|
Casa Grande National Monument - 1100 Ruins Drive /
Coolidge / Call 520-723-3172 for information
Found about 40 miles south of Scottsdale, Casa Grande National
Monument contains the remains of a four-story building believed
to have used by Hohokam farmers for their special ceremonies,
the ruins date to 1350 AD. / entry fee
Casino Arizona - 524 North
92nd St and Loop 101 / Scottsdale / 480-850-7777
Open 24 - 7, this new casino is operated by the Pima-Maricopa
Indian Community and has entertainment and multiple dining
facilities along with gaming. Look for Keno, high-tech bingo,
slots and off-track betting as some of the offerings, there
are also Native-American crafts, jewelry and art on display
and for sale.
Cracker Jax Family Fun & Sports
Park - 16001 N. Scottsdale Road / Scottsdale / 480-998-2800
Offering two miniature golf courses, a driving range and putting
course, there are also batting cages, go-carts, a bumper-boat
ride along with a video arcade. A great family destination
with something for everybody including a bite to eat!
Desert Botanical Garden -
120 N. Galvin Parkway / Phoenix / 480- 941-1217
A 150 acres of indigenous species from the Arizona desert
are grown, collected and studied in this marvelous center.
Over 4,000 different species of cacti, succulents, trees and
flowers are part of the museum collection. One of few centers
in the world focusing on only desert species, houses many
endangered and rare plants. Trails let visitors experience
the different aspects of the desert landscape.
Fiddlesticks - 8800 East Indian
Bend Road / Scottsdale / 480-951-6060
Fiddlesticks is a family entertainment center that features
two 18-hole mini-golf courses, laser tag, bumper cars and
boats, go-carts, batting cages and more. There is a Snack
Bar on premises.
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale - 13400 E. Shea Boulevard /
Fountain Hills / 480-301-8000
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale is a world renowned clinic within minutes
of Scottsdale offering health care in over 60 medical and
surgical specialties.
McCormick Railroad Park -
7301 E. Indian Bend Road / Scottsdale / 480-312-2312
On the grounds are full-sized restored railroad cars and engines
along with two depots. A 5/12 scale engine takes visitors
for a trip around the park, and there are also model railroad
layouts, a general store and a 1929 carousel. Lots of fun
for railroad buffs!
McDowell Mountain Regional Park
-PO Box 18415 / located along McDowell Mountain Road / Fountain
Hills / 480-471-0173
Located 15 miles northeast of Scottsdale in the lower Verde
Basin, McDowell is a 20,000 plus acre park with 55 miles of
desert trails. One of the most picturesque country highways
in the area runs through the park, which is also a haven for
outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping
and family picnics are part of the activities enjoyed by enthusiasts
discovering the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. The trail system
connects the park to Fountain Hills and Scottsdale. There
is no off-road vehicle travel allowed in the park.
Native American Tourism Center -
4130 N. Goldwater Boulevard / Phoenix / 602-945-0771
Visitors who wish to explore the Native American culture in
the region should check out the Native American Tourism Center
where a calendar of events is available. Information on reservations,
pow-wows, festivals, dances and celebrations of native peoples
throughout the state are listed and a monthly arts and crafts
event is held at the center. A program is also offered where
travelers can take a Native-American to lunch for a one-on-one
conversation.
Out of Africa - 9736 N. Fort
McDowell Road / Scottsdale / 480-837-7779
A wildlife park adventure, there are nine great shows every
day featuring lions, tigers, and leopards along with various
birds and reptiles. Get up close and personal with a python
or Bengal tiger. Park amenities include a gift shop, cafe
and playground.
Papago Park - Galvin Parkway and Van Buren Street /
Phoenix / 602-256-3220
Less than two miles south of downtown Scottsdale is Papago
Park which includes the famous Hole in the Rock vista that
frames a spectacular view of downtown Phoenix and a 70 acre
picnic area. Biking and hiking trails run through the 1000
plus acre park and offers amazing views of the red buttes
of the Papago Mountains. The park also includes a 70 acre
picnic area with fishing ponds. President Woodrow Wilson signed
a proclamation in 1914, declaring the area as the Papago Saguaro
National Monument
The Phoenix Zoo - 455 North
Galvin Parkway / Phoenix / 602-273-1341
The Phoenix Zoo has more than 1,000 animals living in open,
natural looking habitats covering 125 acres located just south
of downtown Scottsdale. Pedestrian trails cover local desert
species, the tropics, African species and also a children’s
trail and a petting zoo. An exhibit on nocturnal species of
the Sonoran Desert is most popular and interesting. / Open
daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m with earlier hours during summer months.
