Arizona has endless amounts of hiking! Hiking is one of my favorite ways to get outside and moving so that's one of my favorite things about here, there's always something new to explore and see! 

Each hike has it's own unique path, landscape, and breathtaking views. These are just a few that I've done in my time here and I'm always looking for new hikes so please comment and let me know your favorites too!

Clay Mine Trail was the first hike I did by myself in AZ so I guess it holds a special place in my heart. It's a short and sweet trail in Cave Creek Regional Park, only 1.6 miles out and back but it's got some fantastic views! The name comes from a cool, eery mine located on the trail. The entrance to it is closed off but it's still something cool to see! The CMT can be looped into the Overton Trail for a longer hike, which is definitely on my list to do. 

Let's talk about Spur Cross Trail for a second.....SO FREAKING COOL! I did this hike with a group of friends and TBH, we kind of winged it and explored,  I'd say we saw just about every inch of the Spur Cross Conservation! There are definitely some parts of steep climbs and crossing over streams but overall that added to the experience. Plus, the landscape and views are just uh-mazing!

The pictures don't even do this one justice, the views from Brown's Summit were unbelievable! This hike is located in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and there's a number of trails you can take around or up to the summit on Brown's Ranch. We started at the main entrance (at the end of Alma School Rd.) and took Brown's Ranch Road to the Brown's Mountain Trail  to Brown's Summit Spur, up to the summit (about 1.5 miles). You can take the same way back but we came down the other side of the mountain and looped around, so it was probably around a 3-4 mile hike. The trail is pretty flat until you start to make your way up the mountain and then to the summit but it's a pretty moderate climb and doable. I'd love to do this hike again at sunrise or sunset because I can't even imagine how beautiful it must be!

Pinnacle Peak Trail is definitely a tourist spot but totally worth dealing with a bit of a crowd.  It's about 3.5 miles out and back with some pretty awesome views overlooking the surrounding areas. About 1.5 miles up, you'll come to a scenic point with a dope 360 view!

I absolutely loved, loved, loved Sunrise Trail!! A few reasons why...one, I did it shortly after it snowed and the mountains still had snow peaks and it was so gorgeous. Two, at the top, somebody left a notebook for people to write notes in and it included messages from everyone who's hiked up to the top, so special!! It was just under 4 miles up and back but is a steady incline with amazing scenery so time flies!

The Wagner Trail Loop, located in McDowell Mountain Regional Park is so peaceful and you feel absolutely immersed in nature.  It's about a 2 mile loop starting from Wagner Trailhead then hopping on the Granite Trail to circle back. The trail is completely flat so it's the perfect stroll for clearing your mind and getting some of the best views of surrounding mountains in every direction!

I've done both Devil's Bridge Trail and Cathedral Rock Trail twice already and I'd do them 100 more times! I'd be bold enough to say these both should be on your top 10 things to do before you die list. Sedona, in general, is just such a special place! There's something magical about the red rock and it's energy. I know that sounds hippie-dippie but trust me, these hikes will literally blow your mind and are unlike anything you've ever seen or experienced before.

This time I was lucky enough to have parents that just built a house in a new development, Trilogy Verde River in Rio Verde. It's surrounded by 360 mountain views and I'm still in shock in how gorgeous it was, it felt like I was staying on a 5 star resort. Some people who buy houses there do rent out so if you're looking to stay at a house where you can cook and have some privacy, definitely look into it! There's also an unbelievable amenities like the pool area, sports courts, golf course, club house/fitness center, etc. 

CAREFREE COFFEE ROASTERY
This mom and son owned coffee shop was right up my alley, it had a local yet hip vibe. They roast their own coffee right on site and it was freaking delicious. I had a cafe au lait with almond milk and dashed some cinnamon on top. The menu was simple and had a good selection of gluten free/vegan baked good options. They also do house made waffles, I had a bite of my moms and it was unreal. Unlike any waffle I’ve had, the texture was crispy but soft like a crepe on the inside. I wish I knew their secret!! The mom did tell us they use a vanilla bean infused sugar for the waffles and for their infused cold brews/matcha. AMAZING. My parents took me here on my last morning in Arizona but it will definitely be my first stop next time I visit. ​

On my next trip back to Arizona with my friend Michelle, we found ourselves back here pretty much every morning for the Nitro Cold Brew. Creamy, bold, and de-li-cious. The weather was much warmer this time so we got to sit out on the patio to soak up some rays. The graffiti wall also makes for great insta-worthy photos. ;)
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Carefree Coffee will definitely be my go-to coffee shop in Arizona. Lars, the owner, is such a cool and friendly guy who took the time to chat with us and give us some recommendations on what to do in the area. He seemed to know just about everyone who came in which is always a good tell tale sign that people are coming back for a reason! 

