Scottsdale Travel Guide

"Not as stuffy" as the competition, this "inviting" chophouse chain purveys "classic" steaks and sides in "relaxed", "clubby" digs conducive to both "business and romance"; "low-profile" service and an "excellent wine-by-the-glass program" add to its allure, but since "everything's à la carte", be prepared for "high-end" tabs.

"Not as stuffy" as the competition, this "inviting" chophouse chain purveys "classic" steaks and sides in "relaxed", "clubby" digs conducive to both "business and romance"; "low-profile" service and an "excellent wine-by-the-glass program" add to its allure, but since "everything's à la carte", be prepared for "high-end" tabs.

The "whole package is great" at this "high-energy", "high-decibel" North Scottsdale steakhouse: from the "lush and seductive" "old supper-club feel" to the "massive" portions of "first-rate", "juicy steaks" and "yummy sides" to the "wonderful wine list" (if necessary, procure a "third mortgage" to experience it all); "attentive service" can be found both in the dining room and at the "crowded" bar, the milieu of "huge martinis" and "older"-people "pickups."

While "not for purists", the "Americanized" Chinese fare offered at these outposts of the "midpriced" chain is "remarkably consistent" and "delicious" (as always, you "can't go wrong" with the "super-fine lettuce wraps"), so surveyors cut them "some slack"; besides, the "fun atmosphere" "beats takeout" any day, even though they're "noisy" and often "hard to get into."

While "not for purists", the "Americanized" Chinese fare offered at these outposts of the "midpriced" chain is "remarkably consistent" and "delicious" (as always, you "can't go wrong" with the "super-fine lettuce wraps"), so surveyors cut them "some slack"; besides, the "fun atmosphere" "beats takeout" any day, even though they're "noisy" and often "hard to get into."

"Good ol'" Western American "comfort food is elevated to gourmet" levels at this "classy cowboy" hangout in Scottsdale, where the "large portions match the prices" ("great bargains" can be found during the saloon's "super happy hour" when "outstanding 'big ass burgers'" are all the rage); though some dither it's "slipped" a bit, it remains as "upbeat" and "crowded" as ever.

"Zowie, it's like a trip to Maui!" cheer champions of these "bits of Hawaii in the desert", "popular" links in the chain offering Roy Yamaguchi's "upscale dinners at upscale prices" (starring "imaginatively prepared seafood"); while a few are "over the novelty", most just happily succumb to the "island magic" conjured from "professional" servers and "tropical" accoutrement like "tiki torches" and "mean mai tais."

"Still the gold standard" (with "sky-high" prices to match) for "satisfying steaks" "swimming" in "sizzling butter" and "generous portions of à la carte side dishes", this chain with branches in the Camelback Corridor and in Scottsdale is a "sure thing" for "expense-account" or "special-event" dining; "gracious service" and "wood-and-leather decor" complete the "upscale" package.

Offering "something different for Scottsdale", this "challenging but not too difficult" Scott Miller design is "a sea of green with lots of rolling fairways", and while the three nines feature "plenty of sand", they're nonetheless "wide-open" and "forgiving"; "tied to the Westin Kierland Resort", it's a "great facility" that's sure to "boost your ego" – but not your temperature, thanks to air-conditioned golf carts that are "a plus" "in July or August."

Offering "something different for Scottsdale", this "challenging but not too difficult" Scott Miller design is "a sea of green with lots of rolling fairways", and while the three nines feature "plenty of sand", they're nonetheless "wide-open" and "forgiving"; "tied to the Westin Kierland Resort", it's a "great facility" that's sure to "boost your ego" – but not your temperature, thanks to air-conditioned golf carts that are "a plus" "in July or August."

"Set amongst the pomp and splendor of The Phoenician", one of Arizona's top resorts, this "immaculate" 27-holer consists of three "relatively short" nines that are draped across "beautiful terrain" with "dramatic elevation changes" and mountain, desert and city views; it's "fun and challenging without being torturous" and boasts "fine service" too, but while it's "well worth a visit", be sure to "bring your credit cards and your friends' credit cards."

"Set amongst the pomp and splendor of The Phoenician", one of Arizona's top resorts, this "immaculate" 27-holer consists of three "relatively short" nines that are draped across "beautiful terrain" with "dramatic elevation changes" and mountain, desert and city views; it's "fun and challenging without being torturous" and boasts "fine service" too, but while it's "well worth a visit", be sure to "bring your credit cards and your friends' credit cards."

