Scottsdale
Entertainment

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Whether you're content to kick back and see a show, prefer to meander through museums, shops and galleries, or are looking for adrenaline-pumping escapades, you're guaranteed to find an entertaining option here in Scottsdale.

Family Fun

Family-friendly attractions abound in the area. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is dedicated to the time-honored mode of transportation and even has its own railroad and expansive playground areas. CrackerJax Family Fun & Sport Park is a whirlwind of games, rides and sports activities, including more golf (this time of the "miniature" variety). Wild West adventure awaits the young and young-of-heart at Rawhide, with shoot-outs, pony rides and panning for "gold" in a replica of an Old West town. Fancy some outdoor fun that won't cost you a penny? Climb Camelback.

Museums

Enthusiastic about architecture? Visit the Western home and studios of one of America's design icons at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin. The complex itself is an excellent example of Wright's style of blending architecture into the environment, and tours are offered daily. For those with an interest in Scottsdale's own rich and colorful past, the Historical Museum on the Scottsdale Mall is a must-visit. Learn about how the city became the "West's Most Western Town" and the role it played in the development of Arizona. While you are at Scottsdale Mall (which incidentally isn't a "mall" in the shopping sense, but a public promenade in the style of the one in Washington, D.C.), it's the perfect time to visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. See its requisite collections of painting and sculpture, as well as any number of special exhibitions and events.

Theater

Also on the Mall is the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Stop in here, or at any of its satellite facilities for some theater, dance or music. Theater and concert patrons also won't want to miss the many exciting events held at the Kerr Cultural Center and the Music by Moonlight Series at el Pedregal. For a taste of local talent, plan to attend a performance at Scottsdale's oldest community theater, the Stagebrush. Prefer movies to cabaret? Snuggle with your sweetie at one of the Valley's only remaining outdoor theaters, the Scottsdale Six Drive-In.

Sports

If you're feeling lucky, count on Casino Arizona's slots, bingo and poker to satisfy your ever gaming need. Plus, enjoy live musical entertainment and casual cuisine. When you're done wagering on games, and you're ready to simply watch one, head on over to Scottsdale Stadium. Baseball players may be known as 'the Boys of Summer', but in Scottsdale, spring's the season for fast-paced baseball action. The stadium is the spring training home of the San Francisco Giants. With its downtown location, the stadium is also convenient to restaurants, galleries and more.

Poll any group of residents or Valley visitors about the top reason to come to Scottsdale and the majority will probably answer with just two words, "great golf." Among the challenging, championship places to play (many designed by top names in the game) are several that rank in the country's top hundred. Legend Trail is one fine example. Two other highly-recommended courses are North Scottsdale's Grayhawk Golf Club and the new Kierland Golf Club. And, should you prefer to watch the pros putt, there are plenty of opportunities. The FBR Open is played at the Tournament Players Club in Scottsdale. PGA Seniors face off annually at The Tradition at Desert Mountain Cochise. As unlikely as it sounds, a local rock'n'roll legend holds his own tournament here, too, the Alice Cooper Celebrity AM. But, as popular a pastime as it may be, golf is but a blip on the radar of Scottsdale recreation and entertainment.

Shopping

Yes, in this city, we purchase with passion. Pick out the perfect souvenir at one of Old Town Scottsdale's quaint shops. Or acquire art, from fine to funky, at one of the galleries on 5th Avenue. Find Native American art and other products at Grey Wolf Gallery, pueblo pottery at King Galleries and bronze sculpture at Legacy Gallery. Still under your credit limit? The Borgata, with its 14th century Italian village ambiance is the 'Rodeo Drive' of Scottsdale retail. The creme de la creme of U.S. and international boutiques and custom clothiers stand ready to pamper you. Even if your budget only permits window-shopping, it is well worth a visit. Either way, get yourself suitably dressed to impress because it's time to go club hopping.

Nightlife

Do you still look young enough to get 'carded'? Strut your stuff on the glass catwalk joining Axis and Radius, the high-energy dance-club combo that is just the hip 'n' happening, see-and-be-seen hotspot you are looking for. Rather kick up your heels to a Country Western beat? Slip off your Bruno Maglis, slide into your Tony Lamas and head on over to the Handlebar J, a long-time favorite boot-scootin' bar, with live music nightly.