Watch the sun set over the Valley from the top of Camelback Mountain, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. flickr/Cibomahto

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Stunning views and cutting edge mixology make Jade Bar at the Sanctuary on Camelback one of the coolest hotel bars in the Valley of the Sun. Photo: Sanctuary on Camelback

The Ghost Lounge at the San Carlos Hotel. If you’re looking for local ambiance and color, the Ghost Lounge at the San Carlos Hotel should be at the top of your itinerary. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, the San Carlos is one of the city’s oldest and most storied hotels, and the Ghost Lounge has its share of stories to tell. Rumor has it that Marilyn Monroe enjoyed a drink or two here, so add your name to the clientele roster with a visit to this lounge, which features lunch, dinner, specialty cocktails, live music and comedy nights.

Jade Bar at the Sanctuary. Drink with a view, anyone? Music, food and incredible starlight make Jade Bar one of the most coveted hotel bar destinations in the Valley. The secluded patio features panoramic desert and city views, making this the perfect place to cozy up and enjoy the view with some of the best hand-crafted cocktails in town.

Cafe Zuzu at the Hotel Valley Ho. This hip cafe serves American Comfort food with a gourmet twist, but the cafe also doubles as a swanky bar. Enjoy the fun Midcentury Modern setting and order up a retro chic drink such as a fizz or flip. Try the Ricky Ricardo–that’s cherry vodka, lime and ginger ale–for a truly refreshing cocktail.

The dining room at the Compass Arizona Grill, located on the 24th floor of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, offers 360 degree views of downtown Phoenix. Photo: Hyatt Regency Phoenix

Whether you would like to drink in an amazing desert sunset, watch the mountains turn dusky-pink in the evening, or enjoy great city views, these three restaurants offer great food with a generous side helping of “wow!” Come for the food, stay for the view.

Compass Arizona Grill. Arizona’s only revolving restaurant sits above downtown Phoenix on the 24th floor of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Feast on award-winning Contemporary American cuisine while enjoying 360 degree views of central Phoenix. Open for dinner every evening.

Different Pointe of View. Located in Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, a posh resort in North Phoenix, this restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning desert and city views. The dining room is situated 1,800 feet above the Valley, making it the perfect location for enjoying views of the surrounding Sonoran desert and the downtown city skyscape in the distance. The Terrace Room, the restaurant’s outdoor dining space, offers one-of-kind views, making this the perfect backdrop for wedding photos and special celebrations.

elements. This restaurant, located on the north slope of iconic Camelback Mountain at the upscale Sanctuary  resort, offers incredible views of Paradise Valley. The award-winning Modern American cuisine is full of Asian influences, with fresh, seasonal ingredients always on the menu. Come for the culinary treats, but linger for the awesome views of the surrounding desert and picturesque Paradise Valley to the north.

Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub. Owned by Seamus and Rosie McCaffrey, natives of Belfast, Ireland, this pub has been a Valley favorite since opening its doors back in 2002. Specializing in Irish and Scotch whiskeys, blended and single malts, the pub also features a full service dining room serving authentic Irish fare and American specialties.  Try the award-winning “Harp Battered Fish-n-Chips,” voted Best of Phoenix by The Phoenix New Times since 2002. Entertainment at Rosie’s includes closed circuit televisions airing Irish and international sports, video games, and live music on the main stage. The warm cherry and mahogany furnishings offer an inviting place to spend the evening with family and friends.

Rosie McCaffrey's, one of Phoenix's most popular Irish pubs, is the place to be on St. Patrick's Day. Photo: Rosie McCaffeys

Tim Finnegan’s Irish Restaurant & Pub. This North Phoenix restaurant/pub is the place to go for authentic Irish pub grub like Shepard’s Pie made with the best quality lamb, savory corned beef in cabbage, and delicious fish ‘n’ chips. Live music and walls of plasma screen TVs make this a lively destination for anyone craving authentic Irish food in a welcoming and contemporary pub setting. Need more reason to pay a visit? Tim Finnegan’s is known for its great specials, including $5.99 lunch specials and Happy Hour specials–even during the weekends–from 4pm to 7pm each and every day.