HERB BOX
So I found out about this place via @gypsykait Instagram and boy am I SO glad I did. One of the best dinners I’ve had out in awhile. I could tell beforehand just by scoping out the menu that it was going to be good but it absolutely exceeded my expectations! It was so hard to decide what to get since everything sounded amazing but I decided on the organic goat cheese stuffed chicken which also was topped with fig jam and came with mushroom risotto cakes. WOWOW was it freaking GOOD! The skin of the chicken was perfectly crispy and I absolutely love anything that has goat cheese (and fig). The mushroom risotto cakes were also unreal! My mom had a grapefruit glazed salmon which she loved, I also took a bite of and agreed it was delicious.

​Because it was girls night out, we had to celebrate with dessert. We got to go up to the dessert case and check everything out. Our waiter was a gem and took the time to tell us what everything was and gave some recommendations. As soon as he said “cheesecake” I was SOLD, it’s probably one of my favorite things in the world. This one was a cashew honey cheesecake which had a crust that tasted like a cashew cookie and was topped with caramel. I mean…..CMON!? Can you get any better?? It was to die for and I would eat 10, any day. My mom decided on a vegan chocolate tart that was sooooo fudge-y and rich. Also a 10/10.
Overall, I gave Herb Box an A+, the service was fantastic, the interior was gorgeous, vibe was great, and the food was excellent. They also use fresh local ingredients, organic where they can, and have a good selection of GF, Vegan, Vegetarian items. Next time, I'd love to try their brunch!

Herb Box has officially landed one of my favorite restaurants of all time. On this trip, we had brunch on our first morning and dinner on our last night, talk about coming in and going out with a BANG!

The brunch was just as fabulous as I imagined, we actually all decided on the buckwheat pancakes with bacon. They were amazing, of course! So fluffy with a crisp coating, just as a pancake should be. The bacon was also perfectly crispy, you better believe no strip was left behind. 

​For dinner, we started with the vegan nosh board which had kale pakora, crispy brussel sprout chips, korean cauliflower, and crisp edamame. Talk about an explosion of flavor and textures, holy *ish*! Just when we thought things couldn't get any better, the main coarse (which we all split) came out, butternut squash enchiladas and thai baby back ribs. Three letters is all I got....W.O.W! Just typing this I'm having serious withdrawals and need to get back there ASAP. 

There's something to say about restaurants that use quality, fresh, and seasonal ingredients. You can 100% taste and feel the difference.  I've walked away from every meal there feeling satisfied, nourished, and impressed!

KALE & CLOVER
I remembered K&C from last time I was in Arizona, it was in the same plaza as a Starbucks we went to. On the way back from the airport this time, I was absolutely starving and needed something to hold me over before dinner. I remembered the words “Juice & Smoothies” on their window so we stopped in for me to get a smoothie. I didn’t realize it was also a great spot that had healthy options for salads, bowls, sandwiches, and even some meals. I got a banana bread smoothie which had banana, maple syrup, flax seeds, cinnamon, almond butter, & almond extract (I also added kale). It legit tasted like banana bread, the almond extract is a genius idea and I’ll definitely be re-creating it at home! We also grabbed a salad to take home to have with dinner. It was the “Kale Power” which had kale, sweet potato, apple, quinoa, and pine nuts.
I requested we go back the next day so I could try out some of their juices. I decided on two infused waters they carry from Kaleidoscope Juice (a juice spot in AZ): Strawberry Collagen Water (strawberry + lemon + ginger + cayenne + collagen + spring water) & Alkaline Chropyll Water (chlorophyll + lime juice + spring water).
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Kale & Clover is a great spot for grab and go or a quick sit down lunch/breakfast. Their meals are designed with health in mind and seasonal ingredients. They also have a selection of GF, vegan, & vegetarian options.

