ARIZONA: THE GRAND CANYON STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
Visiting Arizona can take you through winding scenic
roads to observe native wildlife or to a relaxing luxury golf and spa getaway.
You might enjoy hiking or mountain biking, downhill skiing or viewing the
desert sky; there is an outdoor recreation activity for everyone! So come to
the Grand Canyon State and experience the unique culture that awaits you in
Arizona.
Scottsdale
"The West's Most Western Town"
Located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale,
Arizona is bordered by Phoenix to the west and the McDowell Mountains on the
east. Scottsdale is annually rated among the nation’s most desirable
communities to live in, visit and do business in. Scottsdale’s vibrant downtown
is considered the finest urban center in Arizona. It is home to more than 90
restaurants, 320 retail shops and more than 80 art galleries. Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, in the
city’s northern reaches, is the largest urban wilderness area in the United
States and features more than 60 miles of trails through diverse and scenic
desert terrain.
Butterfly Wonderland
A world-class attraction with a
highly innovative, indoor rainforest environment featuring the largest butterfly
pavilion in America. Features, 3D Theater, chrysalis viewing lab, Rivers of the
Amazon touch pools and aquariums, live ant colonies, honey bee display, Cafe
and Butterfly Treasures gift shop
MacDonald’s Ranch
MacDonald’s Ranch, located on 1,280 acres
of pristine Sonoran desert, is Scottsdale’s premier horseback riding and
western adventure operation. Activities for small parties, large conventions or
corporate gatherings; cookout sites for ten to thousands; guided horseback
rides, hayrides and stagecoach rides. Cookouts may be held early morning,
midday, or evenings, and many varieties of entertainment can be arranged.
The staff members of MacDonald’s Ranch
are professional wranglers and guides with years of experience, insuring your
enjoyment and safety. We will customize services and amenities to fit most any
situation. MacDonald’s Ranch is family friendly. We can accommodate the
youngest of children with our free pony rides, petting zoo, gem mine and more.
McCormick-Stillman
Railroad Park
McCormick-Stillman
Railroad Park is a family-oriented railroad themed park located in the heart of
Scottsdale and features a 5/12ths scale train ride, 1950’s carousel ride,
historical railroad museum, two food concessions and souvenir shop. Reservable
picnic areas and staff conducted birthday parties in a railroad car are also
available.
All Aboard the New Model Railroad
Building! Four model railroad clubs, interactive displays, model railroad
information, three outstanding art pieces, and a trolley for kids to sit in are
all part of the new 10,000 square foot model railroad building. From the
building, you will be able to see seven different scales of trains along with
360 degree views of HO-Gauge, N-gauge, and O-gauge operating train layouts. The
building is one of the most unique of its kind in the nation with a creative
building design that allows everyone including children and people in
wheelchairs to view the model train displays.
McDowell
Sonoran Conservancy
The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, a local
non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Sonoran desert and
mountains, protects this living treasure and offers events and activities in
the Preserve so that everyone can enjoy a family-friendly, natural experience
Like no other place in the Valley, the
McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers visitors exceptional hiking, horseback riding,
mountain biking, rock-climbing and trail running experiences on more than 100
miles of trails and the award-winning Bajada Nature Trail for interactive
experiences on a 1/2 mile barrier-free interpretive trail.
During your visit, you may meet a
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy steward. The Preserve volunteers are available as
a resource for information and assistance. From October through April, join the
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy on Saturday mornings at talks about the Preserve including
interesting stories about the people who lived here thousands of years ago, the
geology of the Preserve, and the unique plants and animals that make their home
here.
Heard
Museum North Scottsdale
Discover
Heard Museum North Scottsdale – a community location of the world famous Heard
Museum – featuring two exhibit galleries of American Indian artwork from the
Heard’s renowned collection, educational programs and special events like the
annual Navajo Folk Festival. Enjoy the exciting new native plants Interpretive
Garden, created in partnership with the Desert Botanical Gardens, and
experience the Southwest-inspired culinary delights of the Gallery Café. Plus,
be sure to visit the Heard Museum North Shop, which offers a vast selection of
authentic American Indian jewelry, pottery, textiles, baskets, katsina dolls
and sculpture.
Scottsdale
Historical Society
The
Scottsdale Historical Museum, in the Little Red Schoolhouse (1909), chronicles
the city’s history with photographs, artifacts, and changing displays. Group
tours, speakers available. The Schoolhouse is closed Monday and Tuesday all
year, on holidays, and in July and August. During the months of June and September,
The Little Red Schoolhouse and Historical Society will have shorter hours.
Scottsdale
Museum of Contemporary Art
Located
in Scottsdale’s popular Old Town district, the Scottsdale Museum of
Contemporary Art (SMoCA) features the most compelling modern and contemporary
art, architecture and design from around the globe. Designed by award-winning
architect Will Bruder, SMoCA’s minimalist building (an ingenious renovation of
a former movie theater) includes a public “skyspace” by the acclaimed artist
James Turrell (one of only a handful in the world), where visitors can experience
the ever-changing light of the desert sky. SMoCA also presents a wide variety
of changing exhibitions, educational programs, including docent-led tours, cell
phone audio guides, and special events for adults and families.
CrackerJax
Family Fun & Sports Park
Over
28 acres of fun for all ages! Automated driving range, golf school, miniature
golf, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages, volleyball, water wars, arcade,
restaurant, clubhouse, meeting rooms.
My idea of heaven is being in Arizona, stuck up a mountain - somewhere where there are no phones.
Gavin Esler
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