Pueblo Grande Museum - 4619
E. Washington Street / Phoenix / 602-495-0900
Just southwest of the city, located not far from the airport
is the Pueblo Grande, ancient ruins of the Hohokam Indians.
The museum features material excavated from the site and also
preserves archaeological and ethnographic material from the
Greater Southwest, enhancing the knowledge of prehistory,
history, and ethnology of Native Americans and inhabitants
of the Southwest. / Open Monday – Saturday - 9 am - 4:45
pm Sunday, 1 to 4:45 pm.
Rawhide Wild West Town - 23023
N. Scottsdale Road / Scottsdale / 480-502-1880
Come on cowhands, grab your ten-gallon hat and join the fun
at Rawhide. Pure family fun on the dusty streets of this Wild
West town with stagecoach rides, horseback rides, train rides
and even a mechanical bull. Entertainment includes stunt shows,
shoot-outs and live music as well as Rawhides famous steak
house offerings, other dining choices include a cowboy cookout
with hayrides and live music. Friday nights include bull-riding
exhibitions, other thrills can be found at Halloway's Haunted
Hotel, the rock climb or the high fly Bull Shot. Shops on
Main Street sell cowboy and Indian wares and souvenirs.
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- 10005 East Osborn Road / Scottsdale / 480-850-8000
Although tourism opportunities are limited, the Salt River
Pima-Maricopa Indian Community‚ welcomes visitors to
its Hoo-Hoogam Ki Museum where baskets, pottery and artifacts
from many tribes are displayed. The architecture of the museum
is made of adobe and utilizes techniques derived from several
tribes. The community also has an annual open house, but the
only other offering is a shopping center with entertainment
facilities including movie theaters, restaurants and shops.
Scottsdale Six Drive-In -1625 North Hayden Road / Scottsdale
/ 480-949 9451
A rare attraction these days, a blast from the past is alive
and well in the Scottsdale Six Drive-In. Showcasing two movies
for the price of one, the ticket price per person is still
a bargain. There is a great snack bar, FM radio audio hook-ups
and a double feature on every one of the six large screens.
Tuesday is Family Fun night with lower admission pricing.
Taliesen West -12621 Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard /
Scottsdale / 480-860-2700
Building began in 1937 on Frank Lloyd Wright’s western
“winter” studio here in Scottsdale, Taliesen West
was named after his Wisconsin home and school, Taliesen. Today
Taliesen West is the headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright
Foundation and School of Architecture. Utilizing indigenous
materials, with local stone used for structure foundations
plus innovations in climate control with moving panels to
handle the extreme variants in desert conditions were some
of the innovations made here. Other Wright buildings in the
area include: Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium • First
Christian Church
Tonto National Forest - 2324 E. McDowell Road / Phoenix
/ 602-225-5200
At over 2 million acres, Tonto is the largest of the six national
forests in Arizona and boasts some of the most interesting
and diverse scenery, ranging from the Sonoran Desert in lower
elevations to the Mogollon Rim at 7,400 feet and surrounds
Scottsdale to the north and east. Much of the area is covered
by cacti, including the familiar giant saguaro as well as
dozens of smaller species. Higher elevations to the north
support varied woodland habitats including juniper, mixed
fir and ponderosa pine. Few paved roads penetrate this vast
area.
Tonto National Monument - Box 4602 / Roosevelt / 520-467-2241
for information
Off Route 88, about 50 miles east of Scottsdale is the Tonto
National Monument, a group of cliff dwellings built by the
Salado farmers over seven centuries ago. The Lower Ruin is
a 19-room structure which is a steep half mile hike, the Upper
40-room Ruin is accessible by reservation only, and is a 3
hour hiking event up a 1.5 mile rocky trail. / entry fee
WestWorld of Scottsdale -16601
North Pima Road / Scottsdale / 480-312-6802
Managed by the City of Scottsdale, Westworld is a venue of
sports, adventure and showmanship! Wild west shows, rodeos,
hot air balloon festivals and national horse shows are part
of the events list at this premier location. Arena sections
include: The Equidome arena with covered seating in excess
of 6,000. • Wendell is ideal for rodeos, Grand Prix show,
driving competitions, jumping & dressage shows. •
The Polo Field is split into two areas and is used for car
shows, hot air balloon launches & polo matches.•
Brett's Barn has a raised stage and is used for exhibits &
barn dances.
Reserve Early...while
your preferred accommodations are still available.
|
