Discovering Scottsdale, Arizona: A Cool Hotel, Cocktails & Hidden Gems

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Arriving In Scottsdale, Arizona

When I got to Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona, it was a cool 82 degrees with a light rain. That felt great after the nearly 100-degree days back home in St. Louis. My rental car didn’t quite make it under the covered entrance before I handed it over to the valet. They were busy, and a few cars were ahead of us.

I didn’t mind the rain, though, because I had my hat, and it was a nice break from the heat. Funny enough, I thought I’d be coming to a hotter place, but Scottsdale turned out to be cooler than home. I’m not complaining!

A friend told me Scottsdale was the most interesting place in the Phoenix area, much more so than downtown Phoenix. When I found out I’d be in Phoenix for a conference, I decided to check it out and see if he was right. He was—it’s a pretty interesting place.

This was actually my third trip in three weeks. The first took me to the Colorado mountains, where I was trying to find a little peace after losing my dad. The second was to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a wedding. And now, here I was in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by desert instead of mountains.

This trip was for work, but I also realized these trips were becoming more for me; I still needed this time away. Each week, I got a little better at slowing down and enjoying the moment. I wasn’t there just to get through the next thing on my calendar. I was learning to relax a little, too.

Checking Into Hotel Valley Ho

My first stop was Hotel Valley Ho, a mid-century modern icon in Old Town Scottsdale. I was excited to see this place for myself.

Did you know Hotel Valley Ho has kept the same name since opening in 1956? The name came from a newspaper contest and was inspired by its nearby sister property, the Westward Ho in downtown Phoenix. Even as owners changed over the years, the name stuck.

Hotel Valley Ho has 241 rooms, two pools, a restaurant called Zuzu, and VH Spa. But for me, the real draw was a hotel with a little history and personality. Hollywood liked to come here to rest or get married, as in the case of Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood. They were married here in 1957, one year after the hotel opened. Many other celebrities used this hotel as a hideout as well: Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Bing Crosby, and even Zsa Zsa Gabor.

At check-in, I was asked, “Do you mind being on the second floor? You have to use the steps; we do not have elevators.”

That was fine with me. I noticed the cool mid-century modern concrete balconies and thought that would be nice.

I walked out of the lobby into the Central Courtyard and took the stairs to my room. It was starting to rain a bit more, but I didn’t care. Once I got inside my room, I looked around and loved it.

After settling in, my colleague and I headed to an event at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Our conference group had the entire museum to ourselves for the night. Have you ever seen a bunch of adults let loose in a children’s museum after hours? It’s actually a lot of fun. I bet your kids would love it, too.

Rooftop Cocktails in the Rain

After the event, we had about an hour before I wanted to call it a night. Just a couple blocks from the hotel, we spotted a rooftop bar and decided to check it out. I’m always on the lookout for rooftop bars when I travel. They’re usually easy to spot!

The Outsider Rooftop Lounge sits on the 7th floor of the Canopy Scottsdale hotel. We received a corner table with great views of downtown Scottsdale, Arizona, ordered cocktails, and settled in.

Then the rain started pouring.

But guess what?! The Outsider has covered areas with gas firepits right behind our table. So we hopped up and moved to one of those spots. We lit the fire pit and waited out the rain while enjoying our drinks and the view.

A Local Breakfast Recommendation

The next morning, we looked for The Morning Squeeze, a breakfast spot the waitress at The Outsider recommended.

Do you ever ask locals where to eat when you’re traveling? I do whenever I get the chance. Sometimes the best finds come from a casual recommendation rather than a list of places I researched before leaving home.  

Sitting at a high-top table right on the corner under the awning, we had a view of Old Town Scottsdale. I ordered the Barbacoa Omelet, with just the right amount of sweet corn and Tomatillo sauce. I loved the spicy, sweet take on my breakfast and the open-air table. It was covered overhead but open on the sides, letting the light breeze come through.

It was a great way to start the day before heading to the Convention Center.

I spent most of the day at the convention center, but I wanted to explore more of Old Town Scottsdale between the conference and the evening event.  

Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona: Cowboy Bars and Cocktails

I had heard of the Rusty Spur Saloon and walked by it, with live music spilling into the street. I didn’t go in. The music was too loud for me that afternoon!

But the Rusty Spur has quite a history. Established in 1951, it’s in a building that once served as a bank. The old bank vault is still there, although these days it holds beer instead of money. The saloon also calls itself Scottsdale’s “Last Cowboy Saloon.”

They have live music seven days a week, so if that’s your thing, you might want to stop in. It’s a well-known Old Town landmark, and I appreciate a place that has been around that long.

