Known for its charming atmosphere, downtown Scottsdale blends the Old and New West to make the most of the city’s historic past. Local restaurateurs have turned old houses into new ventures, creating intimate dining settings that are as warm and welcoming as your family’s home.

Old Town Tortilla Factory

Built in a 75-year-old adobe house, Old Town Tortilla Factory offers guests a historically Southwestern experience. Diners can enjoy one of the eatery’s famous margaritas inside the cozy restaurant or outdoors on the patio in the shade of lush, 100-year-old pecan trees. The gazebo bar also features more than 80 varieties of tequila in addition to traditional Mexican beers and liquors.

The House Brasserie

Tucked away in a shady corner of downtown Scottsdale, The House Brasserie is a nod to days gone by. The original home structure was built in 1939 and many of the original trees, including the original owner’s Christmas tree from 1946, still shade The House’s quaint patio. It’s the ideal setting for Chef Matt Carter’s exquisite take on re-imagined classic dishes. Don’t-miss specialties that include Chicken Meatballs & Gnocchi, shaved Pork Belly with Kimchee and Udon Noodles, and Beer-Brined Chicken.

Arcadia Farms

Visitors will feel right at home at Arcadia Farms. Nestled in Scottsdale’s downtown arts district, the restaurant is situated in an old cottage home and serves organic food inspired by the wine country. Guests can enjoy an intimate meal of healthy salads and sandwiches inside the restaurant’s inviting dining room or under one of the umbrella-covered tables on the patio.

Grazie Pizzeria & Winebar

Located in downtown Scottsdale, Grazie Pizzeria & Winebar brings a taste of Tuscany to the Sonoran Desert. Not your typical pizzeria, Grazie’s now-modern digs were once a typical Southwestern home. Enjoy the restaurant’s contemporary art, wrought iron design and stained glass while sipping one of a hundred of Grazie’s Italian wines. And the front patio is a great place to enjoy some must-see people watching.

Want the down low on some fun facts about Scottsdale? Here you go!

• One of the 100 largest cities in the nation and the sixth largest city in Arizona, Scottsdale has a population of approximately 228,300.
• The city was briefly named Orangedale before being renamed “Scotts-Dale” in 1894 in honor of founder Winfield Scott. It was officially incorporated as Scottsdale in 1951.
• The city’s official nickname is The West’s Most Western Town.
• The official food of Scottsdale is chili.
• There are more than 200 golf courses in Scottsdale and the surrounding area.
• When complete, Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve will be the largest urban preserve in the nation. It currently encompasses 30,200 acres and offers approximately 200 miles of shared-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
• Scottsdale stretches 31 miles from north to south and encompasses 184 square miles.
• Scottsdale’s elevation ranges from 1,150 to 4,877 feet above sea level.
• Scottsdale has been the backdrop for several Hollywood blockbusters, including “Raising Arizona,” “Wayne’s World” and “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”
• Scottsdale has seven sister cities located in Alamos, New Mexico; Cairns, Queensland, Australia; Haikou, China; Interlaken, Switzerland; Marrakech, Morocco; Kingston, Ontario, Canada; and Uasin Gishu, Kenya.
• Among its many honors, Scottsdale was named the 4th best mid-size city for millennials by the travel research website Gogobot (2016); ranked in the Top 10 Cities That Care (2016) and the No. 1 City for an Active Lifestyle by WalletHub.com (2016); named the No. 2 Foodie City in the U.S. by Livability.com (2014); and named the Most Livable City in the United States by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (1993).
• The saguaro cacti that fill the Sonoran Desert in and around Scottsdale can live as long as 150-200 years and can weigh over 3,000 pounds when fully hydrated.
• Scottsdale has more spas per capita than any other city in the U.S.
• In just over four hours, you can be at the beach! Rocky Point, Mexico, is only about 220 miles southwest Scottsdale.

If you’re wild about wildflowers, now is the time to hit the trail in Scottsdale. Our Sonoran Desert landscape comes to life every spring with wildflowers and cactus blossoms in all shapes and colors. And thanks to moderate fall rains and warm winter temperatures, this year’s bloom has started right on time!

Where to Go:

Sonoran Desert Flower Guide:

Photo Credit: Photogramma1

Lupine

Purple Majestic lupine can be found throughout Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert. The Tohono O’odham tribe’s name for this plant means “sun-hand,” referring to the way its hand-shaped leaves move to face the sun throughout the day.

Photo Credit: Johnida Dockens

Brittlebush

This desert shrub sports tiny yellow flowers and yields a sap that the Tohono O’odham people used for things like glue, incense and chewing gum. Cowboys back in the days of the Old West used the flower’s stem as a fine toothbrush.

