The Best Scottsdale Arizona Travel Blog | Ultimate Itinerary

Traveling to Scottsdale Arizona

Depending on where you’re traveling, I highly suggest renting a car when visiting Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s the type of city that has parking everywhere, and it’s a bit spread out, so having a car made it much easier to get around. If we had used Uber or Lift, the cost would have possibly been more expensive. In Arizona, many activities start at 5 am to beat the heat and catch the sunrise. Waiting for a ride around that time may not be ideal, so I highly recommend renting a car when you arrive at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Scottsdale is only fifteen minutes from the airport, so it’s so convenient to travel there.

Visiting Scottsdale, Arizona, in The Summer!

I know visiting Scottsdale in the hottest months may sound like a turn-off, but it’s the best time if you want to experience Scottsdale with fewer people, and you can get amazing deals on hotels and activities. Even the flights are cheaper during the summer months. I’m talking about 60% off rates during the “It’s That Hot” season!
 
 

Best Resorts in Scottsdale

We stayed at three different resorts while visiting Scottsdale. I love the idea of switching resorts and getting a new experience every couple of days. Since the trip was right after our wedding, we started with the gorgeous Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa to kick off our honeymoon.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Sanctuary Resort is tucked away with stunning views of Camelback Mountain. This is a Scottsdale luxury resort that you must add to your travel plans. If you’re looking for a resort to relax and never leave, you can definitely do that here. As if the incredible food and infinity pool aren’t enough, they have a relaxing spa, tennis courts, yoga classes, and more. And, of course, I wouldn’t be properly flexing if I didn’t mention that celebrities like Beyoncé and Jay-Z spent their honeymoon at the glamorous resort.

When we first got to Sanctuary, we were greeted by staff who helped us check-in, and they took us to our spa suite on a golf cart. The service at this resort was incredible. They offered a texting service if you needed anything, and they would occasionally text you to see how you were doing and if they could offer any assistance. I loved that.

The spa suite was like having a mini luxury apartment at the resort. The decor was vibrant yet modern, and the huge private patio had mountain views. Our room had a fireplace for a cozy champagne night and a private outdoor soaking tub. Next to the fireplace, a stocked bar with a fridge, a Nespresso maker (perfect for 5 am risers looking for coffee), and the resort surprised us with a congratulatory bottle of champagne and charcuterie to kick off our honeymoon. This resort goes above and beyond to make guests feel special and well taken care of.

Breakfast at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

You can grab breakfast at Elements, but since we dined there in the evening, we decided to order breakfast in our room. I wanted to sit out on the day bed with my coffee and breakfast before spending my morning at the spa. I’m going to come right out and say it. Usually, room service at a hotel is never that great, but here at Sanctuary, it was exceptional. The menu had a lot of options, which made it hard to decide. I ordered the acai bowl, and it was easily the best acai bowl I’ve ever had. It was even better than the ones I had when I was visiting Hawaii. The bowl had mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, banana, and toasted coconut chia crunch over a blended acai smoothie. The flavors were phenomenal, and the fruit was so fresh! I ordered bacon and potatoes on the side, and it was everything I could have dreamed of and more. It was the perfect way to start our first morning in Scottsdale.

Scottsdale Hotel With The Best Views

The sunrises and sunsets at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain are some of the most beautiful views you’ll ever catch. Make sure to take the time to look up sun hours and witness the beautiful views for yourself. I took my coffee to go in the morning to catch the views by the pool, and Kyle and I enjoyed the sunset while swimming! We love catching an early dinner and ending the day with a swim, and of course, the sunset over the mountains made it even more dreamy.

The Best Restaurant in Scottsdale

Whether you’re staying at Sanctuary or not, you better get a reservation at Elements Restaurant immediately. Who would have thought that the dinner at our resort would have been the best food we had on our trip? And that’s a huge statement considering everything we ate in Scottsdale was a 10/10. I never realized how much of a foodie town Scottsdale was until traveling here. Usually, when I travel places, I don’t leave with every single restaurant 100% satisfied, but for the first time, Scottsdale did that!

Elements Restaurant at Sanctuary Resort Scottsdale Arizona

We spent the entire day traveling from Charlotte to Scottsdale, Arizona. After a mediocre chicken salad wrap and a bag of goldfish at the airport, I was ready for some real food. We headed to our reservation at Elements Restaurant at the Sanctuary Resort, only a few steps from our suite. I didn’t realize how much of a treat we were in for. When you tell them it’s your honeymoon, they take that kind of seriously. They put us at one of the best tables in the restaurant’s corner, with the open glass window perfect for catching the sunset over Paradise Valley as you sip on delicious cocktails and crunch on tasty appetizers.

Elements Restaurant is a farm-fresh American cuisine with Asian accents crafted by Chef Beau MacMillan, a Food Network star! He works hard to create a seasonal menu incorporating local and organic produce, sustainable seafood, and hormone-free meat. If you’re looking for luxury dining that is both cozy and romantic, Elements is your spot.

Coming from someone who never orders many cocktails, you MUST try the Red Panther! To be honest, I ordered it because it was pretty and peach-flavored. I was not expecting it to taste so irresistible. The Red Panther is made with tequila, grilled peach, maple & red wine bitters. It wasn’t too sweet, and the maple flavors were very subtle. Maybe it’s because I live in the south, but I really appreciated the art of adding grilled peaches to a cocktail.

What to order at Elements Restaurant Sanctuary Resort

We didn’t skimp out on the food here. We both knew this could be our only chance ever to eat here, and we wanted to make this moment count, so we went headfirst into the appetizers.

We started with the Ahi Tuna Crudo. This dish was definitely on the lighter side of the appetizer menu. It came with Asian pears, ninja radishes, shishito peppers, avocado crema, hibiscus, & watermelon aguachile. I loved this dish’s light and refreshing flavors, and somehow all the different textures complimented each other flawlessly.

Best Resort Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona 

I love an early morning spa treatment. It just sets the tone for the day, not that I needed help setting the tone in a paradise zone like this. After finishing up my acai bowl and taking my last few sips of coffee outside on our porch, I headed to the Spa at Sanctuary. While I had a relaxing morning getting pampered, Kyle headed to his happy place, the fitness center. I was so impressed with their gym! It was more equipped than our local YMCA.

When I walked into the spa, I immediately turned on my ASMR tone. Everyone was so zin and quick to help me feel welcome. If you’re anything like me, the thought of going to a spa instantly gives you anxiety. It’s hard to navigate a spot that’s new without the fear of ruining someone else’s zin. While still extremely relaxing, the Spa at Sanctuary was a place to enjoy with girlfriends and laugh if you needed to, and everyone was so inviting.

After checking in, I was given a tour and then my own locker with a robe, shoes, and fresh towels. I took a quick shower and then headed to the lounge, where I sipped on the most delicious passion tea and waited for my massage therapist to come to meet me. We walked across a beautiful walkway with stone rocks and fountains before entering the massage room. The meditation garden and reflecting pond have a way of relaxing you just by looking at them. It was so relaxing and exactly what I needed after a stressful wedding week!

After my massage, I headed to the jet tub, where I met some of the sweetest ladies traveling all the way from Georgia (my neighboring state!) It was such a fun morning, and booking a day at the Sanctuary Spa is a must! They have so many signature experiences to choose from, and you deserve to treat yourself!

 
We were both excited about having a pool day after meeting back up. We lucked out with two of the best seats next to the pool. Once you arrive at the pool during the day hours, a pool attendant gets you set up on your pool chairs. They add seat covers with fresh towels, pour you a pitcher of water, offer an umbrella, and get you started with a menu! It’s the best service ever.

Lunch by the Pool Sanctuary Camelback Resort 

I don’t know how they manage to do it, but the pool is still cold, even on a 115-degree day. This was the best way to cool off while visiting Scottsdale during the summer. We would get cooled off in the pool and then go back to our chairs. We had to do this every 30 minutes to tolerate the heat. I highly recommend getting a spot with an umbrella. I have no idea how people can lay out in the sun when it’s so hot! I was covered in sunscreen head to toe, and my hat was big enough to cover a village.

Being able to order lunch by the pool without going anywhere to get it is so convenient. We ordered the Little Gem Chicken Caesar Salad and it came with croutons, caper berries, cracked black pepper, Parmesan Reggiano, and caesar dressing. And since we were too healthy by ordering a salad and an AZ Sunrise Protein Drink, we opted for the Hand Cut French Fies with a Truffle Mayo. There’s something about french fries by the pool; they just hit differently, especially these. They were SO CRISPY yet so juicy in the middle. Have you ever heard anyone describe a french fry like that? And the truffle mayo was the perfect touch to these fries, and obviously with ketchup, too. Advice: Do not skip the french fries. The only part I didn’t like about the Sanctuary resort was checking out. It was tough to get myself to leave this place! Our experience there couldn’t have been any better. No matter what we wanted, they had it. We left feeling extremely relaxed and a little on the heavier side (if you know what I mean!)

Best Coffee Shops in Scottsdale, Arizona

Before traveling, I always map out at least five coffee shops I want to visit. Scottsdale had so many good contenders that we ended up trying out ten of them. One of the spots was recommended by many readers, Prep & Pastry!

Prep & Pastry – Scottsdale Arizona Coffee Shop 

After a 5:15 am morning hike at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, we were ready for coffee and breakfast. Prep & Pastry is the cutest spot, with locally sourced brunch-style food on the menu. They also have a case of freshly baked goods.

But first, I started with an oat milk cappuccino. It was creamy and delicious. For my breakfast, I ordered guacamole toast. It was heavenly! It came with smashed avocado, scrambled eggs, jalapenos, radishes, cojita, and chipotle crema served on August Rohodes sourdough bread.

I had the absolute time of my life horseback riding in the Sonoran Desert Macdonald Ranch. I was shocked to hear that this was Kyle’s favorite activity on the trip. I didn’t take him for a horseback riding type of guy. After 5 1/2 years of being together, this was our first time riding horses. I have a feeling we’re going to make this a must for all of our future trips.

What to Know about Horseback Riding in Arizona

Don’t be late! It takes about twenty minutes to drive out to the ranch if you’re staying in Scottsdale. Unless you’re taking a private riding lesson, it’s courteous to get there at least fifteen to twenty minutes before your riding time. It takes a few minutes to get everyone signed in, paired with a horse, and given the rundown. If you’re late and people have to wait on you, then you’ll miss the morning rising of the sun, and no one is going to like you (jk, but kind of not kidding.)

Make sure to wear pants, close-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and ice-cold water!

Don’t worry if you’ve never been horseback riding before! It’s easy to learn, and they will provide you a horse that’s good for beginners. You can also choose to wear one of their provided helmets if you want.

Call at least 24 hours in advance to book your ride! 
   
 I know I went a little overboard on horseback riding photos, but when do I not go overboard?

Our trail guide was the best! He chatted with everyone the entire time, and he also took phones from people to capture shots while riding! The website does not tell you to tip your guides, but make sure you do! They work hard not only while guiding you but behind the scenes.

We rode through gorgeous trails, passing cacti and mountain views, and since it was so early in the morning, the weather was perfect. MacDonald’s Ranch has been a big part of the Scottsdale community since 1956. It’s owned by the Richardson Family, and it was enjoyable to hear about all the famous people who have visited and which horses they rode. It was funny to learn that Lil Wayne’s mom rode the horse Kyle was on. I think it’s really amazing how a family business like this has grown successfully over the years and the joy it has brought to many travelers!

The Macdonalds Ranch has a lot of fun events throughout the year! When I saw they had a pumpkin patch, I almost booked my flights. It’s also a great place to host kids’ birthday parties.

Please make sure to add horseback riding at Macdonalds Ranch to your Scottsdale itinerary! You will not regret it. 
 
It’s hard for me not to start a conversation about a restaurant in this post without using the word “favorite.” Scottsdale just didn’t disappoint on the food scene.

The Herb Box Scottsdale Arizona

Do yourself a favor and just make a list of all the restaurants I’ve mentioned and try them out. The Herb Box in Old Town Scottsdale was my kind of food. The Crispy Brussels Sprout Chips are a must. Ask for extra vegan yellow pepper aioli because it’s so good that you’re left wanting more. I had them bring me a side of it so that I could use it with my meal.

Please do not leave without getting the Flourless Chocolate Cake. It’s heavenly! It’s served with coconut ice cream and berries. The berries are just there as an obstacle to slow you down from eating the actual dessert We had it with an iced coffee and an oat milk cappuccino for our afternoon pick-me-up.

The next on our itinerary was visiting the Desert Botanical Garden! Make sure to visit early morning during the summer because it gets super hot! We walked the five thematic trails browsing all the gorgeous aridland plants. I’ve never seen so many cactuses in my entire life! I didn’t even know pink cactuses were a thing. It’s amazing to see the beautiful plants that thrive in one of the hottest and driest places in the world.

What to do in Scottsdale, Arizona

 
 

Desert Botanical Garden

You can also check the event calendar for drinks and live music nights.

The garden trails are so beautiful, and you can tell the volunteers and staff work so hard to keep it in tip-top shape for visitors. Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance and schedule your time slot. You can also call ahead to see if they have availability at the last minute.


I had Berdena’s coffee shop on my radar while browsing coffee shops in Scottsdale. It’s the cutest little spot with delicious coffee. I loved the design of this place. It was minimal but had fun tile and wallpaper. It’s located right in Old Town Scottsdale, so you can either enjoy your breakfast in the air conditioning or take it to go while walking around all the local shops.

Berdena’s Coffee Shop in Old Town Scottsdale AZ

They offer freshly baked goods, juices, kombucha, crafted coffee drinks, and more.

I ordered an oat milk cappuccino and their chia and berry parfait. It was all so delicious!
 


The next hotel we stayed at was Hotel Adeline! Talk about a fun aesthetic! Hotel Adeline in Old Town Scottsdale is one of the cutest Boutique Hotels with an eclectic style and photo-ready no matter what spot you’re hanging out in.

Hotel Adeline is such a fun spot for visiting with your girlfriends or if you’re looking for the ultimate pool-day vacation. The prices are super affordable, and the location is super convenient.

Hotel Adeline in Scottsdale, Arizona

This boutique hotel has been completely renovated and keeps the vibe of a Motel, which I love! Hotel Adeline has 213 guestrooms, delicious restaurants, and a giant pool with a bar, live music, lawn games, and cabanas.




 
We had breakfast twice at Selfmade at Hotel Adeline because it was so good! The chef was so nice. Kyle asked for hardboiled eggs, and he came by and gave kyle all his extras since he wouldn’t be using them the rest of the day. I’m one always to appreciate little gestures like that.

Breakfast at Hotel Adeline – Selfmade

We ordered the avocado toast, the fresh parfait with blueberries and bananas, coffee, orange juice, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and oatmeal. And we also ordered it again the next day. The food is so good! As I said before, nothing I tried in Scottsdale let me down, even the hotel food!

