My first trip since COVID started over a year prior was to Scottsdale, a new-to-me city (and state of AZ) on my bucket list for a few years now. Scottsdale is known for its younger crowds, thanks to nearby ASU – the country’s largest university, a modern and upscale appeal, and a one-of-a-kind desert terrain unlike anywhere I’ve ever traveled to. That in and of itself was enough to be excited about, but it was also for one of my best friend’s bachelorette party. The best of both worlds…I got lucky! Before I get into all the details, I have a quick disclaimer: The bride and maid of honor did an amazing job planning this fun weekend so I can’t take ANY credit for finding these places or cute decor! Keep reading to see what we stayed, what we did, and where we ate and drank on our Scottsdale Bachelorette Weekend.
Where We Stayed
Although Scottsdale has many beautiful hotels, for a group, a vacation rental home always makes the most sense. We stayed at this Stay With Style Scottsdale house to be exact, but there are plenty of amazing homes to choose from. The house was stunning and perfectly comfortable for our size group of 10 girls.
The Itinerary
Friday – Arrivals & Dinner
Since the majority of us were traveling from the east coast, our flights had all arrived in time to get settled and ready to go out to dinner.
The first night, we went to dinner at the popular Diego Pops for their modern and playful twist on authentic Mexican and Southwestern favorites. It’s perfect for a Scottsdale bachelorette! They were not taking reservations, so make sure you plan ahead or try to go early to avoid waiting too long. We did have to wait for our tables, but fortunately they have an outdoor bar in the covered extended patio where you can order drinks and apps. The food was all really good, but the stand out to me was the prickly pear margarita. One of the girls and I were still talking about it at the wedding months later! Despite how busy it was, the vibe was perfect – lively enough to keep us awake but casual enough to be comfortable and have fun catching up with each other.
Saturday – Desert Jeep Tour, Pool Party, Dinner & Out
One of the most popular things to do in Scottsdale, especially for groups like a bachelorette, is the desert jeep tour. As a less adventurous/outdoorsy person, I was pleasantly surprised that this ended up being a highlight of the trip for me. There are many companies in town that offer these tours, available to book privately for larger groups like ours or to join at set times with other people, but we booked Off-Road Jeep Adventures and would definitely recommend them!
Based on our experience, I listed a few things that you should factor into your plans, packing, and deciding if this activity is right for you.
- Given the extreme heat in June and going to the desert where the heat feels its most intense, our guide was prepared and offered us some very helpful amenities. He had water bottles in an ice chest, and best of all, he offered us these “neck ice packs” I’ll call them that are dunked in the ice chest and fit perfectly around the back of your neck to keep you cool. They are soaking wet and dripping but we didn’t care because it was a huge help.
- Although the jeep is completely covered, it is still crucial to wear and reapply a high SPF.
- A secure hat and/or sunglasses are also highly recommended.
- Bring a bag with a secure closure for your belongings so they won’t fall out.
- Because it is off-roading, you should expect some pretty extreme bumps at times! It’s not constant, but those with motion sickness should sit closer to the front. I did and I felt fine.
- Use the restroom before you go because those bumps will not help, haha. I’ll leave it at that!
After the jeep tours, we jumped in the pool and hung out for the day. I loved these cute custom pouches the MOH found on Etsy!
For dinner, we went to the trendy and upscale restaurant, Toca Madera. For our size group, we had a custom pre-fixe menu for food that was pre-planned and paid for, and drinks were extra on our own. Similar to Diego Pops, the food was really good but the highlight for me was the Ghost Rider cocktail. They described it as a “mojito + margarita-ish,” which was pretty spot on. It also had cinnamon in it – an unexpected but game-changing treat! If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, Toca Madera is worth a visit. I loved how the cocktail menu was in a leather book, and the pages included handwritten notes from the mixologists. It’s definitely somewhere I would go back to on a future trip!
After dinner, we made our way over to Old Town Scottsdale, a couple of streets lined with bars and clubs where the ASU crowd frequents. I expected it to be more charming and special than it was, honestly.
Sunday – Brunch & Hang Out at the House
The next morning we went to brunch at SumoMaya, a Mexican Asian fusion restaurant with one of the best brunch deals I’ve ever seen. For only $32pp, you receive unlimited shared plates…literally unlimited! It never ended! It was the most food I have EVER experienced in one sitting. We all left so full because we wanted to try everything but something new kept being delivered to our table.
For the rest of the day, we hung out at the house and had two masseuses come over to give massages. Such a treat!
In Case You Missed It
- A Relaxing Girl’s Weekend in Clearwater Beach, FL – A low-key bachelorette trip!
- Where To Stay & Eat in Austin, TX and Where To Drink & What To Do in Austin, TX
- A 3-Day Weekend in Savannah, GA and A Couple’s Weekend in Savannah, GA
- A Guide to Charleston, SC
- My First Trip to New Orleans, LA
I hope this post helps to inspire your next girls weekend, bachelorette party or trip to Scottsdale. I look forward to going back to explore more, preferably in the winter or at least when it’s cooler!