Even though I’m not a frequent hiker, I would consider it a crime to travel to Arizona without exploring at least one trail. Camelback Mountain is home to two of Scottsdale’s most visited trails, and for good reason.

I’m a firm believer that vacation calls for experimenting with new foods at trendy restaurants. I knew Scottsdale and Phoenix would have an abundance of these to choose from, each with its own unique vibe.

If you’ve never been to Arizona, you’ll come to love the dry desert heat, plethora of cacti and eclectic foodie scene the town has to offer. Written below is my travel guide on how to spend a long weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona.

When planning my trip to Phoenix, I had my sights set on a particular activity. Taking a hot air balloon ride has been a bucket list item of mine for a long time now, one that I was also terrified of doing. But when crafting an itinerary for the trip, I quickly realized that taking a hot air balloon ride over the desert in Phoenix had to move its way to the top of my bucket list.