Native American Life

• Deer Valley Rock Art Center
  Study over 1,500 amazing petroglyphs in the Hedgpeth Hills. Find out how petroglyphs were made. Organize a field trip to the center. Be sure to take the kids to Story Time, a new program that includes a craft, an outdoor activity, singing and of course, a story. Sign up for a guided tour or walk the trail on your own.
• Montezuma Castle National Monument
  Step into history at this incredible 12th century cliff dwelling in the Verde Valley. The predecessor to today's apartment building, this 20-room structure is built into a limestone cliff. Learn about the Sinagua people who lived here. Explore the trails around the Montezuma Well. View photos and other artifacts in the museum.
• Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park
  Learn about the life of these Native Americans at this treasure trove of Pueblo culture. Artifacts have been gathered, preserved and are now on display here. Wander through the 102-acre museum. Come upon the centuries-old Hohokam mounds and excavated ball court to see how they lived. Replicate ancient pottery designs on an interactive magnetic drawing slate.

Premier Shopping

Scottsdale offers some of the world's best shopping. Take advantage of our complimentary 14-passenger van to ensure a stress-free day of shopping. Running Monday through Saturday, our convenient shuttle will drop off and pick up from the nearby shopping centers.

• The Borgata
  Recall that favorite trip to Italy when you visit The Borgata. Remember meandering the medieval streets, peeking in the window of charming little shops? You can capture that feeling again when you visit this Italian Renaissance-style shopping center. Complete your home décor with an accessory from a specialty shop. Update your summer wardrobe with fashions from Lily Pulitzer. Savor a delicious meal at a welcoming restaurant.
• Fifth Avenue
  This retail center is a shopper's delight. Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, visitors can make a day of it at Fifth Avenue. Find unique gifts and souvenirs. Treat yourself to a custom-designed piece of jewelry. Delve into the latest bestseller at a bookstore. Catch up with an old friend at an outdoor bistro. Dress like a local in duds from a western wear shop. Attend a show at Theatre 4301. Cool off in front of the Horse Fountain.
• Scottsdale Fashion Square
  For an enticing selection of wares, look no further than the Scottsdale Fashion Square. Visit over 225 retail stores and eateries. Soothe a restless child with story time at a clothing store. Bring hankies for that tear-jerker drama at the seven-plex theater.
• The Shops at Gainey Village
  Take a stroll through The Shops at Gainey Village. This open air retail center offers a wide array of shopping choices. Put the bags down and get some sun in the bright courtyard. Select a crisp Pinot Grigio for later in the evening from a wine shop. Mix up things with a new hairstyle and makeover at a stylish salon. When energy is waning, perk up with a cup of java from a coffee shop.