O’Connor’s Pub. The motto at this friendly neighborhood pub is “Where you’re a stranger only once.” Owner Jimmy O’Connor, a native of County Galway, opened O’Connor’s Pub back in 1990 and has turned this into one of the Valley’s favorite Irish pubs. Enjoy some of the finest Irish hospitality in the Valley at this low-key gem of a pub, which features authentic Irish beer, decor and music, with never a cover charge in sight. Catch the big rugby or soccer match here,  enjoy the daily drink specials, or shoot a game of pool or darts with friends. Local seasonal beers and a good selection of bottled micro brews make this a good place to discover your new favorite beer. The food menu is limited, but traditional Irish pub grub like corn beef cabbage is served. O’Connor’s also features one of the best jukeboxes on this side of town.

Payson, located about ninety miles north of Phoenix, offers a scenic winter getaway for Phoenix desert-dwellers.

Payson. Located about 90 miles north of Phoenix, smack dab in the middle of Arizona, is the busy town of Payson. About ninety-seven percent of the town is surrounded  by land maintained by the United States Forest Service. Tonto National Forest, Green Valley State Park, and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park make this a recreational wonderland where you can spend your winter vacation hiking, sitting around the campfire, or touring the historic Zane Grey Cabin or Tonto Natural Bridge. Did we mention there is always the chance that you’ll get to play in the snow? This cool mountain town is a good place

Prescott. Just under two hours from the big city, Prescott offers charm, history, and even the possibility of snowfall. The historic downtown, including the shops, hotels, and restaurants of Whiskey Row, make this the perfect winter weekend getaway. Cozy up in one of the city’s bed and breakfast getaways, or enjoy a stay in a rustic winter cabin hidden deep in the ponderosa pine tree forests that surround this charming mountain town.

Pinetop, Lakeside, and Show Low. About the three and a half hours from Phoenix, the small communities of Pinetop, Lakeside, and Show Low offer a high country winter getaway for city-weary travelers. The nearby White Mountains provide a gorgeous scenic backdrop of alpine forests and mountains. Winter recreation, including skiing at the popular Sunrise Ski Resort, draws plenty of visitors during the icy winter season.

1. Postino Wine Cafe. This lively wine cafe is stylish without being pretentious. The crowd here is mostly made up of co-workers commiserating after a long day at the office, folks canoodling on date night, and oenophiles enjoying the gourmet cheeses, imported Italian meats, and of course, awesome wine selection. The cafe is located in the historic Arcadia neighborhood, with a newer location now open in central Phoenix.

Wine aficionados gather for a tasting at My Wine Cellar, an Ahwatukee-area bar and bistro that also features a retail store.

2. My Wine Cellar. This wine bar and bistro, located in Ahwatukee, features an impressive wine selection and a retail store. The emphasis here is on boutique wines and craft beers that pair well with the bistro’s authentic Mediterranean-Italian cuisine. Great atmosphere, great food, and you can even take a bottle of your favorite wine home with you.

3. Cheuvront. This wine and cheese cafe is a popular Phoenix happy hour spot for the downtown crowd. Twice a month, a local sommelier offers a wine tasting designed to introduce both beginners and well-versed aficionados to certain varietals and wine regions. Wine tasting cost between $15.00-$20.00 per person, and the price includes a cheese plate. Reservations recommended.

Ever tried pickled pigs feet and fresh sauerkraut? You can at Kazimierz World Wine Bar in downtown Scottsdale, where the atmosphere is both cozy and exotic.

4. Kazimierz World Wine Bar. Dark and cozy, you’ll feel like you stumbled into an authentic European haunt at this downtown Scottsdale wine bar and cafe. Enjoy choosing from over 2,000 wines, exotic global small plates, classic and craft cocktails, and live entertainment. Kazimierz, with its wooden wine casks and candlelight, is about as romantic as any wine bar you’ll find in the Valley.

