Scottsdale tourist information

Whether you have an abundance of it, or whether you want to rekindle yours again, Scottsdale is the perfect place to bring your passion for life! From luxurious resorts and championship golf to pampering spas and a vibrant arts and cultural scene, you’ll find all the outlets you need to embrace life with wild abandon.

Scottsdale is located in central Arizona in the heart of the lush Sonoran Desert. But don't let the term "desert" fool you! The Sonoran is the richest, most biologically diverse desert ecosystem in the Americas, and is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. This unique setting provides our city with a whole host of benefits including breathtaking scenic vistas, an abundance of outdoor recreation options, and indigo skies that glow with more than 330 days of sunshine each year. And this magnificent setting is just the beginning of Scottsdale's story. Read on and let us introduce you to our history, our cultural heritage and our way of life. Then, come visit and experience the magic of Scottsdale for yourself!

The Hohokam people thrived in and farmed the area now known as Scottsdale. They built over 200 miles of ingeniously engineered canals to support their agricultural lifestyle using the only tools they had available - sharp, wooden digging sticks; hand-held hoes made from thin rock slabs; and hand-shovels fashioned out of broken pieces of pottery.

U.S. Army Chaplain Winfield Scott paid $2.50 an acre for a 640 acre section of land in what is now Scottsdale. In December, 1888, Scott's brother, George Washington Scott, became the first resident of the future town. By February, 1889, he had cleared the land, dug irrigation ditches, and planted 80 acres of barley, a 20-acre vineyard, and a seven-acre citrus orchard. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1893, Winfield Scott returned to area to join his brother. Future crops planted by Winfield Scott included citrus and other fruits, peanuts, and sweet potatoes.

The name of the town was changed from Orangedale to Scottsdale, beating out other suggested names including Utleyville (after banker Albert G. Utley) and Murphyville (for contractor William J. Murphy).

Scottsdale is located in central Arizona in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. For those of us who live here, the Sonoran Desert is a magnificent backdrop for everyday life. Stunning sunsets, towering Saguaros, and curious javelina are common encounters that result in lively conversation and more than a bit of awe and wonder. For visitors and newcomers, the Sonoran can be a mysterious place full of peculiar plants and animals. Following are some of the questions we're asked most frequently about the Sonoran Desert. We hope the answers will inspire you to make a personal visit to our desert wonderland and experience it for yourself.

With more than 125 galleries and museums, the exciting downtown Scottsdale Art & Shopping Districts, a number of fine performing arts venues, and architectural wonders including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, Scottsdale is a year-round celebration of the arts. Collectors and admirers alike will enjoy the Scottsdale ArtWalk, a Thursday night tradition in which galleries stay open late and welcome the public to special exhibit openings and artist receptions. Those interested in Scottsdale’s cultural heritage won’t want to miss the world-renowned Heard Museum and the seasonal Native Trails Festivals. No matter what form of art or culture you crave, you’ll find it in Scottsdale. Join the celebration!

With more than 330 days of sunshine a year, Scottsdale is the perfect playground to indulge in your favorite adventure - or even discover a new one. Reach new heights with a hot air balloon ride. Or see the beauty of the Sonoran Desert up close with a morning trail ride in the McDowell Mountain foothills and watch the desert come alive around you. Want more? Float down the cool waters of the Salt River on a raft, dive into the crystal blue waters of a hotel or resort pool, or glide across Saguaro Lake in a kayak. Go biking, climb a mountain, take a Jeep tour - well, you get the idea.

Sure, Scottsdale is located in the heart of the West. But, we’ve come a long way since cowboy coffee and beef jerky were considered haute cuisine. The colorful cultures that give this region its singular flavor have left an indelible mark on Scottsdale's more than 600 restaurants. Here, the influences of Native American, Latin and Western-style cooking and ingredients have created a mouthwatering mélange of dishes accented by indigenous and international elements. Lately, even more exotic fare such as Asian-fusion has arrived on the scene, creating an endless menu of global dimensions. But don’t worry, if you’re craving a taste of the Old West, we can still whip up a mean charbroiled steak!

Some might think that sunset over the Sonoran Desert signals the end of the day in Scottsdale. On the contrary! The onset of evening signals denizens of the desert, and wildlife of a more sophisticated nature, to embark upon evening festivities. Here, nocturnal diversions such as hip clubs serving up progressive dance and salsa mix it up with other venues offering upscale downtime in cozy wine bars and bistros. In downtown Scottsdale alone, there are more than 30 nightspots, most of which are within walking distance of each other. The one constant, however, is that no matter how you prefer your evenings served – chilled or hot – Scottsdale delivers.

When it comes to golf, we’ve definitely got game. Recently named “America’s Best Place to Live for Golf” by the Robb Report, Scottsdale is home to nearly 200 area courses offering layouts that range from the rolling green fairways of traditional course architecture to the cactus-studded excitement of desert golf designs. Simply put, the combined quality and quantity of the area’s daily fee golf clubs and courses makes Scottsdale a “must-visit” destination for the serious golfer. And, if you’re here in January, be sure to take in some thrilling pro tournament action at The Phoenix Open, home to The Bird’s Nest, the wildest party stop on the PGA tour. So, come on out and bring your best game – the game’s best is waiting for you!

Shopping in Scottsdale is not for wimps. We’re talking high-energy, leave-no-stone-unturned, powerhouse shopping. And Scottsdale’s retail destinations are just as varied and exciting as the treasures you’ll find within their walls. Begin your adventure at Scottsdale Fashion Square, the Southwest’s largest shopping destination featuring 225 boutiques, galleries and department stores. Next on the list, explore the outstanding collection of upscale retailers at The Shops at Gainey Village or the unique neighborhoods of shops in the Downtown Scottsdale Art & Shopping Districts. For a different experience, try the Italian village-inspired Borgata of Scottsdale or el Pedregal Festival Marketplace, with architecture fashioned after Old Morocco. Shoppers, start your engines!

Imagine a place where honey soothes your skin rather than your sweet tooth, where oatmeal scrubs come under the heading of friendly carbohydrates, and where mud-slinging is considered a good thing. Look no further. Scottsdale’s outstanding collection of resort and day spas is waiting to provide you with the ultimate experience in relaxation and rejuvenation. Drawing on the city’s Sonoran Desert setting and rich heritage, many treatments utilize indigenous desert ingredients and ancient native American healing techniques. Refresh your mind, body and soul with a relaxing hot stone massage, a luscious desert honey wrap, a replenishing mud wrap or an aromatherapy facial. After all, you deserve it!

Getting to Scottsdale has never been easier. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Scottsdale Airport are the main facilities serving the Scottsdale area. Sky Harbor International Airport is conveniently located just 10 miles southwest of downtown Scottsdale and offers more than 1,300 daily flights with non-stop service to more than 105 cities. Scottsdale Airport, located seven miles north of downtown, is a hub for corporate jets, charters and air tour flights. Once you’re on the ground, your transportation options range from rental cars, shuttles and limousines to horse-drawn carriages and colorful downtown trolleys.