HOTELS IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ,  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ARIZONA TRAVEL GUIDE

SCOTTSDALE TRAVEL GUIDE

Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. Scottsdale is regarded as an upscale tourist and shopping destination and as a representation of western American style. The New York Times described downtown Scottsdale as "a desert version of Miami's South Beach" and as having "plenty of late night partying and a buzzing hotel scene".

Scottsdale is bordered to the west by Phoenix and Paradise Valley, to the north by Carefree, to the south by Tempe, and to the east by Fountain Hills and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Scottsdale is known nationally and abroad for its art and cultural amenities. Though generally high-end and affluent in nature and product, the local art community remains very diverse. A national capitol of Southwestern art and culture (the city often competes with Santa Fe, New Mexico for this bragging right), the city has more recently become a large and well-respected mecca for the modern and contemporary arts. In 2005, the city's annual Scottsdale Arts Festival was ranked the number-one such event in United States by American Style Magazine.

The highest concentrations of galleries, studios and museums that are open to the public can be found in Downtown Scottsdale. Its Scottsdale Arts District can be segmented into three distinct districts. The largest is the Main Street Arts District, home to the largest and most diverse collection of styles and genres, the more contemporary Marshall Way Arts District, and the more touristy and western-themed Old Town district. The very popular Scottsdale Artwalk is held weekly, every Thursday evening.

Due to such a large concentration of high-end amenities and businesses that exist in the city, over the generations Scottsdale has developed a noted reputation both locally and somewhat nationally for having a certain snobby air about its residents. Many outsiders often mockingly refer to the city by its alter-ego "Snobsdale."

Scottsdale's affluent culture has been depicted by shows such as MTV's My Super Sweet 16, which filmed an episode in the area in 2006, and by the short-lived CBS reality show Tuesday Night Book Club In 2008, a local radio disc jockey Craven Moorehead, parodied the Flobot's alternative hit "Handlebars" to make fun of the trendy, supercilious nightlife culture in Scottsdale. The opening and closing line "I can ride my bike with no handle bars" was replaced with the parodied "I'm a big douche at the Scottsdale bars." The parody became an immediate local hit and was placed in heavy rotation.

Scottsdale, Arizona For a Vacation, There Are So Many Things To Do

Scottsdale has nearly 300 days of sunshine in a year. It is known as the West's most western town. Seven million people visit Scottsdale and the surrounding towns every year. There is something for everyone. There is plenty of golfing opportunities for the golf lover and major league teams of football, baseball and hockey train in and around Scottsdale. Cafes and restaurant of every American and other cultures are situated in Scottsdale. Indian, Mexican and American food specialties can be savored in the eateries of Scottsdale.  You can indulge in fine dining or go to quaint small café's. Shopping is unlimited in Scottsdale. The fashion square is the place to go for one of a kind boutiques. It is the haunt of the rich and the famous and you can do a bit of celebrity watching while shopping. There are other unique boutiques, designer discount shops, specialists in home décor and specialty men's wear shops.

The greenbelt of Scottsdale is the park area and connects the Vista del Comino, El Dorado, Indian School and Chapanal. The parks are well kept and there are shelters, Ramadas, a fishing lake, jogging and biking paths.

For lovers of art Scottsdale has an art festival showcasing the creations of artists in different mediums. There are art dealers galleries and exhibitions take place round the year. A conducted tour of the arts takes you to the homes of prominent artists and architects and their workshops. It is a truly southwest art experience. The Scottsdale Arts Festival organized by the Culture Council  at the Civic Centre Hall showcases the work of over 200 artists.

For transport enthusiasts, a visit to the Arizona Wing commemorative air Force museum is a educative experience The annual Barrett Jackson Car show is a world renowned auction for collectible cars. The Mcormick Stillman Railroad park has a stretch of narrow gauge on which you can take a ride.

To enjoy a Scottsdale experience like a local you must live there and not merely visit. The best way of living the Scottsdale experience is by staying at a vacation rental which can be rented by the week. You can enjoy cooking or calling in local food. You can live at your own pace and enjoying pursuing your interests in Scottsdale. You can rent villas to cabins at locations close to your place of interest by the week or even the month. You have more living space and flexibility of routine while living in a home rental than a hotel.

If you are looking for things to do on a vacation Scottsdale Arizona is the never fail option.

The native culture is not neglected in Scottsdale. The Head Museum is a museum of Native American culture. The shop sells native American handicrafts. On the first and second of March  the Indian Fair is held and features over 650 Native American  artists, jewelers,  potters carvers, artists and doll makers.

Rides through the desert on hummers give a  fascinating insight into desert flora and fauna and folklore. You can take a sunset tour and have a typical cowboy dinner.

Gliding on a hot air balloon  over the desert is a simply magnificent experience. The sonoran desert is conserved by the efforts of the  Mcdowell Sonoran Conservancy and you can go to the desert with a trained guide and learn about the desert and the efforts of the conservancy. There are

Arizona Golf Vacations   by Chad Sullivan

Arizona Golf Vacations are hugely popular because golfers can play the game through the day and through the year. The climate round the year is pleasant and the hospitality of the locals is historic.

Arizona State has a variety of terrain ranging from canyons, rolling hills, unusually shaped rocks and winding rivers. It is the ideal location for golf courses because each golf course can give the golfer new challenges and makes the golfer overcome different and varying hazards. The choice of golf courses in Arizona is vast. Many golf courses are designed by famous golfers. The views in almost every golf course in Arizona are spectacular.

The handicapper and the hack, the nature lover and the golf addict have a choice of golfing options that is hard to beat. The golf courses in Arizona have different lengths and yardage. There are courses with limited holes and full golf courses. There are old world clubs and modern golf courses, traditional link style courses, desert courses and adobe courses. An interesting way of spending a golf vacation in Arizona is to take lessons. Schools and academies that teach golf for improvement or for basic instruction are plenty and can be booked in advance. Most lessons range from twelve to thirty hours. Lunch is included and the problem areas of an experienced golfer are sharpened. Beginners will find themselves off to a good start as the staff in Arizona's golf academies and schools are trained PGA standard instructors.

Accommodation for golfers and packages for golfers are also available in hotels, resorts, clubs, condos and home rentals. All packages can be customized according to the individual needs of the golfer. The golfer can get a package with up to five rounds in different reputed courses. A golfer can return every year in different seasons of the year and taste the thrilling challenges of five new golf courses. Some Hotels like the Hyatt Gainey Ranch have their own golf courses.

There are different discount rates available for golfing groups. Tee times can be booked 60 -90 days in advance. Cars can be hired in advance so that traveling from course to course is not difficult. There are many after golf activities available .The climate of Arizona makes it the best place for spa treatments and wellness treatments. The mingling of cultures gives the state a festive edge. There are always art shows, cultural festivals and shopping. Arizona boasts of some of the best American cuisine with a distinct flavor of what was once the 'wild west'.

Whether the golfer is a languid , take it easy golfer who looks at the game as a pleasant walk or a highly competitive golfer who looks to improve the game and face challenges, Arizona has so many options that a golfer will realize that one vacation is not enough. The vistas and the challenges are so many that the golfer holidaymaker will make Arizona a permanent golf vacation destination.