On our annual girls trip this year, my cousin, mother and I ventured out to the desert town of Scottsdale, Arizona to get some sun. Although we had a couple of rainy days, we still managed to have some outdoor fun - visiting museums, art galleries and enjoying good food.

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We combined this trip with some hiking in Sedona. See my Sedona itinerary in 3 days.

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Day 1

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Scottsdale

Afternoon

We arrived in Phoenix and drove to our hotel, the Gainey Suites, in Scottsdale. This comfortable and modern all-suites hotel has full kitchens. Our two-bedroom suite was very large and had two ensuites. The rates include a simple breakfast and complimentary appetizers in the evening. They have a nice pool and outdoor patio area.

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Once settled we headed to the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens. These gardens offer beautiful displays of desert plants from around the world, and mainly from the south-western United States. There are several trails and special art exhibits. This is a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon.

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Evening

We had dinner at the elegant Lon's at the Hermosa Inn. This Paradise Valley inn and restaurant serves high-end, fresh Arizona fare. There is a gorgeous patio and an intimate dining room. The food is delicious and the service is excellent. Highly recommended.

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Day 2

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Morning 

We booked a tour at Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school of architecture. Today it is still the home of his school of architecture and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. It is a national historic landmark set in the desert foothills of Scottsdale. I am a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture so this was a real treat. On the tour we learnt about his life, his work and the construction of this contemporary house. Highly recommended.

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Afternoon

We had lunch at FnB Restaurant, a cute, little restaurant in downtown Scottsdale which has been acclaimed for it's creative Arizona cuisine. It is located in the charming Craftsman Court and is a hidden gem. The food was fresh, contemporary and delicious.

 

From there we walked around Old Town and headed towards the Scottsdale Arts District where we strolled around the little shops and independent art galleries. 

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Evening

We walked around an open-air mall and had a bite to eat there. 

 

Day 3

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Morning

After checking out of the hotel, we went to the Phoenix Art Museum. This is a wonderful gallery with a focus on American, Asian, European and Latin American modern and contemporary art.

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From there we drove to Roosevelt Row, which has many private galleries and cafes. We strolled around there for a little while before grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat and heading toward Sedona. See Sedona itinerary in 3 days.