Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona

Scotch, Music and Caddies – Not Your Father’s Golf Game

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:37:23 +0000

Scottsdale courses are putting a hip, young spin on the traditional game with cool offerings such as the Scottish Golf Experience at Kierland Golf Club. To honor Scottish immigrants who helped develop Arizona and make the game truly authentic, don rented kilts and enjoy Johnnie Walker beverages while perfecting your swing. Finish your round as bagpipes signal the end of the day and the start of the Scottish Pipes at Sunset Series, where Bagpiper Michael McClanathan creates the melodic tunes of Old World Scotland at the Dreamweaver Canyon fire pit.

Hole 7 overlooking Kierland Resort and Hole 9

If there was one course in Scottsdale deemed edgy, Grayhawk Golf Club would be it. Not only can you swing to rock music on the practice range, but the course also has featured live tunes by EastonAshe on the patio. If clothing is your thing, check out the pro shop offering the latest golf threads from PUMA and Oakley. And coming soon to a television near you, the newest commercial from Scottsdale-based domain company Go Daddy was filmed at Grayhawk Golf Club. Stay tuned to see if it is as scandalous as their Super Bowl advertisements.

Wanna play like the pros at the FBR Open, A.K.A. the “Greatest Show on Grass?” Hit from the same tees as Phil and Tiger on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course with the Forecaddie Experience and find out what it’s like to be a TOUR player. Caddies carry your bags, offer shot selection advice, rake bunkers, read greens and much more. Plus, get the insider’s perspective of the history and heritage of golf and the TOUR. And don’t miss the plaques inside the clubhouse commemorating the top moments of the Open’s history – JB Holmes monster drive on 18 two years ago, Tiger’s “loose impediment” that took help from the fans to move and Andrew Magee’s hole-in-one on a par four, just to name a few.

TPC Scottsdale

Meet the Travelocity Roaming Gnome Monday July 20

Mitchell Tay — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:30:05 +0000

After much voting on http://votetravelocity.com Arizona won the contest for the Travelocity Roaming Gnome’s next visit. The Roaming Gnome arrived to Arizona yesterday and will be traveling all around the state until Tuesday.

The Roaming Gnome will be making an appearance at Trader Vic’s at the Hotel Valley Ho on Monday, July 20, from 5:00 – 7:00pm to meet all of you before he goes off to Boston, Philly, or Washington D.C.

Trader Vic’s will be having drink and appetizer specials for this unique event.

So come on out and meet the Travelocity Roaming Gnome! Take a picture and have a drink with him!

Fairmont Courtyard [Flickr]

Experience Scottsdale — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:49:55 PDT

Experience Scottsdale posted a photo:

Fairmont Scottsdale

Kirk Gibson is Fond of Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:35:32 +0000

One of our favorite magazines, Arizona Highways, has a quick three question interview with Kirk Gibson, former Dodger and bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the interview, Mr. Gibson is asked where in Arizona he would take his former manager, Tommy Lasorda, to show him what a great state we have here. It’s no surprise to us that Gibson chose Scottsdale as the area to highlight. So don’t take our word for it, Kirk Gibson agrees Scottsdale has it all.

A Screen Shot of Arizona Highway's Magazine

Frys.com Open: Get Close to Greatness With Fall PGA Event

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:28:37 +0000

The PGA TOUR returns to Scottsdale this fall for the Frys.com Open at Grayhawk Golf Club Oct. 21-25. All four rounds of the Open will be broadcast on The Golf Channel with Cameron Beckman returning to defend his 2008 championship title. The $5 million purse includes $900,000 for the winner of the 132-player tournament. This year, Frys.com is adding a third Pro-Am event, the Fry’s and Friends Fore Adoption Pro-Am – the first-ever couples event of its kind to be played on the PGA TOUR taking place on Oct. 19 with proceeds benefiting the Fore Adoption Foundation. And if you’re an Arizona resident or company looking to get in on the action, make sure to take advantage of the 15 percent discount on all Pro-Ams, skyboxes and Greenskeeper packages that the Frys.com Open is offering through July 31.