If you follow anyone on Instagram who lives or has been to the West Coast, then you know about TFK. Trust me, it lives up to the hype. It's exactly what it sounds like, real, fresh, and whole foods. The atmosphere of the restaurant also screams fresh, it's very open and airy with natural elements like wood and plants. My favorite part is the cleverly placed quotes like "You are what you eat so don't be cheap, easy, or fake." ;)

My friend Michelle and I found ourselves here twice, both for lunch and dinner the next day. For lunch, we started with the kale guacamole  which (wait for it........) has pink grapefruit in it! It's little twists like that which take something from good to great. I can make guacamole at home but I'd never think to do that! For the main, we split fish tacos. Two girls from New England are used to fresh, quality seafood so we were skeptical but were definitely proven wrong. The fish was flaky and cooked perfectly. The toppings were balanced wonderfully as well with texture and tang. Overall, 100. 

Our last night, on the way to the airport we stopped for the "last supper" at TFK. We were dying to try the butternut squash pizza so we split that along with a seasonal ingredient (winter) salad which at the time had brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cauliflower, white bean, pomegranate, mulberry, and a horseradish vinaigrette.  Both unique and absolutely delicious. The pizza had an almond ricotta on it, that you couldn't tell apart from the dairy version, it's texture and taste was just as good! 

True Food Kitchen has multiple locations throughout Arizona and is definitely a must try! If anything, do it for the gram. :P

KALEIDOSCOPE JUICE

Kaleidoscope is a millennial's dream! All the superfoods, the adaptogens, the collagen, the bulletproof, you name it, they got it. Kale & Clover carries Kaleidoscope juices and flavored waters which is how I found out about it and I wanted to check out one of their locations so we stopped at the downtown Scottsdale one. This location is quaint and bright with a cute outdoor bar to enjoy your drink outside. 

We grabbed some smoothies to hold us over for dinner. I got the "Bulletproof" with a few adjustments, of course (so high maintenance).  My version was: mixed berries, avocado, brain octane oil, coconut milk, peanut butter and collagen. Not super sweet, which is how I like my smoothies. Michelle and I also split a charcoal lime water, which was so refreshing after being in the sun all day!

FOUNTAIN HILLS
Fountain Hills is absolutely gorgeous and a fun spot to walk around on a sunny day (which is every day in Arizona). The fountain there is the highest in the U.S and you'll catch it go off every hour for 15 minutes, it's quite the sight! Surrounding the fountain is a beautiful park with mountain views and shops/restaurants. Another fun and cool feature is a set of statues of the U.S Presidents, try not to sit on Abraham Lincoln's lap....impossible! :P

Driving the trail up through Four Peaks mountain is definitely one of the coolest experiences I've had. It's about a 28 mile drive along a path through the mountains with unbelievable views. You do need a truck, SUV, or jeep with four wheel drive because the roads can get bumpy & steep. It'd also be an unreal experience with an ATV! There's a few scenic stops along the way to pull over and take photos but the whole drive is gorgeous. If you're willing to live life on the edge (you'll drive along some narrow roads along cliffs) and experience something memorable, definitely check out the Four Peaks 4x4 road. 

If you truly want to experience the beauty of the desert habitat, take a visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens. Such a relaxing and humbling activity to just stroll through the gardens, appreciating the beauty of nature. It was an extra cool experience being from the opposite side of the country because all the plants and cacti are things you're not used to seeing! While we there, we got lucky because the cacti were in bloom and flowering! There also was a butterfly exhibit with thousands of butterflies flying around a greenhouse, something you also don't see every day. Throughout the gardens, you'll also see some pretty unique modern art. If you can get down with some plants and some art, add the DBG to your to-do list in AZ!

HIKING

Click here for my post on some of my favorite Arizona hikes!

Palmer House Hilton Chicago is by far the biggest and most gorgeous hotel I've ever stayed in. You feel like you travel back in time and are on the set of the Great Gatsby. Our room was small with a double bed but for a reasonable price, was suitable for the trip. The hotel is a hop, skip, and a jump to Millennium Park and was within a short walk to the waterfront which was great. Although, most of the restaurants we went to were about 20-30 min walks away in River North so next time I think we'd definitely stay closer to that neighborhood. 

