Scottsdale

Frank Lloyd Wright spent his winters at the foot of the McDowell Mountains, where he built his studio, Taliesin West, out of desert stone and canvas. A vacation in Scottsdale pairs this architectural history with golf courses, wellness resorts, galleries, and a Western-style town that has grown into a lively nightlife district.

"The West's Most Western Town"

Scottsdale was named in the 1890s after Army chaplain Winfield Scott, who bought land here and planted citrus trees. For a long time it remained a small farming settlement, until artists, winter visitors, and vacation resorts arrived after World War II. The slogan "The West's Most Western Town" dates from the 1950s and still shapes the look of Old Town, with its wooden boardwalks and Western shops. Today the city stretches far to the north, all the way into the unspoiled Sonoran Desert.

Sights in Scottsdale

Taliesin West is now home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and can be visited on guided tours—a highlight for architecture buffs. Old Town Scottsdale is home to the Scottsdale Museum of the West, with art and history of the American West, as well as the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. On Thursday evenings, the galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way open their doors for the Scottsdale ArtWalk. The Scottsdale Waterfront runs along the Arizona Canal, with walking paths and sculptures. To the north, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve protects a vast desert area with hiking trails winding among saguaros and granite boulders, for example to Tom's Thumb.

Dining and Nightlife in Scottsdale

The restaurant scene ranges from upscale Southwestern cuisine featuring chiles, corn, and game to steakhouses and sushi bars. Mexican dishes such as Sonoran hot dogs and chimichangas reflect the proximity to the border. The bars and clubs in Old Town's Entertainment District are among the liveliest in the greater Phoenix area; on weekends, young people from all over the region flock here. If you prefer something quieter, enjoy the sunset from a resort terrace with a view of Camelback Mountain.

Golf, Spas, and Desert Adventures

Scottsdale is one of the best-known golf destinations in the US; among the most famous courses are TPC Scottsdale and Troon North, where fairways wind between rocks and cacti. The city also has a long spa tradition, and many resorts offer treatments using desert plants such as jojoba, agave, or sage. Properties like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The Phoenician define the resort scene. If you're looking for adventure, book a Jeep tour into the Sonoran Desert, a sunset horseback ride, or an early-morning hot-air balloon flight while the air is still cool.

Getting There, Day Trips, and Best Time to Visit

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is about 20 minutes to the southwest; private jets land at Scottsdale Airport. Within the city, a free trolley runs through Old Town; otherwise, a rental car is handy. The best time to visit is winter and spring, with warm days and cool nights. February brings the Waste Management Phoenix Open to the golf calendar, January the big Barrett-Jackson classic car auction, and in March baseball fans arrive for spring training. In summer, temperatures climb above 104°F, but resort prices drop significantly. Day trips lead to the Salt River, to Sedona with its red rocks, or to the Superstition Mountains.