Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale was voted the Most Livable City by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 1993, it is consistently named among the top cities in the country which to raise children, to retire, and is rated the number one resort community in America. Scottsdale is located just east of Phoenix.
Scottsdale Geography and Reputation: Geographically, Scottsdale covers about 185 square miles. Scottsdale often associated with wealthy residents and expensive resorts. Although there is quite a bit of wealth in Scottsdale, and some of the most beautiful and expensive resorts in the country are there, there are also middle class neighborhoods in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona actually has a slogan: The West’s Most Western Town. With a population of over 200,000 and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Scottsdale continues to grow its population as well as its tourism. More than 7 million people visit Scottsdale each year. You may wonder, what do they do there besides lounge at exquisite resorts, shop at high end malls and eat at fine restaurants? Well, here is my list for some of the best Scottsdale attractions that you won’t want to miss!
Indian Wash Greenbelt
This greenbelt in Scottsdale actually connects four parks: Vista Del Camino, Eldorado, Indian School and Chaparral. The greenbelt is 12 miles long, and is the most popular place in town for inline skaters, as well as joggers, cyclists, walkers, and anyone with a dog. There are sports fields, ramadas, fishing lakes, tennis courts, and more.
Golf
If you are a golfer you will find paradise in Scottsdale. There are about 50 golf courses just in Scottsdale. Championship courses of all types can be found here, including the Scottsdale TPC where the Phoenix Open is played each January as the first PGA tournament event of the year.
Kerr Cultural Center
Part of Arizona State University, the Kerr Cultural Center was originally intended as a hall for chamber music. Chamber performances are still held there, as well as other types of musical programs and concerts. This is a smaller venue, making the programs intimate and enjoyable.
McCormick Stillman Railroad Park
Unique park amenities for the young ones include a lovely carousel. This park is special because of the trains and railroad-related exhibits. A ten minute train ride also takes you through an arboretum located in the park.
Old Town Scottsdale
If it isn’t too hot and you like to walk and window shop, forget that traditional mall and make your way to downtown Scottsdale. Here you’ll find winding streets full of unique shops and galleries. You may also here this area referred to as Fifth Avenue Shops.
Scottsdale Art Walk
Every Thursday night you can stroll the streets of downtown Scottsdale and enjoy special exhibits with artists’ receptions, demonstrations and more. It’s free–unless you fall in love with a work of art and decide to take it home with you!
Scottsdale Center for the Arts
The Scottsdale Center for the Arts holds musical and theatrical events, festivals and educational programs throughout the year. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is in the same complex.
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
Each April, Scottsdale hosts a 4 day festival of food, music, entertainment. Did I mention food? This very popular event is a fundraiser for arts and art education programs for students in the Valley of the Sun.
Scottsdale Public Art
In the category of free entertainment, how about getting in the car and going on a hunt? Scottsdale has an extensive collection of award-winning public art, which includes the lizard-laden walls of the Pima Freeway, the fishy decor of Indian School Road and many other indoor and outdoor displays. At the Web site link provided you can learn about them, find out where they are, and hunt them down yourself.
Scottsdale Symphony
The Scottsdale Symphony provides a regular season of 5 concert series, plus community concerts under local sponsorship, concerts in schools, parks and during local festivals and celebrations.
Spring Training Baseball
During the entire month of March each year the valley comes alive for baseball fans with Spring Training Baseball. The Cactus League allows the fans to see lots of teams and players up close and personal for a reasonably priced ticket. The San Francisco Giants call Scottsdale Stadium home during Spring Training.
Taliesin West
Nestled in the foothills of the rugged McDowell Mountains and surrounded by the spectacular Sonoran Desert lays a 600-acre complex called Taliesin West. This Scottsdale attraction was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. You can visit this Frank Lloyd Wright winter residence which is still home to the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Guided tours of the grounds and buildings are available.
Wedge Skate Park
Got a skateboard or inline skates? At Eldorado Park in Scottsdale the skate park is free to the public