 
  
Since we were still on our Eastcoast time, Kyle and I spent our morning at the pool! Apparently, everyone sleeps in because we had the pool to ourselves. I love that the pool supplies towels, so you don’t have to worry about getting fresh ones or packing them while you travel.

Poolside Hotel Adeline

Honestly, if we didn’t have plans for the day, we would have stayed at the pool most of the time, sipping frozen drinks. No matter how hot it gets, you always feel refreshed after diving into the pool. Hotel Adeline just had the best colorful Arizona vibes! I loved this spot.

Hotel Adeline is a great spot for any traveler! We absolutely loved staying there, and the inviting pool scene was my favorite part.

Fourtillfour is such a cool walkup cafe located in an old garage. The coffee is roasted in-house, which means you can smell the delicious aroma a few blocks away. This was a fun spot to get our afternoon coffee fix.

Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop

I love the story of how Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop came about. It’s owned by the sweetest mother/daughter duo, who both share a love for baking. Danielle, the daughter, also known as “Sweet Dee,” started baking special treats and cakes out of her kitchen at a young age. I can totally relate to this because that’s how I started paying for things in my first year of college. She outgrew her home kitchen and worked hard with her mom to create her very own bakery and cafe.

Best Bakery In Scottsdale, Arizona

There are SO MANY pastries to choose from. Whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free, they have something for you! The coffee was also exquisite. I had an almond milk cappuccino and Kyle had an iced coffee. It was absolutely perfect with my gluten-free Samoa tart. Sweet Dee’s has won “Best Gluten-Free Bakery” by Phoenix New Times.

Gluten-Free Dessert Scottsdale, Arizona

Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop is known for its theme events. They have fun-themed treats for Disney, Harry Potter (a customer favorite), Star Wars, and more! You can also order custom-baked goods to fit your event at Sweet Dee’s! This is such a gem of a place or Scottsdale.
  
  
 
You better come with an appetite because you’re going to want to eat everything at The Hash Kitchen. OH MY GOSH, this place has EVERYTHING you could imagine on the menu. If you’re ever with a group of people that is made up of picky eaters, diet restrictions, or the group is craving different cuisines, well, this is YOUR SPOT! It took us a good twenty minutes before we could decide on what we wanted.

What should you absolutely order? The Cannoli Donuts. The waiter said we had no choice, and he wasn’t wrong! Like, it’s a must! The Cannoli donuts are fried to order sweet dough stuffed with sweet cannoli cream and topped with powdered sugar. These are better than any cannoli you’ll ever have. The texture, the flavors, and even the presentation were just simply perfect.

The Hash Kitchen 

Kyle ordered the Chicken Tinga Frittata! It comes with chipotle-braised chicken breast, caramelized onions, blistered shishito peppers, cotija, avocado, crema, green chili salsa, and breakfast potatoes.

I ordered the creamy kale Caesar salad because it just sounded so good! It came with creamy caesar dressing, Parmigiano cheese, garlic toast, and grilled chicken. One of the best kale caesar salads I’ve ever had.

The BEST Brunch Spot in Scottsdale

We also decided to get our fruit fix by ordering Giuliana’s Ah-Sigh-Ee bowl! YUM!!!! The acai base tasted like ice cream. It was topped with blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, bananas, dried coconut, granola, and peanut butter! It was LOADED! I highly recommend ordering one for the table to split. Mmm!

I also had the french press coffee with my meal

 
After a sweltering pool day, Kyle and I were ready to do one of our favorite activities, yup! Visit another coffee spot. It’s funny. I never thought he’d enjoy this as much as I, but once he started drinking coffee, he finally gets it.

Provisions Coffee Scottsdale Arizona Coffee Shop

With a quick google search, we found Provisions Coffee.

I loved all the options they had in their baked goods section. We chose the blueberry muffin and the banana maple loaf. The banana maple loaf was THE BEST!! I’d definitely stop back in there again just to pick this up. It went perfectly paired with my oat milk cappuccino!

Kyle ordered a peach sparkling tea! It was super unique. It’s a 24-hour cold-brewed carbonated tea! I actually really liked it. It would have been even better with some kind of fruit purée added in!


Everyone messaged me about trying The Mission Old Town Scottsdale! I totally understand the hype.

When you walk in, the decor surprises you. I thought it would be a bright and airy spot with crazy colors, but instead, it was cozy and extremely inviting. Something about warm lighting in Scottsdale helps with the heat, and the candle lighting made this spot PERFECT romantic for a date night.

The food? HOW DOES THE FOOD JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER? Usually, I can complain about something on a trip, but Scottsdale left me hanging. Everything was top-notch, and I’m not just saying that. Scottsdale has hit my top spot for the best food. PERIOD.

The Mission Old Town Scottsdale 

Make sure to get a reservation. We went on a weeknight, and it was pretty packed, but isn’t that a good sign that it’s the place to be? The Mission is located right in Old Town Scottsdale. You’ll find the best Latin cuisine with flavors coming in from Spain, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Fill up on all the homemade sauces, tortillas, and fresh salsa that are made daily! The meats are prepared on a plancha or grill using pecan and mesquite wood that makes sure the meat gets the ultimate flavor!

I was excited to try the Prickly Pear Primarita! It had  El Mayor Reposado, organic agave nectar, pressed limes, Milagro Blanco tequila, prickly pear juice, hand-pressed lime, and agave.

The Best Kale Salad in Scottsdale, Arizona

I ordered the Tostadas! It came with chicken thighs, black beans, ham hock, cotija, ají rocoto, and crispy handmade corn tortillas. And the grilled street corn is also a must (you can order everything without cilantro, which I was happy about), and its skewered corn, butter, chile, ají rocoto, cilantro, and cotija.

Old Town Scottsdale Gelato Tour with Joy Rides AZ

We had an absolute BLAST! Not only did we learn so much, but we tried out a ton of gelato from local shops. We did the gelato tour, which is totally up my alley! You can do wine tours, bbq tours, beer tours, bachelorette tours, and more! There’s really no other way to explore Old Town Scottsdale better!

Honestly, the owners are so amazing that if you reached out to them with an idea for a tour, they’d probably do the research and set it up for your group! She was the absolute best and such a joy to hang out with.

  

Explore Old Town Scottsdale 

You don’t even have to worry about bringing your camera or phone. She took many photos of us and then sent them to us afterward! I thought that was such a nice gesture. Every time we passed a building or drove down a street, we were filled with fun facts and history about them. We also got a lot of recommendations while riding around.

  
 

Best Gelato Spots in Scottsdale, Arizona!

We stopped at three gelato spots, and they’re all equally amazing!

The Gelato Spot 

I ordered the pistachio almond and Kyle ordered Captain Crunch! They had SO MANY flavors, which made it hard to pick. The gelato counter was absolutely endless.

Gelato Cimmino

We ordered the Peanut Butter! It was so rich and delicious! It was like pure fudge. The decor in this spot was so cute. The black tile floor makes for the perfect gelato photo.

Yellow Spruce Roasters

I tried the Prickly Pear! It was so refreshing and light! We also had their coffee, which was equally delicious. The owner was so friendly, and they have a super convenient location right in Old Town Scottsdale. Make sure to grab a coffee and walk the shops all around.

There’s nothing better than sipping an iced coffee and eating gelato while cruising around Old Town Scottsdale! Please add Joy Ride AZ to your itinerary. It’s so worth it. I’m usually one to never book tours, but this has made me think otherwise!

 


The next resort we stayed at was Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale! The resort was originally built in 1959 but was completely rebuilt in 2017! I was obsessed with the concrete floors paired with a luxury mid-century style interior. The mountain views in this resort are stunning, and as soon as we walked out of our room, we were on a lawn facing the mountains. They even have yoga on the lawn with that view! Even when you’re in the pool, you get gorgeous mountain views.

Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

I told Kyle that I really wanted to design our bedroom after the Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale room. I loved how the bed had the nightstands attached to all the outlets. We usually have to run around the house trying to find the chargers. The room was bright and airy but also warm in cozy! The room had floor-to-ceiling windows/doors that lead out to a patio with mountain views, and if you wanted to nap during the day, you could pull the giant room-darkening drapes across them. I took about a thousand photos so I could bring this design inspiration into my own home.

Best Resort For Activities Scottsdale Arizona

We arrived at the resort really early. We checked out of our other resort but needed a place to put our luggage since you never want to leave anything in a hot car in Arizona. The hospitality at Mountains Shadows Resort is everything you could dream of! The kind lady working the desk was so helpful and so friendly! She said she could check to see if there was a room ready for us, and she got us checked in early to put our bags away before heading out for the day. And when we got back, she handed us water bottles to take with us. She was just so kind, and it felt so nice to be welcomed into a resort like that.

This resort is the ultimate! You can join a fitness class, or yoga session, play golf, hang out by the pool, or join a special event on the calendar!

 
 
You know what I’m going to say, “another resort restaurant with one of the best meals in Scottsdale! “

Hearth ’61

Kyle and I got cleaned up after hanging around the Mountain Shadows pool and headed to dinner at Hearth ’61, the restaurant located to the left of the lobby. I loved the exposed kitchen, where you could watch the chefs hard at work, and the aromas from the stovetops made me even more hungry! Hearth ’61 serves modern American cuisine, which is actually my favorite cuisine. Serve me salmon, farm-fresh salads, and potatoes for the rest of my life, and I’ll be content!

Renowned Chef Charles Wiley knows what he’s doing! He keeps the seasonal food simple yet powerful in flavor. The dishes are made with local ingredients from surrounding farms. Our food was so flavorful and decadent, yet light and fresh.

I needed to cheers for the mountain views from our table, so I ordered a margarita! Something about Arizona makes me want to drink margaritas. It had tequila, pomm juice, Cointreau, lime juice, and grapefruit & orange bitters. So refreshing!

I highly recommend letting your server guide you through the menu. Whether you like corn or not, corn soup is an absolute must. It’s really flavorful and rich, so you can definitely share it. It comes with a queso fresco and a summer pico. I’ve never tasted anything like it. We found ourselves grabbing the bottom of the bowl with the fresh bread they placed on our table.

We ordered the organic green salads as a starter. The combo of the ingredients made it so light and refreshing! The salad had organic greens salad, chèvre, green apples, radishes, and hazelnuts.

The pan-roasted salmon was unmatched. Salmon is one of my favorite foods, but I don’t like it smoked, and a pan fried usually doesn’t spark my interest. But if it were pan-fried the way Chef Charles Wiley has it done in his kitchen, then I’d order it more often! The outside was so crispy, and the middle was flaky to perfection. The mustard hollandaise sauce paired perfectly with it, and the side of brussels sprouts and caramelized onion gnocchi topped off the dish nearly to perfection.

The BEST Dinner with Mountain Views Scottsdale Arizona

Kyle ordered the Niman ranch tenderloin of beef with a red wine demi, bleu cheese fondue, and truffled mash. We always try each other’s meals, so I can happily confirm that it was amazing! I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I even tried the bleu cheese fondue, and it’s actually something I would order! I am not a bleu cheese person, but this tasted so soft and creamy! I don’t think you can go wrong with whatever you order from Heart ’61. They obviously know what they’re doing back there!

We didn’t get much of a choice if we wanted dessert or not  Our server brought us out the most amazing dessert tray! It was absolutely art. It couldn’t have come at a better time because I was trying to decide whether I wanted something citrusy, chocolatey, or ice cream.

Our tray had three incredible desserts. We had a fudge brownie topped with buttered popcorn, mousse ganache, popcorn crumble, and an orange pop gastrique. We had a pina colada semifreddo with a rum-soaked coconut sponge, Brulee pineapple, granola, and caramel sauce. The last one was a fennel apple tart with brandy caramel, oat crumbles, and vanilla bean gelato. This dessert tray covered everything I was craving! My tastebuds were going wild with all the different flavors and textures. I can usually pick out a favorite dessert, but I couldn’t hear. Honestly, you’re better off just ordering all three of them. We had a fridge in our room, so we just brought the leftovers back with us!

Even if you don’t stay at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, definitely stop at Heart ’61 for dinner! The views are so worth it, and the food just speaks for itself.

 

  
The summertime in Scottsdale should be spent at the pool! Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale has an amazing pool with mountain views, cabanas, and poolside service! Want a drink but don’t want to leave the pool? Well, no problem! We were able to order margaritas and cucumber lemonade while floating around on a tube. And again, with the hospitality here, they were so nice and always checked in on you! Make sure to bring cash because they deserve all the tips in the world after running around in the heat.

Lunch in the Cabana at Mountain Shadows Resort

I highly suggest renting a Cabana at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale for a morning/lunch day! We did an early morning hike and then headed down to the pool to cool off and relax for the day. The cabana has a t.v., a fridge, couches to lounge on, a fan, and drapes to block off the sun. It’s totally worth it! The pool is 75-foot and connected by a modern waterful feature in the middle. Its views of Camelback Mountain and the surrounding desert make the scenery almost feel like a movie set!

For our poolside lunch, we ordered the organic greens salad, avocado toast loaded up with a poached egg on noble bread, roasted poblano, queso fresco, pickled onion, and watermelon radishes. We also had sliced fruit on the side! I love healthy and refreshing food when I’m at the pool, and the lunch menu was impressive. I mean, look at that avocado toast!

We ordered two of the lightest and most refreshing drinks on the menu, a classic margarita and the cucumber lemonade! You can also order frozen drinks too, but those are dangerous for me

We had so much fun hanging out at the pool! The Mountain Shadows Resort was a wonderful time, and we would stay there again in a heartbeat!
 
Another coffee shop? Oh yes! I will put together a separate blog with just Scottsdale Coffee shops to make navigating them easier, but it’s not an ultimate “simply taralynn” travel guide without coffee shops! We tried out Black Rock Coffee Bar, and it was delicious!

Black Rock Coffee Bar

Black Rock Coffee Bar was another spot recommended by readers! I’m so lucky to have you all hand over all the great suggestions, and they never disappoint. This coffee shop isn’t in Old Town, but it has parking, a drive-through, and so much indoor seating for escaping the heat.

We ordered a cold brew, an oat milk cappuccino with mocha, and a blueberry muffin! Super delicious, and I loved the flavor of the coffee!


Dining at FRANCINE in Scottsdale is a MUST! I’ve never seen anything like it. The airy luxury-french decor is stunning! The restaurant radiates the rustic charm of le midi, which is the homeland of celebrity chef-owner Laurent Halasz. If you have a Scottsdale trip coming up, open a new browser, grab the number, and make a reservation! Laurent and French-trained executive chef Brian Archibald have recreated signature dishes from the south of France. Growing up with fresh, seasonal, and flavorful dishes at home inspired Laurent Halasz to serve the same to guests at FRANCINE!

FRANCINE is located in the luxury wing of Fashion Square, so after a day of shopping at one of the largest malls, stop in for dinner and a drink! And if it’s not the summertime, I highly recommend sitting outside on the beautiful patio!

