You're Going to Love Scottsdale
Relaxed, sun-soaked and full of outdoor attractions, Scottsdale is a jewel in the Arizona desert. Whenever you need to get away, the city will be ready to welcome you to its restaurants, galleries, shopping malls, and golf courses.
Art fans will be in their element at Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home at Taliesin and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Sports lovers can spend their days playing championship courses like the TPC Scottsdale, while couples can stroll along the city's network of canals, taking in the desert scenery.
The food is great too, with gourmet Mexican, traditional American, and European cuisines all represented. The sun always shines, the people are friendly, so why not book a trip to Scottsdale straight away?
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Scottsdale
1. Fantastic Artistic Attractions
It might be the pure Arizona sunlight or the relaxed lifestyle, but Scottsdale always attracts an artistic crowd. You can see architect Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home at Taliesin West, admire sculptures by leading names like Robert Indiana, or check out the collection at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
2. Plenty of Ways to Unwind
Scottsdale is the perfect place to relax. Whether you do so on golf courses like TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, and Grayhawk, visit spa resorts like VH Spa or just need a little retail therapy, it's hard not to relax during a Scottsdale vacation.
3. The Network of Scenic Canals
The valley that Scottsdale sits in is criss-crossed by around 130 miles of agricultural canals. Almost all of them are open for the public to wander along and trails like the Arizona Canal Path link together the neighborhoods of Scottsdale (along with Phoenix and nearby Glendale).
4. Upscale Boutique Shopping
Scottsdalians are keen shoppers and visitors to the city will be spoiled for choice, thanks to the huge number of fashion stores. If you love to stay on point with your apparel collection, places like Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall will be an essential part of your vacation itinerary.
5. Explore the Surrounds
Although its very much its own city, there's plenty to see outside Scottsdale. For one thing, it's right on the doorstep of Phoenix. With a rental car, you can watch NBA matches featuring the Phoenix Suns, visit the Heard Museum or the Arizona Science Center and be back in a luxury hotel for dinner. And the Sonoran Desert is available for exploration too, where you can hike at Pinnacle Peak, saddle up with Ride Horses Arizona, or soar above the rocks and valleys in hot air balloons.
When to Visit Scottsdale
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Scottsdale is one of those destinations that always seems to be sunny (though it might be a bit too sunny from late June through early September, depending on your taste). January is a good time to be in town for golfers thanks to the Phoenix Open, while March is ideal for art fans thanks to the Scottsdale Arts Festival.
How to Get to Scottsdale
Plane
The most convenient way to reach Scottsdale is by plane. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) offers connections all over the USA and is a 20-minute drive away from the town. Companies like SuperShuttle also offer fast group taxis to major hotels and Uber taxis will cost around $50.
Train
Scottsdale doesn't have an Amtrak station, but Maricopa Station in Phoenix enjoys rail links to California and cities to the east. Services stopping there include the Sunset Limited from New Orleans, and the Texas Eagle, which runs as far as Chicago.
Car
Driving is a popular way to reach Scottsdale as well. If you are coming from Los Angeles, I-10 is the road to take. I-10 also approaches the city from the east, while those coming from San Diego can take I-8.
Bus
If you want to catch a bus to Scottsdale, your best option is to take a Greyhound bus to Phoenix. The bus station is on E Buckeye Rd, very close to Sky Harbor Airport, so the best route to Scottsdale is to take an airport shuttle or rent a car from one of the outlets at the airport.
Airlines serving Scottsdale
Where to stay in popular areas of Scottsdale
Most booked hotels in Scottsdale
How to Get Around Scottsdale
Public Transportation
Scottsdale is a sprawling place that is dominated by cars, but the downtown core actually has an excellent trolley system that is really handy for tourists. Designed to resemble 19th-century cable cars, the trolley is free of charge and connects the major galleries, shopping malls, and the Waterfront district.
Taxi
Taxis are another useful way to get around town and rates aren't too high. Expect to pay a meter drop of $2.90 and then $2.50 per subsequent mile. Uber is also active in Scottsdale and offer even lower rates of around $0.90 per mile, with a $0.40 meter drop.
Car
Renting a car is seen by many visitors to Scottsdale as an essential part of the experience, and companies in the city include Avis and Enterprise. It shouldn't be too expensive either, with rates as low as $30 for basic vehicle classes. If you do drive, look out for speed cameras and always stick to the local limits, as the city authorities are very strict about speeding.
Car rental agencies in Scottsdale
The Cost of Living in Scottsdale
Shopping Streets
Fashion Square is one of America's largest malls, so it's naturally the center of gravity for shopping in Scottsdale. You could get lost in its forest of stores, which features major names like Microsoft, H&M, ALDO, Michael Kors, and Prada. For souvenirs and unique artworks, try downtown Scottsdale or the Waterfront. Places like Artisan Markets and the Marshall Way Arts District are full of unusual gift ideas.
Groceries and Other
Grocery prices in Scottsdale tend to be lower than the American average, so you can save money by choosing to self-cater. Expect to pay around $2.30 for a gallon of milk, and about $2.50 for 12 eggs at local supermarkets like Safeway, Trader Joe's, and Albertsons.
Where to Eat in Scottsdale
Scottsdale is known as one of the finest places to dine in Arizona, and especially for its Mexican eateries. Try the chile pork chops at the Old Town Tortilla Factory for starters but don't overlook the Mission, which offers great food and craft cocktails as well. If Mexican isn't your thing, Flourish at CopperWynd is an excellent "New American" gourmet restaurant, Roka Akor is a popular Japanese spot, and you can mix great food with craft beer at Citizen Public House. Expect mains at upscale restaurants to cost around $30, but most meals will come to less than $20 per head.