Cibo

Exposed brick, hardwood floors, stained glass, and a patio decked out in twinkling lights. The stage is set for romance at Cibo (pronounced “chee-boh,” which means “food” in Italian), an urban pizzeria café located in central Phoenix where the ambiance is rivaled only by the food. Situated in a restored 1913 bungalow, Cibo serves thin, made-to-order pizza inspired by the traditions and flavors of Southern Italy. Chef Guido Saccone, a native of Southern Italy, prepares the hand-stretched pizzas and bakes them in wood-burning oven. You can choose between “pizze rosse” (“red pizza”) and “pizze bianche” (“white pizza”), all topped with fresh, local ingredients and imported Italian meats and cheeses. The lunch menu features hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and an assortment of authentic Italian desserts.

Great atmosphere and great food make Cibo a popular date spot for those seeking a romantic night out.

House of Tricks

Nestled on a quiet street just north of Arizona State University in Tempe, this foodie magnet is also one of the Valley’s great date destinations. The restaurant is situated in a restored 1920s cottage featuring a cozy dining room, vintage stone fireplace built with local river rock, and an impressive collection of original art. Outside, the mature shade trees provide a perfect canopy for sunny afternoon lunches and evocative dinners. Chef Kelly Fletcher’s seasonally-inspired menus embrace local and international flavors for an exquisite take on Contemporary American cuisine. The romantic atmosphere, extensive fine wine list, and impeccable service make House of Tricks a perfect date spot.

T. Cook’s

This is one of the most romantic restaurants in the city.  Gracious, upscale, and inviting, T. Cook’s is located at the luxurious Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix. Vaulted ceilings and a dining room of rich, earthen tones set the mood for an intimate, gracious evening. Executive Chef Lee Hillson hand-selects all ingredients for the Mediterranean-inspired menu that incorporates Italian, Spanish, and French traditions and flavors. Stop off at the popular Lounge for a romantic night cap.

The great views, vaulted ceilings, and plush, intimate dining room at T. Cook's makes this one of the most romantic restaurants in the state.

Sophie’s

Charming to a tee, Sophie‘s is a French bistro serving authentic, traditional French fare. Here is your destination for such French specialties as escargot and hand-rolled, Parisian-style crepes. The house specialty is Duck Contif Cassoulet, a slow-cooked duck leg, Schriener’s lamb sausage, and pulled ham hock meat served in a cast iron Le Creuset with simmering white beans. Whether you have the Beef Bourguignon or something from the lighter side of the menu, Sophie’s is a white-table cloth restaurant with impeccable service and a serene, peaceful dining room, absolutely perfect for a romantic lunch or dinner.

Quiessence Restaurant

What could be more romantic than fine dining in a quaint, picturesque farm surrounded by a grove of shady pecan trees? Located at the historic Farm at South Mountain in south Phoenix, Quiessence is gaining a reputation as one of the Valley’s best and most memorable places to enjoy a meal. This hidden gem specializes in contemporary American farm cuisine, hand-crafted from the best local ingredients. This is one of the only places to experience a “daily menu” culinary experience in the Valley, where ingredients are hand-picked daily by the chefs to create a singular, never-replicated multi-course dinner that will leave your taste buds singing.

Carolina’s Mexican Food. You can eat well here with the change in your pocket. Overstuffed meat and potato burritos make a filling breakfast, and the lunch combo platters will leave you full until dinnertime, without making a dent in your wallet.

Rocket Burgers and Subs. Hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches—did we mention burgers? Eat well for less than four dollars a pop at this fun, friendly burger joint. Try the Teriyaki Burger, featuring cheese, pineapple, lettuce, mayo, and a homemade teriyaki sauce. Don’t forget the cheese fries! Rocket Burgers also carries a fun, extensive selection of unique bottled sodas.

The Fry Bread House. Made-from-scratch, hand-stretched fry bread is the base for nearly all the menu selections at this local comfort food favorite. Try it topped with red chile beef, or as a dessert with chocolate and butter. This may not qualify as health food, but this is quintessential Arizona cuisine at its best.

Gourmet doesn't mean expensive at La Condesa, one of Phoenix's premier taco shops.