FRANCINE Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona

I kept seeing drinks with flowers on top as the waiter walked by. I told him I wanted one of “those!” It’s the French 75 Valensol Classic Cocktail! It was fruity and a bit on the sour side, which I loved!

We love starting with a salad to split when we’re out to dinner. We ordered the petite greens, and it came with roasted fennel, Roquefort, pecans, and a rosé vinaigrette. Super seasonal and light!

I don’t know what got into me, but I decided to order something completely out of my element. I ordered the Crab Ravioli. When Kyle said he was ordering the salmon, I knew I had to do something different. The crab ravioli had a powerful lemon flavor to it, and it paired perfectly with the savoryness of the seafood. The ravioli itself was impressively handmade with a perfect texture. Kyle’s Salmon Riviera came with an endive tatin and sweet potato. The Endive tatin was the star of the show! It was like eating a savory dessert for dinner. It was flaky and gooey all at the same time. YUM!

If you like cauliflower, you MUST order the Whole Cauliflower. Its presentation is enough to stop you in your tracks and make you forget whatever was about to come out of your mouth. It’s a giant fire-roasted cauliflower sitting on a bed of yogurt and flavored all over with dukkha!

We didn’t get dessert, but we probably should have. Maybe next time! We were just so full!

Funny story. I left all my makeup and hair products at home! It got put in the wrong car when we left the wedding, and I wasn’t going to get it in time for our flight out the next day. I just went to Ulta and grabbed some mascara, and my favorite Tarte-tinted moisturizer for the trip.

I didn’t realize how awful my hair was going to be in the Arizona heat, and after days at the pool, it was starting to get out of control. We kept driving past Dry Bar, and I knew I had to get it done for the last few days of the trip!

Dry Bar Phoenician

I know Dry Bar isn’t an Arizona staple, but I wanted to give you the idea of leaving your products at home and getting your hair done at Dry Bar instead. It’s a great way to explore the gorgeous Phoenician (which I NEED to stay next!!) It was a beautiful property, and I love how my hair turned out

Next up on the Coffee Shop agenda Sip Coffee & Beer!

This spot was so hip! It’s a smaller space inside, but you can tell this is where the regulars hang out. Everyone seemed to know everyone, and there were people reading books, working on laptops, and just hanging out. It has to feel good to own a coffee shop where people love to come and hang out on the regular. Even the staff called the customers by their names on multiple occasions as they walked up to the counter.

Sip Coffee & Beer in Scottsdale, Arizona!

Kyle and I found a spot at the end of a long communal table. We had the gluten-free apple loaf, an oat milk cappuccino (can you tell that was my go-to on this trip?), and Kyle had the Sip Coffee & Oat protein shake! It was terrific. It had Chocolate protein, almond milk, banana, oats, honey, peanut butter, and espresso! It would be an amazing on-the-go breakfast!

 

I hiked Camelback Mountain all the way to the top back in 2013! It was during October, so no matter what time of day you went, the heat wouldn’t kill you. To hike Camelback Mountain in the summer, you need to be on that trail by 4 am. We made it there at five and did about halfway up before feeling the heat. It’s incredible to see the dedicated athletes run to the top and back down. It’s not the easiest hike, so I’m always impressed! It is still stunning, and even if you don’t plan to hike it, visiting the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is scenic enough! They have parking right by the trailhead but get there early to find yourself a spot. You may even be able to bike there depending on where you’re staying.

Hiking Camelback Mountain Scottsdale Arizona

Camelback Mountain is the first thing people think of when you mention Scottsdale. If you’re going to go on any hike, make sure this is it! There are two different trails to choose from, both a bit on the difficult side. There are rocks you’ll have to jump to, and there are animals that you may run into. Definitely wear thick shoes, and sunscreen, and bring water and snacks. The trails ascend 1,420 feet to a summit with 360-degree views of the cities around it. It’s so worth it!

We stopped into Cartel Coffee Lab one afternoon while walking around Old Town Scottsdale. It gets so hot out while walking that it forces you to enter the stores, which I think is a great way to find new customers!

Wonderspaces

I loved the Light Leaks, Transition, and Killing Time. I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but watching The Transition actually made me cry. The dog was so at peace, and the way it sat on the boat made you feel like that’s what heaven must be like for dogs. Art that makes you feel is the best kind of art!

We loved spending our afternoon at Wonderspaces, and I think it’s definitely worth it! Make sure to buy tickets and schedule your time a few days in advance!

Press Coffee Roasters was one of the first coffee spots we tried in Scottsdale. We just left the airport and needed coffee before heading to our resort. I ordered an oat milk Cortado, Kyle ordered the peanut butter shaker (cold brew organic agave & almond creamer), and we split an oatmeal raisin cookie! We were still on East Coast time, so we totally needed the pick-me-up after our flight.

Press Coffee Roasters

It’s right by the Fashion Square Mall, so we headed over there right after! I think Press was one of our favorite coffee shops we tried!

I totally know True Food Kitchen is in many different cities, but if you’re new to True Food, they have one in Scottsdale. It’s one of my favorite restaurants, and since we don’t have one in Charlotte, I HAD to stop in for lunch. After shopping Fashion Square, we ordered sparkling prickly pear tisane and prickly pear hibiscus lime sparkling water.

True Food Kitchen 

For our lunch, we had the Spaghetti Squash Casserole, with chicken sausage and crushed organic DiNapoli tomato, caramelized onion, zucchini, and almond ricotta. It was just as good as I remembered!

Kyle had the Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl and it came with broccoli, rainbow carrot, bok choy, green bean, snap pea, mushroom, brown rice, avocado, and toasted sesame!

Notable spots in Scottsdale that you need to check out:

See’s Candies – We picked up a ton of chocolate for the plane ride home! They also threw in a ton of free samples.
Fashion Square Mall – It’s a mall, I know! BUT IT’S HUGE!
The Sugar Bowl – The cutest pink building with outrageous desserts.
Wine Girl – Such a cute spot!
Diego Pops – Our flight got bumped up, so I was sad when we had to cancel our reservation. I know it’ll be the first place we go to when we visit again.
Fat OX
Café Monarch
El Chorro: Apparently, they have THE BEST cinnamon rolls.
Craft 64: Amazing wood-fired pizza!
Self-Guided Wright Tour of Taliesin West – Audio tour of Wright’s personal home, studio, and architectural laboratory.
Scottsdale Museums– Contemporary Art, Museum of the West, Heard Museum, and more.
Arizona Rafting
Kayaking   I so want to do this next time! Maybe save this for a 4 am kayaking journey or a non-summer activity.

No matter what day, what time of year, or what kind of activity you’re looking for, there is ALWAYS something for everyone happening in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Last weekend, we packed up the car and headed down to Isle of Palms, South Carolina, just outside of Charleston, to stay at the new Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort. I know it’s only been a week, but I’m still in a vacation coma. I had so much fun putting this travel blog post together, showing you what to do, where to eat, and all the fun things the Sweetgrass Inn offers! We had some of the best meals last weekend. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway that involves relaxation, soaking up the sun, poolside drinks, incredible food, and fun activities, well, the Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort is your dream vacation spot, and it’s just outside of Charleston SC.

The Sweetgrass Inn Wild Dunes Resort Isle of Palms

Our hotel room was decorated so cutely. One of the things we kept saying all weekend was how clean, and well-kept everything was. I don’t know if it was the fact that our 80-pound dog wasn’t in bed or what, but I slept like a baby through the night! The beds are soft, and everything around the rooms stays very quiet. Even in the middle of the day, we couldn’t hear the noise from the pool.

The hotel room had a fridge, a wardrobe for hanging up your dresses, a hand steamer, an espresso maker, luxury bathrooms, a balcony overlooking the pool, a couch, a desk area, giant flat-screen TV, a hairdryer, branded bath toiletries & hand sanitizer, soft robes and slippers, and an in-room safe. And don’t worry about packing towels (we did for the beach) because they have towels available by the pool! And if you forget anything, you can always stop at the Hudson Market for medicine, snacks, drinks, and more! You don’t have to leave the resort for anything. When we arrived, we cleaned up and took a little walk before dinner. Some of my favorite streets in the Isle of Palms are next to the Resort. The best time to walk them is at golden hour and in the morning. The way the sun hits the trees makes it look like the Spanish moss is glowing.

A few years ago, we took photos on the trail leading to the beach when we visited the Wild Dunes Resort. Those photos I took were published in last month’s Coastal Living Magazine! I had to stop by and take a photo in that spot to celebrate.

Link to my dress

The Wild Dunes is just miles from the historic downtown Charleston and is located at the northern tip of Isle of Palms. If you’re looking for that Lowcountry charm, you’ll find that there. We were surrounded by 1600 acres of barrier island paradise filled with tennis courts, golf courses, pools, restaurants, bike trails, walking trails, gorgeous beach rentals, shops, and so on.  The Wild Dunes is like its own little city.
On the first night, we had dinner at Sweetgrass Inn’s Oystercatcher. Oh, My Goodness! The restaurant is located in the lobby area, and there are many spots to sit. It’s one of the casual and comfortable settings where you sit outside, by the bar, or inside at the tables. We chose to sit at the high-top table by the pool. I always jump on the opportunity to sit outside.

The menu is sustainable seafood-focused with locally inspired small plates. The menu had so many great options to choose from, and goodness did it not disappoint. The flavors, the way everything was cooked to perfection, and the quality were top-notch.

I ordered the Heirloom tomato salad. I’m not even a big tomato person, but I could have eaten five more plates of this salad. It had such incredible flavors! It came with heirloom tomatoes, burrata, salsa verde, pickled berries, pistachios, and charred shallots.

Dinner at Sweetgrass Inn Ostercatcher

We ordered the corn puppies and okra for another small dish. If you plan on visiting, please promise me you’ll order these. My mouth is watering just thinking about how delicious and decadent these were. If I didn’t have to fit into a wedding dress, I would have eaten everyone and ordered more. There would have been no sharing allowed. The bowl had charred okra, green tomato chow-chow, sweet corn hushpuppies, cajun field peas, and mustard and old bay aioli.

Spending the day at the pool with frozen drinks from Laughing Gull Restaurant & Lounge 

We ordered a rum runner and a frozen margarita to cheers to our weekend Having the poolside bar made it feel like a vacation and less like our neighborhood pool back at home.

Is Sweetgrass Inn Wild Dunes Resort Kid-Friendly?

I had a few asking if this spot was kid-friendly, and I would say, “absolutely!” If I had kids, I wouldn’t think twice about taking them here. Everything was so clean and accessible, and it’s the perfect spot to sip a frozen drink while your kids play on the splash pad. Did I mention the splash pad has really cool lights, too? It’s located behind the main pool, and there are so many spots to sit. It’s nice because the hotel provides super cute pink beach towels.

There is also an adult-only pool at the Boardwalk Inn if you’re looking for a kid-free vacation. The Grand Pavilion pools are family-friendly with panoramic ocean views. You can forget the stress of packing food and snacks for the family because the dining options surround you. There are actually four pools to choose from when staying at the Wild Dunes resort. They have every type of environment you could dream of! Private, kid-friendly, lap pool, casual pool on the beach, etc.

The Sweetgrass Inn has so many fun outdoor activities like a fire pit, ping pong, cornhole, and more! If my parents took me here when I was a kid or teen, I would have been in heaven! I look forward to taking our future kids here one day. As if things couldn’t get any more convenient, we didn’t even have to pack up our bags to grab lunch. We ordered food from the Laughing Gull, a poolside restaurant located at the Sweetgrass Inn. Just like the dinner we had the night before, the food was to die for! The lunch at the Laughing Gull was so fresh and delicious. The Laughing Gull has a colorful atmosphere and Caribbean-infused cuisine. It was like sitting in a tropical paradise with its island flair. All-day frosé? Sign me up!

Fresh Poolside lunch at the Laughing Gull 

We both ordered local baby greens salads with grilled shrimp (Kyle had the grilled chicken), charred red onions, pineapple roasted pumpkin seeds, heirloom tomatoes, tortilla strips, and the best vinaigrette ever! They also had some pretty delicious burgers on their menu that I will for sure order next time I’m back there.

Getting their sweet potato fries is an absolute MUST. They are thick and crispy  And if you want to know a pro tip: dip them in the caramel cream sauce from the churros. Churros by the pool? Now that is a no-brainer! They just hit so good. When you’re served delicious food by the pool, you feel as if you’re living life the right way.

If you’re a vegetarian, they offer their burgers with the Beyond Meat burger as a substitute. Ok, maybe I’ll try that next time with their tropical macaroons. On Saturday evening, we headed to Coastal Provisions for one of the tastiest dinners! I remember Coastal Provisions impressing us the last time we visited, and once again, they didn’t disappoint.

Coastal Provisions is located at the Boardwalk Inn. There is inside and outside dining available. Just know, you’re going to have the ultimate dining experience no matter where you choose to sit. They pretty much had to roll us out of there because our food comas were severe. It’s highly recommended that you make a reservation to secure your spot! If you can’t get a reservation, grab the food to go from Coastal Provisions and head out by the beach to have a picnic.

Coastal Provisions is a proud Platinum Partner of the South Carolina Aquarium Good Catch Program. Their meals are based around local & sustainable seafood, meat, and seasonal vegetables sourced from local and regional purveyors around Isle of Palms and Charleson, SC. I love that they support locals by serving up local.

Dinner at Coastal Provisions Wild Dunes Resort Isle of Palms | Located at the Boardwalk Inn

We ordered a few appetizers since we were so hungry! We had an early lunch, and I made sure not to snack in between because I knew how delicious the food is at Coastal Provisions, and I was excited about it. We started with the tuna poke with tamari, benne seed, chili garlic sauce, scallion, avocado, rice, and cucumbers. The poke was so fresh and flavorful.

Next, we had fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes were so flavorful, and I loved how they kept showing up in most of our meals over the weekend. This goes to show that the restaurants use local and in-season ingredients. The fried green tomatoes were so crispy on the outside but not heavily breaded, just the way I like them. They were topped with arugula, kale pesto, blackberry chow-chow, and a spicy buttermilk dressing. Don’t think twice about ordering these!

If I had to pick one thing for you to order that you may not otherwise…it would be the chickpea fries. I’m not a chickpea lover, but WOW WOW WOW! They look like little french toast sticks. They have a mashed potato texture and flavor in the middle with a crispy outer layer. We dipped them in the leftover sauces from the fried green tomatoes. They also come with an Alabama white sauce that was so delicious.

I had their fresh catch entree special, the yellow snapper with broccoli, and served over a puree for my meal. And not surprisingly, it was delicious! Kyle ordered the roasted chicken roulade. It came with chicken breast, chicken country sausage, sun-dried tomato pesto, herb vinaigrette, heirloom tomatoes, goat cheese, and pickled shallots. It had so much flavor, and if you’re a chicken sausage lover, you’ll appreciate the creativity of this dish using those ingredients! It’s so convenient that Hudson’s Market is located right outside the lobby doors. If you need some snacks, grab-and-go wraps, ice cream, wine, beer, Tylenol, coffee, or other items, they have almost everything there for you. Their coffee was delicious!

