Scottsdale, Arizona
United States of America

https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/maps-guides/official-visitors-guide/

Scottsdale’s luxurious corner of the sunny Southwest has something exceptional in store for you. The magic begins with a magnificent Sonoran Desert setting renowned for its remarkable clarity of light, towering saguaro cacti, vibrantly hued sunsets and idyllic year-round weather. It’s a setting that will have you breathing deeper, letting go of everyday worries and settling into an easier pace in no time at all. Then, you’ll be ready to enjoy some Scottsdale-style indulgence and exploration.

LUXURY RESORTS & SPAS

Inspired getaways call for equally inspiring accommodations. Scottsdale’s roster of 70+ premier properties runs the gamut from five-diamond luxury resorts and secluded desert sanctuaries to chic urban hotels in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. In addition to amenities like fine dining, poolside cabanas and museum-worthy art collections, many Scottsdale resorts also offer full- service spas on property. These enclaves of relaxation specialize in treatments drawing from Sonoran Desert botanicals, ancient Native American healing techniques and curative traditions from around the world.

OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE

Old Town’s nine walkable districts form the vibrant heart of Scottsdale. Here, specialty boutiques, museums and fine art galleries sit side-by-side with historic sites from the 1880s. It’s this effortless blend of urban chic and Old West charm that gives Scottsdale’s downtown its one- of-a-kind flair. Must-see attractions in Old Town include Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the weekly Thursday night ArtWalk.

SONORAN DESERT RECREATION

If Old Town is Scottsdale’s heart, the Sonoran Desert is its soul. With 330 days of sunshine annually, lush vegetation and scenic mountain ranges, the Sonoran Desert provides a refreshing change of scenery for both ardent adventure seekers and those who like to appreciate nature at a more leisurely pace. Options for exploring the desert’s stirring beauty include hot air ballooning, off-road tours, horseback riding, and nature walks and hikes in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the largest urban preserve in North America at more than 36 times the size of Central Park.

WORLD-CLASS GOLF

Scottsdale is known as “The World’s Finest Golf Destination,” and with a stellar portfolio of 50 courses in the city proper and another 150+ in the vicinity, it’s easy to see why. Golfers of all skill levels will find their perfect round with options ranging from lush, tree-lined tracks to challenging desert target-style courses that incorporate natural hazards like desert washes, massive boulders and saguaro cacti into their layouts. No matter which course – or courses – you choose, you’ll enjoy the sunny skies, breathtaking scenic vistas and top-tier service that are the hallmarks of Scottsdale’s world-class golf scene.

ARTS & CULTURE

In addition to the galleries and museums of Old Town, arts afficionados will find plenty to explore throughout the city. Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright built Taliesin West, his winter home and architectural school, in 1937 in the foothills of Scottsdale’s McDowell Mountains. Today, Taliesin West is a UNESCO World Heritage site offering daily audio and guided tours. Nearby, the melodious bronze windbells of the late Paolo Soleri are still crafted at his Scottsdale studio, Cosanti. And dotted throughout Scottsdale are more than 100 spectacular public art installations, including Robert Indiana’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture.

ELEVATED SHOPPING

Scottsdale boasts the best shopping in Arizona with more than 2,500 luxury retailers, one-off boutiques and upscale malls. Old Town Scottsdale is home to dozens of souvenir shops, Native American jewelry stores, Western wear boutiques, and Scottsdale Fashion Square, the Southwest’s largest climate-controlled shopping destination with exclusive luxury brands. In north Scottsdale, Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter delight shoppers with high-end stores in sun-drenched outdoor settings.

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

Scottsdale dining scene is known for its celebrity chefs, up-and-coming culinary talents and a year-round growing season that guarantees farm-to-table freshness at every meal. In addition to regional Southwestern cuisine, diners can enjoy a full range of offerings including prime beef and seafood, inspired global flavors, and organic, vegetarian and vegan specialties. If nightlife is on your itinerary, head for Old Town Scottsdale where more than 100 wine tasting rooms (many featuring Arizona-made wine), local breweries, Western bars and high-energy nightclubs keep the excitement going all night long.

PREMIER EVENTS

Scottsdale’s year-round calendar of special events includes live music, cultural festivals, art exhibitions, professional rodeos, and specialty events including the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open, Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and Major League Baseball Spring Training. Come the holiday season, Scottsdale takes on a special glow with celebrations such as Canal Convergence, featuring lighted, immersive art exhibitions along the Scottsdale Waterfront; Scottsdazzle, a month-long celebration comprised of more than a dozen festive events including the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting; as well as other iconic events throughout the city.

EASY ACCESS

Getting to Scottsdale is easier than ever thanks to robust airlift offerings at Sky Harbor International Airport. Nonstop service is available between Scottsdale and 24 international destinations, including Frankfurt, London-Heathrow, and Paris. Once you’re on the ground, Scottsdale is easily drivable to and from other Southwest points of interest like the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Monument Valley.

DESTINATION