Los Reyes de la Torta. If you don’t know what a torta is, you have been missing out. These toasted Mexican sandwiches come in infinite varieties, but all are mouth-watering. Try a traditional Torta Milanesa, and don’t leave without having a fresh licuado from the juice bar.

La Condesa Gourmet Taco Shop. With a couple of bucks, you can fill up on gourmet tacos at this fun, hip taco shop. Try the Sonoran Carne Asada Taco, stuffed with Arrachera steak marinated with Mexican herbs, fresh garlic and olive oil, then charbroiled with mesquite charcoal.

Phoenix Art Museum. This is the cultural heartbeat of central Phoenix. For more than 50 years, the Phoenix Art Museum has been the Southwest’s premier destination for world-class art. More than 18,000 works of American, European, Asian, Latin American, and Western American art are on display. You’ll see works by Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Arizona favorite Philip Curtis. Don’t miss the modern and contemporary art wing and fashion design gallery. The museum plays host to regular festivals, movie screenings, and educational programs. Kids will love PhxArtKids, an interactive space for children.

Get a pulse on the contemporary art scene with a visit to the modern art wing at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Musical Instrument Museum. One of Arizona’s newest museums, the Musical Instrument Museum, or MIM, has quickly carved out an important niche in the local arts and culture scene. The MIM strives to share and celebrate the history of musical instruments throughout the world with its collection of instruments from around two hundred countries around the world. Wander the bright, open space and listen to musical instrument samples using the museum’s wireless headsets. Flat-panel monitors throughout the museum give visitors the opportunity to see instruments performed. The MIM also hosts numerous concerts and performances.

Heard Museum. This is one of the world’s best repositories of Native American art, crafts, and jewelry. There are ten exhibition galleries, free guided tours, an outdoor sculpture garden, art gallery and trading post-style gift shop, and a renowned café. The Heard Museum presents six to eight new exhibitions every year, as well as ongoing exhibits that showcase the museum’s large collection of American Indian art.

Arizona Science Center. More than 300 hands-on exhibits in five themed galleries make for a day of fun and learning at this favorite downtown museum. Children and adults will enjoy learning how their body works in the All About Me exhibit, or experiment, observe, and test your ideas in the popular Get Charged Up! Gallery. Catch the latest thrilling documentary at the IMAX theater, go on a journey across the galaxies at the Dorrance Planetarium (the first in the world to use new, state-of-the-art NanoSeam dome technology), or get a workout on the Rock Wall, a 15-foot climbing wall that will give you a whole new view on things.

Pueblo Grande Museum and Archeological Park. This non-profit museum and park, located on a busy city corner, can be easy to miss. Take the time to stop by for a fascinating glimpse into the Phoenix valley’s prehistoric past. The museum and park preserves the history of the ancient Hohokam people who once inhabited central and southern Arizona. You’ll get up close to a prehistoric ball court at this remarkable archeological site, which has been operated by the city of Phoenix since 1929.

Talking Stick Resort and Casino. This swanky, 497-room luxury resort and casino is located in east Scottsdale and features six specialty dining rooms, a 13,000 square foot open-air spa, and nightly entertainment. Take the elevator up to the hotel’s 14^th floor and spend a night with the girls at Degree 270, an upscale lounge area featuring breath-taking views of the Valley. Nightly entertainment, regular drink specials (including vodka tastings), and great dancing make this one of Scottsdale’s hottest hotspots.

Hard to find, but worth seeking out, Merc Bar offers a cozy and swanky destination for your next girl's night out in Phoenix.

Postino Wine Café. This popular wine bar and café is a great place to get together with friends for drinks and appetizers after work. Share the Butcher’s Block, an assortment of artisan meats and cheeses served with tuscan beans, olives, nuts and crostini, then sit back and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Get the work week off to a fabulous start with $20 Monday and Tuesday nights, where you can order any bottle of house wine and bruschetta for only $20 after 8pm.

MercBar. This exclusive martini bar is hard to find, but once inside you’ll be glad you came. Small, dark and cozy, MercBar is the place to be if you want to sample some of the city’s best specialty martinies. A sophisticated, well-dressed crowd makes this an ideal spot for a spotting local celebrities and professional athletes.