Scottsdale Tourist Attractions

Taliesin West was the home and architectural school of the celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright.Located in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, the school is now the international headquarters of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. The building was constructed out of native materials such as rubblestone and redwood, and built entirely by Wright and his apprentices from 1937 to 1959.

Paolo Soleri, who works in the Cosanti Foundation, is an architect whose name is linked with Phoenix. He is the builder of the futuristic settlement of Arcosanti, in a beautiful setting north of Phoenix which takes particular account of ecological conditions.Cosanti is the original studio of Paolo Soleri - Italian architect, artist, and philosopher. In the 1950s, Soleri constructed experimental buildings with the help of students as he refined his distinctive architectural style and construction techniques. Buildings at Cosanti include windbell production areas, a home, student dormitories, and office areas. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the building exteriors as well as the interior of the Gallery on a self-guided tour and may be able to see bronze bells being poured on some days (call ahead for details).

Another popular attraction in Chandler is Rawhide, a reconstruction of a Western town of around 1880, with a saloon, a steakhouse and wild shoot-ups by professional stuntmen.

The McCormick Railroad Park is located in downtown Scottsdale. This lively attraction has long been a favorite for all ages. The park features a working model railway, carousel, a 10,000 square foot building with model railroads, museum, various shops, several playgrounds, and an arboretum. A popular pastime is to pack a picnic lunch and eat it under one of the many picnic shelters. The park's main attraction is the Paradise and Pacific miniature railroad that chugs around the park carrying passengers.The McCormick Railroad Park was the brainchild of Guy Stillman and has been open since 1975. The railroad exhibit began as a private family railroad for family and friends on the Stillman estate. It transported Guy Stillman and his children around their ranch.

The Bison Museum in Scottsdale has exhibits on the history of the American buffalo. Displays include a life-size stuffed buffalo, and props from the 1990 movie "Dances with Wolves", starring Kevin Costner. There is an extensive exhibit on the famed Western icon, Buffalo Bill. See a mural of Buffalo Bill and his yellow ticket wagon, and watch a film that highlights the buffalo and the Plains.Fans of western art will be impressed by the museum's collection of the Flagg Family Art Collection which features paintings, sketches, and carvings. Also on site are a library, gift shop, and refreshment lounge.

The Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale, or TPC Scottsdale as it is commonly called, is one of the best golf courses in the state. The Club hosts numerous PGA Tour events, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open (formerly The Phoenix Open). As a result the TPC sees many visitors who come here simply to be spectators at major events.For those who want to golf, there are two courses, the Stadium Course and the Championship Course. They are both open to the public throughout most of the year.On the grounds are two large clubhouses for dining or relaxing. There is no on site accommodation, however, the facility partners with a nearby hotel.

The world famous Troon North Golf Club is a Scottsdale landmark. This stunningly beautiful course features 36 challenging holes set in the natural ravines and foothills of the Sonoran Desert. The two 18 hole courses, Pinnacle and Monument, are on many golfer's bucket lists. Lining many of the fairways and holes are incredible mansions of the rich and famous. Troon North Golf Club features several dining options including the Dynamite Grille with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the 18th green. The impressive clubhouse greets visitors and all amenities are 1st class.The Troon North Golf Club is a public course in Scottsdale.

The Phoenician is a luxury resort in a beautiful setting at the base of Camelback Mountain in the Sonoran Desert. The resort features a 27 hole championship golf course, tennis courts, pools, a cactus garden, and as is typical of this area, a high end spa. The Phoenician is also well known for its impressive art collection with piece from around the world. The collection includes of Old World and contemporary works can be best appreciated by taking an audio led self-guided tour which offers information on the highlights of the collection.

The Hoo-Hoogam Ki Museum is located just east of Scottsdale. Native Americans from the Pima and Maricopa tribes exhibit their baskets, pottery, historic photos and other artifacts. Occasionally demonstrations of the various crafts are offered. Visitors can also learn about the history and culture, including recent history and current events.The museum building, known as the Huhugam Ki, is made of adobe and desert plants.

The House of Broadcasting began in 1997 through the assistance of the Arizona Broadcasters Association and Phoenix Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television. Exhibits include awards, costumes, and other memorabilia of some of broadcasting's most famous names. The walls are plastered with all kinds of old photos. Also of interest are old cameras, editing and lighting equipment, and studio related "technologies".This 2000 square foot museum is free to the public.

The Scottsdale Center for the Arts is operated by the Scottsdale Cultural Council. The unique looking Gerard L. Cafesjian Pavilion of the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art stands next to the renovated former movie theatre, which is now the Center for the Arts. The focus of the center is on art, architecture and design.Five galleries showcase the permanent collection, while outside is a sculpture garden. In addition the museum features regular changing exhibits.

CrackerJax is a family recreation and sporting complex with a miniatue golf range, golf range, go karts, batting cages, volleyball and arcade. This is a popular family outing and fun way to spend a few hours, with lots of things to entertain kids.

The Joan Cawley Gallery began as the White Buffalo Gallery in 1974 with the current name change taking effect in the early 1980s. The focus is on publishing contemporary Southwest art.The gallery in Scottsdale features changing displays, showing the works of artists from the Southwest.

The Scottsdale Civic Center Mall is located next to the Old Town and is home to the Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the adjacent Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as restaurants, a library, municipal building, park, fountains, sculptures, outdoor amphitheater, water-spray pad for kids and a lagoon with swans.

The Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum of Greater Phoenix is dedicated to the Jewish faith and features artifacts from the Holy Land. Exhibits contain a collection of Jewish artifacts dating from 3000 BC.

The Borgata is like walking into Tuscan Village of San Gimignano featuring cobblestone walkways, fountains and an open-air setting reminiscent of Renaissance Italy. There are a number of local and national specialty shops as well as restaurants.

Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale features two courses: the Raptor Course and the Talon Course. The courses provide views of McDowell Mountains and Sonoran Desert.

The Fleischer Museum is permanently closed.

The IMAX Theater in Scottsdale is now closed.