Scottsdale is a town with many sides. It is an artist’s colony that attracts the most talented artists in the world to its doorstep, it is a historic escape and a reminder of the Wild West days, and it is a city of sophistication, one where restaurants are high end, the shops feature the luxury brands that grace the covers of fashion magazines; Scottsdale is so many things to so many people but to us it is simply home. Today, we at I Love Scottsdale want to take a few minutes out of your day to show you the things we love, the places we frequent, and the things we think you should avoid, offering this local’s guide to Scottsdale that will take you off the beaten path and into the heart of what makes “the West’s Most Western Town” everything you have always dreamed it would be. Here’s our Local’s Guide to Scottsdale.
Arts and Culture
The beauty of Scottsdale is enhanced with a visit to the galleries and shops that line our streets, exploring the culture of those who lived here first, celebrating the beauty of the desert, and honoring the works that make the world a more beautiful place. And although there are plenty of shops and galleries that do all of the above well and may be more well known, it is the hidden gems we have listed below that will add an extra sparkle to your shopping experiences.
Cosanti Originals, 6433 E Doubletree Ranch Road in Paradise Valley
Although this beautiful business lies just outside of Scottsdale in the town of Paradise Valley, its unique beauty has us visiting often and we couldn’t wait to share it with you. Once the home and gallery of esteemed Italian American architect, Paolo Soleri, who lived there until his death in 2013, today it is an Arizona Historic Site that represents the works of some of the best artists in the state. The structures that contain all this beauty are an ode to talent as well, with the grounds resembling a scene from a Star Wars movies, something that has to be seen to be believed. But it is the art sold inside that will grab a piece of your heart, featuring everything from handcrafted bronze bells to limited edition fine art prints and everything in between. Be sure to set aside plenty of time to explore Cosanti, because this establishment of art and beauty is not something that can be explored on a whim.
The Mercantile of Scottsdale, 3965 N Brown Avenue in Scottsdale
No matter where you turn in Scottsdale, you are sure to come across a gallery, a boutique, a shop that is filled to the brim with wonderful treasures, and we wholeheartedly encourage dropping by any of them to explore their wares. However, if you are on a time crunch and still want to enjoy a comprehensive collection of Scottsdale art, we suggest turning your car in the direction of the Mercantile of Scottsdale. Home to over 100 vendors selling some of the most beautiful art in the state or do we dare say the entire nation? Every genre of art is represented in this collaboration of beauty and again, be sure to set aside plenty of time to explore all that it offers. Also offering home décor and classes in art, visitors could easily spend the better part of a day soaking in all its beauty.
Historic Scottsdale
Arizona became a state a lot later than most of the states in the nation, officially becoming the 48th state to join the union in 1912. With that being said, the history of our state and our hometown goes much further back, playing a key part in the wild, wild west and going back hundreds of years, serving as home to the native Pima and Maricopa tribes. This history is something we are proud of and while the tourists may be more interested in the shops and restaurants, we locals can often be seen spending our spare time in the places listed below.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale Museum of the West, 3830 Marshall Way in Scottsdale
Offering 43,000 square feet of exhibits, artifacts, artwork and more, this wonderful museum studies the wild west in 19 states throughout the nation, including Arizona and our hometown of Scottsdale. Closed on major holidays and closing early on the evening before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, Western Spirit has long been a popular event site for local events including the Western Horizons fundraiser held every February. Also exploring the lives of the native tribes who lived here all those hundreds of years ago, the museum paints a wonderful picture of those who walked before us.
S’edav Va’aki Museum, 4619 E Washington Street in Phoenix
Western Spirit is a wonderful museum, and it does briefly touch upon the history of the tribes that once lived here, but if you want a more comprehensive exploration of the native tribes, visiting the S’edav Va’aki Museum, a 1500-year-old archeological site will be an exciting opportunity. Recently reopened, guests can stroll along the loop trail, exploring a platform mound, ballcourt, demonstration gardens, and ancient irrigation canals, a technology that we still follow today. Also offering replica houses that give us a more clear idea of how those ancient peoples lived, the museum offers a fascinating deep dive into Native American history.
Taliesin West, 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale
World renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright once made Scottsdale his winter home with Taliesin West, serving as both his home and a school of architecture in which he shared his magic with the next generation of architects. Taliesin West and its counterpart Taliesin East in Wisconsin are considered Wright’s autobiography of his life. Each structure is built with local materials, with our Scottsdale version being built of desert masonry, something the genius was adamant about to the point that he didn’t even want windows in the building. His wife convinced him of the error of his ways and he later reluctantly included the windows into the design, making it a lesson by giving his students the responsibility of adding the windows without changing anything else in the design, even placement of furniture and accessories. Tours are offered on a daily basis, offering visitors a peek into the mind of perhaps the world’s greatest architect.
