I may be going to Scottsdale in early April and am not familiar with it. I do not golf. Please recommend some good restaurants and sightseeing ideas. Will be staying at Hyatt Gainey Ranch.

If you're an architecture lover, go take a tour of Taliesin West. It's Frank Lloyd Wright's studio/school where he spent much of his later years. It's located right in Scottsdale, so it's easy to get to.

The best sightseeing in the Phoenix area is to leave and go to Sedona.
Phoenix is not long on culture. There's the Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Taliesen, etc, but if you're at all accustomed to real city culture (NYC, LA, Philly, Boston, Chicago, DC, SF etc) Phoenix is the minor leagues.

My wife and I go to spring training every other year. You will enjoy the Desert Cactus Park (between Van Buren and Scottsdale Blvd on the way from the Airport). Do the walk don't just drive through it. Well worth the price of admission. I recomend Pinnacle Peaks Restaurant and Brewery. It's the largest steak house in the country. Family style, they serve steak, ribs, and chicken only. The locals eat there. There's a spectacular view and a scenic drive to it. It's up in the Pinnacle Mountains. You don't want to wear a neck tie. They will cut it off and pin it to the ceiling. The whole ceiling in the place is neckties, probably a few thousand. A great place to watch sports on tv is at the 16th Street Sports Bar in Phoenix. They're voted the best chicken wings in the country. They serve the best I have ever eaten. The restaurants in Scottsdale and Tempe (like the Pink Pony and Monti's) may be less crowded in early April, they are unbearable in March. They are very good. I have never had a decent seafood dinner in the area. The Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix (Frank Lloyd Wright architecture) may be of interest to you. Old Town Scottsdale downtown has a lot of art galleries, some are better then some art museums that I have seen. There are a lot of junk stores too. Walking around Old Town fun.

Go Giants !!!

You WANT to wear a necktie (old one) when you go to Pinnacle Peak. Having it cut off is part of the fun

Greg

Have been to Desert Botanical Gardens;
near the airport. This is the first I've run across Desert Cactus Park; is it the same?

Can I jump in with my 2 cents and another question for all you great AZ experts? We go out every spring to visit the in-laws. We have kids and make a trip to the AZ science center each time. A great hands-on museum. We did out of Africa last year and now I want to know what else should we do with a 7 and 5 year old? Is there anything that's a "can't miss?"

Fashion Square Mall, I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Really? To me it's just a mall. Are you sure you don't mean Biltmore Fashion Park, which is outdoors?

Gee Tony, if your idea of sightseeing is going to a mall, you need to get out more. But if malls are your thing, check out South Coast Plaza in Orange County or King of Prussia Mall in Philly. IMO, Fashion Square Mall is mediocre at best.

AZ Traveler: You never mention if you will be alone, with another adult or with children. I could probably help more if I knew that. As for Tony's reply of the Mall, as nice as it is, it's just a mall and definitely no fun with kids in tow.

We will have two girls, 11 and 3. Thanks for all of the advice! Keep it coming!

Is the Grand Canyon too far for a day trip?

We visit family in Phoenix every year with our children. Pinnacle Peaks is indeed a great restaurant, with or without children. With children, the Rock Art Museum is surprisingly fascinating for children, and interesting for adults. Another suggestion is the wildlife refuge.

OK here are some ideas with children (although I'm there every year and still looking for more new ideas too)
As I said previously the science center is very good; totally hands on and it has imax movies (which we've never seen); we go every year. The Phoenix zoo is beautiful, the layout and setting are quite nice. Out of Africa was fun. Kind of a wild animal park with shows; owned by a couple who've rescued these animals from bad situations...I wasn't expecting to enjoy it but I did. We also hit the McCormick Railroad Park 3 or 4 times while we're there. The playground is free and nicely equipped but they also have a carousel and train that you can ride for $1 each. It's not far from your hotel on the corner of Scottsdale Rd and (I think McCormick?). There are tons of good restaurants of all types that are kid friendly. Hope this helps a little.

Karen, I stand corrected. It is the Desert Botanical Gardens in Papago Park.

The Desert Sonoran Museum in Tucson is an incredible outdoor nature zoo. If you can spend one night in Tucson so you can visit this place early in the morning when the animals are active, it is worth the trip!

To answe one of your questions: Yes, the Grand Canyon is too far from Scottsdale for a day trip.

Small point: Frank Lloyd Wright's house isn't really "right in Scottsdale." You have to drive several miles southeast -- and I don't think kids will think it's worth it, though I recommend it for adults.

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is on the corner of N. Scottsdale Road and Indian Bend Road. There is also a website: www.therailroadpark.com for more information. Enjoy your trip AZ Traveler!

The kuchina dolls in the Heard Museum would appeal to kids. I don't think Taliesin is good for kids. You have to go on a tour with a docent and while it's interesting for adults, it's too much talking about FLW's life for kids. We went with a couple non English speakers and when their friend translated for them, the docent became quite annoyed. Imagine kids.

AZ traveler, you will probably have a hard time getting your kids away from the pools and sand beach at the hotel!! That place is beautiful. Best advice, sit back, relax in the sun and enjoy!!