Photo Credit: Sarah Richter

Blue Yucca

The Blue Yucca’s showy stalks of flowers are as vibrant as the succulent’s powdery blue leaves. The Blue Yucca’s red roots are frequently used in Tohono O’odham basket weaving.

Photo Credit: Glenn Olsen

Penstemon

Besides being beautiful wildflowers, penstemons are a staple for many Scottsdale residents’ gardens because they require little water, are easy to maintain and attract colorful hummingbirds.

Photo Credit: tdlucas5000

Poppy

Poppies can come in all kinds of colors and are well-known for their symbolism. In the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, poppies are worn to commemorate fallen soldiers.

Photo Credit: Alan English CPA

Century Plant

The century plant spends up to 35 years growing a large basal rosette of leaves. Then, a single stalk with golden-yellow blossoms shoots out and grows as much as a foot each day to reach a height of about 15 feet.

Photo Credit: William Herron

Saguaro Blossom

The saguaro blossom, the state flower of Arizona, is a cream-white flower with a bright yellow center and measures about three inches in diameter.

Photo Credit: Kevin Schraer

Palo Verde

In Spanish, palo verde means “green stick.” In the spring, the tree sprouts thousands of tiny, bright gold flowers.

Photo Credit: Alfred Sin

Queen of the Night

In the spring, this elusive plant sprouts buds, and then on one summer night, the buds burst open into silky white flowers. Each flower opens for only one night and closes with the morning sun.

Photo Credit: Tom Gill

Prickly Pear

Prickly pears bloom with brilliant yellow flowers in the spring. The sweet juice from the cacti’s fruit is used in drinks, syrup and jelly.

What’s New Now

The Boulders Resort & Spa recently celebrated its 30th birthday by gifting itself some pampering. In December 2015, the Rhode Island-based design firm DiLeonardo completed a multimillion-dollar makeover with new architectural elements and color schemes that embrace the resort’s indigenous roots and Old West charm. The 160 casitas boast new furnishings and a new palette of earthy desert tones, as well as upgraded fixtures in the bathrooms. The property’s meeting spaces, bar lounge and Palo Verde restaurant also received upgrades. The Boulders’ inspired desert setting and 50,000+ total square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and function space make it ideal for groups looking for a spacious, secluded setting.

Come summer 2016, one of Scottsdale’s favorite resorts, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will boast an additional 102 guest rooms, including three luxury suites, for a whopping total of 750 rooms. The resort’s original architects, Allen + Philp, returned for this major endeavor, but the resort is not just adding rooms. This summer, groups can dive into the all-new Sunset Beach, the largest of the six pools at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The renovation also includes the new Great Lawn, a 35,000-square-foot outdoor function space, and the expansion of the Princess’ 1880s Western town venue, which will be renamed Copper Canyon and feature two saloons, an outdoor stage and dance floor, a blacksmith shop and jail.

Corporate execs can now book a relaxing retreat at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa’s newly unveiled Spa House. As a part of a $10 million room overhaul and renovation, the resort converted one of its private residences into a spa and wellness compound perfect for small groups. The Spa House offers a private workout studio, pool, sauna and tennis court. The resort also debuted its new Camelback Casitas and Camelback Suites, marking the property’s first major room overhaul since its opening in 2001. These mountainside rooms overlooking Paradise Valley will boast contemporary, elegant décor, including tile flooring, wood furnishing and light, neutral color palettes.

As part of its 80th anniversary, the historic Hermosa Inn recently unveiled new looks to the valet area, lobby, guest rooms and casitas. Additional initiatives to commemorate the monumental year include a photo contest from guests’ experiences, an 80th anniversary package and a new arts program in partnership with the Phoenix Art Museum titled “Conversations in Fashion.” This new series was created as a design-focused, cocktail hour to feature select artists from the museum’s Arizona Costume Institute’s program of events. Hermosa Inn’s luxurious Western ambiance and intimate meeting rooms are ideal for small groups and executive board retreats.

In late 2015, the former Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center debuted as The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel following a $10 million transformation. With a Mexican hacienda-inspired theme, the renovation introduces a new color palette and furnishings, and amplifies the hotel’s group offerings by transforming four tennis courts into a 10,000-square-foot outdoor lawn showcasing views of Camelback Mountain and accommodating up to 1,200 people. With nearly 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space and a prime central Scottsdale location, the property offers the perfect spot for a conference or corporate retreat.

