See Why Scottsdale is One of the Hottest Travel Destinations to Visit This Year

Scottsdale, AZ is one of the most exciting travel destinations to visit in the American Southwest. Not only is the city of Scottsdale an astonishing place to explore, but the surrounding desert and mountain environments offer great escapes into nature.

From thrilling sporting events to magical desert sunsets, here are all the reasons why you need to visit Scottsdale this year.

Scottsdale Golf Course

1) Sports and Athletic Events

Scottsdale hosts an impressive athletics scene with a wide array of sports to spectate or try for yourself. The city is perhaps most popular for golfing enthusiasts due to the staggering volume of golf courses. There’s also the wildly fun WM Phoenix Open – a PGA tournament that brings in over 700,000 visitors annually – which takes place at TPC Scottsdale in early February.

In addition to golf, Scottsdale famously hosts the Major League Baseball spring training season. Across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Phoenix there are 10 stadiums at which you can see 15 Cactus League Spring Training teams. Be sure to check out our Spring Training Guide for more information about what to see and where to stay for MLB Spring Training in Scottsdale.

2023 Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium

Football fans, rejoice! Super Bowl LVII will be held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ on February 12th. This will be the third time that the Super Bowl is played at State Farm Stadium and the fourth time that the Super Bowl is played at a Phoenix-Metro area football stadium.

Old Town Scottsdale

2) Upscale City Life Meets the Old West

Often referenced as “The West’s Most Western Town,” Scottsdale beautifully marries the luxuries of modern city living with rustic wild-west influences. It’s this combination of old meets new that gives Scottsdale its signature charm.

You can find Old West influences infused within many of the city’s restaurants and bars, especially in Old Town Scottsdale. Watering holes like the Rusty Spur Saloon are wonderful for grabbing a drink and catching some live country music with friends. You can also visit Scottsdale’s Museum of the West to immerse yourself in the vast Western and Native American culture of the region.

As for the upscale city life, that influence is immediately apparent in Scottsdale’s gorgeous architecture, cultural institutions, and luxurious accommodations. If you’re looking to snag some modern high-fashion items, then you’ll definitely need to check out Scottsdale Fashion Square. At 2 million square feet, it’s the largest shopping mall in Arizona, and it hosts over 200 brand-name stores such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Rolex.

Local Tip: Check Out Taliesin West for a True Old West Meets Modern Design Experience

Taliesin West is the former desert-escape home of renowned American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s also the current home of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Given those credentials, it’ll come as no surprise that Taliesin West is a jaw-dropping site of architectural splendor that melds beautifully with the desert surrounding it.

Sonoran Desert Sunset - Scottsdale

3) Astonishing Landscapes to Explore

Scottsdale is so much more than just a pretty city with a few events and attractions to experience. Surrounding Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area is the magnificent Sonoran Desert, the McDowell Mountain Range, and a few other noteworthy wilderness areas.

All that epic countryside comes with equally grand opportunities to explore the land. Hiking and mountain biking are the most popular means of traversing area trails, but there are plenty more unique tour options as well.

Adrenaline junkies will love the thrills of speeding across the desert on a rugged ATV tour. Those looking for a true wild west experience can head to MacDonald’s Ranch for a day of picturesque horseback riding. Or, if you want to experience the true meaning of a breathtaking view, then hop aboard a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Sonoran Desert.

There are too many tours and places to explore near Scottsdale to cover in one post. Stay tuned to our blog and Scottsdale Activities page for upcoming information on outdoor activities.

Couple Eating at a Mexican Restaurant

4) Exceptional Dining and Drinks

Last but certainly not least on the list of reasons to visit Scottsdale this year is the city’s exceptional restaurant and bar scene. Scottsdale offers an incredible range dining options and nightlife hotspots that can appeal to any visitor.

As a city so rich with Old West influences, Scottsdale naturally hosts some of the finest Southwest and Mexican restaurants in all of Arizona. Along with the incredible southwest cuisine also comes some of the most refreshing southwest craft cocktails. Trust us when we say you haven’t lived until you’ve tried a Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila prickly-pear margarita.

However, Scottsdale excels at much more than just Mexican food. There are a ton of delightful restaurants with culinary influences from all over the world. FnB, for example, is a nationally acclaimed restaurant located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale. FnB showcases a constantly evolving menu of transcendent dishes crafted using ingredients locally sourced from Arizona’s top farms and purveyors.

Local Tip: Wine-Lovers Follow Scottsdale’s Wine Trail Map

Whether you’re a casual wine consumer or a certified sommelier, you’ll have a wonderful time exploring Scottsdale’s Wine Trail. There are several outstanding wine tasting rooms spread across downtown Scottsdale, and you can find them all on this wine trail map.

 

As you can see, there are many answers to the question of why you should visit Scottsdale this year. Scottsdale is a city that offers something for everyone, and it’s southwestern charm extends far beyond the sum of its parts to create memorable experiences you’ll cherish long after heading back home.

Head to our Scottsdale Activities and Dining pages for more helpful area information, and check out our selection of luxury Scottsdale vacation rentals for your upcoming trip.