Hudson’s Market Breakfast Sweetgrass Inn – Isle of Palms – Wild Dunes Resort

For breakfast on Sunday, we had their BYO breakfast sandwich. They had so many styles of bread to choose from (including gluten-free), different cheeses, breakfast meats, and more. We tried the gluten-free bagel with cheddar cheese, egg, and sausage. It was pretty tasty! We split the most decadent blueberry muffin and enjoyed their fresh coffee. It’s steps away from the beach, so you could also take it for a beach walk with you early in the morning. One of my favorite parts about staying at the Sweetgrass Inn is that it’s steps away from the beach. Packing bags, finding parking, and carrying beach chairs to a beach can be more work than fun. I loved that we could leave our hotel room and head down to the beach anytime we wanted. We just walked the gorgeous beach access path, which opened up to the most beautiful Isle of Palm beach.

Beach Picnic Wild Dunes Resort – Isle of Palms

We took morning and evening walks on the beach each day. There is nothing better than the purple skies at sunrise and sunset. Back in Iowa, I used to dream of living this close to a beach, and I will never get sick of it. I used to watch Nicholas Sparks movies repeatedly to live through the characters by the ocean. Again, Sweetgrass Inn is so convenient! Don’t bother packing up beach chairs; you can rent chairs for a fun beach day, and they come with an umbrella. The best part is that they are strong enough to handle heavy winds. There is nothing worse than chasing after your beach umbrella or chairs. Not that I would know what that feels like…   Renting chairs takes away the stress of it all.

Rent beach chairs for a fun beach day | Sweetgrass Inn Wild Dunes Resort

We packed a small bag and sat by the beach for a while before heading to the pool.  They have a shower for getting the sand off your feet right before heading back to the resort area.
After spending the whole afternoon at the pool and beach, we got cleaned up and headed to Sullivan’s Island for one of my favorite sweet treats. It was just a few miles down the island.

Gelato and Coffee at BeardCatSweetShop – Sullivans Island

I ordered an iced coffee with almond milk and a cup of pistachio and Biscoff almond gelato. It was mouthwatering and the best way to cool down in the heat. I have been to BeardCat Sweet Shop a few times, and it’s tradition always to stop when we are that close! On Sunday morning, I headed down to the spa for the ultimate relaxation. If you book your stay at the Wild Dunes Resort, booking a spa day should be a top priority! You get full access to the private spa jacuzzi and cabana-style relaxing areas, and you have access to it all day. That means you can go to the spa early, take a nap by the pool or in your room, and head right back to the spa later on. The changing and locker room at the spa was immaculate, and I needed to find out what green they used to paint the lockers.

The Spa at Sweetgrass Inn – Wild Dunes Resort

I had my very first hot stone massage, and it was so relaxing. I officially need to make hot stone massages a regular part of my life. After my massage, I headed to the pantry to make complimentary herbal tea. I took it outside to relax by the jacuzzi. This spa reminded me of a place I stayed in a while, visiting Napa. It’s so worth it if you’re visiting.

I was so sad to pack up and leave Sweetgrass Inn. I wanted to stay there for a few more days, so next time, I’m booking a four-day weekend! Oh, and if you’re worried about not being able to fit in your workout, they had the most impressive hotel gym I have ever seen in my life! So many treadmills, weights, and multiple Pelotons! Kyle was so happy he didn’t have to break his Peloton streak. We cannot wait to go back! After taking off, we stopped at Sullivan’s Island Co-op to grab a quick bite before heading out on the road. We originally thought about trying Poe’s Tavern, but it was pretty packed! I have been there before, and it’s terrific, so we decided to try something new!

Brunch at Sullivan’s Island Co-op – Frose Flights!

The Co-op looked super casual, and the menu was exactly what I was craving! We had some kombucha (I was tempted to get the frose flight, but I will save that for next time!), avocado toast, and a chicken salad sandwich. This spot should be on your list! You go in, order at the counter, and take it outside to eat.
I hope you all enjoyed this Ulitmate travel guide to Sweetgrass Inn at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina! I am already planning to go back again! It’s one of the best gems to have so close to Charlotte, NC, and Charleston, SC!

Questions for you!

1. What is one activity you LOVE doing while traveling?
2. Have you ever been to Wild Dunes Resort?
3. Do you have any summer trips planned?

you may also enjoy these travel blogs:

Thank you all for stopping by to read today! & thank you, Sweetgrass Inn, for inviting us down to stay for the weekend!

 this post was not sponsored, but our stay and meals were courtesy of the hotel

PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T FORGET IT!

It’s been a while since the California coast road trip!  I’ve had this post sitting in my drafts for a few months, and I remembered about it when someone asked me yesterday if I had an itinerary for the road trip we went on. Traveling the coast of California was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Kyle and I have been talking about making the trip and visiting stops I missed. I’d also like to spend more time in Calistoga. We actually spent months doing research and creating the perfect itinerary! We wanted a little adventure, lots of views, healthy food, and cute hotels to stay in! I hope you enjoy this post, and I’d love to get some of your California recommendations in the comments! 

Our California Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Day One:
6:00 am wake up early and leave Lake Tahoe (Lake Tahoe travel guide)
7:00 am Breakfast at Driftwood Cafe
7:45 am Coffee for the road at Glazed & Confuzed
11:00 am arrive in Napa Valley/Calistoga California (Calistoga Guide)
12:00 pm Lunch at Evangeline
1:45 pm Bike Rental at Calistoga Bike Shope
2:00 pm wine tasting at Montelena
3:00 pm wine tasting & tour at Castello Di Amorosa
6:45 pm Dinner Sam’s Social Club
8:00 pm Drinks from lodge’s lobby by the pool & fireplace

Day Two:
6:00 am wake up early and drive to San Francisco (San Francisco Guide)
6:45 am Green smoothies @ Soul Rebel Coffee
8:00 am Golden Gate Bridge Photos @ Battery Spencer
8:45 am Coffee and GF/V danishes at Home Cafe
9:50 AM Pacifica State Beach
10:00 am Grey Whale Cove State Beach
12:00 pm to Half Moon Bay
1:45 pm to Davenport Pier(Abandoned pier with an old swing)
3:00 pm lunch at Old Port Lobster Shack
4:00 pm check into Chaminade Resort & Spa – Santa Cruz California
4:30 am Wine & pool
7:00 pm Dinner at Jack O’Neill Restaurant 

Day Three:
7:00 am Pack up and head to Windmill Cafe for breakfast (our order)
8:00 am Mr. Toot’s Coffeehouse (day 3 guide)
8:45 am Drive to Monterey, CA
9:40 am Point Pinos Lighthouse
10:30 am Start the 17-Mile Drive
11:45 am Head to Carmel by the Sea (Carmel Beach Gibson Scenic Spot)
12:30 pm Explore Carmel by the Sea Village
1:45 pm Lunch at Pacific’s Edge
2:45 pm Bixby Creek Bridge
3:00 pm Pfeiffer Beach
3:30 pm Big Sur River Inn (gas & gelato)
4:45 pm Hearst Castle
7:00 pm Hotel at Pismo Beach
8:00 pm Take-Out Dinner @ SeaVenture Beach Restaurant

Day Four:
7:00 am Coffee and pastries @ Scorpion Bay Coffee (travel guide for day 4)
8:00 am Ostrichland Usa to feed Ostriches
9:45 AM drive to Malibu, CA
11:45 AM Malibu Farms for lunch
1:00 pm Malibu Wine Safari
4:00 PM Santa Monica Pier
5:00 PM Head to brothers
7:00 PM Dinner and wine picnic on Manhattan Beach

Day Five:
8:00 am Bluey’s Cafe and Market for Breakfast
9:00 AM Canyon Drive Trail Hike to Hollywood Sign (L.A. Travel Guide)
11:00 AM Lunch at Cafe Gratitude
12:00 pM Rise n Grind Coffee & Juice bar for coffee
12:00 pM Walk of Fame Hollywood
1:30 PM Rodeo Drive
7:00 PM Blue Plate Oysterette in Santa Monica for Dinner
9:00 PM Drinks @ Elephante

Day Six:
8:00 am for Breakfast at home
9:00 am jog to the beach for volleyball day
3:00 pm early dinner at True Food Kitchen

Day Seven:
8:00 am 4-Mile Run Manhattan Beach
9:00 am Coffee in Hermosa at Java Man Coffee House on the walk back
2:00 pm Late lunch at Sage Plant Bistro
3:30 pm Picked up healthy snacks for the red-eye flight home at Kreation.
6:00 PM Took the red-eye home!

Questions for you!

1 . What was the last road trip you took?
2. Have you ever traveled the coast of California?
3. Where do you want to visit next?

I am still in awe of the beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina. This town has skyrocketed to the top of my list of favorite places to visit. As soon as we left, I was already planning my next trip back. Beaufort is a small and charming southern town with friendly people, endless sites to see, and they have some of the most delicious restaurants with Lowcountry staples. My pants could barely button back up when we left. The scenery in Beaufort is jaw-dropping, especially while riding bikes in the back neighborhoods, where the trees are covered in Spanish moss and the marsh peaks around the big homes with its neon glow. Beaufort isn’t as crowded as its surrounding towns, and that’s why we loved it. It’s nestled right between Charleston and Savannah, places we visit often. We ended each night outside, relaxing on the porch, reading our books, and sipping wine while listening to the cicadas and katydids call out from the trees.
I always love sharing my weekend getaway travels with you all. I snapped some photos (ok, a lot of photos) throughout our trip to help make you feel as if you were traveling with us. I hope you have Beaufort written on your travel list as soon as you finish reading this blog. I promise you’ll love it. There are many places we missed while visiting Beaufort, which is a great reason to come back. I hope the places we visited have given you some inspiration for your feature trip to Beaufort, South Carolina. And there is also a small giveaway at the end of the blog!

Beaufort, SC, is located on Port Royal Island. The historic downtown is filled with popular restaurants, coffee shops, and some huge mansions! The town overlooks the Beaufort River and the Woods Memorial Bridge.

The Rhett House Inn Bed and Breakfast

When you’re visiting towns in the south, staying in bed and breakfasts is the way to go. You won’t get the charm or small-town feel of staying outside the city in those chain hotels. It’s definitely worth the experience to stay cuddled up in a bed and breakfast. We like to feel like we’re at home while traveling. What makes the bed and breakfast even better is that they are usually within walking distance of everything.

Beaufort, South Carolina, has many bed and breakfast, and I can’t wait to come back and experience the others. Every time we visit Savannah, we always stay at a new bed and breakfast. It’s our travel tradition and the perfect excuse to always come back to a place we love. Sitting on the porch with the Spanish moss swaying back and forth in the sun’s shadows is something you’ll only get at a bed and breakfast.

We stayed at the Rhett House Inn bed and breakfast. On the first night, we stayed in the main house in a room that leads out to this ginormous porch. The second night, we stayed in their New Castle house, which was gorgeous, and I’ll share more photos towards the end of this post. The Rhett House Inn was such a cozy stay, which I always strive for on trips. The staff was lovely, and their location was just a block away from the downtown area.

Where to stay in Beaufort South Carolina | Bed and Breakfast Beaufort SC

The porch outside our bedroom window wrapped around the front of the house. A hammock filled the corner, and it’s where I fell asleep on the first night after too much red wine during Kyle’s birthday dinner. The house was tranquil, and it almost felt like we were the only ones there the entire time. The way the trees sat next to the house was something out of a painting. I kept having the urge to reach out and feel the Spanish moss to make sure it was all real. A fun fact about our room is that Gwyneth Paltrow and Barbra Streisand once stayed there. Many movies have been filmed in Beaufort, which is no surprise as it looks picture-perfect. Some of the celebrities that have stayed at the Rhet House Inn are Sandra Bullock, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Blythe Danner, and many more. Something I love about bed and breakfasts is that they offer the most delicious breakfasts and evening hors d’oeuvres. Homemade sweet tea and lemonade are offered throughout the day, and there’s nothing better than a glass of sweet lemonade to cool you off after walking outside in the southern humidity. Wine and dessert are offered later in the evening, and it’s the perfect time to chat with strangers from all over the country. After settling in, we got ready for Kyle’s birthday dinner.

I heard dinner on the front porch at Anchorage 1770 is something you must experience, and oh boy, were they right. 

Anchorage 1770 -The Ribaut Social Club

The Ribaut Social Club at Anchorage 1770 was a block from our bed and breakfast and the perfect way to start our weekend getaway. I made sure to make a reservation a week to ensure we had a spot outside on the porch. You won’t want to miss the sunset over the marsh while eating appetizers and sipping wine. The view is breathtaking; no photo or video could do it justice. It’s something you’ll have to experience with your own eyes.

We chatted with a couple who had been coming to Beaufort for the past twenty years and shared all the hidden gems with us. It pays off to chat with locals and frequent visitors to get the inside scoop on where to visit.

The menu changes seasonally, so what I ordered may not be on the menu when you visit. I do hope it is, though, because it was unbelievable. The chef shops around at local markets to make sure every ingredient is fresh and in season.

I started my meal with a delicious starter salad with farm-fresh vegetables and the blackened snapper for my entre. If licking the plate clean was socially acceptable, I would have done it. Each bite was even better than the first. There were so many flavors hidden all over the plate that I impatiently craved the next bite before finishing the first. I’m dreaming of that meal right now.

They brought out peanut butter tiramisu for Kyle’s birthday, which was incredibly sweet (no pun intended) of them.

Do yourself a favor, and make a reservation at The Ribaut Social Club at Anchorage 1770 for dinner. It’s incredibly romantic, and I believe your trip to Beaufort won’t be completed until you experience it.

Where to eat in Beaufort, South Carolina 

City Java at City Loft Hotel 

I’m an early riser, which means sleeping in consists of waking up at 6:30 am for me. The breakfast and coffee at the inn didn’t start until 9 am, but that’s when I’m usually dressed and ready to start my day, so I headed over to the City Java at City Loft Hotel to grab our coffee each morning. It’s a short walk, and there’s nothing prettier than walking the back streets lined with Spanish moss in the quiet morning before the sun rises.

When you walk into the coffee shop in the morning, prepare yourself for the aroma of fresh cinnamon muffins coming out of the oven and freshly brewed coffee. Kyle loved their iced caramel macchiatos, and I loved their Sumatra roast. I also picked up some fresh bananas, oats, and muffins to have with coffee out on the porch. The City Java definitely saved my coffee-less mornings! I don’t know what I would have done with my hours without it. I wonder if I’ll be like that my entire life, but if I don’t have my morning coffee as soon as I wake up, my day is usually doomed. 

Riding Bikes around Beaufort 

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is riding bikes. I think it’s the best way to explore and save your feet from unwanted blisters. Our bed and breakfast provided bikes for guests, which was such a nice touch. We biked around the area for several hours in awe of all the houses and waterfront views. We took a map of Beaufort and tried to stop at all the historical spots and read a bit about the area. I know they have tours for that, but it’s more fun to go at your own pace, and the satisfaction when you find a point on the map makes it worth it. 