Another long-time favorite, Chaparral Suites Scottsdale, will soon emerge from a $20 million top-to-bottom renovation under the Embassy Suites flag. All guest rooms and public spaces, as well as the property’s 50,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and event space, are being renovated and refreshed. A wine bar will grace the expanded lobby and a new restaurant concept, under the direction of Executive Chef John du Toit, will debut in place of the 4th Floor Grill.

Coming Soon

Under the heading of “you can never have too much of a good thing,” we’ll leave you with a sneak peek at three new luxury resorts that scheduled to make their Scottsdale debuts within the next two years.

First in this lavish lineup is Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, slated to open in September 2016. As with other Andaz properties, the Scottsdale resort will immerse guests with experiences indigenous to the location. Already the resort has announced a partnership with nearby artist compound Cattletrack, the longtime home and studio of some of the Southwest’s most notable artists such as Philip Curtis and Fritz Scholder. Drawing inspiration from greats like Alexander Girard, Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo Soleri, the property’s interior will feature mid-century, desert designs that pay homage to the 1950s. Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa will include 201 bungalow-style guest rooms, a full-service spa and salon, and more than 20,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces.

In January 2017, Westroc Hospitality, which owns Hotel Valley Ho and manages Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, is rolling out the red carpet for a new resort in the coveted Paradise Valley locale. Hotel at Mountain Shadows is taking over the former spot of Marriott Mountain Shadows Resort nestled between Camelback and Mummy mountains. The 183-room, full-service boutique hotel will have a lounge, restaurants and a 5,000-square-foot fitness center. In addition, the project includes the redesign of neighboring Mountain Shadows Golf Club.

Rounding out our trio of newcomers, the Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley recently received the green light to begin construction and is expected to open by the end of 2018. This 200-room, new-build property will have it all – spectacular views of Camelback Mountain, modern, chic interiors, North America’s longest pool (just over 400 feet) and a location that’s only minutes from downtown Scottsdale. Other property attributes include meeting spaces, a 20,000-square-foot spa and a garden with a citrus orchard.

Scottsdale’s heritage has its foundation in the vibrant cultures of the area’s first inhabitants, the Native Americans. Their influence can be seen throughout Scottsdale, but to get a true feel for their rich and varied cultures, you must see their art. Here are six places to experience Native American Art in Scottsdale:

Heard Museum

This world-famous museum features art from many different Native American tribes. The Heard’s signature exhibit, “HOME: Native People in the Southwest,” is complemented by six to eight changing exhibits each year that cover topics ranging from social issues and cultural artifacts to contemporary art. Every March, you can meet and talk with hundreds of Native American artists who show and sell their work at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

Experience the art of Native American music, dance and storytelling every Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. in the Hyatt’s main courtyard with the Living Traditions Dance Troupe. You’ll see a variety of dances, including championship-level hoop dancing, and have the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists after the show.

Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park

Pueblo Grande features a prehistoric Hohokam ruin encircled by a 2/3-mile interpretive trail. Inside the museum, changing gallery exhibits explore Hohokam archaeology, Southwestern cultures and contemporary Native American arts.

Talking Stick Resort

The Cultural Center at Talking Stick Resort features art reflecting the Pima and Maricopa ancestry that now forms the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. In fact, most of the art on display at the Center was created by members of the Community. You’ll see Native pottery, jewelry and a talking stick, a custom piece from which the resort gets its name.

Faust Gallery

This downtown Scottsdale gem presents an exceptional collection of contemporary Native American art and jewelry. In addition to modern works by renowned artists, you’ll find collectible pieces by past masters including Charles Loloma and Fritz Scholder.

River Trading Post

Also located in downtown Scottsdale, River Trading Post offers a collection of contemporary and vintage Native American art, including antique Navajo weavings, pre-Columbian pottery, and jewelry, sculpture and other works by today’s top artists.

The early summer months in Scottsdale are defined by the “dry heat” that everybody jokes about. Low humidity (around 7 percent), cloud-free skies and 100+-degree temperatures are typical from late May through June. Once July rolls around, however, things start to change. The humidity increases and our late afternoon skies are almost always filled with large, billowing clouds forming off in the distance. Every once in a while, those clouds roll into town and produce gusty winds, lightning and brief heavy rain. Though these summer thunderstorms typically last for only a short period of time, they can dramatically cool down the temperature – as much as 20 degrees – and might even send you in search of a jacket (okay maybe not you, but we thin-blooded locals might reach for a sweater)!

Along with the benefit of lower temperatures, monsoon-driven storms also create stunning images before, during, and after the storm. It’s a great time to sit back and watch nature’s artistry on display! Check out some of these awe-inspiring images from past years’ storms.