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Scottsdale Attractions:
Enrich Your Mind and Soul
Scottsdale attractions are a force to be reckoned with. For visitors and locals alike, the challenge is not "what should we do", but "what should we do first"! With a robust offering of attractions for people of all different ages and interests, your days can be as full or relaxing as you want them to be. It is here where I introduce the Who, What, When and Where of some of the best Scottsdale attractions...(and those found in the greater Phoenix area).
Since there's a lot of information, I have broken up the activities into these easy to navigate categories:
Special Points of Interest
Desert Botanical Garden
What makes Scottsdale such a unique and magical place is its natural environment. After a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden, I guarantee you'll have a new appreciation for the diverse plant and animal life of the Sonoran Desert. The garden also regularly holds art and music events, which I would highly recommend.
Heard Museum
If you have an interest in American Indian art and culture, this Scottsdale attraction is for you. Founded in 1929 by some of the area's first settlers, the heard museum has grown to become an internationally recognized attraction. Not only can you peruse artifacts and learn about Native culture, you can also try hands-on activities including weaving with beads using a loom, or creating wearable art. 
Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright has been regarded by many as the greatest architect of the 20th century. Taliesin West is a living example of his philosophy and one of the most unique Scottsdale attractions. Built in 1937 out of native materials found around the site, Wright created Taliesin West to be used as his personal winter home and a workshop for his students. Phoenix Zoo. There are over 125 acres to explore in our internationally renowned zoo, which makes it one of the best Phoenix and Scottsdale attractions.
Art & Architecture
Phoenix Art Museum
One of my favorite Phoenix attractions is the art museum. I visit here a few times a year to see traveling exhibits that are on display. Even if you have only a mild interest in art, I would take the time to stop here. The grounds are beautiful and it'll give you a good excuse to explore other parts of downtown Phoenix while you're in the area! Old Town Galleries. Did you know that Scottsdale has 250 art galleries? That's right, it's the highest per capita in the nation! If you enjoy art, but also want to enjoy beautiful weather at the same time, I would recommend taking a stroll through the streets of Old Town Scottsdale's art district. There you can delight in tons galleries of every medium and style of art, all within a square mile radius. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Also in Old Town, right next to the Civic Center, is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. I am a big fan of the outdoor sculpture garden at this Scottsdale attraction. The grounds surrounding the museum are also really nice to walk.  Paolo Soleri, Cosanti. Perhaps one of the most unique attractions to the valley is Paulo Soleri's Cosanti. Paulo Soleri is an architect who settled in Scottsdale in the 1950's and Cosanti is the residence he designed and built in 1957. The public is free to visit Cosanti and observe the foundational principles of Soleri's work through the various structures found on the property. I was introduced to this Scottsdale attraction years ago and found it to be a special part of the city. Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts. If you want to add a little entertainment to your day or evening, Scottsdale Performing Arts is a great place to do it. The center features over 200 performances and events annually. Check out the event calendar for upcoming shows and events.
History & MuseumsAfter a few minutes of strolling through Old Town Scottsdale, one of the first things you'll notice are the historical and cultural influences here. In fact, it's one of my favorite qualities about this town. Every corner you turn, you get a taste of how the cowboy and Native American cultures once converged on this desert place to form an eclectic, vibrant town.
While many of the original buildings still stand along Main Street, one in particular is the most singular representation of the true beginning of the city of Scottsdale, AZ: the Old Red Schoolhouse. It was built in 1896 at the request of Winfield Scott, the city's founder. Used as a school house during the early 1900s, it was also the center of the social life of the community. Now it serves as a charming Scottsdale attraction.
 The building has been preserved and is now the site for the Scottsdale Historical Museum. Here you can view old photographs of the town, see a classroom and other displays depicting life as it was in the early 19oo's. It's a neat little museum that takes you back to a time that most of us never knew, and can only imagine. I recommend swinging through when you're in the area.
Location:
7333 E. Scottsdale Mall
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
American Wing Aviation Museum. If you're a history buff, you also might enjoy taking a peak at this Scottsdale attraction. It gives you an up close and personal look at some of the aircraft flown in WWI, WWII and Vietnam. It's a twenty minute drive from Scottsdale, but definitely worth a visit if you're into aviation history.
Location:
2017 N. Greenfield Road
Mesa, AZ 85215
Outdoor Fun
Camelback Mountain
Not only is it a beautiful landmark, but it's a fabulous place to hike. Reaching the top rewards the hiker with 360 degree, uninterrupted views of the entire valley. It's breathtaking. So much so, I hike this mountain regularly. You can usually find me on the Echo Canyon trail in the early mornings, enjoying the quiet stillness of sunrise. You just can't beat it.
Scottsdale Stadium. Attention baseball fans! Every year, Scottsdale hosts the Cactus League Spring Training as well as the Arizona Fall League. In my opinion, (and my friends will agree!), Spring Training games are one of the best Scottsdale attractions. Since the games are held at smaller venues, you don't have to worry about having amazing seats to get an up-close and personal experience with the game. It's the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon!  Tempe Beach Park. Just a short drive down Scottsdale Road will take you to this lovely recreation area. There are a number of fun things you can do around here once you've ditched your car! This is one of my favorite places to ride my bike or take a stroll. Encanto Park. If you're in town anytime between October through May, there's a good chance you'll want to spend some time outside. After all, if its 75 degrees and sunny in February, how could you not? There are a number of ways to enjoy the outdoors here, and lounging around one of the many parks in Scottsdale is a great way to do it.
Family FunWhile some Scottsdale attractions are best left for the adults, here are some fun things the entire family can enjoy together.Crackerjax, Family Fun & Sports Park. Crackerjax is one of those places where you're family will never run out of fun things to do! You can never go wrong with a round of goofy golf to add a little fun to your trip. The great thing about Crackerjax is, there is plenty to do outside, so you can enjoy the beautiful weather while making memories with your children. Rawhide Western Town. If you want to get a taste for what it was like to be in an old frontier town, Rawhide is the place to do it! Everything from stagecoach rides, Wild West shootouts, sundown cookouts, gold panning and much more can be experienced here.Pinnacle Peak. Just a few miles north of the hustle and bustle of the city, is this beautiful scenic trail. Besides Camelback mountain, this is my second favorite place to hike in the city. Pinnacle Peak offers nicely groomed trails, so it makes a perfect Scottsdale attraction for beginner hikers and young children to enjoy. It is a great place to spend an afternoon exploring the Sonoran Desert and taking in its unrivaled scenery.Water Parks. Kids seem to have endless amounts of energy don't they? To help them get the wiggles out and have a little fun, I recommend taking them to either of these Phoenix water parks.
As you can see, there are plenty of things around here to keep you busy . Since I am always adding more, keep checking back to find out the best Scottsdale attractions to catch during your visit.
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