Low Country Produce 

After riding around for several hours, we officially burned off the bottle of wine we shared and our dinner from the night before. That only meant it was time to fill back up with a delicious brunch!

The couple from the night before had told us about Low Country Produce and how it’s a Beaufort staple. I was so excited to check it out, especially with the appetite we worked up from biking around.

We parked our bikes outside and headed in to grab a table. The wait was a little long, but that’s expected on a Saturday morning. We could have sat outside without a wait, but we were craving the air conditioning.

The interior of this place was absolutely adorable, and it reminded me so much of my grandma’s home that it gave me nostalgia. If you remember my trip back home to Iowa, then you saw my grandma’s green kitchen and the exterior of her home, and I couldn’t help but compare the two. This spot was ginormous, and you can grab food to go or dine in. The dishes they used for their meals were such a nice signature touch.

First off, the coffee was wonderful. The flavor and boldness were to my liking, and I had way more than I needed. Kyle and I had split a side of eggs, potatoes, and the eggs benedict over grit cakes with a side of fresh fruit. This breakfast was mouthwatering…

This is another spot I beg of you to add to your Beaufort itinerary.

Lowcountry Produce for Breakfast Beaufort South Carolina

Never Moore Books

Right around the corner from Low Country Produce, there is a charming book store called Never More Books. Kyle and I have been going through books so fast lately, so it was the third bookstore we went into during our trip. This store was a lot of fun to explore, and it had such a funky and spooky decor vibe going on. We purchased a new book for the evening and then headed on our bicycles back to the bed and breakfast. 

Hunting Island State Park & Light House

It was about a thirty-minute drive to Hunting Island State Park. If you’re looking for a fun activity or a beach day, this is your spot! It’s a small fee to get into the park, but our bed and breakfast offered complimentary passes (another benefit of staying at the inn)

As I mentioned above, if you’re visiting Beaufort and are craving a beach day, pack your coolers and beach bags and head to Hunting Island. It offers a private beach right next to the lighthouse, and there is a lot of parking. They have fishing areas, biking trails, walking trails, and more. My favorite part was the lighthouse, but also seeing the sea turtle nests. It makes my heart so happy when there are so many nests there.

You can make reservations to climb the lighthouse, but we’ll save that for next time! 

Low Country Cider & Superior Coffee

On the drive back, you’ll drive by Low Country Cider & Superior Coffee. It’s a cute spot, so you may wonder if you should stop; take it from me, definitely stop! I needed an afternoon pick me up. When I’m traveling, I crave 3x the amount of coffee and sweet treats than when I’m home. Plus, I love trying things while traveling, so I don’t mind the extra cravings.

The little store was adorable. Along with the coffee shop, they had so many gifts, baked goods, and cute tables to sit at. Their baked goods case was filled with anything you could dream of.

I ordered an almond milk cappuccino, and Kyle had a turkey croissant sandwich with potato salad. I certainly helped him eat the potato salad (my fave), and we picked up a blueberry muffin for later in the evening.

Oh, boy, did that hit the spot, and it was enough to keep us satisfied until our pizza picnic. 

New Castle Rhett House Bed and Breakfast

We moved our stuff into our second room for the night. This time, we were staying in the New Castle House at the Rhett Bed and Breakfast. The New Castle has its own kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, living room, and private screened porches. It would be the perfect spot to stay with your family or friends on a trip to Beaufort.

On our second night, we spent sunset until midnight outside, reading our books, drinking wine, and having the best time together. I feel I’ll be retiring to a town like this one day because I didn’t want to leave. 

Picnic by the Marsh with Hearth Wood Fired Pizza 

We found a quiet spot by the water to lay out a blanket and have dinner together during the sunset. I’ve come to love picnics this past year and will jump to the occasion whenever I get the chance. We picked up wood-fired pizza, a Caprese salad, and chicken wings from Hearth Wood Fired Pizza and Eatery, located in downtown Beaufort.

The weather was cool under the shade tree and breezy from the waterfront winds. I finished my glass of rosé with my Caprese salad while we watched the boats go by and even had a few duck friends stop over to say hello. They were disinterested as soon as we let them know that we couldn’t feed them pizza. 

Southern Sweets Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop

An ice cream cone should accompany every picnic. We stepped into this funky and colorful ice cream parlor that resembled a diner and picked out an ice cream cone to share while walking the waterfront.

Mint chip and sprinkles for the win!

There are many ice cream shops, chocolate chips, candy stores, and coffee places that we are going to try out next time. Two days isn’t enough in Beaufort. After our ice cream cone, we walked back to our bed and breakfast to relax outside on the porch. 

Breakfast at Plums Restaurant

We were up bright and early on Sunday morning. We wanted to have breakfast, pack up, and head out to our next adventure. We headed to Bluffton later that day but had a few plans for the morning before taking off.

We stopped at Plums Restaurant for breakfast on Sunday morning. Not many things are open Sunday, but luckily, we found a delicious spot near the water. I had their avocado toast with balsamic, tomatoes, fresh fruit, and two over-medium eggs. Kyle ordered their breakfast tacos.

The food was really fresh and delicious! 

Beaufort Kayak Tours

Even though Beaufort is charming and quaint, adventure does await. I highly recommend the Beaufort Kayak tours with Teri and Jim. We signed up for the Hunting Island Sandbar tour but can’t wait to come back and do the marsh tour with them as well. Not only is the kayaking fun and great activity, but you’ll learn so much about the islands and the history of Beaufort/Fripp Island along the way.

Jim and Teri were the best tour guides you could as for. Teri has some impressive kayaking skills and took the time to help anyone who needed assistance. Whether it’s your first time kayaking or 100th, you’ll for sure enjoy the ride out to the sandbar. There was even a three-year-old out on the kayak if that makes anyone feel less intimidated!

The BEST thing happened to us while we were out paddling. We encountered so many dolphins that you could practically hear my heart screaming with excitement. I love dolphins so much, and it was such an unexpected gift to have them come up to the kayaks to say hello.

After paddling out to the sandbar, they gave us a quick history lesson about Huntington Island and had us keep a lookout for some native creatures out on the sandbar. We spent a good half hour out there before heading back. 

Wren Bistro & Bar Market

We were starving by the time we made it back to Beaufort. Before making the 45-minute drive to Bluffton, we decided to stop at Wren Bistro and Bar Market for lunch. I ordered the chicken salad with fresh fruit, and WOW, did that hit the spot. The chicken salad was so good, and I think I’ll try to replicate that recipe for lunch this afternoon.
I know we missed so many spots like the Magnolia Bakery (update, I went there!), Herban Market and Cafe, The Beaufort Inn (update, I stayed there!), The Chocolate Tree, Common Ground (update, I went there!), and so much more. If you’ve ever been to Beaufort and you have recommendations, leave them in the comments so I can make sure to stop the next time I’m there, which will hopefully be soon!

We were so sad to leave Beaufort, but I know what to look forward to when returning.

I hope this Beaufort travel guide can inspire you to explore Beaufort soon! & if you do, make sure to tag me in your photos! As soon as the world goes back to normal, I think it would be fun to host girls’ trips/retreats with readers in small towns in the south. I want so many of you to experience this magical place! It may be something I can look into

Questions for you!

1. Have you ever been to Beaufort, SC?
2. What is your favorite activity to do on small-town weekend getaways?
3. Bed and breakfast or Hotel?

Hi, everyone.

It’s crazy to think that last year at this time I was traveling the coast of California. Where does the time go? It truly feels like I blinked, and a year had passed. I wanted to share the final few days of the trip spent in L.A. because even though it was a very chill visit, we ate at a few good places that I think you’d like if you’re ever in the L.A. area. I’ve had the travel bug these past few months, so writing this blog helped me relive a little of the California trip.

After Caitlin and I spent the past week traveling the coast, we were pretty exhausted by the time we arrived at my brothers in Los Angelos. We were excited about spending a few days relaxing at the beach, going on a few hikes, and eating delicious food.
When we first arrived at my brother’s, we took some wine and snacks down to the beach to catch the sunset. It was one of the most relaxing parts of the trip. That’s one thing I’d love if I lived near the water. There’s nothing like ending the day with sounds of the ocean, a beautiful sunset, and that fresh breeze.

The next morning, we headed to Bondi Harvest, which is now called Blueys Cafe & Market, for breakfast. This spot is super casual, and you’ll get the California surf vibe you’ve always dreamed of

Bluey’s Cafe & Market

For breakfast, I had their gluten-free avocado toast with eggs on top. This was the perfect pre-hike breakfast.

Of course, the coffee was the icing on top of it all.

The Hollywood Hike

After breakfast, we headed out for our Hollywood sign hike.

We did the Canyon Drive Trail Hike, which is about four miles round-trip and takes about two and a half hours to complete.

I’ve done this hike a few times, and you’ll want to bring water since it’s dusty and sunny, bug spray, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a leash for your dog. We saw several coyotes out running around.
The views are so gorgeous!

It’s crazy to think my hair was blonde this time last year. It was fun, but I’m sticking with brunette from now on.
Made it to Hollywood!

Cafe Gratitude

One of the best moments of my life was at Cafe Gratitude after our hike. It wasn’t because of the food, oh, and the food was amazing, it was because of who sat down next to us. My brother and I grew up watching the movie Major Payne every night for years. I’m not joking when I say that we can quote every single line of that film. I spent every Wednesday night watching My Wife and Kids. It was one of the best shows on television, and sometimes I’ll catch the reruns on t.v. to this day. So when Damon Wayans sat down at the table next to us, my brother and I looked at each other and just lost all the color in our faces. Caitlin was confused as to why we were being so weird. Literally, I didn’t know “starstruck” was a real thing. He asked us how our appetizer was, and my brother literally picked it up and offered it to him (the waitress had just set it down, and we hadn’t even tried it.) We never blew our super fan cover because we didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable. Do you ever hear those Hollywood stories where people saying, “oh, that guy is a real jerk in real life?” Well, I can honestly say Damon Wayans is a real-life sweetheart. He was personable, friendly, and down to earth. We didn’t want to be “those” people and ask him for a photo, so we just let him know we were big fans as he got up and left. This may mean nothing to you, but it was probably the best moment of 2019 for my brother and I. I mean, getting engaged and building a home was amazing, too

Oh, and if you’re wondering…

I ordered the tomato bisque soup with the caesar salad & coconut bacon and a ginger and kale lemonade. The food was delicious. My brother ordered the black bean burger but said he couldn’t remember how it tasted because he ate it too fast. He was still in starstruck mode But, I did have a bite, and I can, in fact, confirm that it tasted amazing! 
We all split a slice of vegan key lime pie. The sugar spike was needed after our moment of weakness.

I don’t know how they make their desserts so good, but wow! I’m not even a big key lime fan, but I’d eat this over again.

Rise-n-Grind Coffee & Juice Bar

After lunch, we stopped on Hollywood Blvd for coffee and a stroll. This was Caitlin’s first time in downtown L.A., so it was neat to see the stars and walk around some of the shops. I want to go on one fo those Hollywood tour buses next time I’m in L.A.!
After a much-needed nap, we got dressed and ready to go out with T.C. and his girlfriend for dinner. 
We had dinner at the Blue Plate Oysterette.

Abby picked this place out, and she was spot on when she said we’d love it. The spot was so cozy out on the patio, and they gave us cute blankets and sat us by the heaters.

Blue Plate Oysterette

I will not do oysters, but everyone at the table raved about them. There’s your review.

I ordered their mahi-mahi fish tacos with guacamole, tartar sauce, and french fries for the table. I don’t know what has gotten into me the past few years, but I’ve turned into a fish taco lover. I would 100% come back to this place again! When all of the restrictions are lifted, and the world is safe again, Kyle and I are making a trip out there.

After dinner, we walked over to Elephante to sit out on the balcony and have a drink. Santa Monica is a cool spot.

Elephante
Still, on a jetlag schedule, I was up at 5 am with my coffee and book.

Caitlin and I went on a small run (when I was on a really good running schedule ) the early morning before having breakfast and going to the beach.
After filling up on oats, we all headed down to the beach to play sand volleyball with my brother’s friends. Luckily, we were fresh out of our sand volleyball league, so we weren’t too rusty.

Beach Volleyball

The water was still pretty cold, but it felt good after playing in the hot sand for hours.
 
I never fail to bring cookies to the beach.

Caitlin and I got cleaned up and headed to True Food Kitchen before her flight.

True Food Kitchen

I started with a skinny margarita  
We split the arugula, asparagus, and strawberry salad with almond ricotta.
One of the BEST meals I’ve had…

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the spaghetti squash casserole! I even ordered it in D.C., and it tasted just as good. It comes with crushed organic DiNapoli tomato, caramelized onion, zucchini, and almond ricotta cheese.

I totally forgot to take photos (but I did film it in our California vlog) our vegan ice cream and espresso shots to end the dinner!

After dropping Caitlin off at the airport, I headed straight for a nap, and then woke up to my brother singing into my vlog camera after a few rum and cokes. It’s on the vlog, and it’s pretty funny. After jamming out, I went straight to bed!  
The next evening, we had dinner with Abby!

We made salmon with aioli, vegan broccoli salad, and roasted vegetables.  
The next morning, I got up and had coffee, ate some yogurt, and packed my bags for my flight later that evening. 
My brother and I ended up doing a 4-mile run on the boardwalk, which was awesome! He’s an incredible runner, but he stayed at my pace, which was nice. I needed that workout before my red-eye flight back home.

Manhattan Beach 
On our way back, we stopped at Java Jo’s for coffee. 
We stopped into the Source Cafe to pick up a few quick bites after our run. We were HUNGRY and needed something to hold us over until lunch.

We had their almond balls with almond, almond butter, flax, nibs, maple, vanilla, rolled in granola. OMGOOOODNESS.

SO GOOD.

My brother and I headed to Sage Plant Bistro for a late lunch. I’m glad we went for a run in the morning because we were ready to stuff our faces!
We started with the three cauliflower wing platter. It had gluten-free tempura spicy buffalo, sweet and sour, and bbq wings. Just WOW! It reminded me of the time my brother, and I had the best cauliflower wings in Colorado!

Sage Plant-Based Bistro 

We also had their chili ‘cheese’ fries. These were OK compared to the wings. They had fresh cut fries topped with house-made black bean chili, ‘cheese,’ garlic aioli, & habanero cream ‘cheese.’Just when we thought we were full, we had our pizza come out! It as a gluten-free buckwheat pizza with marinara and vegan cheese.

Kreation

We stopped at Kreation on the way back so I could get a couple of snacks to bring to the airport since I had ten-hour travel ahead of me. Luckily it was the red-eye, so I slept most of the time.

The plane ride home was smooth, and I spent most of the tie reflecting on one of the most amazing trips of my life.

