Scottsdale City Guide

Located in the lush Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale is a sophisticated vacation destination that offers visitors the perfect opportunity to enjoy fine dining in award-winning restaurants, golf on any of the area’s nearly 190 courses, hours of world-class shopping, and the treasures of a community with a rich Native American and Old West history. In addition, Scottsdale is recognized as a worldwide art mecca with more than 125 art galleries, studios and museums.

Throughout Scottsdale you will find evidence of a back to basics philosophy. Many of Scottsdale's resort and day spas are embracing the use of plants indigenous to the Sonoran Desert and traditional Native American healing principles in their treatments. So, whether it’s a rejuvenating Sonoran body polish, a soothing hot stone treatment or a mineral-rich desert lavender salt glow, Scottsdale boasts an abundance of treatments that marry the age-old elements of the Sonoran Desert with the modern techniques of healing.

And don’t forget that adventure abounds in Scottsdale. From an off-road Hummer tour in the Sonoran Desert or chasing the sunrise in a hot air balloon, to hiking and rock climbing in the neighboring McDowell Mountain Preserve, there are a variety of wonderful ways to discover the breathtaking landscapes of Scottsdale.

ATTRACTIONS

• Rawhide Wild West Town
. Arizona’s largest western-theme attraction, Rawhide is an Old West town complete with gunfights; a museum; stagecoach, train and burro rides; a petting ranch; gold panning; boutiques and shops; starlight cookouts; a saloon; the world-famous Rawhide steakhouse and more. Visit www.rawhide.com.
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
. When architecture critics attempt to name Frank Lloyd Wright’s best works, Taliesin West consistently is singled out as one of his greatest triumphs. From the beginning, this remarkable set of buildings astounded architectural critics with its beauty and unusual form. Frank Lloyd Wright literally created Taliesin West out of the Sonoran Desert. He and his apprentices gathered rocks from the desert floor and sand from the washes to build a winter home, studio and architectural campus. Situated on 600 acres of rugged Sonoran Desert at the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taliesin West is now a National Historic Landmark. Visitors will not see a museum, but rather a remarkably vital and active community of students and architects working together to maintain Wright’s vision. Today 70 people live, work and study at Taliesin West. Visit www.franklloydwright.org.
• Cosanti Foundation – Paolo Soleri Windbells
. An Arizona historic site. A unique complex of concrete structures designed and constructed by Paolo Soleri. Visitors may browse the studios where the Soleri Windbells are made and sold. Visit www.cosanti.com.
• The Heard Museum & Heard Museum North
. A museum of Native cultures and art, the Heard is internationally recognized for its extensive collections of Native American artifacts and fine art, unique exhibits, special events and innovative programming. The museum features 10 exhibition galleries, an artist studio where visitors can watch an artist-in-residence work, an auditorium, an education center with three classrooms, a museum shop and bookstore, and a café. Visit www.heard.org.
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Ar
t. A dynamic institution that exhibits, interprets, collects and preserves works of modern and contemporary art, architecture and design. A laboratory for aesthetic exploration and inquiry. Visit www.scottsdalearts.org.
• Scottsdale Center for the Arts
. Enjoy dance, theater, classical, jazz and world music performances. Educational programs and festivals. Visit www.scottsdalearts.org.
• Downtown Scottsdale Art & Shopping Districts
. Visitors to downtown Scottsdale will find more than 500 one-of-a-kind specialty shops and boutiques, extraordinary art galleries, magnificent restaurants, nightclubs, entertainment venues and museums. The downtown area consists of four unique districts. Old Town encompasses many historical establishments such as the Rusty Spur Saloon and Cavalliere’s Blacksmith Shop, while the Fifth Avenue Shopping District features Southwest and Native American arts and crafts. The Marshall Way Arts District is known for its diversity of media, from handcrafted wearable art to limited edition prints, and unique collector’s pieces. Visitors will find fine restaurants and some of the world’s major sources of art and antiques in the Main Street Arts & Antiques District. Visit www.downtownscottsdale.com.
• Giants Spring Training Baseball
. Watch your favorite baseball players for free as the San Francisco Giants practice at Indian School Park. Then get your tickets and see them in a Cactus League game at Scottsdale Stadium throughout the month of March. Visit www.sfgiants.com.
• Scottsdale’s Signature Events
. While Scottsdale is home to hundreds of special events each year, the following are Scottsdale’s signature events: Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, The Phoenix Open, Arizona Sun Country Quarter Horse Show, Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol Parade and Rodeo, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, State Farm Women’s Tennis Classic, Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic, National Festival of the West, Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Summer Spectacular ArtWalk, Western ArtWalk Weekend, Metris Thunderbird Balloon Classic, and Scottsdale ArtWalk. For more information on these events and others, visit www.scottsdalecvb.com.
• Desert Botanical Garden
. Home to one of the world’s largest, most diverse collection of desert plants from places spanning the globe. Throughout the year, fascinating interactive exhibits, docent-guided tours, and fun-filled activities captivate visitors of all ages. The Desert Botanical Garden features workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics, and special events such as the Music in the Garden and Jazz in the Garden concert series as well as an annual winter holiday celebration that has become one of the Valley’s most popular events. There is also a gift shop, a plant shop, a research library and a patio café on the premises. Visit www.dbg.org.
• McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
. Ride the train through 30 acres of beautiful park or enjoy the Scottsdale Charros Carousel. Rides offered every day beginning at 10:00 a.m. Adults: $1.00/ride; kids under 3: free with paying adult. Visit www.therailroadpark.com.
• Scottsdale Historical Society
. The Scottsdale Historical Museum, in the 1910 Little Red Schoolhouse, chronicles the city’s history with photographs, artifacts and changing displays. Visit www.scottsdalemuseum.org.