you’ll take pleasure in low resort charges, no large crowds anyplace, having the ability to get into eating places with out a reservation, and many particular packages and offers at motels, eating places, spas, you identify it.
Step Three: Head Out to the Desert!
One cause why my associates and I selected Scottsdale is that the atmosphere is so totally different from Massachusetts, the place we’re from. We have been very happy to commerce fishing villages for desert landscapes with tall cacti!
And an incredible place to benefit from the desert is the Desert Botanical Backyard, proper between Scottsdale and Phoenix. There are strolling trails educating you about totally different sorts of crops, all set in opposition to mountain views, together with a cactus backyard and a succulent backyard (sure, they’re very various things).
Whereas I hit up this backyard earlier than the opposite women arrived, I actually cherished strolling these trails.
Tip: In case you’re visiting in the summertime, like me, stroll a path or two, then go to the restaurant, Gertrude’s, to chill down with a berry lemonade earlier than heading again out once more.
Step 4: Banter with Your Uber Drivers
After I requested my associates what they needed me to incorporate on this submit, one factor was clear — “WRITE ABOUT THE UBER DRIVERS!” Scottsdale is a pleasant metropolis, and we had enjoyable with so a lot of our Uber drivers!
Every drive would begin with the identical query: “Bachelorette get together?” “Nope.” After which we’d inform them about our journey and ask about them. Nearly all of them got here to Scottsdale from elsewhere.
There was the younger man barely out of his teenagers who really useful the cinnamon bun pancakes on the Day by day Dose, as a result of “They’re my mother’s favourite.” The twenty-something man who really useful karaoke at Ernie’s for a extremely native evening out.
However our favourite was our Armenian driver from Lebanon, who heard we have been all turning 40, laughed like The Rely, and roared, “Over the hiiiiiiill! Oh noooooo!” We couldn’t cease laughing!
Step 5: Change into A part of the Artwork
One of many highlights of our journey was Wonderspaces — an artwork expertise that believes artwork is for everybody. You enter the venue, get a drink if you happen to’d like, and also you get to wander the wacky, great, and interactive works, which change regularly.
In a single room, we walked by way of an iridescent tunnel main to photographs of the Grand Canyon, Arizona reflecting round us in each path.
In one other, we posed for a digicam in entrance of flipping metallic disks, which become our portraits.
And in one more, we sat on bean bag chairs in a darkish room, watching colourful lights make patterns throughout the ceiling — and almost fell asleep. (We came upon afterward that fairly just a few folks have fallen asleep right here!)
Wonderspaces was one in all our favourite issues we did in Scottsdale — I extremely advocate dropping by! Additionally they have reveals in Austin and Philadelphia.
And if you happen to’re focused on extra artwork, ensure you drop by the Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork (SMoCA). It’s proper in Previous City Scottsdale, and once I visited I received to see a beautiful exhibition of native legend Dorothy Fratt, an artist I knew nothing about.
Step 6: Eat Your Manner By means of Scottsdale
Scottsdale’s eating scene is among the issues I used to be wanting ahead to essentially the most — and BOY, did we eat effectively.
Right here have been our three favourite eating places in Scottsdale, and what to get:
Citizen Public Home: This upscale restaurant and native favourite serves New American delicacies in a refined-but-fun environment. The menu had so many choices that the 4 of us ended up splitting two apps, two salads, two mains, and two desserts.
What to get: The chopped salad is so well-known that everybody in Scottsdale stated we needed to attempt it — they usually have been proper! We additionally cherished the popcorn cooked in bacon fats (WHAT AN IDEA!), the ocean scallops with bacon over grits, and the guajillo roasted rooster.
The Mission: This energetic Latin restaurant in Previous City Scottsdale serves the most effective guacamole I’ve EVER had, full cease. It’s THAT good. It’s on the loud facet right here, so it’s a good selection if you happen to’re on the lookout for a enjoyable and boisterous evening out.
What to get: I might have been completely happy as a clam simply ordering guacamole and margaritas all evening, and we almost needed to bodily restrain ourselves from ordering a 3rd. However the skirt steak tacos and the grilled avenue corn have been additionally fabulous.
ZuZu: This restaurant is contained in the Lodge Valley Ho and serves a wide range of American delicacies, together with big milkshakes. Additionally they have superior prix fixe specials if you happen to go to in the summertime.
What to get: I used to be blown away by the cauliflower app with fromage blanc, capers, pickled onions, Calabrian chiles, cashews, Thai basil, and shallots. Different highlights have been the creamed corn with inexperienced chile (a should for a facet dish!). And for dessert, the brookie (half-cookie half-brownie), freshly baked and topped with ice cream, was ASTOUNDINGLY DECADENT. That brookie haunts my desires!
Different Scottsdale eating places we loved:
- Hula’s Fashionable Tiki: Hawaiian delicacies and tiki drinks! Get the crispy coconut shrimp rolls.
