hiking to the top of Phoenix and then some.

Get up at sunrise and head toward Camelback Mountain. This is a mile and half hike to the top with beautiful views of the city. The hike gets a little hairy at one point, going straight up, but once you reach the top, it's completely worth it.
Get there early as the parking is limited and it still gets warm, even in the winter. Sunrise is really a great time. Make sure you have plenty of water and don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. I hate to admit it, but we have crime just like every other city.
Don't forget your camera, if you have one that is lightweight. You'll want to capture the moment when you arrive at the top.

The Good Egg has several locations throughout the Valley and has some great breakfast ideas. They offer several different benedicts, low fat and low carb meals, french toast, omeletes, frittatas, great cinnamon rolls and fresh squeezed OJ and grapefruit juice.
The menu is pretty substantial and can feed even the pickiest of diners. Any one of the locations are very busy, especially on the weekends. They open at 6am and serve breakfast and lunch until 2pm.
Locations are in Gilbert, Scottsdale, North Phoenix, Mesa and Central Phoenix.

If you're here for a few days, The Good Egg has a card that you can get stamped each time you visit and after 5 meals, you get one free!

This is an all-suite property that's a great place for families. There is a six acre waterpark at the resort that is free to all guests, a kids club, a championship golf course, 6 swimming pools and 6 restaurants.
Summer is the best time of year to stay here because the rates are so low and the hotel offers specials.

The waterpark is awesomet and includes 2 huge waterslides, a lazy river, a wave pool and for the adults....a bar for some afternoon cocktails and snacks, a spa and fitness center.

The suites here are perfect for families to stay together in the same room, with either 2 queen beds and a living room with a pull out couch, or 1 king bed and the couch. All rooms come equipped with playstations to keep those young 'uns occupied.
The only downside is no microwave in the rooms. There is a small fridge and sink, but no way to cook anything.

There is a huge mall across the street (AZ Mills) with lots of dining options, an IMAX theater, a Gameworks restaurant/arcade and a 24 screen movie theater.

This resort is located right off Interstate 10 and Baseline Rd.

Lee's sandwiches is the best place to feed a hungry horde, for less .
The website doesn't show even half of the items they offer. They have everything from sandwiches to sushi and desserts.

Located in a strip mall in Chandler, Lee's bakes thier own french baguettes and are they YUMMY! The best part is you can get a 10inch sandwich on fresh, baked bread for under 4bucks. I'm not kidding. My personal favorite and Lee's specialty is the #6...bbq pork sandwich. It comes topped with pickled daikon and carrot, jalapeno, cilantro and a mayo/soy sauce mix. I know it sounds odd, but man, is it good. This sandwich costs me all of $3.25. It's a steal!

You can buy a fresh baguette for a buck and take it home for a snack. Lee's offers some off the wall drinks such as thai iced and chinese sodas.

For dessert they make little cakes called Delimanjoo. They're like thumb size twinkies, but they make them fresh, so they're hot and yummy! You can get 4 cakes for a buck.

I'm telling you, this place is awesome. The menu on the wall is huge and can be very overwhelming, but just grab a paper one at the counter and study it at a table.

Just an FYI, they do not take credit or debit cards. Cash only. They do have an ATM inside, but you'll be charged a couple bucks to use it.

You can't miss this place on the southwest corner of Warner and Dobson.

The Phoenix zoo is a privately owned, non-profit sanctuary that offers the animals wide open spaces to run free in large enclosures.

The grounds are split into different themes like the Africa Trail, Harmony Farm and the Arizona Trail, directing you to the different animals that live in those climates and habitats. My favorite animals are the Galapagos Tortoises. These huge guys are so interesting to watch and SO cute.

Below I will try to break the zoo down into must-sees and give tips on making your day easier, especially if you have small children.

For those of you that don't want walk thru the entire 125 acres, there is a zoo train that will take you around the whole park and give a wonderful narration about the animals. This way, you can get an idea of what you do and don't want to see later. The tour lasts about half an hour and costs $3.00 per person, 3 years and older. It leaves every 20 minutes at the train station near the main lake.

The zoo rents pedal boats and 3-wheel bikes but are on the expensive side. They also rent strollers and will let you ride your own bike or rollerblades, inside the grounds.

Restrooms and water fountains are around almost every corner. Snack bar food ranges from sandwiches and hot dogs to gelato, pizza, kettle corn and Mexican favorites. Snack bars can be expensive and are dispersed thru the grounds. As always, I advocate bringing your own water bottles and a few snacks to curb the urge to splurge on expensive menu items. (I DO love my kettle corn, though.) Make sure you get a map at the entrance to help you navigate.

The zoo offers different events throughout the year that anyone can attend. Zoo Lights is a huge one that attracts tons of people around the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday.

Another big event is the Zoofari benefit dinner and concert where all the proceeds go to the zoo itself. It's a wonderful evening filled with fabulous food, wine and entertainment, all in the name of the zoological Society of Arizona.

A couple of things to remember. The summer here is way too hot to be spending it outside at the zoo. Anywhere from late October thru early May are ideal times to go. Always have a hat and sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes. No coolers are allowed inside and always bring your wallet. Especially if you have children--there are a few gift shops throughout that will tempt them with knick knacks. Other than that, have a GREAT time.

If you like seafood...let me rephrase that...if you like inexpensive seafood, then The Salt Cellar is the place for happy hour. Happy Hour is 7 days a week from 5pm-7pm and then again at 10pm til close.

What's so special about this particular happy hour? The food prices! During happy hour only and only at the bar, you can get huge shrimp cocktail for 5 bucks, a bucket of steamed mussels for 5 bucks and escargot in mushroom caps for 5 bucks! That, my friend, is a steal! There are no drink specials, but the food prices are awesome!

The seafood is actually very fresh (never frozen) and the restaurant is very busy on Friday and Saturday nights. They offer live lobster and siganture dishes such as the Shrimp San Remo which is shrimp with pesto over angelhair. SO GOOD!

Keep in mind that the bar area is very small and if you want to be there for HH, get there early....like half an hour before or you won't get a place to sit!

Enjoy my friends! This is a great deal to get a bite to eat!

The Salt Cellar is located on Hayden Rd, just North of Mckellips. if you blink you may pass it as it is underground (hence the name) and there is only a small sign on the road.

Justina, the owner and main server is such a sweet girl and her restaurant is quite the talk of the town!

The menu here is almost unbelievable. Nothing on the menu is over $9.00! All the items are large enough to share, AND the food is incredible.

Start off with my personal favorite, the beef carpaccio which is paper thin sliced raw beef, swimming in mint, chopped peanuts and lime. At 6bucks, you HAVE to try it! The noodle soups are a great deal at $9.00 and $2.00 extra to share with someone. Huge bowls of noodles and broth, with your choice of beef, chicken or seafood. They come with a side dish of sprouts, herbs and lime to add to your liking.

I have never left here on an empty stomach and Justina will be honest with you about the menu. If she thinks you're ordering way too much food...she'll let you know.

After your meal, you have to try a Vietnamese coffee. Starbucks has NOTHIN' on the stuff. it's a caffeine laden, sweet coffee drink that will get your motor running!

Cyclo is in Chandler on the corner of Chandler Blvd and Dobson, next to a dry cleaners.