Scottsdale Attractions

Scottsdale once famously billed itself as "the West's Most Western Town." Today, the cowboys and saloons are a thing of the past, replaced by ultramodern, luxury resorts, a revolving selection of nightlife hot spots, a cutting-edge culinary scene, and some of the world's best golf. With so much going on, it's no surprise that there are so many things to do in Scottsdale.

Our number one pick is exploring Old Town Scottsdale on foot. Although quite kitschy, the rustic Old West storefronts are also a lot of fun. This is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs, grab a bite, and shop for high quality jewelry, art, and Mexican imports.

The Scottsdale art scene, while still one of the best places to see quality cowboy art, has also become one of the leading centers for contemporary art. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is a great place to check out the latest developments in the arts. For a look back at the way things were, the Scottsdale Historical Museum, housed in the city's first schoolhouse, offers an intriguing glimpse at what the city looked like before the multimillion dollar developments sprung up all over town.

If you want a taste of Old Scottsdale as people might have experienced it decades ago, head to one of the city's favorite riding stables for an afternoon of exploring the lush desert on horseback. MacDonald's Ranch offers popular horseback riding sessions for riders of all skills and ages.

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