BEATRIX (RIVER NORTH)
Everything about this place - the decor, menu, cocktails, service - was outstanding. This is definitely the hot brunch spot! The best part, there's a full coffee bar with coffee, tea, juice, pastries, etc. for you to grab while waiting for your table. I had quinoa cakes with poached eggs and instead of hollandaise, it came with a fresh tomato basil sauce, such a delightful and delicious twist. Their bloody mary was also amazing and came with a big slice brown sugar bacon, I mean - can you get any better? 

KANELA BREAKFAST CLUB (STREETERVILLE)
When I saw Crunchy French Toast on their menu, I almost lost my sh*t! Possibly my favorite breakfast item and not an easy find. Kanela did NOT disappoint! Such a cozy spot with another outstanding brunch menu and similar to Beatrix, has a coffee/tea/juice bar for the wait. I ended up going with the California benedict which had spinach, bacon, tomato, and avocado with a side of fruit. And if you thought I'd leave there without the crunchy french toast, you're crazy! We got an order to share amongst the table and my lord was it GOOD. 

GODDESS & THE BAKER (WABASH & LASALLE)
We visited G&TB twice, funny enough on the first and last morning of our trip. The first morning was at their Wabash St. location right near our hotel which was a bit smaller than their Lasalle St. location in the West Loop that we visited on our last morning. I'd definitely say my vote was with Lasalle St. since they had a full bar of baked goods. I spotted the blueberry muffin right away and needed it in my life! It is definitely on my list of best muffins I've had. Their avocado toast on sourdough with herb ricotta that I got day one was also very good (and very basic, I know :D). G&TB is definitely a great, quick (but quality) sit down or grab and go breakfast spot. They also have a full menu of coffee, tea, juice, etc. 

HI-VIBE JUICERY (RIVER NORTH)
I am so sad that this place doesn't exist in Boston. Such a cool spot with a unique menu of superfood smoothies, tonics, juices, bone broth, etc. After a late breakfast, we grabbed some smoothies mid-day as a quick snack before dinner. My smoothie had banana, hemp protein, hemp milk, MCT oil, almond & coconut butter, maca powder, cinnamon, turmeric, and raw honey. My boyfriend's was pretty similar but had coffee & cacao. They both were delicious! 

REAL GOOD JUICE CO. (@ WHOLE FOODS)

We were killing some time walking around because our hotel room wasn't ready yet so headed over to WF for some snacks and grabbed a smoothie at the Real Good Juice Co. location inside. Mine had kale, avocado, coconut cream, cinnamon, and almond butter. I really wanted to try their bottled "Punky Juicester" which has matcha, almond milk, chia, chlorophyll, and mint but our hotel room didn't have a fridge to save it for the next day (super sad face). Just going to have to wait until next time.....or until they decide to open in Boston (fingers crossed)! Coolest part about RGJ was ordering! You order right at a kiosk, customizing your own smoothie and send it along for them to make. That was a first for me, very efficient! 

TALLBOY TACO (RIVER NORTH) 

When I walk into a restaurant on a Friday night and they have a live DJ bumpin' some 90's hip-hop, my heart is instantly won over. Tallboy is definitely a hip, casual spot that's great for a fun night out with friends. The tacos are served individually, tapas style, which I dig because I'm insanely indecisive and want to try everything! I decided on the crispy veggie avocado and beer-battered crispy fish, both which were unbelievable. We also had some tortilla chips, salsa, and guac for the table...OBV. Everything about Tallboy Taco was an A+ for me, cocktails and service were also on point. 

BAR SIENA (WEST LOOP)
By far the BEST food I had in Chicago and very close to in my life, ever. I actually found out about Bar Siena while reading a Chicago dining magazine while waiting for my massage earlier in the day. What sold me was not only their menu with brick oven pizza BUT their fresh made Italian doughnut bar attached to the restaurant called Bombo Bar. Like....are you serious!!?? I'm SO glad we decided to do our last dinner at Bar Siena, it was UNREAL! It really gave the vibe of old school Italian with a modern twist. The kitchen is pretty open and you can watch the fresh parmesan being grated on to just about every dish. This place and it's flavors are no joke. 