- The Herb Field: Artistic wholesome delicacies. Get the Korean fried cauliflower.
- Hash Kitchen (see extra on them beneath): Brunch with a DJ and sky-high Bloody Marys! Get the chile relleno hash.
- Day by day Dose Kitchen and Bar: Yummy meals in an informal setting. Get the cinnamon roll pancakes.
Ideas on Scottsdale eating: We actually loved our eating experiences total. However we did discover just a few issues: numerous locations in Scottsdale add bacon to every part, particularly seafood dishes, which we discovered a bit stunning.
In case you don’t eat pork, you may wish to double-check that your dish doesn’t comprise any earlier than ordering.
And I discovered that the meals wasn’t almost as spicy as I anticipated — I needed to hold including an increasing number of scorching sauce to my dishes, although I don’t love THAT spicy meals!
Although maybe that is true among the many upscale eating places that concentrate on vacationers. Perhaps at an affordable and native Mexican spot I may have eaten a burrito that might have blown my face off. (My good friend Alex, an Arizona native, recommends the native chain Filiberto’s for fast and spicy Mexican. Subsequent time!)
A fast be aware on gluten-free Scottsdale: One of many women is gluten-free, so we received an opportunity to see how Scottsdale handles gluten. Some eating places have been superb, with intensive gluten-free menu choices and educated servers; others may do higher.
In case you’re gluten-free, I discovered that The Herb Field, The Mission, Citizen Public Home, and Day by day Dose Kitchen and Bar every had various gluten-free choices, clearly labeled menus, and servers who knew about cross-contact and how you can modify dishes.
And whereas the gluten-eaters cherished Hash Kitchen, there aren’t many gluten-free choices right here.
Step 7: Benefit from the Excellent Pool Occasion for Millennials
I knew I needed us to hit up a pool get together in Scottsdale — however I had no concept that absolutely the excellent pool get together for elder millennials was going down at our resort, the Lodge Valley Ho!
What made this pool get together so good? The truth that everybody was of their 30s and 40s, and the DJ’s playlist was principally late 90s and early 2000s hip-hop. OUR MUSIC.
(And sure, the DJ additionally instantly performed our favourite Juvenile music instantly after we requested it.)
As a lot as we cherished dancing within the pool to Dre and Snoop whereas sipping on frosé in our large floppy hats, it was ALSO good to not be surrounded by 22-year-olds. We have been with our age group, and that felt so good.
Additionally amusing: after the pool, Lisa, Beth and I headed again as much as the elevator and it opened to a few girls of their 70s, wearing “It’s All the time Sunny in Scottsdale” t-shirts, sipping champagne, and grinning mischievously. It was like seeing our future!
In case you’re staying on the resort, you get into the pool get together without spending a dime; if you happen to’re not a visitor, you may pay for a day cross. Cabanas and day beds can be found for hire.
Step 8: Style the Wines of Scottsdale
Do you know that Scottsdale makes their very own wines? You may hit up the Scottsdale Wine Path, which covers seven totally different Arizona wineries inside strolling distance of one another in Previous City Scottsdale.
We’d in all probability have keeled over if we had hit up all seven (!), however we did hit up two nice wineries — Carlson Creek and Aridus Wine Firm.
We had a blast at each wineries, and every is residence to heat, pleasant employees who will train you in regards to the native wines as they pour your glasses. You may go to both place and have a good time (although I like to recommend you make a reservation).
In case you’re on the lookout for a enjoyable, informal afternoon with associates, I cherished the welcoming environment at Carlson Creek.
In case you’re a severe wine aficionado, I discovered the wines at Aridus to be actually attention-grabbing and filled with surprises, and the expertise felt refined.
We additionally made a go to to Wine Lady Scottsdale, which isn’t a vineyard, however extra of an Instagrammable wine bar. If you’d like cute images out of your women’ journey, it is a good place to go. They even serve glittery “Barbie pictures” which can be a secret merchandise on the menu!
Step 9: Take a Self-Driving Automobile!
For essentially the most half, we took Uber to get round Scottsdale. Whereas the Lodge Valley Ho is in strolling distance of Previous City Scottsdale, it was so scorching in the summertime months that it was much more nice to simply get a fast Uber.
Then we received a really surprising pop-up whereas hailing an Uber: “Would you wish to attempt a self-driving automobile?”
WHAT?!?!
Seems Waymo, a self-driving automobile firm, has vehicles in operation in Scottsdale! You may hail them straight on the Waymo app, although they generally pop up as an possibility on the Uber app. (And it value the identical as an UberX, minus the tip.) Positive, we’d attempt it.
Guys. We SQUEALED the entire approach! It was so trippy!