Sounds like a place I might enjoy under the right circumstances. But right now, I’m moving on!

I wandered around Old Town, checked out the shops, and made my way to The Beverly.

I had to stop here. For obvious reasons!

The Beverly is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, and with a name like mine, how could I not visit?

We arrived a little before opening. It was hot outside, but I made sure to snap a photo in front of the sign.

Inside, I loved the look of the place. Exposed brick walls and what looked like hand-painted signs with “Beverly” on many of them.

I ordered Two In The Pink, with vodka, passionfruit, and an edible flower. It was a real beauty. A great cocktail engages sight, smell, and taste. That is all part of the experience!

We chatted with the bartender, who was from Ohio, about how she was adjusting to the heat after moving to Arizona.

I also tried to get a few selfies in front of one of the Beverly walls. That’s when about 5 local women decided to help me out.

“I have to! It’s my name!” I told them.

They thought that was fun and jumped in to help take some pictures of me with my name plastered on the wall beside me. It turned into a fun moment with people I’ve never met before. And of course, I now have pictures to prove that I visited a bar with my name on it, The Beverly!

Pizza, Wine & a Little Timing Mishap

Finally, it was time for the evening event at the Arizona Science Center, another big networking party for the museum conference. We had the whole place to ourselves again. There is something fun about exploring these places after hours without the usual crowds.

There was just one small problem: I’d gotten the time wrong, and we arrived an hour early. We couldn’t get in yet.

Luckily, Pizzeria Bianco is right next door in the Heritage Square District, or The Square, in Phoenix.

We walked over to Bar Bianco, grabbed a glass of wine, and managed to get a table outside on the patio. That’s not always easy, from what I understand, since Pizzeria Bianco is quite famous and can have long waits.

Have you heard of it? I’d been here before, I think in 2018. I was again in town for a conference, and I reserved a table with clients. We also sat on the outdoor patio that visit. It has a reputation for exceptional pizza, and I was excited that this little timing mishap worked out perfectly, letting me visit a second time!

Chef Chris Bianco, the owner, helped turn pizza into a fine-dining experience.

The unexpected extra hour turned into a pretty nice stop. Sometimes getting the timing wrong works out just fine! Sometimes you just have to roll with it.

Afterward, we headed to our event at the science center and eventually made our way back to Hotel Valley Ho. It was a full day.

One Last Breakfast Before Heading Home

The next day was my last in Arizona, and it was time to head home. But first, breakfast. My favorite meal!

We went to JoJo Coffeehouse, another local spot someone in Scottsdale recommended. The place felt light and airy, a little posh, with strong coffee, a build-your-own omelet option, and Bourbon Pecan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes on the seasonal menu. We ate our fill and got ready for one last stop before the airport.

A Note From Bev— October 20, 2026: Since my visit, a tragic accident occurred at Taliesin West, resulting in the death of a visitor. My heart goes out to the person’s family and loved ones. The property is currently closed to the public until further notice. If you’re planning a visit, please check the official Taliesin West website for the latest updates before making plans.

Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Desert Home

The final stop on this trip was Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home in Scottsdale, Arizona. I’d already bought my ticket and chosen the self-guided audio tour so I could keep an eye on the time before my flight.

I love Wright’s architectural style, so I couldn’t wait to see this place. He established Taliesin West in the late 1930s as his desert home, studio, and architectural laboratory. It also became home to the Taliesin Fellowship, where aspiring architects learned through hands-on work, helping to build and maintain the property. And the apprentices paid to study with him!

The house looked like it belonged in the desert. His use of natural materials and how the buildings felt connected to the ground and the surrounding desert was amazing. I could have kept on exploring, but I had a flight to catch.

After wandering this remarkable desert home, we headed to the airport and back to St. Louis’s nearly 100-degree weather.

Was My Friend Right About Scottsdale, Arizona?

Scottsdale, Arizona, turned out to be a great place to stay and explore while I was away from the conference. Old Town was a highlight, and Hotel Valley Ho was just the kind of unique hotel with a story that I love to explore and sink into.

This was also my third trip in three weeks, each one taking me somewhere different. First, the Rocky Mountains, with views of the range and visitors like Chubbs the Bobcat; then the Blue Ridge Mountains and a wedding on the beach along the creek; and now the Arizona desert for work and historic Old Town. I was beginning to realize that getting away wasn’t just about seeing new places. It was giving me a little room to rest.

I was still dealing with losing my dad, but at some point, I found myself slowing down and actually appreciating the everyday moments. Maybe that’s what this whole journey is really about.

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