I decided on the proscuitto fig pizza with spiced pistachio, tallegio, and local honey and my boyfriend got the meatball calzone. Both were out of this world, the pizza dough was perfect and the meatballs were unlike anything I've ever tasted. I had to know what the secret was to the meatballs, so the bartender revealed they were made with wagu beef. MY LORD WERE THEY GOOD! We also shared a shaved zucchini salad with goat cheese and a rose vinaigrette, which sounds simple but was possibly one of the most flavorful dishes I've put in my mouth. 

OF COURSE, we weren't leaving without those heaven like sugar cloud doughnuts!! You had a choice of three bombolini flavors, we went with maple cream, peanut butter fudge, and salted caramel. I was blown away by the creativity, when they arrived, each doughnut had a little squeeze bottle with the flavored sauce in them. The doughnuts were still warm and SO fresh!! Add the delicious sauces and talk about a flavor BOMB. ;) FYI: my favorite was the maple cream and the salted caramel, definitely recommend!! 

CINDYS ROOFTOP BAR (DOWNTOWN - MILLENIUM PARK)
You CANNOT leave Chicago without visiting Cindy's on the roof of the Chicago Athletic Club. The outdoor terrace overlooks Millenium Park and the lake, it really can't get more magical. We went during the day and at night, each delivering an amazing experience. The drinks are definitely a bit pricey but totally worth it! Especially if you're a cocktail gal (or gent), Cindy's offers a unique and inventive drink list that is crafted perfectly by their mixologists. You can tell the bartenders are well trained and really know their sh*t. 

OLD CROW (WRIGLEYVILLE) 
If you're looking to grab some brews, especially before a Cubs game then this is your spot. This country/barn themed bar is SO awesome. There's a sh*t ton of TV's, making it THE spot for sports games. The first floor roof is retractable and thankfully, we landed a beautiful 80 degree day so they had it open. Nothin' like drinking with some fresh air and sunshine! We also hopped on to the roof deck which has a view of the front of the stadium. Very lively and fun spot to check out. 

ISLAND PARTY HUT (RIVERWALK)
This tiki bar will make you feel like you're on a tropical island or resort vacation, when really you're in the middle of a city! Island Party Hut is right along the river and it's hard to pass by without wanting to sit on the deck or in a lawn chair by the water for a drink. They also have live music and ALL the (outdoor) games like cornhole, bacce, jenga and giant connect four. Such a fun spot to visit on a nice day!
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Of course, when you visit a new city, you are bound to do the touristy things and hit all the popular parks, landmarks, etc. Here are a few that are definitely worth checking out!

MILLENIUM PARK
If you've heard of Chicago, you've most certainly heard of "the bean" which lives in Chicago's Millenium Park. It was more entertaining to visit the bean and watch everyone taking photos/selfies than to see the actual structure itself, LOL. But, when in Rome. The park is much more than just the bean though and is a sight to see with gorgeous flowers, art structures, & fountains. 

The Riverwalk was another one of my favorite things about Chicago and really made me fall in love. Not only is it a gorgeous stroll along the water with city views but there's a TON of restaurants and bars along the walk which give it such a lively feel. You'll also pass by some pretty unique street art and sculptures to keep things interesting. 

If you're a sports fan OR can appreciate getting a good buzz in a new, cool environment then definitely take a visit to Wrigleyville for a game. The area is buzzing with people, especially when the Cubs are in town and there's a ton of bars! On a nice day, you'll find an ample amount of roof decks and outdoor seating. The stadium itself is gorgeous and gives a very old school Chicago feel. We grabbed standing room only tickets a few innings in to the game for VERY cheap and the view was perfect. We also met a cool couple from California that we ended up chatting with the whole game. Overall, a very fun experience! 

Both times we've been up to Portland thus far we've stayed at the Hyatt Place Portland - Old Port. It's literally in the PERFECT location with restaurants, bars, and the water just a hop, skip, and a jump away. I'll never stay anywhere else!

