Scottsdale, AZ

Art Galleries, Craft Shops and Golf Courses

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Location / Description

Scottsdale is located in central Arizona, just east of Phoenix, between Carefree and Tempe. It is known for its more than 100 art galleries, craft shops and golf courses. It is a popular retirement/tourist community featuring numerous cultural activities January through April.

Population / Elevation

180,300
1,248 feet above sea level

Weather / Climate

Weather & Road Information: 480-271-5656 Ext. 1010

Scottsdale, Arizona - Monthly Climate Normals
	Year	Jan.	Feb.	Mar	Apr.	May	Jun.	Jul.	Aug.	Sep	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
High °F	86	65	70	74	83	92	102	105	102	98	88	74	66
Low °F	59	39	42	47	53	61	71	79	77	71	59	47	40

Average °F	62	52	56	60	68	76	86	92	89	84	73	61	53
Rain	7.0

Camping & RV Parks

Arizona State Parks 480-542-4174
Arizona National Forests 800-280-CAMP

History

From 800 to1400 AD, the region of cuent-day Scottsdale was occupied and farmed by the Hohokam. More than 200 miles of canals were built to provide water to support their agricultural needs. It wasn't until 1888 that settlers began to permanently establish homesteads in the area. Army Champlain Winfield Scott and his wife were the first family to settle in the region to farm citrus, sweet potatoes and peanuts. In 1896, the first school house was opened and in 1897, J.L. Davis opened a general store with a post office.

The beautiful year-round weather made the town of Scottsdale a prime location for resorts. The Ingleside Inn was completed in 1909 and was one of Scottsdale's first winter resorts; many others followed. Scottsdale continued to grow with the addition of Cavalliere's Blacksmith Shop in 1910 and a cotton gin in 1920. In 1951, with 2,000 residents, Scottsdale was incorporated as a city and the newly elected mayor, Malcolm White, gave the city its slogan "The West's Most Western Town."

Events Calendar

January:

Annual Parade del Sol (30 days)
Celebration of Fine Art ( starts January 13th)

February:

Annual Arabian Horse Show
Celebration of Fine Art ( all Month)
Indian Artists of America Show Early February

March:

Scottsdale Desert Festival
Celebration of Fine Art

May: - Annual Choirmaster's Ball

June: - Summer Rodeo Series

July: - 4th of July Fireworks

August: - Annual Bring in the Clowns

September:

AZ Quarter Horse Fall Event
Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra

October:

Western Art Walk Weekend
Scottsdale AirFair

November:

Dixieland Jazz Festival
Thunderbird Balloon Classic
Desert Fall Festival of Fine Arts

December:

Fiesta Bowl Art Walk
The Borgata Farmers Market

Activities and information

Walking & Hiking - 40 miles of multiuse trails for hikers, bikers, riders & walkers
Biking
Horseback Riding
Golf
Tennis
Swimming
Shopping
More information on things to do

Resources & Nearby Attractions

Resources

Cities & Towns

Phoenix, Arizona: 10 miles west
Sedona, Arizona: 119 miles north.
Flagstaff, Arizona:138 miles north.
Wickenburg, Arizona: 53 miles west.
Prescott, Arizona: 94 miles north.
Tucson, Arizona: 117 miles south.

Parks & Monuments

McDowell Mountain Regional Park: 480-471-0173
Camel Back Mountain Park: 480-256-3220
Montezuma's Castle National Monument: 85 miles north.
Fort Verde State Historic Park: 83 miles north.
Casa Grande National Monument: 47 miles south.
Picacho Peak State Park: 73 miles south.
Tonto National Monument: 60 miles east.

Wilderness & Recreation Areas

Carefree/Cave Creek: 25 miles north
Tonto National Forest: Adjoins the city.

Historic & Points of Interest

Cosanti Foundation: Headquarters/workshop of architect Paolo Soleri. 480-948-6145.
Rawhide: An 1800s town recreated with stagecoaches, saloons and even a jail. 480-502-5600.
Scottsdale Historical Museum: 480-945-4499.
Fleischer Museum: Impressionist paintings and sculpture.480-585-3108.
Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural school/studio. 480-860-8810.
The Arboretum at Arizona State University: 5 miles east (Tempe).
Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum: 58 miles east.

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