Beyond the spas, luxury shops, and 200+ golf courses, Scottsdale, Arizona offers the abundant and rather flamboyant expressions of art and culture. From historical sites to art experiences, chef-driven restaurants and exciting entertainment options, Scottsdale is bursting at the seams with the makings of a memorable visit. Here are 10 unique experiences for your next visit:
Tour Taliesin West
In 1937, Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect, made Scottsdale his winter home, and a large number of buildings in the city were designed by him. Wright’s beloved winter home is now referred to as Taliesin West and is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. It’s open to the public for highly regarded guided tours.
Stay at the Hotel Valley Ho or Dine at Cafe Zuzu
Scottsdale has been a retreat for celebrities since 1940, when Elizabeth Arden opened Maine Chance Spa, welcoming society mavens, celebrities, and royalty. In the 1950s, Hollywood stars like Zsa Zsa Gabor, Bing Crosby, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood discovered paparazzi wouldn’t follow them to their Scottsdale getaway, the Hotel Valley Ho. The hotel is Scottsdale’s only historically designated hotel, and it continues to attract celebrities. The hotel’s Cafe Zuzu emulates Arizona’s neighborhood grills of the 1950s, where communities coalesced around hot meals and well-crafted cocktails.
Wander the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
A shining example of the city’s creativity and innovation is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, or the SMoCA. The museum is one of the country’s leading venues devoted to cutting edge art, regularly hosting some of the country’s leading contemporary artists.
Experience the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts
At its core, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the human experience by providing a platform for a range of artistic voices and perspectives. This season is filled with marquee names from Broadway, Hollywood and beyond performing exciting new collaborations and works. You will also find emerging talents from around the globe. The center has done an excellent job of offering a variety of performances including those suitable for introducing young ones to the arts.
Stroll about and enjoy the Art Walk
Downtown Scottsdale’s Arts District is home to the country’s longest running artwalk, the Scottsdale ArtWalk. Each Thursday night, the art galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way stay open late for this 40-year tradition. Visitors can walk the path at their own pace, stopping into galleries to see artist demonstrations and enjoy hors d’oeuvres. More than 100 art galleries fill downtown, showcasing everything from American Indian pottery and contemporary sculptures to Russian impressionist paintings.
Dine at The House Brasserie
Not many restaurants are garnished with a white picket fence, a shaded brick patio, and a romantic fireplace. But Old Town Scottsdale’s House Brasserie isn’t just any old restaurant. This family home-turned-restaurant was originally built in 1939, making it the second oldest house in Scottsdale. The ambiance and setting harken back to the Victorian-era and Chef Brandon Jedd has crafted a New American-style menu that offers a contemporary approach on the French technique with a Mediterranean twist.
Dine at Cafe Monarch
Imagine not flying to France, but still dining European-villa-style with a customized menu and privacy. There is a reason why Cafe Monarch was voted by Travelocity as the third best restaurant in the U.S. for fine dining and the second most romantic restaurant in the country.
Attend the Waste Management Open
Each year, the most highly attended tournament on the PGA tour, the Waste Management Phoenix Open, takes place here. The “Greatest Show on Grass” draws more than half a million golf fans, visitors and locals to TPC Scottsdale for the week-long tournament. Nothing compares to the pageantry and spectacle of the event, which even incorporates a bustling nightclub.
Attend Barrett Jackson
A premier event for classic car enthusiasts, the annual Scottsdale-based Barrett-Jackson auction draws plenty of attention from the local crowd and out-of-towners. Six days of antique car auctions selling collector cars from all vintages including celebrity-owned cars and motorcycles. All with the excitement of a world-class rock concert.
Hike or Bike the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Go for a hike, bike ride, or journey out on horseback at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This is 30,000 acres of permanently protected desert habitat that includes more than 120 different trails that can be accessed from various trailhead locations. There are ten in all, including Lost God Wash Trail, a shorter trail with easier terrain that is kid-friendly, and the more challenging Sunrise Trail has amazing scenic views.
This young city has found its true identity. With its western flair and modern culture, plus a dynamic combination of history, art, and events, there’s plenty to see and do here for all generations.
