Scottsdale is a vibrant desert city that effortlessly combines the flavor of the old west with the high style of contemporary upscale living. With such a singular mix of old and new, it's no surprise that Scottsdale is home to several unique attractions that should be on every visitor's travel agenda. Here we gather five can't miss sights that you will only find in Scottsdale.
Pick a bar stool and soak up the history at the Rusty Spur Saloon, one of Scottsdale's oldest and most storied watering holes. — Photo courtesy of Rusty Spur Saloon
Taliesin West. This architectural gem is located at the base of the McDowell Mountains and once served as the winter home, studio and architectural campus of Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright designed the structures to reflect the natural abstraction of the desert landscape. Day and night tours are available throughout the year, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of one of the great modern architects.
The Love Sculpture at the Scottsdale Civic Mall. You'll definitely want to snap a picture in front of the famous Love sculpture located in the heart of downtown on the Scottsdale Civic Mall. The iconic public art piece by Robert Indiana is one of only a handful in the country. On any given day, you'll see visitors touching it, trying to climb it, and of course, taking their pictures in front of it.
The Rusty Spur Saloon in Old Town Scottsdale. This historic bank-turned cowboy saloon has been a downtown mainstay for 60 years. Famous with both locals and visitors for its great burgers and live entertainment days a week, the Rusty Spur offers a nice change of pace from the city's posh boutiques and trendy bars. Make your way through the swinging doors and soak up the history and ambiance at the bar, which has played host to such luminaries as Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn. How many cowboy saloons can say that?
Explore musical instruments from around the world and get an up close look at famous musical artifacts at the huge Musical Instrument Museum. — Photo courtesy of Musical Instrument Museum
TPC Scottsdale. Golf aficionados flock to this course, where famous moments in golf are made every season at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Such legends as Rickie Fowler, Mark Wilson, Aaron Baddeley, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have played on these greens, and so can you when you tee off on the storied and award-winning Stadium course or the newer Champions course. Both are known for famous for manicured greens with undulating fairways and difficult bunkers.
The Musical Instrument Museum. The sole mission of this unique museum, located in nearby North Phoenix, is to celebrate the indigenous sounds and instruments of every region in the world. The Musical Instrument Museum, also known as The MIM, features state-of-the-art interactive exhibits that bring music to life. The museum is also home to a live music amphitheater that regularly hosts distinguished musicians from around the world.
Whether you're coming to Scottsdale for winter sunshine or soaking up the heat of summer, make sure to leave enough room on your travel agenda for one or more of these uniquely Scottsdale attractions.