A Local’s Guide to Cave Creek & Carefree, Arizona (dog-friendly)
Cave Creek and Carefree, Arizona are about 45 minutes from central Phoenix & Scottsdale. I grew up going to Cave Creek/Carefree and now my parents live here full-time! I have compiled a list of my all-time favorite places for you to check out next time you are in the Phoenix area! Carefree and Cave Creek can make for a perfect day trip! Also, if you are visiting in the summer something to note is that these towns are slightly higher elevation than the valley and you can feel the difference!
How to Spend a Day in Cave Creek & Carefree:
Absolute MUST DO’s:
English Rose Tea Room: The English Rose Tea Room is a British tea room in the heart of the desert. You can get a traditional English Afternoon Tea here. It is decorated beautifully with bright colors, flowers, and fun things to transport you to England! The English Rose Tea Room also hosts special events to check out on the website or you can book a private event! Book far in advance on Open Table!
A Cave Creek Bar Crawl: Cave Creek has such fun biker meets cowboy vibe bars. There are a ton to choose from but the 3 places I wouldn’t miss on your crawl are:
The Buffalo Chip: Make sure to go on a Wednesday or Friday evening for live Bull Riding. Friday is the better crazier night with live music too.
Harold’s Corral: There are always things happening at Harold’s! On Friday nights they have live music & dancing and on Saturday you can learn how to line dance. Harold’s is a huge Steelers bar and makes for a fun place to watch Football (not just the Steelers). (dog-friendly patio)
Hideaway: Hideaway Roadhouse is a big biker bar! They have lots of firepits during the winter nights and the inside is small but fun! They usually have live music as well.
During Halloween, they have the WICKED Bar Crawl which has a free party bus, drink specials, and ALL OUT costumes & contests. I highly recommend attending if you are in the area during Halloween weekend.
Get out & Hike: The desert surrounding Cave Creek and Carefree is the most special thing about the area. If you miss out on getting out into nature and being up close to the Sonoran desert you have truly missed out. You will have the opportunity to spot plenty of saguaros and cacti of all types. If you come during March or April you can see the beauty of the blooming desert. You may also spot coyotes, bobcats, javelinas, road runners, and yes, rattlesnakes while adventuring into the desert. Be aware of your surroundings when hiking in the desert and stay on the trail!
Spa Day at Civana: Even if you are not staying at Civana you can book a spa day at their amazing facility. I love to spend an entire day here by getting a massage or facial and then enjoying all the amenities and food.
Where to Stay?
Civana Wellness Resort & Spa: Located in Carefree, this is the most relaxing place you can pick if you choose to stay in the area. They have wonderful amenities including fitness classes and a full spa. The food on the property is incredible and is all focused on healthy eating. At Civana you can participate in a Wellness retreat for a day or week(s). This would be a great location for a bachelorette, birthday, or group relaxation getaway.
The Boulders Resort & Spa: The Boulders is located just south of Cave Creek & Carefree. They have beautiful grounds and the hotel is lovely. Their pools, spa, and golf course are the perfect place for fun & relaxation.
Hampton Inn Carefree: The Hampton Inn is right in the middle of downtown Carefree. It is dog friendly and conveniently located with a pricepoint much lower than Civana and The Boulders.
Where to Eat?
Breakfast/Lunch:
Local Jonny’s: This is a great place for brunch. They have a variety of food to choose from including many healthy or vegetarian options. They have a full bar and a great dog-friendly patio. They frequently have live music as well.
Brunch: This is a great classic breakfast place. I love the donuts they serve each day! You could turn this into a boozy brunch very easily with how extensive and amazing their drink menu is!
Carefree Coffee Roastery: If you need somewhere to grab a quick coffee and bite to eat this is the spot! Best coffee in town and the owners are great people!
The Grotto Cafe: This is a great place to visit after finishing up a hike. They have a huge outdoor dog-friendly patio and the food is great. Make sure to get the famous iced tea with an orange slice, it’s the best!
Dinner:
Ravens View Wine Bar: This is my all-time favorite spot in the area! They have THE best happy hour. Their wine selections are great and the food is fantastic. I love sitting outside by the fires on their dog-friendly patio. They have live music a lot too!
Tonto Bar & Grill: This is a great place to sit outside for Dinner. Their menu is unique southwest cuisine.
Giordano Trattoria Romana: I like this Italian restaurant over the others in the Cave Creek & Carefree area. It is located in Carfree and is very relaxed but with quality Italian food.
El Encanto: This is a fun atmosphere to grab Mexican food in the center of Cave Creek. They get super busy so call for a reservation well in advance.
Get Outside & Get Active!
Hiking: Hiking is one of my favorite things to do in this area. The trails are less crowded than down in the Valley and the views are better. Here are 3 of my favorite hikes.
Black Mountain: 2.2 miles but pretty steep & challenging. (dog-friendly)
Spur Cross Trails: There are many different trails to choose from here. My favorites are Dragonfly, Jewel of the Creek, & Elephant Mountain. (Bring Cash $ & dog-friendly)
Play a round of golf: There are several gorgeous golf courses around the area. My personal favorite is Rancho Manana. I think it is a fairly challenging course but the views keep you relaxed throughout the play.
ATV/UTV/Off-Roading: There are many trails you can take out into the desert/ One of the more popular ones is Seven Springs. You can find rentals in downtown Cave Creek.
Spend the day at the Lake: Lake Bartlett is a 35-minute drive out into the desert from Cave Creek & Carefree. Here you can rent boats, SUPs, or Kayaks to take out on the water. There are also many beaches and hiking trails to explore!