From the second the Waymo drove up with my initials on its roof (!!), to the drive the place Jen tried to have a dialog with the nonexistent driver (“So, the place’re you from?…Obtained any eating suggestions?”), to waving goodbye to it with real nostalgia because it drove off to its subsequent journey, we cherished each minute of it.
So if you happen to’re as much as see what self-driving vehicles are REALLY like…Scottsdale is an efficient place to attempt it out. A fast five-minute drive round Previous City Scottsdale is a low-stakes journey.
Step 10: Plan Your Massive Night time Out
Again after we have been in our twenties, the 4 of us would frequently shut Vegas golf equipment at 4 AM — after which hit up the after-hours membership till 6 AM. Yeah, on the age of turning 40, that’s not taking place.
Fortunately, Scottsdale has loads of choices for elder millennials who wish to have enjoyable however don’t wish to be partying till daybreak.
We began by getting hair blowouts at Primp and Blow, which is among the few blow-dry spots in Scottsdale open previous 5:00 PM.
If you’d like some native coloration, The Rusty Spur is a enjoyable bar coated in greenback payments and that includes stay music. I truly visited each round noontime and on a Saturday evening, and most well-liked the extra low-key daytime environment.
Porter’s Western Saloon is unmissable, with its cow on the balcony — and upstairs they’ve a shark bait bar, full with inflatable sharks and bloody limbs!
The Grapevine is a legendary karaoke venue in Previous City Scottsdale, the place folks apparently get REALLY aggressive. Saturday evening was super-busy, however I might return within the afternoon for a extra low-key expertise.
Now, if you would like one thing REALLY native, head as much as Ernie’s Inn. This was a advice of our Uber driver — a brilliant native sports activities bar that has karaoke on one facet, seven nights per week! And nearly each music was nation!
Step 11: Witness a Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece
Scottsdale is residence to Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter residence and studio, which occurs to be a UNESCO World Heritage Website. In case you’re focused on design or structure, or simply needed to see one thing lovely, you must prioritize visiting right here.
Taliesin West is a superb instance of natural structure, constructed thoughtfully throughout the desert panorama, utilizing design to information mild and warmth and wind throughout the constructing.
All of us did the audio tour, strolling at leisure with our AirPods on, and we later agreed that one of many advantages of audio excursions is that you just don’t have to continuously nod and make eye contact with the information, exhibiting them you perceive.
Tip: Obtain the Taliesin West app earlier than you arrive, however you must ALSO obtain the tour throughout the app earlier than you arrive. Telephone sign will not be the strongest right here, and it took me a couple of minutes to obtain.
My favourite truth from the tour: Frank Lloyd Wright was born two years after the Civil Warfare ended and died two years after the Sputnik launch. Are you able to think about the modifications in expertise he witnessed over his lifetime?!
Step 12: Construct a Bloody Mary the Measurement of Saskatchewan
After Taliesin West, we headed for breakfast at Hash Kitchen — which was so enjoyable and zany, it deserves its personal part. This restaurant has a number of places all through Scottsdale.
This can be a restaurant that focuses on brunch — with an precise BRUNCH DJ. Sure, it’s 10:00 AM and the DJ is standing up there, spinning hip-hop prefer it’s essentially the most regular factor on the planet.
That and there’s a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar — nevertheless it’s taken to an excessive degree. (A Wisconsin degree, if you’ll.) You may customise your Bloody Mary one million alternative ways, and high it with every kind of pickled greens, cheeses, meats, even jalapeño poppers!
We cherished this place as a result of it felt like a celebration — undoubtedly for a brunch worthy of a women’ journey! They concentrate on totally different sorts of breakfast hash, and my chile relleno hash is among the greatest issues I ate in Scottsdale. I solely want we had room for the cannoli donuts.
Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier, I don’t suppose it is a great place for gluten-free of us, as every part is fried in the identical fryer, and the gluten-free menu choices are restricted.
Step 13: Chill Out with a Therapeutic massage
Scottsdale is known for its spas and rest — a lot that some folks affiliate it ONLY with spas and rest. And golf.
By now, if you happen to’ve made it this far, you already know the town is a lot greater than that. That stated, we DID wish to get some spa remedies, and we received some massages on the VH Spa at Lodge Valley Ho.
Due to it being summer time, the season of offers in Scottsdale, we received to take pleasure in Self-Care Sunday Remedies, which added on a bonus remedy to a therapeutic massage.
We loved our remedies (and a couple of of us could have fallen asleep through the post-massage foot reflexology remedy).
VH Spa gives massages, facials, and sweetness remedies, and has entry to a sauna. In case you guide a remedy for greater than 60 minutes, you get entry to the resort’s two out of doors swimming pools.
And if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing extra intensive, Scottsdale is residence to greater than 50 resort and spas, starting from fast drop-in spots to luxurious escapes.