"I've rarely learned so much from one museum" is a typical reaction to this "world-class" institution in Downtown Phoenix that's revered as a "preeminent" showcase for "Native American culture" (arguably "the nation's best"), with displays and programs that explore the "history, arts and present status of Arizona's tribes"; the "remarkable" collection of Southwestern art – including "wonderful" kachina dolls – is best appreciated on one of the "great guided tours", and there's an "excellent gift shop" to boot; N.B. the offshoots in Scottsdale and Surprise are smaller but draw from the same permanent collection.

Offering "something different for Scottsdale", this "challenging but not too difficult" Scott Miller design is "a sea of green with lots of rolling fairways", and while the three nines feature "plenty of sand", they're nonetheless "wide-open" and "forgiving"; "tied to the Westin Kierland Resort", it's a "great facility" that's sure to "boost your ego" – but not your temperature, thanks to air-conditioned golf carts that are "a plus" "in July or August."

For "old-fashioned fun", "train enthusiasts of all ages" make tracks to this "clean, well-maintained" and "shady" park boasting model choo-choo displays and a museum, plus a few non-rail-related attractions, including an arboretum, Navaho hogans (dwellings) and an old-time carousel; "gracious, knowledgeable" staffers who love "sharing a good story" help make this one of "Scottsdale's finest parks"; N.B. the locomotive ride costs $1 per person.

"The epitome of desert golf", this "gorgeous", "immaculate" Weiskopf/Morrish design "cut through the rocks" near Scottsdale is an "absolutely outstanding" layout that will "wear you out" with its "demanding tee shots" and "forced carries" yet remains "playable" and "fair"; it's an "expense-account" option that "can play slow", but the "awe-inspiring views", "great grass driving range" and "wonderful service" help make it "worth the money"; P.S. the "signature 3rd has a 'monument' (boulder) in the fairway."

"Set amongst the pomp and splendor of The Phoenician", one of Arizona's top resorts, this "immaculate" 27-holer consists of three "relatively short" nines that are draped across "beautiful terrain" with "dramatic elevation changes" and mountain, desert and city views; it's "fun and challenging without being torturous" and boasts "fine service" too, but while it's "well worth a visit", be sure to "bring your credit cards and your friends' credit cards."

For "Southwest trinket shopping" you can't beat Scottsdale's original downtown, a "mixture of art galleries, jewelry stores and tourist junk shops" selling goods "ranging from cowboy chic to the downright tacky"; "straight off the set of a Western", it "beats a big mall" for finding "special things to bring home", but cynics note that "the shops all look the same after about two cowboy steps", so "don't plan on spending the day here."

Makes sense that a glass catwalk connects these two upscale clubs because most of the patrons resemble runway models; in-the-know, augmented trendsters pay one fee to access both Axis, which features a cigar bar, 10-ft. video screens, a private skybox and retro sounds, and Radius, a bootilicious dance club with a kaleidescopic lightshow where Latin music gets hips and feet moving on Wednesdays while techno, house and hip-hop rock the club world the rest of the week.

Jekylls and Hydes flip for this swank, if schizophrenic Med-Southwestern supper club near Kierland Commons where big spenders young and old gaze up at gigantic pillars, blood-red drapes, plasma TVs in ornate picture frames and a domed ceiling hand-painted in cherubs; after dinner, hipsters wash up with shower head--like bathroom faucets, the tables are cleared and a dance floor emerges where idols like Paula Abdul groove to retro-camp tunes from the Zowie Bowie Band.

Knock twice and give the password – or so it seems at this back-alley, Old Town speakeasy-cum--wine cellar featuring an unmarked back-door entrance, brick walls and wooden casks; the intimate, cavelike ambiance is enhanced by candles, overstuffed armchairs and dimly lit archways, where amid the darkness, oenophiles see the light in an astonishingly vast selection of grapes, sipped to twice-weekly live jazz.

A-listers like Michael Jordan, Halle Berry and Vince Vaughn share space with Old Town's most attractive, chiseled hotties at what might be Greater Phoenix's ultimate see-and-be-seen spot; all this thanks to terminally hip enticements such as dimly cool lighting that changes with the music, killer mojitos and unisex bathroom doors that fog up when locked – but reveal everything if left unlocked.