Discover Scottsdale

Scottsdale can be explored through several distinct themes: protected Sonoran Desert landscapes, Frank Lloyd Wright’s historic legacy, and museums, venues and performances. When planning a stay, it can help to first choose the experiences that interest you most. Nature offerings differ considerably from museum and cultural offerings; within the cultural scene, history, visual arts and performing arts also stand alongside one another. This lets you organize your trip around your interests while looking for suitable hotels in Scottsdale.

Desert Landscapes and Trails

The McDowell Sonoran Preserve encompasses more than 30,500 acres of permanently protected urban desert landscape. It protects Sonoran Desert ecosystems and wildlife habitats. The preserve includes more than 230 miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. This brings together two distinct aspects: a large protected landscape and a trail network intended for multiple uses. If you are interested in the natural environment, you can consider whether the landscape and its ecosystems or activity on the trails should be the focus of your plans. The trails appeal to different interests, without any one type of use defining the character of the preserve.

Taliesin West: Wright’s Winter Home and Desert Laboratory

Taliesin West was established in 1937 as Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory. These two historic functions give the site a distinctive perspective: the themes include both living and working, as well as the idea of a desert laboratory. On days when it is open, a self-guided audio tour of the Historic Core and Wright’s living and working spaces is available daily.

The Apprentice Shelter Hike offers a different kind of visit. The 90-minute hike passes through the desert and by shelters built by apprentices and students. The audio tour focuses on the Historic Core and Wright’s spaces; the hike centers on the route through the desert and the shelters. Check the current tour schedule and any reservation requirements in advance, as schedules and requirements may change.

Museums and Different Cultural Perspectives

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West presents art, culture and history from 19 states in the American West, Western Canada and Mexico. Its thematic perspective therefore extends well beyond a single city. Exhibitions and programs change over time. If you are interested in a particular topic, check the current offerings before your visit.

The Scottsdale Historical Museum is housed in the Little Red Schoolhouse. The building itself provides a distinct historical point of reference for a museum visit. Thus, a geographically broad view of the American West and a museum housed in a specific historic building offer different cultural experiences.

Events, Walks and Performances

The Scottsdale Civic Center serves as a venue in Scottsdale’s historic center, as well as a place for walking and recreation. It combines an events function with opportunities for a more relaxed visit. When weighing the different focuses of your trip, you can think of this place in terms of both events and walks and recreation.

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts presents traditional and contemporary art through performances and talks. These two formats offer different ways to engage: you can experience art in a performance or explore it through a talk. This complements museum offerings with performing arts, without implying that both types of cultural experience involve the same program.

Another Theme: Animals

OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale features penguins, sloths and sharks. These groups of animals offer a specific point of interest for visitors who are interested in animals. Together with the preserve, historic and cultural sites, and performances, this provides a range of trip-planning options. When looking for a hotel in Scottsdale, you can start by considering which of these interests you want to shape your plans.

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