TANDEM COFFEE & BAKERY 
​An old gas station turned into a coffee shop, I mean can you get any more freaking awesome? Not to mention their tag line is "People Need to Chill" which is written on each of their cup holders and t-shirts. Their home roasted coffee is fabulous and the food is a knockout. I had the best oatmeal there I've ever had in my life. Now, this wasn't just plain old oatmeal - you won't find anything "ordinary" at Tandem. All of their menu items have unique flavors and combinations. My oatmeal had warming spices like turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and even a hint of spice with cayenne. It was SO creamy and thick, like a rice pudding. I wish I would've asked for their secret because I'm still trying to recreate it - STUMPED. ​​

STANDARD BAKING CO. 
The cutest little spot with homemade breads and pastries. The first time we visited Portland, this was our morning spot for coffee and a bite. A major plus is they use unbleached and organic wheat flours in their baking and locally sourced ingredients. There's no indoor seating here but there's a few benches outside or you can take a loaf on the road. 

LOCAL 188
So glad we accidentally stumbled upon this place! After heading over to Hot Suppa which had an hour wait, we ditched, walked back towards our hotel and found Local 188. They had a patio, brunch, and most importantly cocktails - WIN. The name is a reflection of their farm to table roots, with locally sourced ingredients and majority of the menu being prepared in-house. I had a scramble with mushrooms, spinach, and goat cheese with a side of home fries and no joke - a cloud-like english muffin. My boyfriend had a breakfast Paella which also looked unreal. Needless to say, we left there with happy bellies. 

MASH TUN
Three words: grass fed burger. Oh wait, and the parmesan ranch truffle fries. That's pretty much all they have on the menu but trust me, it's all you need. Mash tun really gives me the local vibe, food made with love, they have a ton of craft maine beers on tap, and you sit right at the bar which is also the kitchen. What other restaurant do you go to that you can chat it up with the chef and watch your food being made? Not to mention the bartenders have been cool *ish* - we couldn't get enough of this place and found ourselves back every night. 

LIQUID RIOT
This one falls under the eat and drink category. They've got an amazing selection of home brewed beers and spirits along with some other local options. Both times we visited Portland, we had the chicken wings at LR and they did not disappoint. They literally are mouth-watering, fall of the bone good. I also had an arugula salad there for lunch which was quite delicious. Their outdoor patio is a perfect spot for a drink and lunch on a nice day. 

Right on the water and absolutely gorgeous. Definitely a pricey spot but we went on a Sunday night for pre-dinner $1 oysters. If you sit at the bar, the oysters are not only shucked right in front of you but there's a well on the bar that they fill with ice and lay the oysters right on top - so dope. They were so fresh and definitely some of the best I've had. If you love oysters, or seafood in general, this is the spot. 

URBAN FARM FERMENTORY
If you love cider or kombucha, this is a must stop. All of their homemade brews are done with local ingredients and flowers/herbs they grow on site. The basil jun (which is similar to Kombucha but is with green tea and honey) was amazingly refreshing. I also loved the limited edition sidra cider which was an aged, subtly sour version of a usual cider. What's awesome about their ciders too is they have little to no sugar so you can have more than one without going into a sugar coma - YAY to that. You could probably spend all day at UFF, it's got the drink and play vibe with baggo boards, darts, and outdoor picnic tables. 

MAINE BREW BUS
This was such a fun activity for the first time we visited Portland, we hit three different breweries and had lunch at a brew pub. ​Our tour guide was entertaining and super informative and hilarious enough, my boyfriend and I ended up on the bus with a group of bachelorettes so needless to say, we had a very fun and memorable day. 

Here's a list of some breweries we've hit which have all been amazing: 

• Rising Tide Brewing
• Foundation Brewing Co.
• Oxbow Beer
• Lone Pine Brewing Co. 

BEER. BEER. BEER. SO MUCH BEER. Novare has about a three page menu of beers, some you've probably never heard of before but that's what makes this place legit. Their huge patio doesn't hurt either, nothing like sitting outside on a beautiful day with an ice cold drink. 

PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT AND FORT WILLIAMS PARK
Portland is an eating/drinking city but there is also an scenic and beautiful lighthouse, walking trail, and park that is worth visiting. They even have built-in grills for use which we didn't know at the time but will definitely be taking advantage of next time! 

BONFIRE COUNTRY BAR
This falls under play because you'll find yourself back on Bonfire late-night, every night. It's the perfect spot for a night cap and to listen to some country tunes. The solo cups, porch swings, music videos playing, and john deere tractor seats make this country bar an absolute gem. Did I also mention they do a bacon happy hour from 4-7pm, 7 days a week? SCORE.