What’s Your Handicap?
With 330 days of sunshine, golf is a very popular game in Scottsdale, and during the cooler days of the year the courses are crowded with golfers from all over the world. In the summer, however, it is the locals that take over the courses, taking advantage of special deals and empty greens as most visitors aren’t adventurous enough to deal with triple-digit temperatures. There are, however, some courses in the area that are off the beaten path and are ones that will be your favorite spots to hit the ball, even during the busy season.
Starfire Golf Club, 11500 Hayden Road in Scottsdale
Originally the site of the Scottsdale Country Club, Starfire Golf Club is a public course that offers an 18-hole and a 9-hole course for your golfing pleasure. The ingenuous design makes the most of the three 8-hole courses that once was the main drawing point for the Scottsdale Country Club and due to the age of the landscape, mature trees aid in keeping golfers cool and unbothered. Offering a driving range, golf carts, and the much loved grille where stories of frustration and success are told every day, accompanied by frosty beverages and delicious food.
McDowell Mountain Golf Club, 10690 E Sheena Drive in Scottsdale
When you live in the desert, water is your most precious resource, something that may be hard to believe when you see the acres of green stretching out before you, but the McDowell Mountain Golf Club is known for its eco-sensitive landscape, offering wetlands, cattails, cactus, and mesquite trees, providing a different golf experience from what you might expect. Also offering practice facilities, a restaurant, and views of the McDowell Mountains that will make you fall in love with the desert, even as the game itself may provide frustration!
Gainey Ranch Golf Club, 7600 E Gainey Club Drive in Scottsdale
Our last course is a favorite one for busy locals, offering three separate 9-hole courses that allow us to hit a few balls and get back to the busy work of real life in short time. Gainey Ranch Golf Club can be a great addition to your tour of courses, especially on those days when the rest of the family is pushing for you to spend more time with them. The views of the mountains may distract you from your purpose, but that’s ok, those views will also help ease any frustrations you may experience from a bad drive or an overzealous putt.
A Taste Of the Town
Remember the crepes you ate on the street corner in Paris and the shrimp and grits you devoured during your Gulf Coast vacation in Alabama? The food you eat during vacation often becomes a key part of the vacation experience, haunting your dreams and playing a starring role in your memories and your Scottsdale vacation may add a new meal memory to your repertoire. Scottsdale restaurants are extremely popular and during the busy hours lines can be long, but the restaurants we listed below are where we like to eat and hang out and will offer shorter lines and less crowds.
Sugar Jam, The Southern Kitchen, 15111 Hayden Road Suite 170 in Scottsdale
Deep in the heart of the Southwest it is possible to find good old fashioned Southern comfort food with a visit to Sugar Jam, the Southern Kitchen. This bakery & bistro offers scents and flavors that will make your heart sing and your taste buds cheer, and if you don’t find yourself wanting to return again and again, well, we have to think it is just because there are more restaurants or you to explore. Papa’s Biscuits & Brisket is their elevated version of biscuits and gravy, offering fluffy biscuits topped with pork sausage country gravy and chopped brisket, a dish that is sure to change the way you look at Southern food forever.
The Stand, 4020 N Alma School Road in Scottsdale
You are about to add fry bread to your list of memorable meals and the rustic surroundings of the Stand will add to the experience. There’s no air conditioning at this roadside stand and the sky is your roof, but the puffs of dough covered in honey and powdered sugar, or topped with a variety of seasoned meats, beans, and/or cheeses will make you wonder why you have never tried Native food before. Leave your cards behind because this joint is cash only
Los Sombreros, 2534 N Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale
Authentic Mexican food is our specialty in Arizona and Los Sombreros is where you will find authentic and delicious regional Mexican cuisine. Also serving some of the best margaritas in town, the hometown feel of local hot spot will make diners feel right at home. We have yet to taste a meal that we didn’t like at this wonderful place, making it impossible to choose a favorite, but we do suggest that you taste your way through their taco menu and don’t forget to order their house made guacamole!
Where the Locals Go for Staycations
We hope you enjoyed our Scottsdale local’s guide. We live in paradise and are reluctant to leave, but we too need a vacation from real life, and although we could stay home and explore all the wonderful places we mentioned here from there, the honey-do lists are non-existent in our I Love Sedona Scottsdale sanctuaries. Besides, someone has to make sure that our guests receive all we promise, and since our word is important, a staycation helps to keep us honest. Reserve your favorite Scottsdale sanctuary today and discover a locals only getaway that will show you the hidden side of our favorite town!
