Scottsdale, Arizona is a city located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, at the foot of the picturesque McDowell Mountains. It is bordered by Phoenix to the west, the Tonto National Forest to the north, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Salt River to the south. Scottsdale has a rich history that dates back to pre-European times, and its indigenous population was the Hohokam. Today, Scottsdale is a fairly large city located in the Phoenix neighborhood of south-central Arizona.
It is known for its sprawling, luxurious resorts, championship golf courses, and luxury boutiques. The heart of the city is Old Town Scottsdale, which features more than 100 galleries lining its streets. Every Thursday night, the city hosts one of the nation's oldest Art Walks, drawing cartoonists, professional dealers and art buffs in downtown Scottsdale for more than 30 years. The city also has a thriving contemporary art scene.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMOCA) champions innovation and vitality in the visual arts with ongoing exhibitions of contemporary and modern art. Bob Park's famous bronze horse fountain is one of the city's most photographed spots and reigns over the Marshall Arts District. Scottsdale wouldn't be a first-class destination without the natural splendor of the Sonoran Desert. The city offers nearly 100 miles of walking, horseback riding and biking trails, with popular spots including Pinnacle Peak Park, Camelback Mountain and the expansive McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
The city also has a number of points of interest including the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Taliesin West, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Pinnacle Peak Park, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, Desert Botanical Garden and Scottsdale Fashion Square. Scottsdale Airport is located about 9 km from the city center. Scottsdale is also home to some of Arizona's best luxury resorts, many of which are clustered around picturesque Camelback Mountain. In 1999, a second campus was opened at Scottsdale Airpark to serve the business community and north of Scottsdale.
The largest mall in Arizona is located in Scottsdale - Scottsdale Fashion Square - which offers exclusive shopping and luxury. The city also hosts a number of annual events such as trade fairs, festivals, golf tournaments and other events that attract thousands of visitors every year. The most famous event is the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol, an annual month-long event held in Scottsdale since 1954.
