Scottsdale, Desert city in Arizona, United States
Scottsdale is a city in Arizona that spreads east of Phoenix across Sonoran Desert terrain. Residential neighborhoods with low-rise buildings alternate with resorts, golf courses, and shopping districts that line wide streets planted with palms and cacti.
The settlement began in the late 1800s as an agricultural colony after a retired military chaplain acquired farmland. During the following decades, artists and retirees moved here, drawn by the dry climate and desert landscape.
Locals gather on patios and in open courtyards during mild evenings, where social life continues late into the night. The Arts District attracts visitors who come for gallery openings, performances, and outdoor markets that reflect the community's appreciation for creativity and conversation.
A free shuttle connects the main districts and makes it easier for visitors to move between Old Town, galleries, and shopping centers. Summer months bring extreme heat, so plan walks early in the morning or after sunset.
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve protects more than 120 square kilometers (over 45 square miles) of desert habitat and offers hundreds of kilometers of marked trails through hills covered with saguaro cacti. Visitors often encounter desert animals such as coyotes, lizards, and birds of prey living in the natural environment.
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