Cultural Pursuits

• ASU Kerr Cultural Center
  A natural adobe studio, this center exemplifies southwestern architecture. Visitors can revel in the superior acoustics during performances. Close your eyes and listen to the soothing melodies of a classical pianist. Chat with one of the guest artists during Coffee at Kerr. Expose your child to the world of opera.
• Marshall Way Arts District
  This vibrant area is fast becoming a major center for the arts community. The area has more than 50 galleries, with plans to expand to 100. Find virtually every art form, from southwestern weavings to contemporary sculptures. Sip wine and mingle with guests at a gallery opening. Observe an artist in action at his studio. Raise your paddle at an auction. Attend an artist's gallery opening.
• Phoenix Art Museum
  A cool place to be – literally – can be found in Phoenix. Thanks to a $50 million expansion in 2006, temperature-regulated rooms help preserve art from environmental damage. Consider your favorite paintings by Pablo Picasso, Georgia O'Keefe and others. With more than 17,000 American, African, Asian, European, Modern, Contemporary and Latin American works, visitors can study paintings, fashions and more. Peek inside the intricate detail of a miniature room. Try your hand at one of the interactive exhibits. Experience movies and music in a unique venue.
• Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
  Step into this inviting venue to hear your favorite musicians. Get your groove on at this outdoor amphitheatre. Enchant kids with a classic story presented by the children's theatre group. Mingle with locals at a favorite art event – Sunday A'Fair. Feel the beat and soulful sounds of a blues act.
• Scottsdale Desert Stage Theatre
  Established in 1995, Scottsdale Desert Stage Theatre caters to budding actors. Settle into the 136-seat center for a performance of "West Side Story". Encourage the little actress in your child at Summer Camp for Young Actors. Make an evening more special by attending one of the dinner theatres.
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
  Examine fine contemporary and modern art in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Appreciate the clean, simple lines of Scandinavian design. Scan the items displayed at a contemporary jewelry trunk show. Encourage a youngster's creativity through one of the museum's art programs.
• Heard Museum
  The Heard Museum of Native Cultures and Art is a treasure-trove of education and discovery – and an opportunity to learn about the first Americans. Exhibitions include everything from cultural objects to fine art – jewelry – and fashion. The extraordinary collection of Hopi Kachina dolls is not to be missed. Or, you might learn about the Navajo Nation's famous "code talker" role in World War II. Top-notch traveling exhibits and the best emerging contemporary Native American art combine to make the Heard a living institution that embraces our diversity.
• Arizona Sonora Desert Museum
  This is a world-renowned zoo – natural history museum and botanical garden—all in one place. Situated within a breath-taking national park, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum strives to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert. See over 300 desert animals from mountain lions to Gila monsters, and 1,200 kinds of plants. Step into the hummingbird enclosure and see how many different species you can identify. Worth the short trip to Tucson—this is a desert experience where everything has been gathered together for you to enjoy.
• Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum
  View aircraft from World War II through the Vietnam War. Located at Falcon Field Airport in nearby Mesa, the museum maintains and operates these aircraft for the general public to enjoy. View World War II memorabilia and uniforms. Look towards the sky during an air show. Study aircraft like the B-17G Flying Fortress or the F-4 Phantom. Examine the offerings at the Gift Shop. Feel what it is like to ride in a magnificent war plane like the C-45.
• Scottsdale Historical Museum
  Located in the 1909 Little Red Schoolhouse, this museum records the city's history through photographs, artifacts and exhibits. Marvel at the magnificent stained-glass of a local artist. Gain inspiration for your own wedding when you tour the bridal display. Pick up a book on the Sonoran desert from the gift shop.
• Taliesin West
  The international archive of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesen West also houses the winter campus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Step into Wright's private office. Compare the main house and sunken gardens for a deeper understanding of his design concepts. Tour the cabaret theatre and pavilion as well as the garden room and Wright's private gathering room. Bask in the nightglow of the grounds including a fire-breathing dragon sculpture during a twilight tour.
• Challenger Space Center
  "You are now entering Deep Space – the last frontier" – these are words you may hear as you simulate liftoff and docking in the Atlantis Space Shuttle Module. You can also rendezvous with a comet. Spacecraft and Mission Control team members must work together to come in range of the comet Encke's tail so they can launch a scientific probe. If you're into star gazing – you can attend a show in the Giant Starlab Planetarium – or you can see the stars "up close" through a powerful telescope one evening each month.

Parks & Gardens

Scottsdale offers some of the world's best shopping. Take advantage of our complimentary 14-passenger van to ensure a stress-free day of shopping. Running Monday through Saturday, our convenient shuttle will drop off and pick up from the nearby shopping centers.

• Carefree & Cave Creek
  These communities are less than 30 minutes from Scottsdale.
  Cave Creek
  Hike the Spurcross Trail, which is three miles long, or the Schoolhouse Trail, two miles long, in Cave Creek. Climb on a horse and ride the trails throughout the 2,900-acre Cave Creek Recreation area.
  Carefree
  Venture into the foothills of Carefree. Spot coyotes, javelinas, red-tailed hawks and roadrunners. Pull out the binoculars. You just might spot cardinals, mourning doves and horned owls in the Carefree foothills.
• Desert Botanical Garden
  Arid climates can produce beautiful landscapes and the Desert Botanical Garden proves it. Established in 1939 and covering more than 50 acres, visitors can identify and enjoy 139 rare and endangered plant species from around the world. Hike one of five desert trails. Reserve a spot for dinner in the garden and then head over to one of the outdoor concerts. Host a wine tasting in the garden. Learn more about the desert at a seminar or workshop. Get into the holiday spirit at Las Noches del las Luminarias.
• Lost Dutchman State Park
  Its location evokes mystery – situated in a remote area of the Sonoran Desert near Superstition Mountain. Try to find the reputed Lost Dutchman Mine. Pick up a map at the visitor's center. Then venture out onto one of the nature trails.
• McDowell Mountain Regional Park
  This spectacular 21,099-acre park is a sight to behold. Situated along the Lower Verde River basin, visitors can enjoy more than 50 miles of trails. Scan the beautiful McDowell Mountains that make up the park's backdrop. Break out the telescope and star gaze. Spot javelinas, coyotes and more. Train for a bike race, using one of three competitive loops.
• Pinnacle Peak Park
  Slip on your hiking shoes and head over to this 150-acre park. Contemplate the dramatic views 1,300 feet up. Push your abilities to the limit with a day of rock climbing. Sign up for an interpretative program to learn about the predominant cacti and other native plants in the area. Hike the 3 ½ mile trail.