SCOTTSDALE’S ARTISTIC SIDE

Scottsdale is full of surprises, as a recent visit revealed to me. For the last time, I visited the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, my focus was on the outdoors – going way to the northern end of Scottsdale to play rounds of golf at the famed Troon North Golf Club and Boulders Club, horseback riding across the Tonto National Forest, and hiking through fields of spring wildflowers.

But this time, the history and artistic culture of this small city founded in 1894 drew me back, as well as the rumor of wineries making high-quality quaffs in a very unexpected landscape. I found all in this welcoming place: exemplary cuisine, delightful spa and wellness experiences, and, as expected, dry, sunny weather.

The first surprise was learning that Scottsdale is a sustainable city dedicated to preserving water from the Colorado and Salt Rivers. A river canal runs through it, with a meandering path perfect for walking, biking, and horseback riding. It’s a central element of Scottsdale’s vibrant downtown scene, with the Soleri Bridge “true north” installation created by artist Paolo Soleri anchoring the city’s many fascinating outdoor art displays. 

All that art gives Scottsdale a distinct cultural personality, from sculptures to murals to a wacky giant rabbit (John Randall Nelson’s “One-Eyed Jack”). Add in the fine art galleries that dot the city’s Old Town/Main Street section, including the Native Art Market created to showcase Native American works, and visitors can spend all day immersed in widely diverse artistic explorations. 

For a fascinating look at Old Town and its artistic gems, book a one-hour tour with JoyRidesAZ and take an open-air electric slow ride around this original section of the city. Filled with history and personal touches, getting a good grip on what makes this city tick is easy. 

THREE UNIQUE MUSEUMS
Another Scottsdale surprise comes in the form of three unique museums. Architecture lovers won’t be surprised by visiting UNESCO World Heritage site Taliesin West, where legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright spent his winters for the last 20+ years of his life. Set alone in the northeast foothills of the desert, Taliesin is filled with Wright’s design genius both inside and out. It’s a must-do pilgrimage for anyone who loves beautiful buildings and outdoor landscapes.

In the city is Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, a beautifully curated collection of artifacts and artwork centered on the Wild West experience central to the region’s history. Fascinating docent-led tours are offered daily, giving inside insight into the museum’s incredible compendiums, like the do-not-miss Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection and the Richard A. Gates Collection of Native American Jewelry. Paintings, sculptures, and other artworks round out this well-curated museum experience.  

And the most exciting museum of all is MIM, the Museum of Musical Instruments, near Taliesin West in the city’s northeast. Entrancing from the moment you enter, MIM immerses music lovers in instruments from all epochs and cultures, with each massive section broken into geographical regions and specific places. Diving into various musical instruments means seeing ones you’ve never been aware of, hearing them played by virtuosos, and marveling at this perfectly curated museum. 

WINERIES AND WORLD-CLASS DINING  Discovering Scottdale’s last surprise of my trip had me skeptical until I learned that Arizona has three designated AVAs (American Viticultural Areas, designated by the U.S. government). With that imprimatur, I knew I had to keep an open mind as I experienced Scottsdale’s “Wine Trail.” Centered primarily on Old Town, the wine-tasting rooms of LDV Winery, Merkin Vineyards, Aridus Wine Company, and others welcome visitors with both flights of wines grown and bottled in Arizona as well as food designed to pair with the varietals.

With vineyards further south in the Sonoita/Elgin and Willcox AVAs and the north Verde Valley AVA, LDV Winery’s wines range from Grenache, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Tempranillo, and other varietals suited to the dry and sometimes high-elevation climate. LDV Winery’s “Signature” Petite Sirah is particularly delicious. It is a deep red wine with dark, dense berry flavors and soft tannins. 

Pairing Arizona wines with fine food is easy in Scottsdale, especially at the hotspot restaurants that create elegant and approachable dining experiences. The Mission in Kierland Commons offers excellent Latin-influenced tastes, as does the iconic El Chorro with its gorgeous garden and seasonal fare. Farm & Craft’s healthy choices are so good that the place is always packed. Happily, all have Arizona wines on their lists, creating an authentic local dining experience. 

HOTELS WITH WELLNESS IN MIND
With so many choices of hotels in Scottsdale, picking a favorite isn’t easy. But for families, especially during the Christmas season, when it transforms into a winter wonderland to wow the kids, the massive Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is the place. Throughout the year, the luxury hotel sports six pools, a lovely spa with a Sisley-Paris Spa tucked inside for a wellness fix for the grown-ups, and even a summer camp experience for kids.

On a smaller scale, the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia is a cozy, quiet slice of Spanish-influenced heaven, with pretty villas, dark sky nights filled with stars, and delicious tapas, paella, Jamon Iberico, and more culinary delights. It also has the massive Joya Spa, where wellness treatments abound. Plus, this slightly wacky and over-the-top place designed by Sylvia Sepielli is Scottsdale’s last surprise, for the 31,000-square-foot spa has a large hammam, a purification room, meditation center, and a 55-pound quartz crystal designed to absorb negative energy; the whole thing must be seen to be believed! 

For more information on Scottsdale, visit experiencescottsdale.com;
for information on the Myriad Public Art Installation, visit scottsdalepublicart.org;
for Talliesin West, visit franklloydwright.west