Scottsdale, Arizona, is full of fun things to do. This suburb just east of Phoenix offers residents and visitors a slew of activities, from parks and good restaurants to spring training baseball, some of the best golf in the country, and much, much more. In the graphs below, we will explore some of the best things to do in the Scottsdale area that will keep you entertained while you stay active.

Taliesin West

Frank Lloyd Wright is arguably the greatest architect in the history of American architecture. His work is so renowned that legendary singer-songwriters Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel once wrote a song commemorating him. At Taliesin West in Scottsdale, you can see firsthand the majesty of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture at its finest. Taliesin West was built in the late 1930s as Wright’s personal winter home and architectural studio, and every inch of the facility is pure splendor. It is located in the Sonoran Desert along the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, and it affords visitors magnificent views. Public tours are offered at Taliesin West throughout the week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a tour of the grounds is well worth your time.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

In a few words, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is pure Arizona. If you love to hike, mountain bike, horseback ride, or bird-watch, then McDowell Sonoran Preserve is for you. Even if not, it is still worth visiting just to experience the vibrant scenery and abounding nature. In total, there are more than 60 miles of trails for visitors to walk and hike, with every inch of the trails offering glimpses of Arizona at its very finest. The preserve itself is the largest urban nature preserve in the nation, encompassing 21,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert. It’s the perfect place to catch some fresh air and forget about the stresses of the world for a while.

Pinnacle Peak Park

At Pinnacle Peak Park, you can take a hike, literally. Within Pinnacle Peak Park is Pinnacle Peak, a granite summit that rises some 600 feet above the valley floor, amounting to a total of 3,171 feet above sea level. And what good would a peak be if you couldn’t reach its pinnacle? For hiking enthusiasts and regular travelers alike, there is a 1.75-mile trail leading to the summit, making a total of 3.5 miles for the roundtrip. Although the trail contains several switchbacks, it can be traversed by people of virtually all hiking skill levels. You’ll certainly see a wide variety of cacti on the journey to and from the summit, and you may even come across some native Arizona wildlife, including diamondback rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, and bobcats.

A Round of Golf

Scottsdale is loaded with golf courses, most of which are well-manicured and playable throughout the year. Also, these golf courses provide a setting unlike that of courses in other parts of the United States. Trees are few and far between, and rolling hills are almost nonexistent. Instead, these golf courses are literally oases in the middle of the desert, with sand and cacti providing a truly unique feel. Probably the most notable of the courses is the Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Scottsdale. Each year, this course plays host to the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Open, one of the best-attended tournaments on the calendar. When the course isn’t reserved for the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, and other pros, it’s open to the public. Finding a tee time can be difficult, and the greens fees might be steep, but a round of golf at TPC Scottsdale is a round you’ll never forget.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Scottsdale, Arizona. http://www.yelp.com/biz/laser-spine-institute-scottsdale

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Scottsdale, Arizona, Phoenix, Health