bogger

The question of the day for me is: Why did I ever think Scottsdale would be a good choice for a vacation in February? We went for three reasons.. (1) Never been there before and we like to travel to new places, (2) frequent flyer tickets and finally (3) Free place to stay. It all sounded too good to be true...it was. In all fairness we probably would have a totally different outlook if it hadn't rained for 5 out of the 7 days. So what do you do? Shop of course since Scottsdale is one giant mecca for the shopaholic. Art abounds as well as jewelry but after awhile it all looks alike and gets extremly boring. As for the beauty of the area.....I don't think so. It's all groomed and gussied up in Scottsdale, but leave the borders and what is their? Brown, flat and
ugly. I love northern Arizona, red rock, etc. but Scottsdale is NOT in the same league. We went to Arcosanti....are you kidding??? I've seen nicer prison camps and who in their right mind would ever live their? Bought a bell...big whoop! Frank Lloyd Wright's Talisen West...now that's another joke...can you say rip off? $23 each for admission and who gives a rat's....
Falling Waters in PA is by far more interesting. Sorry folks, you can keep Scottsdale, my next visit to Arizona will be better thought out and hold more interest than shopping.

kkj

You have certainly proved that to take an unplanned and unprepared vacation isn't a good idea. Thousands of people enjoy Scottsdale every year, but I guess there is always an exception. To be honest Scottsdale isn't my idea of a vacation destination, but ther are tons of places that you could have gone for the day that would have been interesting. I'm only sorry that you didn't try any. Maybe next time.

E

Bogger, I think your post raises an interesting point about tourist attractions. I thought Taliesin West was really interesting and I remember my visit fondly, largely because I have an interest in FLW, read about the place beforehand, etc. The downside to the generalized marketing of a place and to having an attraction extolled by Fodor's, say, as a "must-see" is that folks like you will get sucked into visiting without ever asking yourselves why. As for Scottsdale proper, I couldn't agree with you more: it's over-groomed, totally fake, and the shopping is chain-store, for the most part, that you can find anywhere. And God help you if you don't want to shop, because that is THE pastime on offer. I sincerely hope you'll consider a visit to southern Arizona someday; Tucson and parts south are well worth seeing, and they have so far escaped being marketed to death.

Andre

Bogger,

You definitely touched a nerve - I was in Scottsdale about a year ago and thank goodness the weather was fabulous! I was also very much underwhelmed by the Phoenix area.

That said, I found Taliesin West extremely interesting if not all that attractive. Also, the Heard Museum was great.

Other than that, one word comes to mind: SPRAWL!

Still, if you're looking for a luxury resort with golf course etc. reasonably near the natural wonders of Arizona and S. Utah, it's your only option aside from the Vegas area (haven't been there, but don't think you would like it much either

Andre

Vacationer

I guess that's just one less snowbird we will have. Thank goodness!

-Scottsdale Native

Paul

Dear Vacationer,

Actually, Bogger’s post made me even more fond of Scottsdale. I’d LOVE to move there. I am glad that people don’t want to live there who think that; the art all looks all alike and gets extremely boring, dissing the very hip and organic-style school of Arcosanti, and unable to appreciate the mind of Frank Lloyd Wright and his Taliesin West. I have about 7 of those wonderful Solari sand-cast bells hanging in the Maple tree in my front yard. I purchased them first through catalogs, and then bought them in person during my terrific visit.

You have a very special place in the west, Vacationer. Be glad you have intelligent and inspired people living in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area with you.

Happy Trails,
Paul

ReneeS

I enjoyed Scottsdale very much but stayed at The Boulders in Carefree which may have tipped the hand positive. I admit I enjoyed the shopping but also spent a lot of time at the resort. It seemed in researching Scottsdale beforehand here that most posters stayed in a nice resort and spend much time poolside, golfing etc. I don't think I'd return and stay in a second-rate hotel with only the city for comfort. I agree, that may have been a bit boring.

GoTravel

I love Scottsdale in March/April! The geography is breathtaking and the weather is great! Love sitting around by the pool and relaxing.

