SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 15, 2023) – Immersive activities shine during fall in Scottsdale. With the crisp autumn air comes new experiential resort offerings, entrancing art exhibits, and delectable bites.
RESORT ROUNDUP
- Hailed as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, pickleball abounds in Scottsdale. Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, well-known for its golf course and tennis amenities, will open 12 new pickleball courts this fall along with private lessons and group programming for the sport. The resort’s “Stay & Play Pickleball” package includes a nightly food and beverage credit and unlimited play.
- Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa introduces two new expansions to its iconic Watsu® aquatic therapy treatment. The Motherhood Watsu® provides expecting mothers with a sensation of weightlessness, which alleviates muscle tension and aches associated with pregnancy. Energy blockages are released while soothing tones of sound bowls create a symphony of tranquility during the Immersive Watsu® and Sound Bowl Fusion spa treatment.
- Those staying at ADERO Scottsdale Resort can now take adventures to the next level with REI Co-op Experiences. Explore the 400 miles of trails surrounding the property on a hiking or biking excursion with the resort’s “Ride & Relax” and “Hiking and Stay” special offers. Both include exclusive pricing on REI Co-op tours and a daily food & beverage credit, plus an adventure-ready package with a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and an ADERO baseball cap.
- JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa transports guests to another continent with its new Spanish Sunset Experience. Spanish cuisine including sangria, Paella Royal, hand-carved jamón Serrano, and more will be served while guests listen to live flamenco music.
ART + ATTRACTIONS
- “Roelof Knol: the space in between,” an immersive installation, will debut at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) on Sept. 23. The interactive, audiovisual experience will respond to movement, either creating a shared pathway with other participants, or creating a single path while a soundscape, created in collaboration with Don Diablo, plays. The piece is a part of the museum’s PROJECT SPACE initiative, supporting the work of emerging and established contemporary artists.
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West gives a glimpse of some never-before-seen photographs of Frank Lloyd Wright and Georgia O’Keeffe, in its “American Icons: Wright and O’Keeffe” exhibition, opening Oct. 20. The photos were taken by Michael A. “Tony” Vaccaro while on assignment for LOOK Magazine from 1957 to 1960 and are displayed in pairs to show its visual symmetry and provide insight on the relationship between the two legends.
- Continue to explore Scottsdale’s architectural scene at Cosanti, the former home and studio of the late Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Bronze and ceramic Soleri windbells enchant visitors and are cast at the on-site foundry – a sight to be seen. Travelers can take advantage of the annual windbells sale Oct. 19-22 to take a piece of Cosanti home and support the Cosanti foundation in continuing Soleri’s legacy.
- This fall is the last chance to view Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West’s exhibition, “Western Pop: Andy Warhol & Billy Schenck,” closing Nov. 26. The collection features, “Andy Warhol: Cowboys & Indians,” Warhol’s last major project before he passed away in 1987 and, “Billy Schenck: Myth of the West,” with 29 works based on Schenck’s versions of a mythic “New West.” As the museum closes this exhibit, it introduces two more, “Decades: William Matthews” and, “Kids in Focus.” The former premieres Oct. 10, bringing Matthews’ most prolific artworks including his plein air watercolors, album covers, and murals. “Kids in Focus” – created with and named after a local nonprofit – returns Dec. 12, spotlighting photographs taken by at-risk and homeless youth while touring the museum.
- Wonderspaces welcomes two new installations this season. “PIPE,” a sculpture by Rejane Cantoni, captures sunrise to sunset at the Grand Canyon from the artist's perspective. “Into the Light” by Julia Carrillo is a captivating projection of the decomposition of light that reveals a rainbow of color.
- “Majestic Mariposas” will wow visitors of Desert Botanical Garden once again Sept. 23-Nov. 12, with a living exhibit of more than a thousand free-flying Southwestern butterflies. Garden-goers get up-close and personal with these winged beauties, learning about each stage of their life cycle and discovering what actions humans can take to protect them.
