Modern desert city with 300+ days of annual sunshine. High-end shopping centers, art galleries, golf courses, and active nightlife make it a luxury getaway spot in Arizona.
Scottsdale sits along the eastern edge of Phoenix, where the Sonoran Desert meets the McDowell Mountains. Walk through the desert-inspired architecture of Taliesin West, hike past saguaro cacti on the Gateway Loop Trail, or examine Hopi pottery at Western Spirit Museum. The city comes alive during major events like the Barrett-Jackson car auction and the Phoenix Open golf tournament, while Old Town's art galleries and Fashion Square's high-end stores attract shoppers year-round.
Walking Through Old Town's Art Scene
Nine neighborhoods make up Old Town Scottsdale, with art galleries, southwestern restaurants, and local boutiques lining the streets. The Thursday evening ArtWalk has run for over 30 years, bringing together more than 90 galleries along Marshall Way and Main Street. Stop by the adobe-style buildings to see contemporary paintings, watch artists at work, or visit wine bars housed in 1920s structures.
Hiking the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The 30,500-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve contains 230 miles of marked trails through the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. The Gateway Loop Trail circles 4.5 miles through desert terrain, while Tom's Thumb Trail ascends 1,300 feet past granite boulders. Visit in March to see orange poppies and purple lupines bloom. Early mornings bring active wildlife - watch for roadrunners darting between cacti or desert hares hopping through the brush.
Playing Championship Golf Courses
The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale transforms each February for the Phoenix Open, when 700,000 spectators fill the grounds. Troon North's two courses wind through the desert with cacti and boulder formations marking the fairways. McCormick Ranch maintains two grass courses with palm trees and water features. Tee times are available year-round, though most golfers start before 10 AM during summer months when temperatures reach 100°F (38°C).
Discovering Scottsdale's Museums
Take a guided tour through Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West to see how he incorporated desert rocks and natural light into his winter home. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art displays rotating exhibitions across five galleries in a striking concrete and glass building. Western Spirit Museum holds an extensive collection of frontier artifacts, from intricately woven Hopi baskets to Civil War-era firearms and paintings depicting 19th-century frontier life.
Shopping Districts
Fashion Square Mall contains 225 stores across 2 million square feet, including designer boutiques and local retailers. Kierland Commons arranges its shops and cafes along outdoor walkways shaded by palm trees. Old Town's galleries and specialty stores sell authentic Native American jewelry, hand-loomed rugs, and contemporary Southwest art.
Moving Around the City
The Scottsdale Trolley runs free routes connecting Old Town, Fashion Square Mall, and the Waterfront district. Valley Metro operates regular bus service throughout Scottsdale, with stops at major intersections. From January through March, allow extra travel time around golf tournaments and art festivals when traffic increases significantly.