If you haven’t checked out my other blogs from California, make sure to do so!

Questions for you

1. Where do you want to travel to?
2. How do you like to ‘relax’ when you’re on vacation?
3. What is one food you’ve been loving lately that you used to dislike?

Welcome to the Miami Beach travel guide. I hope this blog post helps you find new places to eat, stay, and explore while visiting beautiful Miami Beach, Florida!
I’m back with a new travel guide, and I’m so excited to share everything my best friend and I did in Miami! Miami Beach has been on my bucket list for years, and after making the trip, I can confidently say, “it did not disappoint!” Miami is colorful, relaxing but also has a wild side. No matter what kind of traveler you are, you’ll be able to find things you enjoy, whether it’s trying new restaurants, relaxing at the spa, exploring art galleries, sippin’ sangrias on the beach, or dancing all night long! We even went ice skating in Miami! How bizarre, but for us!

Oh, and make sure to look out for the giveaway!
After browsing the internet for the perfect place for us to stay, I came across Loews Miami Beach Hotel and fell in love. It had everything we were hoping for: beachfront, pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant, and a coffee shop that opened as early as we woke up. It’s even more beautiful in person and one of the most conveniently located Miami Beach hotels. You’ll be seeing A LOT of Loews Miami Beach hotels in this post because it’s where we wanted to spend all of our time. Sometimes, it’s nice to travel to a beach hotel and enjoy it rather than explore all over the city. We left this trip feeling rejuvenated, and that was the whole point of us going.

WHERE TO STAY: LOEWS MIAMI BEACH HOTEL

Loews is one of the prettiest hotels, and they never skipped out on the details. I usually leave a place saying, “I wish they offered this or that,” but not here! They’ve thought of everything. Did I mention it’s located in the heart of South Beach, Miami? This meant we could walk to most places! We stayed in the ocean view balcony room, and it was gorgeous! At night, the view of the moon lighting up the ocean was breathtaking. You’ll have to check out my video to see it. If we wanted to hang out at the beach, we just had to take a few steps. If I could describe this hotel in one word, it would be: convenient. The hotel staff was there to help you no matter what you needed! I have to say that the people in Miami were some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.

** Loews Miami Beach Hotel gave us a media rate for our stay! All opinions are my own! 
We woke up SUPER early on the first day to grab a coffee down in the lobby at Miami Joe’s and catch the sunrise. Loews Miami Beach Hotel loves to bring local businesses into their hotel, so the coffee, ice cream, and some of the food are all sourced from outside local businesses. Oh, and the coffee was DELICIOUS. It’s sourced from Panther Coffee, located in the Wynwood Art District!

It was pretty hot and humid while we visited, so we took advantage of the cooler mornings and walked along the beach and the boardwalk. 
We decided to explore a bit of Miami Beach before parking it at the beach for the afternoon.

WHAT TO DO: WALK AROUND THE ART DECO DISTRICT 

You all know how much I love my colorful things, so Miami was my vibe! The buildings, streets, and sculptures in the Art Deco District were a blast to explore.
We were both super hungry after walking around, so we were hunting to find a quick bite to eat before heading back and getting ready for the beach. We walked passed Chloe’s at the Marseille and decided to give it a try. There wasn’t a wait, and we wanted something quick. I’m happy we tried it out because it ended up being delicious! We ordered peach and orange mimosas to toast our weekend in Miami!

WHERE TO EAT: CHLOE’S FOR BREAKFAST 

I ordered fresh fruit, roasted vegetables, and two eggs over medium for my breakfast. Becca ordered the eggs benedict and said it was outstanding! 
We had to stop by A La Folie Cafe. This place looked like it was transported from the south of France! It was adorable, and the owner was super sweet!

WHERE TO EAT: A LA FOLIE CAFE 

We ordered an americano, cappuccino, and a chocolate croissant. Espanola Way is pretty calm in the mornings but poppin’ at night! I have to admit; the americano was probably the best tasting americano I’ve ever had!
There’s nothing better than spending the day on the beach. Talk about RELAXATION! We spent two of the afternoons there!

WHAT TO DO: HAVE A BEACH DAY

The great thing about staying at Loews Miami Beach hotel is that they have all the beach chairs with umbrellas ready to go at your convenience (again, with that word!) They laid out fresh towels and even came by to wait on us. We spent most of the day eating the tastiest food, sippin’ fruity drinks, and relaxing at the beach. This was exactly what we wanted to do on our weekend trip. The point of visiting Miami together was to celebrate Becca’s wedding and take a break from all the stressful wedding planning.
The hotel offered a lot of fun games for the restless **cough me!!**
You could play cornhole, chest, or Jenga! They even had the cutest set up for sandcastle fun for kids. I don’t have kids, but I would say this is a super kid-friendly hotel if you’re visiting Miami with the family.
Who wouldn’t want to spend more time outside by the pool? When we out-beached ourselves, we headed to the pool to park under the shaded umbrellas. We cooled off while sipping drinks in the water, and I even fell asleep because it was so relaxing!

WHAT TO DO: HAVE A POOL DAY 

The pool also has service for food and drinks, which makes the pool day so much fun! I highly recommend Frose and french fries! They also make skinny drinks, if you ask!
We planned on going to a Greek restaurant the first night, but they didn’t open for a few hours, so we decided to split a dinner at Malibu Farms. This was one of my favorite spots while visiting California, so I was happy to see it in Miami! I love their food.

WHERE TO EAT: MALIBU FARMS

I started with a warm almond milk matcha latte, and we split their organic airline chicken. It was delicious, and I’m so happy we split it because we were stuffed afterward. It came with potatoes, arugula, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, and shallots. 
We popped into Rosetta, the Italian Bakery, trying to escape the heat before our 12:30 pm reservation at the Palace!

WHERE TO EAT: ROSETTA THE ITALIAN BAKERY

We thought it looked cute, and we could use some iced coffee to cool us down. It was a hot one! I have to note; we had the best ice coffee EVER. This spot is a goldmine for iced coffee. All of their pastries smelled heavenly, too!  Brunch at the Palace was the star of the trip. Don’t think twice if you’re visiting Miami Beach; add this to your itinerary.

WHERE TO EAT: THE PALACE FOR BRUNCH

We were there for the show, but even the food blew us away! We had bottomless mimosas and ordered off the special brunch menu. I had their eggs benedict without the hollandaise sauce and bun. The potatoes, avocado, eggs, and flavors were flawless. Beca ordered a frittata and couldn’t believe how good it was.

The show is FANTASTIC! Come prepared to laugh, bring ones for the dancers, and be ready to get called out. We ended up staying for the entire three hours! Ice skating and bowling at the Basement is the perfect thing to do on a rainy evening!

WHAT TO DO: ICE SKATE & BOWL AT THE BASEMENT

We hit up the Basement at the Edition hotel to escape the rain and have fun ice skating. I’ve never seen an ice skating rink this cool. We skated for about an hour before getting exhausted, but we loved it! Other than a few teenagers, it wasn’t crowded at all. When you’re done ice skating, you can hit the bowling alley next to the rink. Call ahead and make reservations for the bowling.
We headed to Taco Taco South Beach to have a quick meal before heading back to the hotel. We wanted to grab wine and hang out by the hot tub later.

WHERE TO EAT: TACO TACO SOUTH BEACH

We are total meal splitters on trips because we are usually not that hungry in the evening, and it’s a great way to save money without having all the leftover food go to waste. Becca and I both LOVE fajitas, so we split chicken fajitas, margaritas, and a basket of tortilla chips. 
We decided to wake up super early on Saturday morning and walk the boardwalk down to Pura Vida for breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT: PURA VIDA

Pura Vida is a healthy spot and super trendy. I’m so happy we stopped at this place because they had exactly what I was craving! I ordered the egg salad toast. It was made with pasture-raised eggs, avocado, mustard aioli (SO YUMMY!), fresh herbs, spices, micro-cilantro, served on arugula, and toasted multigrain sourdough gluten-free bread.

I also ordered a super greens smoothie with spinach, kale, granny smith apple, cucumber, celery, pineapple, cayenne pepper, lemon, and extra ginger.

I picked up a gluten-free guava coconut cookie on the way out, which was the BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. And also the worst because now I’m craving it again, and they don’t ship After spending all Saturday bouncing back and forth between the beach and pool, it was time to get ready for our scheduled photoshoot with Focal Point! We didn’t know what to expect but were super excited about having someone take professional photos for us!

WHAT TO DO: PHOTOSHOOT WITH FOCAL POINT

We signed up for the free session online and set up a time that would work best. We met up with our photographer, Felipe, and shot photos around the resort and on the beach. He had us posing in fun ways, and we honestly had such a blast doing this shoot. This is something we are always going to remember! I was happy with how great the photos turned out. I’m excited that I’ll be able to frame these photos of us as a way to remember our bestie vacation!

You’ll be able to have access to all of the edited photos in an online gallery and pay for the ones you want to keep!
This was my favorite one he took!
After our photoshoot, we headed to Espanola Way to explore it at night. There were so many restaurants and a lot happening down there! Unfortunately, we got rained out, but it’s on my list to go back next time! It’s been around since the 1920s, and I know there’s so much left to see!

WHERE TO STAY: EXPLORE ESPANOLA WAY

We headed back to the hotel to pack and head to sleep because we had to be up at 3 am for our flight!

Questions for you!

1. Have you ever been to Miami?
2. Are you team pool or beach?
3. Where was the last place you traveled to with your best friend?

You may also like…

A couple of weeks ago, I met my brother in Denver Colorado for a fun getaway. He lives all the way out in L.A., and it was nice being able to explore a new city and spend some time with him. Growing up, you would have had to pay me a million dollars before hanging out with my brother (and I’m sure he felt the same.) As you get older, the time spent with your siblings is much more meaningful. I can’t believe I’m admitting to this, but he’s a blast to hang out with. Some of you may have already seen the video from our trip, but I wanted to put together a blog post to share some of the places we visited. I hope this post inspires you to make a trip to Denver. We visited some pretty cool spots that you should add to your travel plans.
T.C. and I met up at the airport, rented a car, and then headed to our hotel to get settled in before making our way to dinner. Denver was love at first sight for me. If I weren’t already trying to move somewhere even warmer, I’d be looking real hard into relocating to Denver. My brother goes out there a lot for work, so I may try to fly out in the summer for a hike or walk around the city. Denver is one of those places where you feel like you can’t get enough. There is so much to see, and that’s why another weekend out there is necessary. I was shocked at how many readers I have from the Denver area, and your recommendations did not let me down! If there are any must do/see/eat for a summer in Denver, please let me know in the comments! Denver food standards were set high after eating at City, O’ City. I almost threw in the towel on trying new places and ate here for every meal. City, O’ City is a vegetarian restaurant with vegan & gluten-free options. Let me tell you this; the portions are not small. We decided to order a ton of different items to split but didn’t realize how big the portions were. Since our hotel had a fridge, we thought we’d take home the leftovers. That was a big joke. After trying all the food, it stood no chance for survival. We will definitely be going there for breakfast this summer.

We managed to make it just in time for happy hour. We took advantage of that by ordering cocktails, $2 cauliflower chorizo tacos, and an order of buffalo seitan wings for my brother. I’ve never been a cocktail person, so I thought “why not?” I went with the Cap Hill Sour. Anything with lemon sparks my interest. The drink had cap rock gin, dom Laroque Cab Franc, simple syrup, lime, and lemon juice. It wasn’t a bad way to start the evening.

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know I’ve never been a taco person. I like them, but ordering them has never been my thing. Why? I have no clue. My brother suggested that we try the vegan & gluten-free cauliflower chorizo tacos. The first bite was unreal. I’m not even going to try to understand why it was so good. I’ll leave it at magic. The tacos have spiced cauliflower topped with chipotle aioli, chimichurri slaw, and vegan sour cream served on corn tortillas. My brother said the buffalo seitan wings were phenomenal, and the proof was in how many were left…zero.
 Next, on the menu, we split the roasted brussels sprouts. As if the food couldn’t get any better, it did. I was waiting for just something to be “ehhh,” but that didn’t happen. The smoky roasted brussels sprouts were served with green apples, dried cranberries, almonds on frisée, and served with a vegan bacon maple mustard dressing. Dang was this dish freakin’ delicious!

As if we didn’t eat enough, we finished the meal off with the City, O’ City burger. The patty was made with vegetables, sunflower seed, and walnuts, but somehow it tasted like a fried, greasy burger and we loved it! They added vegan cheese and their “special sauce.” <—like the Krusty Krab secret formula.

They had a great dessert menu, but that’ll have to wait until next time. We rolled out of there like roly-polies.
It was still pretty early, so we walked up the street and stopped into Asbury Provisions to have a drink. This place reminded me of a pub you’d find Ed Sheeran in. Should I delete that? No. Those are my thoughts. This place was cozy and pretty crowded, but with very nice people. I had a glass of Rickshaw Pinot Noir, and my brother had a Cherry Gose (his favorite.)

We had a very early morning, so we decided to head back to the hotel. We stayed at the Warwick Hotel, which I highly recommend. It’s in a great location and very reasonably priced. They even have a rooftop pool, but it was winter so you won’t catch me up there. The staff was super sweet and friendly. We ended the night with our complimentary drinks, and then I went upstairs to crash! Of course, my brother makes friends wherever he goes so he stayed downstairs with a group of people for a few more hours. I was also on east coast time, so I didn’t stand a chance.
We were up bright and early for our day of skiing! You can read all about the ski trip on this blog post. I had some coffee, and then we headed to Whole Foods to grab a quick snack before heading to ski. We originally planned on eating somewhere for breakfast, but to be honest, we were still pretty full from the night before. I think choosing to rest the stomachs before skiing was a pretty good idea. 
We spent the entire day skiing at Echo Mountain! If you’re going to be in Denver, you have to go skiing! Even if you’re terrible at it **cough** **me** I did some research on places to ski and came across Echo Mountain. It is the closest to Denver and the most reasonably priced. You can make this a day trip, and it’s great because you don’t have to buy anything in advance. You can go out and buy tickets when you arrive, which is less stressful than booking everything in advance (when you have no clue what any of it means.) They provide rentals, slopes for beginners, and pretty much everything you need to make it a good ski day.

Even if you don’t plan to ski, it’s a beautiful drive out to the slopes, and they have a restaurant with delicious food and drinks. There were a lot of people hanging out there while their friends skied. So if you’re going with a group, you don’t even have to ski to enjoy yourself! To be honest, I spent most of my time sipping on a coffee watching my brother ski. I went down the slope about five times and then I had enough. It was so hard, and I learned that watching with coffee in my hand was much more enjoyable. It’s really fun to see the kids fly down the slopes like little Olympians.
We stopped in the restaurant at Echo Mountain for lunch later in the afternoon. We split some seasoned waffle fries that were to die for and a quinoa salad. Because I was still doing vegan January, T.C. ate the salmon. The food wasn’t overpriced at all, and it was shockingly delicious(I say shockingly because who would have thought a ski resort would have good food?) That salad was bomb! T.C. said the creamy tomato soup was the best he’s ever eaten. You’ll have to make sure to watch the video to see how skiing went!  
We spent about seven hours at Echo Mountain but wanted to drive back before it got dark. The drive is very scenic, but dangerous with snow on the mountain roads. You have to be extra careful. 
How beautiful is this?
We pulled over on the drive back so I could take some photos of the elk. I couldn’t get enough of the scenery. It felt like something out of a movie.

