Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a blend of affluence and Western charm, brimming with optimism and manicured golf greens, situated in the heart of the high Sonoran Desert, just to the east of Phoenix. It is a town where virtually everything is upscale - galleries, shops, boutiques, restaurants, hotels, spas, and even its outdoor recreational venues. It is, in short, Arizona in its desert setting with a dash.
In and Around Scottsdale
In Scottsdale, at the top of the list are the quaint yet classy Downtown Scottsdale Arts and Shopping Districts, where you can visit several upscale (yes, it’s always upscale here) art galleries and studios, as well as scores of elegant shops and boutiques. Of particular note for shoppers are The Borgata of Scottsdale, Shops at Gainey Village, Boulder el Pedregal Marketplace, the Fifth Avenue Shopping District, and Scottsdale Fashion Square which boasts well over 200 department and specialty stores, including the likes of Nieman Marcus and Nordstrom. For the arts scene, check out the permanent collection and changing exhibits of modern and contemporary art at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in Old Town, as well as the compelling architectural exhibits at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West and the Cosanti Foundation. And for live performances, there’s no better place than the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
History? Go to the Heard Museum North at the Boulders el Pedregal Marketplace, where the region’s past is proudly on display. Another, the Scottsdale Historical Museum, housed in a small, turn-of-the-century schoolhouse on Scottsdale Mall, has exhibits chronicling the city’s history.
And then there are all those annual happenings: Arabian Horse Show, Classic Car Auction, Artwalk, Arts Festival, Culinary Festival (did we mention that Scottsdale has more than 600 restaurants, many of them featured in Gourmet, Bon Apetit and Food & Wine magazines?), among others.
Paradise Valley
Situated against Camelback Mountain to the north, only a stone’s throw from Scottsdale, the enclave of Paradise Valley is the epitome of affluence and exclusivity in a Southwestern setting. Luxury spas abound, as do award- winning restaurants recognized for their world-class cuisine. Places of note here are LON’s at The Hermosa and the posh, secluded getaway, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa which features a 31,000 square- foot luxury spa.
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