Scottsdale offers golf, spas, nightlife, galleries, and restaurants, surrounded by Arizona’s spectacular desert scenery.
Although Scottsdale and Phoenix merge in what seems to be one giant urban sprawl, Scottsdale is quite distinct from its huge neighbor to the west. It is a sophisticated city in its own right, with a population of about a quarter of a million people. It has a wealth of museums, art galleries, top restaurants, bars, nightlife, and numerous world-class spas, resorts, and golf courses.
Scottsdale Golf
It’s golf that brings many people to Scottsdale which is not surprising as there are almost 200 courses in the Scottsdale area, and the city has over 330 days of sunshine a year. International golfers including Aaron Baddeley, Brandel Chamblee, and Tom Lehman, all choose to live in Scottsdale. Many of the courses have dramatic backdrops of mountains and desert, and courses like the Boulders Golf Course have cactus growing around the fairways.
Scottsdale Culture
Scottsdale also has plenty of cultural activities alongside the sporting ones. There are over a hundred art galleries, some top museums, plenty of public art, and it is also the location of Tailesin West, the final home of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Outdoor Attractions
There are also lots of ways of exploring the natural landscape, and discovering more about the life of the desert. Horse rides into the desert are popular, and attractions like the Agave Desert Botanical Garden and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve allow visitors to enjoy and learn about this unusual landscape.
Scottsdale Nightlife and Restaurants
After enjoying golf, spas, galleries, and the natural beauty by day, Scottsdale also offers plenty of choice in the evenings. Its bar and nightclub scene is very lively, and there are some top-class restaurants too. Some of the top chefs are naturally employed at the golf and spa resorts, so travelers who enjoy their food should check out the dining options if planning to stay in a resort. See our full page of recommendations of Where to Eat in Scottsdale.
Driving in Scottsdale
One thing to be aware of is that Scottsdale’s neighbor Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the United States, and the freeway traffic is frequently fast and busy. You may not want to spend too much time driving around the city, as progress can be slow, especially during the early morning and early evening rush hours. That, though, is one of the few drawbacks to what is an attractive, lively, and prosperous Arizona city.
OUR PICK OF THE GUIDES
From that blues bar you haven’t visited yet to the desert hike you keep meaning to plan, experience something new right here at home with Moon 52 Things to Do in Phoenix & Tucson.
- Cool things to do in and around the cities: Kick back at a Spring Training game or squeeze into the grandstands of El Gran Mercado for some lucha libre. Bike the famed Loop in Tucson, kayak Tempe Town Lake, and lace up your boots for an urban hike in the Phoenix Mountains. Support local BIPOC writers at Palabras Bilingual Bookstore and taste what’s on tap at a women-owned brewery. Savor Sonoran-style food like tamales and carne asada or try authentic Tohono O’odham fry bread.