We headed to Wynkoop Brewing Company in downtown to have a drink and watch the Rams play the Chiefs. This was such a cool spot with so many pool tables. The food looked delicious, but we had our minds set on Tacos. I enjoyed a glass of Malbec while T.C. had cucumber gose. This is a great spot to watch sports or for a big group.

All of the skiing and football watching had me hungry! We planned on going to Root Down since it was recommended by so many of you, but we didn’t feel like going back to the hotel to change or waiting for a late reservation, so we walked into Machete Tequila & Tacos! When T.C. mentioned this place earlier, we had our mind set on tacos!

We started with the Masa Crisps & Salsas.

I ordered the cauliflower Coliflor (asked to make vegan) and Betabel tacos! I’m still not a beet person, but they were really good. The Cauliflower tacos were so good. I should have ordered like five more! My brother ordered the Camaron (shrimp) and Pescado (grilled tilapia) tacos! I was looking at their menu earlier and can’t believe I didn’t order their shishito peppers with aioli sauce. How did I miss that? Next time.

The vibe of this place was cool, and there was so much to look at (see the video for reference.)

After a day of skiing, I never slept so well in my entire life  
It’s hard to pick where to eat breakfast in Denver because there are so many spots. When I came across the Corner Beet online, I was like “YEP!” I couldn’t wait to try this spot out. It was right up my alley. It’s an adorable juicery & vegetarian cafe. I loved the vibe and decor, and if you’re a plant lover, this will be your heaven. I started with a heavenly almond milk cappuccino, and my brother had a chai latte. The coffee drinks were on point! 
You can’t go to a juicery without trying juice, so we ordered a flight! We had the citrus moon (grapefruit, orange, spinach, fennel, kale, pineapple, cilantro) Peter Rabbit (gold beets, carrot, parsley, apple, cucumber, orange) & two Tropical Spice (spinach, apple, ginger, pineapple, romaine, lemon, cucumber, ginger, mint.) We also ordered a wheat grass, and ginger shot to throw into the juices as well. These little shooters were so fresh and bold! We felt healthy after drinking them   I loved the tropical spice the best and T.C. liked the Peter Rabbit because he’s one of those “beet” people. 
My brother ordered their breakfast burrito, and I went with the avocado toast! Before I ate the toast, I saw the flour on the outside and realized it wasn’t gluten-free. I went up to the counter to order the same thing but this time on gluten-free bread. It was 100% my fault because I forgot to ask for it. She would not let me pay for it and insisted on making us another. I felt so bad and begged to pay for it, but she wouldn’t take my card. Honestly, that’s the kind of service you get in Denver! They were so nice there, and the food was just tasty and fresh. Don’t worry though, we took the toast with us, and my brother had it for lunch, so nothing went to waste. If I lived in Denver, that’s the place I’d want to park my laptop at and just work. Please please please add this place to your list
We had a lot of food to walk off, so we explored the downtown area, LoDo, and made our way to Union Station. You can’t go to Denver without stopping at Union Station! This spot is a Denver staple. It’s more than just a train station; it has shopping, restaurants, and bars.

Almost everyone recommended visiting Red Rocks! Here’s the deal. Visiting this place in the winter was such a tease! It was gorgeous, but I can’t imagine how fun it would be in the summer with concerts and movies! I’m adding this to my summer list. They also have group workouts here that could be fun to try out. 
After spending the afternoon walking around Red Rocks and visiting the museum, we drove to American Cultures for a Kombucha flight. This spot was adorable, and I wish they had a place like this near me! We had the Mauna Kea Turmeric Coconut, Turtle Mountain Rosemary, Maui Sunrise Mango/Ginger/Pineapple, and the Strawbery Ginger! I loved all of them except the turmeric one, which was convenient because that was my brother’s favorite. A couple blocks down from American Cultures is Black Eye Coffee! I remember reading about this place on Brittany’s (Eating Bird Food) Colorado blog! She wrote a great travel guide for Denver. She was right about this coffee spot not disappointing. I had an almond milk cappuccino, and it was fabulous. My brother ordered iced tea, which was also really good. I didn’t know unsweetened ice tea could be such a hit, but it tasted a lot like a tropical banana. I know that sounds weird, but the point of my story was that they also have excellent iced tea. 
I know Denver is filled with so many unique coffee shops, so that’ll be on my list when I go back in the summer. One can only drink so much coffee in a day  
Next, we stopped at Ratio Beerworks.

After trying to coffee and kombucha, it was my brother’s turn to be in his element. He started with the raspberry saison and sipped on Healthade Kombucha, which was pretty cool that they sold it there. The atmosphere was a lot of fun! We met some pretty cool people and ended up staying for several hours. 
That’s a “the beer was really good” face. I also forced him to get an Instagram that night! You guys have to follow him! @tc_mcnitt
We ended our trip on a pretty dang good note. We headed to Watercourse Foods for dinner. This place will surely satisfy your vegan comfort food cravings. This place also had giant portion sizes, so many leftovers!

We started with the gluten-free cauliflower wings. I have been craving these ever since we left Denver! We had Memphis bbq, mango habanera, and buffalo! I couldn’t choose a favorite because they were equally good. You have to get the trio if you order these, and you should order these! The vegan ranch sauce was freakin’ good as well. I don’t know how they do it! I wish I could make stuff this good
I ordered their brussels sprout salad which came with brussels sprouts, kale, pomegranate, grilled apple, maple dijon, balsamic reduction, candied walnuts, and vegan gorgonzola. I’m sure you can tell by looking at it how amazing it tasted! We also ordered a side of their gluten-free mac and cheese on the side, which was pretty good!  My brother ordered the seared tofu sandwich. It had a soy chili glaze, butter lettuce, radish sprouts, pickled ginger, crispy onions, chipotle aioli and served on a kaiser roll. And you better believe I helped him eat some of those tasty sweet potato fries! I probably gained like ten pounds with all the delicious food we had in Denver, but it was all worth it.

Should you add Watercourse Foods to your travel guide? ABSOLUTELY YES!!! (even if you’re not vegan, you’re going to love the food)

When we got back to the hotel, we packed our bags and got everything ready for our morning flights. After I took a shower, I took a melatonin and passed out by 8 pm. I was zonked! 
We were up and ready to leave by 3:00 am! I had a flight at six and T.C. had a flight at 5 am. We wanted to beat the blizzard and return the rental car before heading to our gates. I felt so bad for T.C. because he had to fly all the way to L.A., feed his cats, grab more of his work clothes, and get on a flight a couple of hours later to fly right back to Denver for work. He found out he had to be back while we were on the trip which is why he didn’t plan to stay in the first place

It took a bit before our flight took off because they had to prepare the plane for the crazy weather!
Other than a few bumps here and there, it was a pretty smooth flight. I couldn’t sleep, so I enjoyed a cappuccino and some snacks from Caribou. I also managed to beat 32 levels in candy crush on that 3 1/2 hour flight. I’ve been playing on and off for about six years, and I’ve finally made it to level 600. Don’t judge me!  
I was so hungry when we landed! I wasn’t going to be able to eat for a while because I had to drive out to my parent’s house to pick up the dogs. Kyle dropped them off on Monday because he was going out of town for work for the day. I stopped at Red Mango (one of my favorite Charlotte airport juice spots) for a green smoothie! It had a banana, water, ice, spinach, extra ginger, kale, cucumber, celery, and lemon!  
I finally made it back to my house with the pups later in the afternoon! I was ready to relax with a cup of coffee and get back into emails! I miss Colorado and cannot wait to get back there in the summer!

Questions for you!

1. Have you been to Denver?
2. Do you ever travel with your siblings?
3. What city should I visit next?

Although stepping out of our comfort zones and attempting something new or unfamiliar can be terrifying, it can also be exciting and liberating. The adrenaline will take over, but once you’re done, the feelings of fulfillment and confidence will start to kick in. This is why it’s so important to step out of your normal activities and try something you’ve never done before.
Whenever I’m in a rut, I sit back and think about something new I can try. Over the past few years, I tried surfing, night swimming with manta rays, snorkeling in shark infested water, repelling, zip lining, skydiving, running a half marathon, trapeze, charter fishing, horseback riding, flyfishing, and the list goes on! I love facing my fears and jumping into the unknown. The key is not to focus on perfection or failure but to dive in and learn as you go. Even if you’re bad at something, it doesn’t mean it won’t be fun. Last week, I accepted a challenge from Backcountry to get outside and try something new. I packed my bags and flew all the way to Colorado to meet up with my brother for a fun day of skiing. I was happy to make it out alive and quickly learned that skiing is not my forte, but my brother has found a new love for skiing and has already planned out his next trip. If you don’t put yourself out there and try new things, you’ll miss out on the possibility of finding something that brings so much joy and purpose to your life. 
I live in the south, so ski gear isn’t something I own. I was able to find everything I needed on Backcountry, and it was shipped within two days, which was perfect because I had time to try it all on before flying out. If you need something last minute, Backcountry offers free 2-day shipping on ALL orders over $50 across the country! I visited three outdoor stores to get my sizes before ordering, but it turns out they don’t sell any snow gear in the south. Backcountry is the ultimate one-stop spot to shop because I was able to order gear and apparel in one order instead of running around all over the place. One thing that I love about purchasing apparel on Backcountry is that people are active on leaving reviews. Before ordering an item, I can go through the comments and see if I should size up or size down.

Backcountry carries the best outdoor brands and products that are both technical and stylish. I’ve discovered so many new brands that I love by shopping with them. If you do find something you love on Backcountry, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute at checkout to Backcountry and The Nature Conservancy to help support its mission of protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Backcountry has been a partner with The Nature Conservancy since 2008. If we want to continue our fun adventures on earth, it’s important to give back and contribute to it. 
The words “pizza” and “french fries” repetitively played through my head. Pizza your skis to slow down and french fry your skis to go. I may have been the slowest skier and took a few too many falls, but I had the time of my life! When you fall, you get right back up. My brother is in the Air Force and lives on the other side of the country, so we only get to see each other a few times a year, and being able to go on this adventure with him meant a lot to me. Enjoying new outdoor experiences with the ones that matter the most makes the fear of the unknown a little easier. Life goes by fast, so it’s important to build memories that’ll stick with you for the rest of your life.

I had no idea where to start when it came to shopping for ski gear and apparel. Backcountry has hundreds of gearheads that are available 24/7 to help you out. Reach out to them if you don’t know what to pack on your next big adventure. All of Backcountry’s gearheads are experts in their fields, whether it’s mountain climbing, yoga, running, skiing, and so on! The gearheads have tons of knowledge about what gear you’ll need for your next adventure. They were so helpful when it came to picking out everything I needed to get started with skiing. I felt extremely confident after placing my order.
There were so many ski pants to choose from, but I went with the Flylow Sassyfrass pants in the papaya color. I loved that I could fit pants underneath and they’d keep me warm all day out on the slopes. I needed a sturdy pair of pants that could take some beating with my falls, and these were perfect. I had my Backcountry On The Go Pants on underneath, and I could still bend and move comfortably with stretch. I didn’t have any issues with keeping warm, and snow never made its way under the pants when I took a fall. I love the zipper on the ankles to make getting in and out of the pants with shoes easier. They fit perfectly over the ski boots without being baggy.

With so many coat options on Backcountry, it was hard to decide which coat to go with. I came across the Bogner – Fire + Ice Abela Jacket and fell in love instantly. It was hard to decide between white and lilac, so I took a poll on Instagram, and you all chose the Lilac. When the coat came in the mail, I tried it on and didn’t want to take it off. It’s fluffy, warm, and the material is extremely high quality. The coat is made with down insulation that traps body heat to keep you warm on the slopes all day long. The coat is water-resistant and fends off light snow, which is perfect for people who fall a lot and get covered in snow…This coat is the best investment for winter!

I wore my favorite Stoic popcorn pullover underneath for extra warmth. We went out do dinner in Denver right after skiing, so it was the perfect transition to everyday wear. I wear this sweater on every flight, and at least twice a week. It’s 40% off right now, so you may want to take advantage of that steal. Plus, if you use code TARALYNN15 on your first Backcountry purchase, you’ll get 15% off the entire order!

When you’re skiing, you don’t want to go out with your regular everyday-socks. You’ll want socks that are padded to keep you comfortable and warm. I went with the Stance Slideshow Park Sock. The sock is made with wool fabric to keep your warm and prevent moisture from coming in. These socks go over the calf, which helps with the unwanted sock bunching. My brother wore the Smartwool Socks, which I’m also a fan of.
A few months back, I mentioned the Isthmus jacket I picked out for my boyfriend. He loved it so much that I ended up getting my brother one for Christmas because I knew he was going on a ski trip with his friends in Mammoth. He loved it just as much as Kyle did! The men’s Isthmus Jacket is made from sturdy wind and water resistant material. I think it’s pretty cool that the insulation is eco-friendly and made with recycled material.

We both wore Giro goggles. They have an injection-molded cylindrical lens with expansion view technology. They also have an anti-fog coating which is super important if you want to see while skiing. I’d say that’s pretty important! The double-layer face foam with microfleece lining makes the goggles super comfortable, and you can adjust them to fit over your hat and helmet. When I was going down some of the larger slopes, I had them go around my helmet.  There are so many colors to choose from! 
And if you’re ready to take your adventure to the next level, like my brother, Backcountry also sells the best gear! My brother is now looking for his own pair of skis and boots, which he’ll be purchasing from Backcountry! I will stick to renting until I can “french fry” without falling.

Keeping my hands warm is my number one priority when it comes to being out in nature when it’s cold. I did a lot of review reading and decided to go with the Burton Profile Gauntlet Glove. I was worried about purchasing gloves that would be too stiff, but the flexibility in these gloves are perfect for activities. Not one ounce of cold air made it’s way through. The gloves have a drawstring around the wrist to tighten and keep the cold air out.

Make sure to bring a Hydroflask before you head out to a ski resort. I found myself so thirsty after each run! The lounge area had free water stations, so it was perfect for quick refills.

1.  Burton Profile Gauntlet Gloves
2.  Flylow Sassyfrass Pants
3.  Women’s Beanies
4.  Stance Slideshow Park Socks
5.  Patagonia Isthmus Jacket
6.  Bogner Fire + Ice Abela Jacket
7.  Ceramic Backcountry Mug
8.  Giro Dylan Goggles
9.  Men’s Watch Beanie
10. Backcountry On The Go Pants
11. Backcountry Hydro Flask Medallion
12. Stoic Popcorn Knit Pullover
13. Patagonia Arbor 20L Daypack


This ski trip was definitely GOAT worthy! When I asked what my next adventure should be, a lot of you guys said skiing, and I’m so happy I finally had the chance to experience it! I hope you all feel inspired to get outside and create a new goat worthy adventure!

