1 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
2 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.
3 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!
4 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.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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!
8 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.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 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.
16 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.
17 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
18 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.
19 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
20 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.
