Scottsdale, AZ
Art Galleries, Craft Shops and Golf Courses
Scottsdale Hotels/Motels
There are many hotels and motels in Scottsdale with something for every taste and price range. For more information and a complete list.
Click Here. Hotels Rates, availability, reviews and reservation online
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 |
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
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.
Related DesertUSA Pages
- How to Turn Your Smartphone into a Survival Tool
- 26 Tips for Surviving in the Desert
- Death by GPS
- 7 Smartphone Apps to Improve Your Camping Experience
- Maps Parks and More
- Desert Survival Skills
- How to Keep Ice Cold in the Desert
- Desert Rocks, Minerals & Geology Index
- Preparing an Emergency Survival Kit
- Get the Best Hotel and Motel Rates
Share this page on Facebook:
The Desert Environment
The North American Deserts
Desert Geological Terms