Scottsdale, AZ this weekend -- what to do?
 

Have been to Scottsdale before, but this weekend the weather looks a bit iffy for our outdoor pool/golf plans. Any other suggestions in Scottsdale or nearby? We are planning to hike Pinnacle Peak but culture, art, festivals would be welcome as well.

The Heard Museum
Taliesen West
Desert Botanical Garden

I was just there last weekend. I second Taliesen West. A day trip to Sedona is good -- plenty of hikes, try a late lunch at the Enchantment Resort (reservations required) http://www.enchantmentresort.com/ -- excellent, albeit different, gazpacho. Another place to visit, nearer by, is charming Cave Creek: http://www.cavecreek.org/ -- El Encanto Mexican Cafe was delightful & tasty. T. Cook's at the Royal Palms is good for a special (fancy) dinner, altho' the food, while not bad, wasn't as good as I'd expected: http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/ The grounds were gorgeous (at least at night, which is when I was there).

Pass on enchantment or Royal Palms (though both are great restaurants) and eat some terrific SW food. Los Sombreros, Roaring Fork and Richardson's are written about regularly here and out chowhound. All good choices - but they do allow smoking at Richardson's, so be warned.

Also consider a trip to Ranch Market for lunch. You'll leave feeling like you spent the day in Mexico, I promise! Four locations, closest to Scottsdale is 16th & Roosevelt. The Heard Museum is nearby, as is the magnificent Botanical Garden.

Hey kacollier- I am headed there today and have been watching the weather too. We are four "girls" hiking Pinnacle Peak every morning so maybe we'll pass one another there!

We moved our spa day from Friday to Saturday because Friday looks cooler but it looks mostly sunny and in the low 80s on Saturday (according to www.weather.com).

We like hitting Cave Creek where there are little artsy stores and mom and pop bars and restaurants. They sometimes have an outdoor arts & crafts festival in an empty parking lot and I've picked up cool pottery, turqoise jewelry and art work. We also go to Crazy Ed's Satisfied Frog for lunch- a chili beer and a grilled cheese sandwich also known as a heart attack on a plate (only on the lunch menu) made with four kinds of cheese on buttery Texas toast.

We're doing the redneck thing and hitting Greasewood Flat on Saturday night- cheeseburgers, beer, and live music outside.

If it does rain for an extended time Scottsdale Fashion Mall is huge and loaded with higher end stores I don't see at home.

Do not worry about rain, even if by some chance it was to rain it would not be all day, just a shower....or more like a sprinkle. They have changed the forecast for the weekend it is suppose to heat up significantly, in the 90's. We are suppose to see our first 100's by Tuesday.
This weekend is the Mcdowell Mountain music festival, have not been but something you may want to check out.