ENGAGING EVENTS
THE BIG NEWS: Scottsdale’s annual, large-scale public art festival, Canal Convergence, returns to the Scottsdale Waterfront Nov. 3-12. This year’s theme is “The Power of Play,” which will explore the power and influence of play in people’s lives through engaging public art and performances. During the free 10-day event, visitors can immerse themselves in interactive art, augmented reality, music, dance, and fire shows on the historic Arizona Canal.
- Sept. 1: Ravenscroft brings back Jazzbird Nights, with a lineup of well-known and up-and-coming local musicians paired with fine dining and libations, in a New York City jazz club setting.
- Sept. 30: Home to myriad family-friendly attractions such as Butterfly Wonderland and OdySea Aquarium, Arizona Boardwalk is hosting its free Action & Adventure Festival, including appearances from beloved action heroes, ziplines, face painting, live entertainment, raffle prizes and giveaways, and more.
- Oct. 14: Arizona’s largest outdoor yoga class, Yoga in the Outfield, returns to Salt River Fields with a one-hour yoga session, followed by a mixer in which yogis can enjoy a beverage with a view of the majestic McDowell Mountains.
- Nov. 3-4: The first-ever Dreamy Draw Music Festival will be held at the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center in Old Town Scottsdale. Celebrating the fusion of country and Americana, headliners include Midland, Lord Huron, Margo Price, and Luke Grimes.
SIP + SAVOR
THE BIG NEWS: Two new restaurants are landing at Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Moxies is slated to open its first Arizona location this month, featuring a globally inspired cuisine within a modern-chic and contemporary atmosphere. Élephante – its first location outside of Los Angeles – will debut in early 2024 with the ambiance of an elevated, jungle oasis and offering a new grill section with a curated selection of premium meats, in addition to its signature menu items.
- Long-time Arizona restaurateur and entrepreneur, Hera Ambrosio, will soon launch her latest concept, ZINGARA, operating from morning to night as a coffee shop, bespoke market, and wine bar. ZINGARA will serve coffee, breakfast, grab-and-go lunch items, French and California wines, exclusive global beers, and evening bites.
- Caesars Republic Scottsdale, opening Feb. 2024, recently announced its upscale dining outlet and lounge, SEVEN. The swanky spot will provide one-of-a-kind views of Camelback Mountain from the seventh floor of the hotel, adjacent to the rooftop pool. SEVEN’s menu combines indigenous Arizona ingredients with contemporary Yucatán inspired flavors.
- Born & Bred, helmed by Charles Barber, owner of the popular Aftermath Bar & Kitchen in Phoenix, will begin serving an eclectic menu of whole roasted fish, steaks, pizza and more in October.
- Cast Iron Concepts – responsible for show-stopping Scottsdale restaurants Hush Public House and Fire At Will – will launch its new venture, Bar Cena, this fall. Located next to Hush Public House, the cocktail program and rotating food menu will be influenced by French, Spanish and Italian cuisine.
- Chicago favorite, JoJo's Shake BAR is new to Scottsdale Quarter shopping center with touches of 80’s and 90’s nostalgia in its arcade game tables and walk-up window, and serves over-the-top milkshakes and elevated diner fare.
- The summer heat subsiding means it’s time to get back outside and there’s no better way than with Stellar Adventures’ Trails & Tequila tour. A Chief Adventurer guides attendees through the majestic Sonoran Desert in an H1 Hummer, ATV or UTV, then ends the journey with tacos, a tequila flight, and two prickly pear margaritas at Cien Agaves Tacos & Tequila in Old Town Scottsdale.
UP NEXT
- The Ritz-Carlton Paradise Valley, The Palmeraie – a 215-room, 20-acre new-build opening soon – will have it all; exemplary service, views of Camelback Mountain, modern and sleek interiors, a 16,000-square-foot spa and a prime location.
- Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch will soon be known as The Scottsdale Resort & Spa by Hilton at the end of 2023 after undergoing a comprehensive multimillion-dollar enhancement of its guest rooms, common areas, food and beverage outlets, its 90,000 square feet of flexible event space, and the spa.
- Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch has begun a $110-million renovation and will be rebranded as Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa in late 2024, which will mark the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona.
For more Scottsdale travel news and story ideas, visit www.ScottsdalePressroom.com.
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