a weekend to remember
One of my good friends is getting married! This, of course, means it’s time to party. And party, we did. I’m here to tell you all about this amazing trip, and let you know exactly what you should, and should not plan if you’re planning to visit this desert oasis anytime soon.
As a Colorado girl, I’m not exactly crazy about the type of heat that the Phoenix area gets. The desert heat can feel oppressive and stifling, making it almost impossible to truly enjoy the outdoors. Despite the beautiful landscapes and unique attractions within the state, the overwhelming heat can put a damper on any plans. For this reason, I absolutely recommend visiting in the winter months when temperatures average 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit. We went in May, and it was above 90 degrees for the whole trip.
If you love the heat, that’s great! Just remember to put on sunscreen all day, every day, drink plenty of water, and wear lightweight clothing. I survived the heat by getting really familiar with the pool at our place.
the mansion
We stayed in the most unreal mansion in a Scottsdale suburb, Cave Creek. This ginormous property has 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and 16 beds, which means it’s perfect for sleeping a large group of 10 or more. Everyone in our group had a comfortable living space, their own bed, and a bathroom either in the bedroom or just outside.
The first morning, I woke up to the view of hot air balloons sailing over the mountains. I woke up earlier than many of the girls in the house and decided to take a walk… on the grounds. The grounds! This property sits on 4.5 acres and includes a pool, mini-golf course, horseshoes, a basketball court, playground, firepit, and more. There was plenty to see and do all day.
The pool featured a waterslide, waterfall, hot tub, and dive-in bar. I’ll be honest, the waterslide hurt our butts, the waterfall wouldn’t turn on, and it was too hot for the hot tub. It was pretty obvious that this property wasn’t well-maintained, which was honestly a bummer, although we still had an incredible experience. The light switches were finicky and many were broken. Early-2000’s, Tuscan décor graced the walls in the main living areas. The carpet had outlived its life in many of the bedrooms, and one of the girls saw a mouse in the movie theater!
At $1,750 per night on average, this property is perfect for a huge group – whether that be a bachelor/ette party, family reunion, Superbowl party, or just for an unforgettable experience. The quirks of this property made it memorable. I loved exploring and finding strange things everywhere I looked like a fridge in the hallway or an unexpectedly-retro home theater.
It was also completely decked out by Spice Bachelorette, a company that specializes in worry-free bachelorette parties. From decoration setup, to cleanup, to stocking the fridge, they had us completely covered with their premium-tier “Hot” package. Each girl got a custom goodie bag with sunglasses, a hangover kit, and custom T-shirts. They also included bridal-themed pool floaties to make our days in the sunshine more relaxing.
Memories Captured
Some amazing shots of the mansion from our photographer, Steph, at Hennessy Photo Co. She specializes in non-traditional elopements and weddings!
Butterfly Wonderland
On our second day, we made our journey to the Butterfly Wonderland. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Butterfly Wonderland is a haven for butterfly enthusiasts and free spirits alike. The facility boasts a lush tropical rainforest atrium, one of the largest glass-enclosed butterfly habitats in the country.
With over 3,000 butterflies from around the world, visitors have the opportunity to observe them at various stages of life, from egg to caterpillar, cocoon to butterfly. The Butterfly Wonderland is not only a great place to learn about the life cycle of a butterfly, but also to witness their beauty firsthand.
Aside from the butterfly habitat, the facility also offers a 3D theater, interactive exhibits, and a honey bee exhibit. The honey bee exhibit provides a unique look into the lives and importance of these hardworking insects.
The Butterfly Wonderland is open year-round and offers events and educational programs for all ages. Whether you’re a butterfly enthusiast or just looking for a unique experience in Scottsdale, the Butterfly Wonderland is a must-visit destination.
And if butterflies aren’t cool enough for you, there is also an aquarium included with your visit, along with a mirror maze, UFO experience, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and more on the same property. We truly could have spent all day there.
the psychic
Our first full day in the mansion called for lots of swimming and tanning, some afternoon yoga (courtesy of The Balanced Bachelorette), and psychic readings to finish off the night. Our whole group of 10 each got an individualized reading that lasted anywhere from 15-30 minutes each. She was there for like, 3 hours.
Her predictions ranged from the basics like telling us how many kids we would have, who we might have been in a past life, and what our career outlook was. But then, things took a darker turn when she predicted one of our group members was at a high risk for cancer, and another had spirits drawn to her aura… It was a bit unnerving for some, but we remembered to take everything with a grain of salt and not to let a prediction ruin our evening.
Part of the fun of seeing a psychic is the suspense, the guessing game of whether or not she’ll say something that you relate to, the skepticism, and dissecting your readings afterwards. Our psychic from Luv Collective set up a dazzling and mystical experience even including a crystal ball, and even stayed late to answer all our group’s additional questions.
Whether you’re a believer in the mystical or not, she entertained our huge group of 10 for 3+ hours – even more if you include all the time we spent talking about the readings afterwards. It was a night, and a reading, I’ll remember for years to come. Only time will tell if her predictions will come true…
the best breakfast ever
This breakfast changed my life. No, really. Every breakfast I will ever have from this day forward will be in the shadow of this one, full of hopes that it might even be just close to how delicious this food was. Courtesy of Chef Tiffany Donovan, we were prepared a full buffet of eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, mozzarella and prosciutto pastries, strawberry and mascarpone pastries, and a colorful platter of fresh fruit.
Her team filled the home with delicious smells as early at 8am and was ready to serve our brunch of champions by 11am. Our whole group was hungover from the night before, so this breakfast was like an antidote sent straight from heaven.
If you’re considering a private chef in Scottsdale (I know, niche audience), you absolutely need to try the food prepared by Chef Tiffany Donovan and her team.
downtown Scottsdale
Downtown Scottsdale is a vibrant and exciting area, located in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona. This popular destination is known for its unique blend of Western charm and modern amenities, making it a must-visit place for anyone traveling to the Phoenix area.
One of the main attractions of downtown Scottsdale is the many art galleries and museums that are located in the area. Visitors can explore a wide range of exhibits and artworks, from contemporary pieces to traditional Native American art. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, for example, is a popular destination for contemporary art lovers, while the Heard Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the Southwest Native Americans.
In addition to art and culture, downtown Scottsdale is also home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and nightlife hotspots. Visitors can browse through unique boutiques and specialty stores, or dine out at one of the many restaurants or cafes that line the streets. The nightlife in downtown Scottsdale is also bustling, with plenty of bars and clubs offering entertainment well into the night.
I wish I had more to say from personal experience about downtown Scottsdale, but everything was closed by the time we got done with lunch around 5pm on a Sunday! Keep that in mind if you’re planning an outing. Even on weekdays and Saturdays, many of the shops close before 6pm. I will say, there were tons of cute shops I would have loved to visit had they been open, and the sunset was absolutely gorgeous.
dinner @ Maple & Ash
To finish off an absolutely amazing trip, we had a delicious (and bougie) dinner at Maple & Ash. Keep an eye out for a full review of our experience, coming soon!
Planning a bachelorette party weekend in Scottsdale can be an exciting experience. With its vibrant nightlife, unique attractions, and sunny weather, Scottsdale is a popular destination for groups of friends looking to celebrate together.
Our trip to Scottsdale was absolutely unforgettable. I’m so grateful for all the cherished times spent with friends, the new people I got to meet, and the incredible experiences we had along the way. Let me know if you’re planning a trip to Scottsdale; I’d be happy to answer any questions in the comments below. Subscribe so you don’t miss my upcoming posts about our road trip home where we visited the Grand Canyon and Arches National Parks!
Safe & sunny travels!
-w.w.
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