Elaine's Favorites
As a professional realtor and long time resident of Arizona, I have been asked repeatedly for a list of my favorite places and things to do. This list is not all inclusive. Some of these you will find in guidebooks and websites and some you won’t. Have fun and call me if you get lost. And, if you have real estate questions while you’re visiting the Valley of the Sun, call me!
Please bring water with you whenever you are driving outside the towns and cities.
Shopping
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Gift Shop: Western Delights 480-488-6394
6268 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek (bldg. uphill from El Encanto)
Inexpensive gifts, not touristy, high quality - lots of Arizona made stuff, fabulous customer service.
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Western Wear: Cowtown Boots 602-548-3009
Location: 2710 W. Thunderbird Rd. - west of I-17 just north of the QT gas station
Reasonably priced boots, hats, jeans for the whole family. It’s a no frills store but worth the trip.
Food
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Breakfast: Flapjacks (Oaks Diner and Flapjacks) 480-488-5704
6219 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek—on the south side of the road, set way back, across from the Circle K on the left side. Can be crowded but they move pretty fast. Try the omelets, outside dining option.
Lunch/Dinner
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Views and Food: Tonto Bar and Grill 480-488-0698
5736 E. Rancho Manana Blvd. Cave Creek (north of Carefree Highway on Cave Creek Rd., go left as the road takes a hard right)
Reasonably priced, stunning views, everything is handmade. Service is great. Outside dining option.
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Quick Burger: Horny Toad: 480-488-9542
6738 E. Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek
Very casual, inexpensive: Try the Texas Torpedo hamburger. Outside dining option
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Mexican: X-Tapa Joe’s 480-513-9000
7500 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd. Scottsdale (east of the intersection of Pinnacle Peak & Scottsdale Rds)
Great food, prices and fabulous service. Chips are crisp and not greasy. Outside dining option. Can
be a little hard to find their parking lot so call if you get lost.
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Bar: Cartwright's for the bar 480-488-8031.
6710 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek
They pour a great drink and the clientele, as well as the help are very friendly. But, I’ve never had a good meal here.
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Country Dancing and Entertainment Buffalo Chip Saloon 480-488-9118
6811 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek
Free live bull riding on Friday nights. Families are welcome. They serve burgers and limited food. The band is great for two stepping and western swing Thursday –Sunday.
Get Out and Move
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Hiking: Sears Kay Ruins: price - free
Take Cave Creek Rd east out of town. The road will turn to dirt, keep going until you see the sign for Sears Kay on the right - about 2 miles after you leave the pavement.
This short hike will take you to an old Hohokam Village. It’s an easy 1 mile, self-guided hike. Picnic tables, restrooms, great views! After Sears Kay, continue driving up the road to Seven Springs(about a half hour). You’ll be glad you did.
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Spur Cross: price - free
In the town of Cave Creek: take Cave Creek Rd. to Spur Cross Rd, drive 4 miles east to the conservation area. Go past the horse stables to the parking area. Bring your camera. I like the hike that goes to the northeast up the hill. It can be steep but is worth the view. Even if you just drive out to the parking area, the views are beautiful.
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Zoo: Wildlife World Zoo 623-935-9453
Litchfield Park: 16501 W. Northern Ave. Call for directions. It’s north of the I-10 at the corner of the 303 and Northern Ave. They have a safari train, giraffe feeding, a boat ride, petting zoo and are opening an aquarium December 2008. Be sure to go when you can feed the parrots. It’s a blast and great for people of all ages.
Easy Day Trips
Wickenburg:
About an hour northwest of Phoenix. I-17 to Carefree Highway, west to US 60, go right, follow signs.
Western Town: Limited Shops and Restaurants.
Desert Caballeros Western Museum. 928-684-2272
A personal favorite. Great gun and cowboy memorabilia collection as well as western art and an early street scene collection in the basement : the kids will love this part.
Clarkdale, AZ: Approximately 1.5– 2 hours north of Phoenix
Verde Canyon Railroad Trip: 1-800-320-0718.
This is a 1/2 day trip and goes through the Verde Canyon. The views are stunning. It’s fun for the whole family. December through March you might be lucky enough to see the bald eagles in their nests on the cliffs. The eaglets are born in March. They have all types of trips year round.
All Day Trips:
Gem and Mineral Collectors: Quartzite AZ. - West on I-10.
You can go anytime of year, but January is the best since there are people from all over the world selling gems and minerals for great prices. Just go and you’ll find them. Call me if you want to know my favorite vendors out there. Pack water and snacks. It’s a long drive but well worth it.
The desert in it’s natural state: Four Peaks - North on Highway 87 from Fountain Hills (east side), Go past Bush Highway, to fire road 143 (FR143), go right and follow to the parking lot, then head north. This trip can be made in a car but it’s better with a high profile vehicle. It’s not for the feint of heart, the really old or really young. It’s an all day trip, there are no amenities, the road is rough in places, but the views are spectacular. The first time I ever went to Four Peaks, we saw a tourist in a Neon (a car about the size of a tennis shoe) driving around up there and we were in a competition 4 wheel drive truck.
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