Don’t forget to use code TARALYNN15 for 15% off your entire first purchase on Backcountry.com!

Questions for you!

1. Have you ever gone skiing before?
2. What is something new that you’d like to try?
3. Visit Backcountry.com and tell me which product you love!

This post is sponsored by Backcountry. Thank you for supporting, Simply Taralynn!

We all connect with nature differently, and what we take from it is all up to us. I spend a lot of time indoors writing, creating content, and as soon as I step outside, my mood changes, my energy increases, and my stress levels start dropping. You don’t have to go backpacking, rock climbing, or water rafting to connect with nature. It can be as simple as walking your dogs, sketching a scenery at the park, or roasting marshmallows by the fire. What makes you get outside is what builds your personal and unique relationship with nature. 
There are so many things that get me outside, and lately, I’ve been conquering new adventures that I’ve been afraid of like swimming at night with the manta rays, snorkeling in shark-infested waters, joining a local tennis club (where I knew absolutely no one), jumping out of airplanes, flyfishing, and even taking a surfing lesson. I’m always looking for new ways to connect with nature, and each time I try something new, I feel like the relationship between nature and I grows stronger.

This past weekend, I escaped to the North Carolina mountains to spend time in nature with the ones I love. Spending the weekend without social media distractions and waking up to the mountain views instead of my T.V. screen was very therapeutic. I’m excited to be partnering with Backcountry today to talk about what gets me outdoors, and I hope you feel inspired to plan your next adventure! I’m also going to be sharing some helpful tips for outdoor photography. 
With every trip, there’s packing. There are two types of packers. #1. The super neat and functional packer and #2. The packer that creates a tornado scene just to fill one bag with everything they don’t need. I’ll let you decide which one I am.

When you’re going away for the weekend, you only need one or two small bags. For this trip, I packed my clothes in a lightweight Patagonia duffel. I had been looking for a duffel bag this size for so long. It’ll fit perfectly on the airplane with me, and won’t be too large to carry around. It fit all of my outfits comfortably and kept me from overpacking. I struggle with packing way more than I need. I kept all of my toiletries in the large side pocket to remain separate from my clothing.

I chose a matching backpack to carry my laptop, camera equipment (chargers, tripod, extra lens, sd cards), and other essential gadgets. The bag has a padded pocket for laptop protection which I liked.

There are countless duffel bags and backpack options to choose from on Backcountry. If you have a trip coming up, make sure to browse their selection.
Once it cools down here in the Carolinas, Kyle and I are going to go on a camping trip with the dogs. You guys know how seriously I take my coffee and snacks. I don’t function well without either of them. Backcountry has a section with non-perishable food, camping kitchen supplies, and everything you can imagine. I especially loved all their coffee and teapot options. The Kuju Pocket PourOver Coffee is great for outdoor camping, but to be completely honest, I’m planning on using these for when the power goes out during the hurricane later this week. Actually, a lot of the kitchen supplies on Backcountry make for smart hurricane preparation.

If you need something last minute, Backcountry offers free 2-day shipping on ALL orders over $50 across the country!

Their backpacking food selection includes all kinds of options! They have trail mix, oatmeal, mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy, couscous, and more! I’m excited to stock up on all of these fun goodies before we take off for our camping trip.
We took the dogs down to the lake for an afternoon of fishing on the dock. I love seeing the dogs in their element. They’ll do anything to be outside, and nothing makes me happier than seeing them run around and get dirty. Dogs only live a short time here on earth, and it’s important to let them get wild in the mud, swim in the lake, and expose them to nature daily. It fuels their souls and makes them the happiest dogs in the world. The dogs and I start every morning at 5:30 am with a mile and a half dog walk around the neighborhood. We also end our nights the same way. 
The Muir Woods Redwood v-neck shirt I’m wearing is perfect a hot day out in the sun. It’s lightweight, and great for layering if you wanted to add a flannel on top. Backcountry has a ton of stylish, yet technical, clothing from different brands to wear for your everyday activities. Whether it’s yoga, hiking, running errands, they’ll have something that fits your lifestyle. Backcountry supplies items from the best brands such as Arc’Teryx, Patagonia, Fjallraven, Black Diamond, and more! I’ve been introduced to some new brands after looking at their website.
For the past two years, we have been big fans of Ruffwear for the dogs. I get asked about these heavy-duty harnesses daily! If your dogs are active and love being out in nature with you, then you’ll enjoy the dog section Backcountry provides. You’ll be able to find Ruffwear dog beds, boots, collars, leashes, portable bowls, doggy medical kits, toys, blankets, and more. The harnesses that Grumples and Leo are wearing come in different sizes, colors, and have a pocket on the top to store things like keys, treats, doggy bags, or an emergency kit. Plus, they look so stinkin’ cute in them! The dogs put these harnesses to the test! They’ve swam with them in the ocean, the lake, and have worn them on some pretty rainy hikes. They hold up perfectly!

Since our dogs wear them several times a day, we wash them at the end of the month by soaking them in the sink with a drop of detergent, rinse them, and let them air dry. They always come out looking brand new. 
I’ve recently been diving into the YouTube world. Most of my adventures are now filmed, and its so much fun! I love watching back all of the special moments and reliving them all over again. I also found it difficult to carry around my camera for vlogging, a camera for photography, and my cell phone. This pocket purse is a lifesaver! The material is heavy duty and holds my vlogging camera, credit card, and cell phone perfectly. I don’t have to juggle everything in my hands or jean pockets anymore. It comes in more than eleven colors, and I wish I could have them all. I went with the plum color. You can also adjust the straps to make it fall where you prefer. I highly recommend this to everyone!

Backcountry has a lot of great apparel for men. All of the men in my life will be receiving gifts from Backcountry this year! I love their casual items that can be worn in their everyday lives. I was showing my mom all of the apparel for men on Backcountry, and she ended up buying my dad a few new t-shirts and shorts to mow the lawn in, build furniture, and even some new trunks for the pool. I believe they call these types of items #outleisure!
If you have a new adventure planned and don’t know where to start when it comes to packing or gear, definitely reach out to the gearheads available. All of Backcountry‘s gearheads are experts in their fields, whether it’s mountain climbing, yoga, running, skiing…and so on! The gearheads have tons of knowledge about what gear you’ll need for your next adventure.
What would a mountain weekend be without roasting marshmallows and making smores? You can find portable fire rings and roasting sticks available in the camp kitchen section. 
Backcountry loves to see their customers experiencing the outdoors and going on the adventures of a lifetime. I try to plan adventures and do things that make me happy, even if it’s small things. You all know how much I love my coffee and my crazy obsession with it. On this trip, my favorite part was waking up before the sun and having coffee on the dock by the lake. That moment was one of my favorites. Of course, driving cross-country and camping in national parks is #1 on my ultimate bucket list, but I’m just enjoying the small things for now! I’d like to know what your GOATworthy moment is? Or maybe something you’d like to do in the future. Wait, what the heck is a GOAT moment? Greatest Of All Time, moment. 
I brought these heavy-duty ceramic Backcountry mugs to the cabin with us for morning coffee. They are only $12.95! Backcountry also has my favorite brand of stainless steel bottles. I use the Hydro Flask to keep coffee hot and water cold! I don’t know what I’d do without mine. 
If there was ever a GOATworthy moment…
This Patagonia pullover has quickly become one of my favorite items I own. I’m heading back home to Iowa next month, and I plan on wearing these every single day. Every piece of Patagonia clothing I own has never let me down. They are made to last! This Patagonia is so cozy and made from soft organic cotton. The classic diamond quilted pattern works as an effective heat-trapping system, which is going to come in handy while walking the dogs this winter. I love that the collar stands up to keep your neck warm. Now, I’ll need to get this in every color, and I’ll be set.

One of my favorite parts about being out in nature is the photography.

You don’t have to be professionally trained, or have the most expensive equipment to enjoy taking photos. I think the fun part is learning, experiencing, and growing your talent each time you take a photo or play around with editing.

Here are ten tips for taking photos when you’re out in nature! 

1. Bring your tripod to stabilize your shots.
2. Always strive for natural lighting.
3. Take about five photos of the same shot.
4. Play around with artistic angles. Don’t be afraid to get down on the ground, or climb up a tree.
5. Play around with artistic filters to give your nature photos a personal touch.
6. Bring lens wipes to remove dirt or fog from changing temps
7. Rent new cameras and lenses to test out before you purchase.
8. Aim for candids; those always turn out the best.
9. Wake up before the sun to set up before the sunrise
10. Read articles or watch tutorials online from the pros!

Anytime I take a good photo out in nature; my whole day is made! If I were to ever camp across the U.S., It would probably take me years because I’d be so busy taking photos of everything I pass.



North Carolina is packed with the most beautiful hiking spots. I’ve always worn my tennis shoes out on hikes and complained about my feet hurting for days, so I think it was a smart choice to finally get hiking boots for Kyle and me. These boots are a gamechanger. 

My boots are the Danner Jag Hiking Boot. They are lightweight and made up of suede and canvas material. They are super comfortable and cushioned which makes it feel like I’m walking on a foam mattress. These are perfect if you’re hiking in a wet area because they contain waterproof lining to keep your feet dry. The waffle rubber outsole grip helps you walk safely across a variety of surfaces.

Last year, I’d come inside with ice-cold feet from walking the dogs, so I’m excited to see how these change up my dog walking game!

For me, these ran true to size. I didn’t order up or down, and they fit comfortably.

Kyle picked out the Vasque Sundowner GTX backpacking boot. He said they were the most comfortable boots he’s ever worn. They are also waterproof, full-grain leather, and have a midfoot stabilizer. The sizing ran true to size for him as well. If you’re looking to get a gift for your significant other, these would be perfect!

I think what makes these boots even better was the purchase of the SmartWool socks. This was one of the brands that I learned about after going through the Backcountry site and reading product reviews. These socks are super comfortable and cozy! They contain layered wool in high-impact zones for extra cushion, have an arch brace that holds the sock in place to reduce blisters or bunching, no annoying seams at the toes, and made from merino wool to keep the moisture away from the foot. 
We had fun testing the boots out last weekend. This hat pulled all the mountain weekend outfits together. It’s a khaki patch baseball hat that says “Made For The Mountains.”   
I can’t wait to come back in October when all the leaves on the trees start to change.

If you do find something you love on Backcountry, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute at checkout to Backcountry and The Nature Conservancy to help support its mission of protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends. Backcountry has been a partner with The Nature Conservancy since 2008. 
And just like that, we were home!

Now, there are two types of unpackers….#1. The unpacker who does it right away and #1 an unpacker that unpacks a year later. I’ll let you decide which one I am

Backcountry is offering 15% off your first purchase with the code TARALYNN15

I hope you find something to take with you on your next GOATworthy adventure! If you have any questions about the items I wore or used in this post, let me know in the comments!

Question for you!

1. What is a GOATmoment you’ve had?
2. What is number one on your outdoor bucket list?
3. What adventure would you like to see me go on?

Not going to lie, it was kind of scary at night. The house was in the middle of nowhere, on the water, and it was over 110 years old…

The name of the cabin was the Lindsey Mill and it has been featured on the Travel Channel.

The dogs made themselves right at home. Thank goodness this place was pet friendly!

We brought our dinner since we knew it would be late by the time we got there.

We immediately hooked up Netflix and caught up on our show. Kyle and I finished two seasons of “The Killing” in two weeks!
I woke up really early to blog and walk the pups. The place was much better in the morning! The creepy vibe went away.


Leo was loving all the sticks.
The home was right on the creek. 
So many new things to soak in.
 
Morning coffee on the deck This was like a dream for me.

Good morning, sleepyheads!

I spent the morning blogging and watching “The Killing”

The house had a pond in the front yard that was all fenced in for the pups. They LOVED running around.

 

Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast!


We got ready on Saturday afternoon and headed to downtown Gatlinburg.
 
We walked around the shops and enjoyed the day strolling. 
Some people told us not to go to Gatlinburg because of the fires, but they were wrong. The downtown is still lovely as ever and everyone was so welcoming. Of course, there was so much devastation around the downtown, and it’s so sad to think about people losing their homes. You could see a lot of the homes that were affected by the fires, and it was heartbreaking. I was happy that we could give our business to the shops and the people of Gatlinburg.
Kyle was on the hunt for a coffee shop for me.
 

We went to a cute little coffee shop called “Coffee and Company.”

They had cute little gifts and I loved the positive messages throughout the coffee shop.
 

Small cappuccino with skim + one extra shot of espresso.

And hot cocoa for Kyle
The downtown area was really cute and I loved the little hidden villages.

I was in heaven looking at all these mugs. 
We had plans to go out to dinner, but we couldn’t wait to get back to the pups and play outside. We felt like little kids, so we stopped at the grocery to pick up some food and headed straight back to the cabin.
 
I’m not sure who was having more fun…
  
Grumples spent thirty minutes trying to get the courage to grab this stick…
He finally did it!

We decided to go exploring on the other side of the cabin. There was a bridge that allowed you to go over the creek and onto the trail.

Everything was so beautiful and it looked like a dream.
 
This trip inspired us to stay at more pet-friendly AirBnBs.

Serious squad goals. 
If this place was this gorgeous in the winter, I can’t imagine what it would look like in the summer or fall!
 
The pups were worn out and so were we!

Kyle tucked Grumples in! It was so cute.

Lunch was a big plate of snacks! Chicken salad, fava beans, carrots, harvest snaps, carrots, and hummus!

My boys <3

We stuck to gluten-free pizza and Netflix for dinner!

I don’t even have to tell you this because I’m sure it’s obvious, but I love taking coffee photos. When I see destination photos, the first thing that comes to my mind is “I’d love to drink coffee in that spot”, so adding coffee to my photos makes me happy.

After walking the pups around the property, I decided to make Kyle and I breakfast! Kyle was still sleeping and I knew the smell of bacon was the kindest way to wake him up.

Grumples smelled some bacon…

I used cinnamon raisin gluten free bread for the french toast.

Gluten free french toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sautéed blueberries!
 
There was a book inside the house that had a little note from everyone who has stayed there. I enjoyed reading them all! People from all over the world stayed in this cute little cabin.
 
We were so sad to leave this perfect little cabin, but excited for our next adventure together! Kyle made my birthday so perfect
  
Questions for you!

1. Do you ever go on vacation with your dogs?
2. Do you prefer staying put or exploring?

Did you know you can get $35 off your first adventure with AirBnB if you sign up here!? Pretty cool!
Click here to check out all the adventures!
**Interested in the Lindsey Mill where we stayed? Click here and type in “lindsey mill gatlinburg” into the search box!