Insider Guide
Scottsdale
Pools, parties and pristine desert surroundings - from sunrise to sunset to sunrise.
Scottsdale
Insider Guide Scottsdale
How I See Scottsdale
Scottsdale is a fast-paced oasis in the desert. It’s known for having the hottest upcoming restaurants, the most luxurious golf courses, relaxing mountainside spas and endless sunshine. Modern architecture blends seamlessly with the historic charms of the American West in Old Town, where art galleries, boutique shops and restaurants line the streets.
When In Scottsdale, You Must
EAT
The Mission
7122 E Greenway Pkwy
DRINK
Scapegoat Beer & Wine
7150 E 5th Ave
SEE
Musical Art Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd
DO
Green Zebra Adventures
14803 N Hiawatha Hood Rd
Know Before You Go
Try the 'Ancho Girl!' cocktail at W Scottsdale. It's sweet with a serious kick.
Ingredients: Flor de Cana Anejo Oro, Ancho Reyes Chile, blueberry puree, lime and bitters.
Talk Like a Local
Learn the slang from the city.
Saguaro
suh-gwahr-oh noun
a tall, horizontally branched cactus of Arizona, yielding a useful wood and bearing an edible fruit
The little unincorporated community sits in a lonely stretch of hot desert amidst black rocks and saguaro cactuses.
Neighborhoods to Explore
1. Old Town Scottsdale
Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, Old Town is known for its very lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, award-winning restaurants, and historic architecture.
2. North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale is a mecca for the area’s best golf clubs and courses, and it offers several new restaurants and outdoor shopping centers.
3. Phoenix
Thanks to its natural beauty and climate, Phoenix has several outdoor attractions and recreational activities, including 200 miles of hiking trails. Located just 15 minutes from W Scottsdale, Downtown Phoenix boasts several of the Valley’s sporting arenas, concert venues, and museums. The culinary scene also features a long history with some establishments dating back to the 1940s.
4. Arcadia
Explore cozy, trendy restaurants, many of which feature patio seating, in this charming neighborhood at the base of Camelback Mountain.
Ultimate Access To Scottsdale
Live it up like a Scottsdale local.
Ocotillo
3243 N 3rd St
Focuses on a new American seasonal cuisine with a touch of local Arizona influence, bringing special attention to fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.
Rachael Bienz / Insider
Be sure to stop by their Coffee Bar to grab a pick me up.
Stephanie’s Boutique
4142 N Marshall Way
Stephanie’s is the only three-story boutique in Scottsdale. The first story is for women, the second story for men, and the third level is an outdoor patio with a perfect Camelback view. Take a break from shopping to unwind with a cool cocktail on the patio.
Rachael Bienz / Insider
Play ping-pong on their inside table and pick a lemon from their fresh indoor tree while you are shopping.
Rustler’s Rooste
8383 S 48th St
Located on a scenic overlook in Phoenix, Rustler’s Rooste is a cowboy western experience unlike any other. Founded in 1971, the steakhouse and saloon is still family owned and operated to this day. They really have it all, from a live bull, to a unique layout that includes part of an old mine shaft. Let your inner kids loose and take a ride down their legendary slide to your dinner table. Rustler's also features live country music seven nights a week.
Rachael Bienz / Insider
Try the fried rattlesnake—it tastes like chicken.
Tour De Tavern
3622 N Scottsdale Rd
Hit the streets of Downtown Scottsdale on this 14-person pedal bike. Ideal for bachelor and bachelorette groups, drink and socialize with friends while you explore Old Town.
Rachael Bienz / Insider
BYOB. Make sure to bring your favorite beer or wine to sip on throughout Old Town on your pedaled pub crawl.
Scottsdale Essentials
W Scottsdale
The pool party never ends at Scottsdale's best day to night destination.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
7374 E 2nd St
SMoCA is the best of contemporary art, architecture and design from around the world and around the corner.
University of Phoenix Stadium
1 Cardinals Dr
The University of Phoenix Stadium with its retractable roof and field is unlike any other stadium in North America. It's a marvel of design, engineering, and technology.
Gila River Arena
9400 W Maryland Ave
Gila River Arena is home to the Arizona Coyotes hockey team. The arena anchors the 223 acre, $1 billion development Westgate Entertainment District, the “crown jewel” of sports and entertainment complexes.
Topgolf
9400 W Maryland Ave
Topgolf is a global sports entertainment community creating the best times of your life. Players hit golf balls with computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance.
The Phoenician Golf Course
6000 E Camelback Rd
A 27-hole championship golf course designed by Ted Robinson, this course at The Phoenician pairs a challenging experience with the breathtaking scenery of the Sonoran Desert.
Camelback Mountain
6131 E. Cholla Ln
Once a sacred site of the Hohokam Culture, Camelback Mountain now offers Arizona residents some of the best hiking in the greater Phoenix area.
Desert Botanical Gardens
1201 N Galvin Pkwy
Featuring over 50,000 desert plant species spanning 145 acres of land, Desert Botanical Gardens has been teaching visitors about desert flora and fauna for more than 70 years.
Phoenix Zoo
455 N Galvin Pkwy
Voted one of the top five zoos in the nation for kids, the Phoenix Zoo features rides, a petting zoo, and much more to keep us all entertained.
Taliesin West
12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
A national historic landmark nestled in the desert foothills of the McDowell Mountains outside of Scottsdale. This is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and Taliesin as well as The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.
SHADE Lounge and Bar
W Scottsdale
Sophisticated and swinging meets sexy and sultry. Party indoors against a dramatic backdrop of desert-inspired water and fire design elements or socialize al fresco cool in the stylishly landscaped patio.
Insider Tour
Credits
Main image by Thomas Pierre