Scottsdale Vacation GuideScottsdale vacation rentals are the best lodging choices for the Scottsdale, Arizona area, a perfect place for a vacation in the Sonoran Desert sun. Scottsdale has been growing by leaps and bounds recently, causing the landscape to change from an Old West feel to a modern resort town. Scottsdale is a posh vacation spot located in the "Valley of the Sun," an area blessed with over 325 days of sunshine per year. Scottsdale is loaded with cultural and historical attractions, restaurants, museums, and other activities you might expect from a booming metropolis. In addition, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to keep them busy, including hiking, golfing, tennis, sight-seeing, shopping, whitewater rafting, or just lounging by a pool.Scottsdale has a rich heritage that includes Native Americans and Old West mining towns. For a glimpse into the region's past, the Heard Museum in nearby Phoenix has one of the most extensive collections of Native American art in the Southwest. Among the more than 35,000 pieces is a collection titled We Are! Arizona's First People, which is an interactive gallery describing the past, present, and future of Arizona's 21 tribal communities. Or you could rush headlong into the future during a visit to the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum displays modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design in five galleries from sources around the globe. Highlights include an outdoor sculpture garden and a public "skyspace" for viewing the explosion of light in the desert sky. If you want to experience Scottsdale in an active fashion, a great place to start is Papago Park. A popular trail takes visitors to Hole in the Rock, a large, red butte rock with a natural opening in the center. Desert Botanical Garden, also in the park, displays over 20,000 species of plants from all over the world. The enclave of Paradise Valley surrounds Camelback Mountain just north of Scottsdale. A challenging hike takes visitors to the top of Camelback Mountain in the Echo Canyon Recreation Area, the highest peak around Phoenix, with incredible views of the area. Golfers make the pilgrimage in droves to the Valley of the Sun. The area is fast becoming a favorite golf destination with more than 200 courses. The Boulders, in Carefree, offers a stiff test of golfing skill with incredible desert vistas. The TPC of Scottsdale is home each year to the Phoenix Open. The ASU-Karsten Golf Course is part of Arizona State University and mixes undulating greens with tricky tee shots to produce a good test of golfing skill. There are hundreds of other courses in the region, all offering interesting challenges. Team sports enthusiasts can catch an Arizona Cardinals game at Sun Devil Stadium or watch the Phoenix Suns play at American West Arena. Shoppers will want to make a beeline for Arizona Mills, a huge outlet mall located in nearby Mesa. Pamper yourself during a visit to one of the many day-spas that pepper the area. Food lovers can find a restaurant serving everything from French haute cuisine to Tex-Mex local cooking. Architectural buffs will want to check out the Taliesin West, considered to be one of the best masterpieces by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Scottsdale rentals and private Paradise Valley rentals have everything you need to enjoy your vacation in the Valley of the Sun. | Arizona Vacation Guides and Activities | Return to Vacation Guides Home |