Things to do in Scottsdale, AZ

More than 100 galleries line the streets of downtown Scottsdale, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that Scottsdale rivals Santa Fe as the Southwest’s premier art Mecca. Every Thursday night, the city plays host to one of the nation’s oldest Art Walks, drawing artists, professional dealers, and art aficionados to downtown Scottsdale (for more than 30 years). Bob Park’s famous bronze horse fountain, one of the most photographed spots around town, reigns over the Marshall Arts District, where tree-covered courtyards and bubbling fountains provide a relaxing backdrop for exploring Scottsdale’s thriving gallery scene. Although traditional Western Art still holds sway over Scottsdale galleries, the city also has a flourishing contemporary art scene. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) champions innovation and vitality in the visual arts with ongoing exhibits of contemporary and modern art.

Luxurious desert resorts are Scottsdale’s premier calling card, drawing celebrities, winter visitors, families, and couples seeking a private escape into the desert. The Hyatt, Four Seasons, Waldorf-Astoria, and Hilton all offer their own sumptuous versions of a desert paradise, replete with sprawling...  

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More than 100 galleries line the streets of downtown Scottsdale, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that Scottsdale rivals Santa Fe as the Southwest’s premier art Mecca. Every Thursday night, the city plays host to one of the nation’s oldest Art Walks, drawing artists, professional dealers, and art aficionados to downtown Scottsdale (for more than 30 years). Bob Park’s famous bronze horse fountain, one of the most photographed spots around town, reigns over the Marshall Arts District, where tree-covered courtyards and bubbling fountains provide a relaxing backdrop for exploring Scottsdale’s thriving gallery scene. Although traditional Western Art still holds sway over Scottsdale galleries, the city also has a flourishing contemporary art scene. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) champions innovation and vitality in the visual arts with ongoing exhibits of contemporary and modern art.

Luxurious desert resorts are Scottsdale’s premier calling card, drawing celebrities, winter visitors, families, and couples seeking a private escape into the desert. The Hyatt, Four Seasons, Waldorf-Astoria, and Hilton all offer their own sumptuous versions of a desert paradise, replete with sprawling desert gardens, private poolside cabanas, world-class spas and dining, championship-level golf, and guided excursions into the desert wilderness. Outdoor living is elevated to high art at these Scottsdale resorts, where open fire pits, outdoor lounge seating, poolside dining, and private decks and balconies are standard amenities—all perfect for watching desert night skies erupt with stars. 

Few cities in the Southwest offer the range, diversity, and innovation of the Scottsdale culinary scene. Scottsdale is home to over 600 restaurants, as well as the award-winning Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute. Award winning chefs, along with a large population of young kitchen apprentices, means that there’s no shortage of raw talent in this foodies’ paradise. You’ll find some of Arizona’s most upscale restaurants in Scottsdale, as well as the Southwest’s most adventurous techniques and creative use of indigenous ingredients. Traditional Southwestern flavors provide a basis for bold culinary experiments that fuse traditional Continental, California, and Latin American cooking with Scottsdale’s own unique take on regional and global cuisine. 

If the phrase “retail therapy” means anything to you, watch out. Scottsdale is home to Scottsdale Fashion Square, the largest shopping center in the Southwest. This upscale fashion park is where couture comes to live: Barney’s, Macy’s, Carolyn Herrera, Louis Vuitton, and Armani are just some of the famous names gracing the mall directory. Downtown, the Fifth Avenue Shops feature a collection of eclectic, cowgirl-chic boutiques, jewelry design, apparel, and unique Southwestern gifts. 

Scottsdale would not be a first-class destination without the natural splendor of the Sonoran Desert. Although hot desert temperatures keep things slow around town during the summer, the natural beauty of the city’s desert vegetation and geography, including Saguaro-studded hillsides and scenic foothills, draw thousands of visitors every year. Scottsdale offers nearly 100 miles of hiking, horseback-riding trails, and biking. Popular spots include Pinnacle Peak Park, Camelback Mountain, and the expansive McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which offers almost 20,000 acres of pristine desert readymade for your next outdoor adventure. 

The city of Scottsdale, Arizona is truly a bastion of Southwestern culture, architecture and desert life. Situated just northeast of Phoenix, its name originates from Chaplain Winfield Scott, the town's first resident, who in the 19th century bought the 640-acre piece of land that is now downtown Scottsdale. Modern day Scottsdale is considered to be a prime spot for vacationers and tourists, providing top-of-the-line hotels, a buzzing nightlife scene, unbeatable shopping and warm weather throughout the year. Scottsdale is also filled with the memorable works of Frank Lloyd Wright, who built his winter home (which is now a popular attraction) in the town, and other traditional and modern Southwestern architecture.

When you're traveling in Scottsdale, know that the city is divided into four areas, the first being North Scottsdale, a center of much of the white-collar business that takes place. Central Scottsdale is also known as the Shea Corridor and runs roughly from Chaparral Road to Shea Boulevard, while South Scottsdale is known for being a more blue-collar region that runs from McKellips Road to Thomas Road. The last of the regions is the most tourist friendly. Old Town, the downtown area, is home to many of...  Read more »

The city of Scottsdale, Arizona is truly a bastion of Southwestern culture, architecture and desert life. Situated just northeast of Phoenix, its name originates from Chaplain Winfield Scott, the town's first resident, who in the 19th century bought the 640-acre piece of land that is now downtown Scottsdale. Modern day Scottsdale is considered to be a prime spot for vacationers and tourists, providing top-of-the-line hotels, a buzzing nightlife scene, unbeatable shopping and warm weather throughout the year. Scottsdale is also filled with the memorable works of Frank Lloyd Wright, who built his winter home (which is now a popular attraction) in the town, and other traditional and modern Southwestern architecture.

When you're traveling in Scottsdale, know that the city is divided into four areas, the first being North Scottsdale, a center of much of the white-collar business that takes place. Central Scottsdale is also known as the Shea Corridor and runs roughly from Chaparral Road to Shea Boulevard, while South Scottsdale is known for being a more blue-collar region that runs from McKellips Road to Thomas Road. The last of the regions is the most tourist friendly. Old Town, the downtown area, is home to many of the full-service hotels, bars, shops and restaurants for which Scottsdale vacations are popular.

The economy of this charming desert town relies heavily upon Scottsdale tourism, capitalizing on upper-end travelers who are interested in luxury hotels and top-notch accommodations. There are a number of premium hotels and even more bars and nightclubs that cater to the posh and trendy nightlife crowd every night. Recently, Scottsdale has become a premier golf destination, with courses cropping up all over the desert region. It is even home to the Tournament Players Club, the most attended event on the PGA tour. If you're not into the great outdoors, take a day and visit the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, complete with stores like Nordstrom, Burberry, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Juicy Couture, Tiffany & Co., and Neiman Marcus, just to name a few.

If you're on vacation in Scottsdale, be sure to see what festivals are going on while you're visiting. The nationally famous Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show has been a city fixture since the 1950's, showcasing thousands of Arabian and half-Arabian purebred horses each year. The Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol is a month-long event that is considered the most famous "cowboy" event in the nation. Come out and see the horse-drawn parade that kicks off the festival or watch the rodeo to get a true taste of Scottsdale culture.

With all the entertainment opportunities found here, it is no wonder why Scottsdale travel guides rate it as such a popular and enjoyable destination. No matter whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, be prepared to experience lavish luxury, exciting nights and relaxing days while visiting Scottsdale.