Frys.com open signage [Flickr]

Experience Scottsdale — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:25:30 PDT

Experience Scottsdale posted a photo:

Jordin Sparks Gives the Low Down on Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:25:18 +0000

Jordin live, originally uploaded by jmtimages (depressed…).

Jordin Sparks, American Idol winner and Arizona resident, recently gave an interview with Kelly Carter for USA TODAY.

Here’s a small exerpt:
Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: If you come to Arizona during the summer, I would recommend one of the three water parks. If you’re a golfer, we have great, great golf courses — a ton to choose from. If you’re coming for a spa day then I would recommend the Phoenician. If you want to shop, I recommend Scottsdale Fashion Square. If you’re outdoorsy and want to explore I would say get up to the Grand Canyon. It’s gorgeous and so vast. If you want to walk around the Grand Canyon, come during the spring when it’s really, really nice — or any other time that is not summer.

Read the entire article here.

Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:41:16 +0000

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sminor/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Scottsdale offers a wide range of activities and attractions for the most discerning of visitors. Here are a few of the best things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona. Click on each one to read more information about it.

Old Town Scottsdale
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
Scottsdale Museum Of Contemporary Art
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Cosanti Foundation
Scottsdale Arts District
Pinnacle Peak Patio
The Heard Museum
Desert Botanical Garden

Free baby sitting for Date Night at Bourbon Steak

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:48:13 +0000

Every Friday and Saturday night, the Fairmont Scottsdale’s Kids Club will stay open until 10 pm so parents can have a romantic evening at BOURBON STEAK. Their Kids Club offers certified child care services for children ages 4 and up. It’s complimentary for resort and local guests with existing dinner reservations. So make your reservation now, (480) 513-6002.

Westin Kids Club… the best place in town for the kids to have fun while YOU have fun!

Josh Kenzer — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:24:20 +0000

Families who know Westin Kids Club say that their kids LOVE coming back to The Westin Kierland Resort for the FUN they always have in Kids Club!

Staffed by our very own award-winning FUN Team, Westin Kids Club offers activities from arts & crafts or scavenger hunts to poolside fun or movie nights!

Are you an Arizona resident? Take advantage of Westin Kids Club for FREE when you need to get away for a spa treatment at Agave, a round of golf at Kierland Golf Club, or even a dinner date night at deseo or Nellie’s! Valued at $35 for a half-day session at Kids Club, Arizona residents can use our Kids Club like a FREE babysitter!

Traveling from out of town with family? Enjoy your own dinner date for two while you’re here, but don’t let the kids feel left out; treat them to Kids Club Pajama Party that includes a yummy dinner and FUN activities from 5 to 9 pm! That’s four hours for a romantic dinner at deseo, drinks cuddled up by the fire pit, and even a peaceful walk around the Resort just for mom and dad!

For more information on everything Westin Kids Club has to offer, call 480-624-1268.

Experience Scottsdale, Arizona Video

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:21:56 +0000

Scottsdale Cvb Encourages Groups to ‘Keep It Local’

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:58:02 +0000

In an effort to increase awareness of Scottsdale’s meetings offerings among local corporations and associations, the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is embarking on a local meeting incentive program encouraging resident groups to book business in the city’s resorts, hotels and venues. The Meet Local in Scottsdale program launched in May 2009 with an advertisement in the Phoenix Business Journal and offers incentives to those who simply inform the bureau about potential new business. If the group works with the organization’s destination experts to find accommodations, the person who referred the meeting receives a premium Scottsdale gift – their choice of a golf, spa, travel or business amenity. Actual booked business in Scottsdale results in a complimentary two-night stay at the host property for the person who referred the group to the bureau. The incentive program referral period runs through December 2009 and includes any piece of business booked through Dec. 31, 2010.

Hermosa Inn [Flickr]

Experience Scottsdale — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:36:56 PDT

Experience Scottsdale posted a photo: