Laid-Back in Scottsdale, Arizona

This past Thanksgiving holiday my significant other and I took a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona. Neither of us had ever been there before, and, honestly, this was not our first choice vacation pick. Our original plans to go to Las Vegas had fallen through and Scottsdale was just the place where we found a reasonably priced hotel and flight. With that said, we were not disappointed. We both loved every minute of it.

Scottsdale truly has something to offer every individual. On our first night we made a quick drive to the Tempe Marketplace, an amazing outdoor mall. They were having an outdoor concert featuring 'Jet' for a $5 cover. This was an amazing experience. The weather was perfect, there was an amazing food court, and there was a mix of so many different types of people in one place enjoying the same music. This was a great way to start our trip.

The atmosphere here is truly special. There are sidewalks on every street. Parks on every other block. People out walking, running, playing sports. We didn't see really any specifically poor or rich neighborhoods. The streets were on a grid system so it was easy to find your way around. We had the lay of the land figured out fairly quickly. The parks, highway systems, and roadways are beautiful. The bridges are decorated with red brick, lizards, frogs, and fish.

Shopping

Scottsdale is home to some fine shopping. In the heart of Scottsdale are the 5^th Avenue Shops. These few blocks are comprised of shops with a range of things to offer. Everything from Southwestern collectibles, the highest quality kitchens and furnishing, rare books, and much, much more. Just park your car start exploring.

If Louis Vuitton and Gucci is more your style, then chick out the Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Fun Things To Do

There are so many things to do in Scottsdale. There are countless parks and golf courses. One of the activities we most enjoyed was Farrelli's Cinema Supper Club. You can enjoy movie and a dinner all at once. Pick a movie and then choose from their wonderful menu. The seating is comfortable and the food is truly great. The service is fast and courteous. Just don't forget to make a reservation.

If you are looking for an elegant night out on the town, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has a lot of culturally diversity to offer. And after the show, you can walk across the courtyard to some of the best fine dining the city has to offer.

Also, if you're in the mood for a scenic drive, you absolutely must make your way up to Canyon Lake. Tucked deep within the mountains, this boasts a spectacular view. It is nestled in a valley amongst red cliffs and cactus. The scenery is seemingly untouched. It looks just like it probably did in the Old West. Breathtaking.

Restaurants

Scottsdale has an impressive array of restaurants. From fine dining to casual. One interesting thing we noticed is that Scottsdale is home to the nicest, cleanest McDonalds' we have ever seen.

So, in conclusion, we have already decided that we will be returning to Scottsdale in the very near future. We were almost glad that our first choice fell through so that we were able to discover this place.