Scottsdale,
Arizona
Town."
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