Step 14: Discover Souvenirs You’ll Really Cherish
In my early backpacking days, I threw each cent I had into my journey fund and didn’t spend a lot on souvenirs (apart from the occasional low cost Southeast Asian beer model t-shirt). For years, my images have been my souvenirs, and I used to be so proud of that.
However now that I’m approaching 40 and I’ve a house, I like to select one thing good that I’ll truly use in my day-to-day life. Typically jewellery, or a print by an area artist. And BOY does Scottsdale have an excellent place for that.
The Merchantile of Scottsdale is a market in the course of Previous City Scottsdale that includes handmade works by 170 Scottsdale-area artisans. It’s like Etsy come to life.
I needed to purchase every part on this retailer — a lot cute jewellery, garments, and homewares! I ended up shopping for a cute little coin purse with “Good Vibes” beaded throughout it.
And do you want a present in your youngsters? Two of my associates have younger youngsters, so we headed over to Previous City Sweet and Toys to get them some items. This can be a nice little toy retailer with loads of Arizona-y items! They received them some little plush cacti, which the children cherished.
And if you happen to’re visiting Taliesin West, their present store is OUTSTANDING. It’s crammed with every kind of recent design items that may look so lovely in your house! Undoubtedly ensure you have time to browse the wares right here. I received just a few tea towels right here.
Step 15: Get pleasure from an Previous-Timey Cocktail Bar
I all the time love a cocktail bar with attention-grabbing, well-crafted cocktails, in addition to a totally-themed-out cocktail bar. It’s uncommon for a spot to do each effectively — which is why I so appreciated Platform 18 at Century Grand in Phoenix, simply down the highway from Scottsdale.
The theme of this place? It’s an old-timey practice automobile from 1924! No element goes neglected, from the artwork deco lamps on the tables to blue brocade curtains to the screens exhibiting you experience by the New York skyline within the Nineteen Twenties.
Now THIS is the place to avoid wasting in your ultimate evening in Scottsdale! I’m glad the 4 of us dressed up, as a result of it made our images so a lot better! And we received to spend our ultimate evening in Scottsdale reminiscing in regards to the good instances we had on our journey.
Beth truly received a cocktail with a bit of parmigiano reggiano perched on high — you have been alleged to nibble it in between sips, and the flavors balanced completely! I received a Negroni with a bit of chocolate on high that, once more, was simply excellent.
We additionally checked out the bar subsequent door, Undertow, which is themed like being on a decrease deck on an historic ship. I’d love to return to provide that one the eye it deserves. One other bar inside is Gray Hen Rx, which evokes a misty night in New Orleans.
Costs are on the upper finish right here (round $18-28 per cocktail, most round $20), and I feel it’s completely value it. Additionally they have beer, wine, and a small collection of non-alcoholic cocktails. They’ve restricted snacks, however make boozy chocolate truffles.
Step 16: Do One thing Cool on the Technique to the Airport
After we checked out of the Lodge Valley Ho the subsequent morning, we had just a few hours to do one thing cool earlier than heading to the airport. We determined to go to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.
What an unimaginable museum! We first walked into the Artist Gallery, that includes well-known musicians’ devices and memorabilia — like Prince’s purple piano, Ravi Shankar’s sitar, and Taylor Swift’s guitar.
Much more attention-grabbing have been the Geographic Galleries upstairs, which had shows from EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. Sure, full shows from Kosovo, Comoros, Kurdistan, you identify it. (Although Brunei, my least favourite nation, solely had a single drum, which sort of made me chortle.)
And the way did we hear all of the music? We received headsets when strolling in, and every time we have been standing in entrance of an exhibit, they might play the music.
We completely LOVED this museum and will have stayed there all day, studying about music from everywhere in the world, dancing in place. It actually is a gem in Arizona.
So if you happen to want one thing to do between Scottsdale and the airport — this is a wonderful alternative. And the employees are completely happy to retailer your baggage.
Trying Again Total
Now that I’ve had almost a month to course of this journey, I’m so glad we selected to go to Scottsdale. It actually was the right option to have a good time our fortieth birthdays.
I cherished how our women journey wasn’t as wild as our journeys in our twenties, nor was it overly lazy. Lots of people suppose women’ journeys are both a celebration weekend or a spa weekend — not true in any respect!
However this goes to indicate you may deliver your women collectively, discover an attention-grabbing metropolis in depth, eat superb meals, get round simply, and never want a trip after your trip!
And let me add another factor — lots of people thought we have been nuts for going to Scottsdale in the summertime (together with just about all of our Uber drivers), however we actually cherished Scottsdale in the summertime! The shortage of crowds and particular offers made it really feel like we had found a secret, and the warmth wasn’t that unhealthy!
Scottsdale was a blast, and I might return anytime. I’d even repeat this itinerary once more! I hope this helps you propose your personal dream Scottsdale journey. Even if you happen to’re not turning 40.
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