Brutforce

I just returned from Sedona & didn't even drive through Scottsdale as all I here about is resorts & shopping. You can sit by a pool pretty much anywhere, so if that's your idea of a vacation so be it. From my understanding it is another example of unbridled development. So, I'm glad I didn't miss anything.

bigtyke

Too bad you hit the rain. It was the biggest storm in 3 years and we got almost as much rain as all of 2002.

Brutforce

I know, Oak Creek was more like a river but we had great weather Sat/Sun/Mon. Just wish I would have rented a 4-wheel drive. Next time..

MarkY

Glad you won't be back bogger, one less person I have to compete with for a tee time.

letsgo

Excuse me...but Arizona is in the middle of a HUGE drought!! We haven't had five days of rain out of seven in all of the 17 years I've lived here...and we certainly haven't had that much rain recently!! Which Scottsdale do you refer to??

Brutforce

I don't know about 5 out of 7 but it sure rained plenty last Thursday & Friday & before that as well I think.

bogger

I've just read the responses to my posting of Scottsdale..Why? Most of you agreed with my overall impressions, however, for those glad to know "one less snowbird" won't be teeing off, this is for you. Arcosanti...love it or leave it....you know what I would do. Taliesen West.....FLW has many other resident money makers all of which
are unique and Taliesen West should be included. Did I mention to you that I was lucky enough to visit the Desert Museum in Tucson, (one of two rain free days). That experience was the highlight of our trip. I'm not bashing Arizona, believe me, I have showings of my southwest photographs, however, unless a resort vacation, or a shopping pilgrimage is your plan, I would stand by my suggestion...Go North young man,
Go North. By the way, I also have a beautiful Solari Bell for my garden, several watercolor pieces to hang in my home, and some drop dead pieces of jewlery for my kids to fight over. All was not lost.

ladyfirefly

Well, bogger, what do you want on a vacation? Did you do any research before you left? Did you just arrive and look around and say "entertain me"?

There are the Superstition Mountains, Goldfield and alot of other outdoor places to explore.

If you did not stay at a resort and you just had your motel room, and in the rain at that, I can see how you were bored and confused.

The desert is not for everyone, and you are one of the one's that don't appreciate it, so don't visit any more desert resort towns. Simple as that.

Good luck.

Mariposa

Hi bogger and all,
I'm just back from nine days in AZ - on the last three of which it rained steadily, everyone saying "how unusual". We spent seven days in Sedona; only two in Scottsdale which was about right. Clearly if you don't golf and shop the "Valley" has some limitations. I was interested in the most ostentatious display of wealth I've every been exposed to - clearly all are doing his/her part for the "Consumer Confidence Index". How many Hummers can one community absorb?

nina

Thanks for helping me out! We are going to Phoenix next month (me, my husband and our 10 and 13 year old sons), and I'm trying to plan our trip. So far I've got 1 night booked at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs (this is the night we arrive, we just want to hit the pool and sleep as we head out for Sedona the next morning) 1 night in Sedona, 2 nights booked at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon, the next night at Wahweap in Page, and that leaves 2 more nights. I was undecided about heading straight back to Scottsdale, or stopping back in Sedona then the final night in Scottsdale before our flight. I think you just helped me decide to spend an additional night in Sedona rather than Scottsdale.

Although I'm in the process of bidding on the Arizona Biltmore, so if I get it, I may throw caution to the wind and spend the final 2 nights there.

userdude

I'm always amazed at how people in Scottsdale try to appear wealthier than they really are. Just because they now have a Nordstrom and a Pottery Barn, everyone there seems to think the shopping is world class, what a joke! Let's face it, Phoenix/Scottsdale is an inexpensive place to live with plentiful low wage jobs. A high paying job in the area is considered to be anything over $35,000. Jeez, if my house mortgage was less than a thousand dollars, i'd consider myself rich, too. And don't even get me started on the strip malls and tract home developments!

Paul

IMHO, Frank Lloyd Wright's-inspired Arizona Biltmore and ANY resort in Sedona is like comparing apples to oranges. Go for the Biltmore for a treat you'll never forget; although after reading the responses to this post, it is apparent that we don't all appreciate the same things. I have a couple rolls of film that I shot of The Arizona Biltmore. The lobby alone is breathtaking. Your kids would love it too - great pool with a fun slide.

Happy Trails,
Paul