Scottsdale

Plush living is as easy as spending a few days in Scottsdale, home to posh resorts, spas, restaurants and nightlife, as well as spectacular landscapes. Start your day with a hike on the 3.5-mile Pinnacle Peak Trail or 4-mile Tom’s Thumb Trail — some of Greater Phoenix's best hikes — before exploring OdySea Aquarium, indoor skydiving at iFLY, or an off-road adventure. 

Shopping centers, spas and art galleries provide plenty of daytime entertainment. Evenings, however, give way to indulgence, whether you’re trying one of the city’s acclaimed restaurants or sipping a wine flight at a downtown Scottsdale wine-tasting room. Don’t miss dinner at FnB Restaurant, where Charleen Badman — the 2019 recipient of the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest — serves up a creative farm-to-table seasonal menu. Alternatively, check out Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, which takes entertainment to a whole new dimension with sword-wielding knights who challenge each other in an arena as guests tuck into a four-course dinner. 

Stroll the Scottsdale Waterfront to the 64-foot-tall, brushed-steel pylons of Soleri Bridge and Plaza. From there, it’s an easy walk to either Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West or Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Shoppers can nab Southwestern souvenirs in Old Town Scottsdale, or high-end art, jewelry and gifts at The Merchantile of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. Five spots along the Scottsdale Wine Trail feature Arizona wines and tasting rooms.