Here on the Corner is the best girly boutique in Arizona! Here is located next to Campus Corner on College Ave. north of University. "Our selection at Here cannot be beat, from glam and unique to cute and sweet!" A great place to find a unique gift for a girlfriend or a fabulous handbag. They carry many local artists and feature them with trunk shows every season.

Mary's Café, N. 89 Highway, Flagstaff. For Breakfast and the best country gravy in the state, drive North on I-17 to I-40 turn east and go to the highway 89 exit.

Four Peaks Brewery in Tempe. This microbrewery is great to meet friends, eat and drink while enjoying the AZ weather on the patio.

Grazie Pizzeria and Wine Bar. 6952 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, 480-663-9797. Great patio, excellent thin crust pizza, and you absolutely cannot miss the Dolce Della Casa dessert: a calzone stuffed with bananas and nuttella, topped with ice cream.

Sonoita Café in Sonoita. A beautiful drive one hour south of Tucson nearby vineyards and bird sanctuaries. The Café has fabulous food, wonderful wine and friendly service.

For Lunch: Drive North on Highway 160 to Kayenta. Go to the Berger King. I know it's just a Berger King, BUT inside you will find the Museum of Navajo Code Talkers. With an entire two sided wall of memorabilia and pictures of Arizona's own Local Heroes.

Casa Molina in Tucson. Great food, try the Carne Seca!

El Charro in Tucson. A funky place full of color and charm (again, try the Carne Seca when in Tucson).

Old Town Border. 3815 N. Brown Avenue, Scottsdale, 480-970-1900. Serves fat burgers and cold beer. Aside from live music, what more does a person need?

Bianco’s Pizzeria in Phoenix. This is a small Italian restaurant on Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix with a romantic ambiance, excellent food and divine red wine.

Tricks Restaurant in Tempe. A quaint and romantic spot in the valley of the sun.

The Knotty Pine Café. The Best Home fries in the State and a good breakfast before heading up into Rim Country. Drive East on 60 to 87 then go north to Payson, second cafe on the right.

Tres Margaritas in Tempe. Their “Original” Margarita is the best in town.

Gardenterritory.com - If you are in the Phoenix metropolitan area and interested in a unique lunch idea try an organic soup and sandwich at The Farm. 

Shops & Services:

Riverdale Shoe Repair, 7921 E. Main St., Mesa AZ 480 380 7878. This place knows how to fix cowboy boots! Charlie understands what a cowboy boot is suppose to look like and maintains these classic lines during his repair process. If you go through boots like I do, this place is a necessity. Recommended by Maxol Studios.

Tucson Boot, “Boots” Reitzel in Tucson (another Kansas boy, born and raised) offers vintage and his new personally designed boots for sale on the Internet. With the current state of economical cowboy boot availability, this is the only way I can stay shod with true cowboy boots. Without going to custom makers (which are great boots, only expensive), Boots supplies some of the best names in vintage boots, including lots of black label product. Check out the site, it’s definitely straight shoot’n and full of good “Boot Talk”. I think I’ve bought at least 7 pairs and have no complaints!

Arizona Country:

Public Lands Info Center, 222 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ 602 417 9300. This is the place to go to find out what you can do, where you can do it, and how to do it legally on the vast lands of the state of Arizona. This place is THE AZ outdoor headquarters. If you trail bike, quad, boat, hike, natural park it, whatever, this place has the support in maps to permits. And all of us ask you to go there so you do it legally and ethically – “Stay On The Trails”. Recommended by Maxol Studios.

Places:

The Bird Cage Theater, Tombstone, AZ. This place is one of the coolest places from the “Old West”. This is the old saloon and brothel in Tombstone. The place is in the original condition and reeks of history, blood, and sweat. Make sure you go to the basement, my favorite! Recommended by Maxol Studios.