Scottsdale, Arizona Landmarks and City Attractions
Scottsdale, Arizona is an upscale city located in the Sonoran Desert which is to the northeast of Phoenix. Scottsdale offers a mix of urban living and natural beauty, and is known for its striking desert landscapes. The city is known for its luxury shopping, high-end resorts, world-class golf courses, and art galleries, which make it a popular place for both residents and tourists to visit.
The "Old Town" district combines modern art with Western charm, and is home to historic adobe boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Scottsdale also has a cultural scene that includes such institutions as the Desert Botanical Garden and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The mild winters and hot summers, make Scottsdale a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who can enjoy biking, hiking, and exploring the desert preserves, that include the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Scottsdale is also host to such top-tier events as the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which is one of the most popular PGA events in the United States. The city also has a culinary scene that offers everything from fine dining to casual Southwestern fare. Scottsdale attracts residents from all over the U.S. due to its high quality of life, excellent schools, and proximity to Phoenix and its business centers. Despite its luxury and affluence, Scottsdale is still known for its laid back atmosphere, and is a blend of desert tranquility with modern conveniences.
1. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility for wild mammals.
The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC) was founded in 1994 and rescues wild mammals that are native to Arizona, and that have lost their homes due to development, or have been abandoned, orphaned, or injured. When possible, the animals are rehabilitated and then released back into the wild if possible. If there are animals that cannot survive in the wild, then they stay at the sanctuary and live out the rest of their lives.
One of the santuary's proud accomplishments is helping the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf, which is an endangered species. Southwest Wildlife shares its knowledge and passion for animals through education. Tours are offered year-round at various times of the day, so call ahead to schedule your tour now!
Address: 27026 N. 156th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
2. Butterfly Wonderland
Butterfly Wonderland is the largest butterfly conservatory in America!
Butterfly Wonderland is one of the top attractions in Scottsdale, Arizona. The glass conservatory provides a tropical rainforest habitat for thousands of butterflies from around the world. Visitors have the opportunity to see these butterflies fly freely in their habitat, and are provided with a 3D movie about the monarch butterfly before they enter the conservatory. Guests are then given a tour of the Emergency Gallery where they can watch livee chrysalis as they turn into beautiful butterflies. There are also other animals in the rainforest such as spiders and insects in the Spineless Giants Gallery, unique reptiles and amphibians in the Rainforest Reptiles Gallery, and even exotic fish in the Tropical Waters Gallery.
Address: 9500 E. Via de Ventura Scottsdale, AZ 85256
3. Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West celebrates the history, art, and stories of the American West.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West features rotating exhibitions that feature rare artifacts and Western artworks that are loaned to the museum boy collectors and institutions from around the world. The museum is approximately 43,000 square feet, and was designed to meet standards for conservation and sustainability. The museum is located in Scottsdale's arts district, and is close to shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Scottsdale's Museum of the West has also won the 2023 Best Western Museum in the USA by True West magazine, and is affiliated with the Smithsonian.
Address: 3830 N Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251-5594
