What Is Scottsdale Known For? 16 Cool Interesting Features And Facts

Scottsdale’s more than just sunshine and golf. From bold architecture and desert trails to art scenes and little quirks only locals know, this city has a personality all its own. These 16 facts and features are the points that give this Arizona city its staying power and flavor.

8 Of Scottsdale’s Signature Features

These are the standout traits that define the city’s personality, geography, atmosphere, and public identity.

1. Old Town’s Mix Of Boutiques, Galleries, And Historic Buildings

Old Town packs a lot into a few walkable blocks: nine districts, dozens of galleries, Southwestern shops, and standout restaurants.

It’s also where Scottsdale’s past shows up, with preserved landmarks like the 1909 Little Red Schoolhouse (now the Scottsdale Historical Museum) and the 1933 Old Adobe Mission, built from handmade adobe bricks and still standing as the city’s first Catholic parish.

2. World-Class Golf Courses And Tournaments

Scottsdale is home to more than 200 courses, including TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, where the WM Phoenix Open brings in thousands each year. The second TPC track, the Champions Course, was shaped by Randy Heckenkemper.

Other notables include the 27-hole Westin Kierland layout and Troon North’s twin Weiskopf-designed stunners, Monument and Pinnacle. Tom Weiskopf designed both.

3. Luxury Wellness Resorts And Spas

The city is a major center for wellness tourism. Resorts like Sanctuary Camelback Mountain and Gurney’s Resort and Spa earned the title of Arizona’s Best Day Spa 2024 from the World Spa Awards.

The Phoenician Spa gets creative with treatments like the Phoenix Rising Scrub and Massage. At the same time, Joya Spa at the Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia spans 31,000 square feet and features a Moroccan-style Hammam, Scottsdale’s most iconic bathing ritual.

4. Bold Desert-Modern Architecture

Scottsdale helped shape desert modernism, a style rooted in low profiles, native materials, and buildings that blend with their surroundings. Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, leads the list as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Other icons include the mid-century Hotel Valley Ho, designed by Edward L. Varney, and the Soleri Bridge and Plaza, Paolo Soleri’s walkable sundial that fuses art and infrastructure.

5. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve

A key component of the city's identity is the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. At over 30,500 acres, it’s one of the largest urban preserves in the US, protecting native Sonoran Desert habitat with more than 225 miles of public trails.

Hikers of all levels have options, from the flat, ADA-accessible Bajada Nature Trail at Gateway Trailhead to the 11-mile Tom’s Thumb East End Loop, a rugged climb with serious elevation gain.

6. A Nationally Recognized Public Art Program

Scottsdale takes public art seriously. The city’s collection includes over 100 permanent installations plus rotating exhibits curated by Scottsdale Public Art.

Standouts include Passing the Legacy by Herb Mignery, a bronze tribute to Pony Express riders, and Copper Falls by Bob Adams, set along the Arizona Canal. Every fall, Canal Convergence turns downtown into an open-air gallery with large-scale, light-based works from international artists.

7. A High-Profile Dining Scene With Acclaimed Chefs

While Southwestern cuisine is a staple, Scottsdale's restaurant scene is recognized for its depth and quality. The city has been named a top dining destination by multiple outlets, with heavy hitters like Chef Charleen Badman of FnB Restaurant, who took home the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2019.

Another standout is Chef Gio Osso of Virtù Honest Craft, which earned a nomination for Best New Restaurant. And while Southwestern fare is a staple, the variety and quality go way beyond the expected.

8. Major Seasonal Events With National Draw

Some of the biggest events in Greater Phoenix happen right here. The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale runs for nine days and draws a global crowd.

In January 2024, it hit $207 million in total sales, with over 2,000 vehicles sold. Scottsdale also hosts the Arabian Horse Show, a tradition since 1955 and one of the most respected equestrian events in the country.

8 Interesting Facts About Scottsdale

These facts add texture and a few surprises, whether you’re new to the city or have been here for years.

1. It Has One Of The Highest Concentrations Of Spas In The US

Scottsdale has more resort spas per capita than any other city in the United States, cementing its reputation as a leading wellness destination.

2. It Hosts The Country’s Longest-Running Art Walk

The Scottsdale ArtWalk, a tradition where galleries in the Arts District open their doors to the public, was established in 1975. This makes it one of the oldest and longest-running events of its kind in the nation.

3. "The West's Most Western Town" Is An Official Slogan

The city's official slogan, "The West's Most Western Town," was adopted by the Chamber of Commerce in 1947. The phrase was inspired by the area's history of cattle ranches and cowboy culture.

4. It Averages Over 330 Sunny Days A Year

Scottsdale sees more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Scottsdale’s weather is a big part of what keeps its outdoor culture and tourism economy running year-round.

5. The WM Phoenix Open Is The Most Attended Golf Event Worldwide

Hosted at TPC Scottsdale, the WM Phoenix Open is consistently the most attended tournament on the PGA TOUR. While we no longer get any official number, past events have drawn well over 200,000 spectators on a single day.

6. Scottsdale Has Its Own Urban Wine Trail

The city is home to the Scottsdale Wine Trail, which features tasting rooms from several award-winning Arizona wineries. Visitors can sample local wines from producers like Aridus Wine Company and LDV Winery, all without leaving Old Town.

7. It's An Official Terminus For The Hashknife Pony Express

Each February, Scottsdale serves as the official end of the line for the Hashknife Pony Express. This 200-mile ride from Holbrook, Arizona, is the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express ride in the world, delivering 20,000 first-class letters by horse and rider.

8. Chili Is The Official City Food

In 1994, Scottsdale officially named chili its city food. You’ll still see that nod show up at local cook-offs and food festivals, another link to the city’s Southwestern roots.

Final Thoughts

Scottsdale’s got range, with desert trails, bold architecture, world-class food, and a public art game most cities can’t touch. It’s a place where Western roots meet design-forward living and where the outdoors defines the city as much as it surrounds.

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