With a population approaching 220,000 residents, Scottsdale has garnered a sterling reputation for outstanding quality of life. The United States Conference of Mayors has designated Scottsdale as one of the most livable cities in the country. Scottsdale is a community that offers an amazing array of things to do. Because of the city has to offer, Scottsdale has been described by the New York Times as a “desert version of South Beach.” On the long list of things to do in Scottsdale, there are eight destinations of note.

McDowell Sonoran Preserve

Scottsdale is home to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The Preserve is an expansive and permanently protected sustainable desert habitat. The Preserve offers amazing trails for hikes, perfect for the entire family. There are trails for people of different hiking abilities.

Butterfly Wonderland

Another fun and educational destination for the family in Scottsdale is Butterfly Wonderland. Butterfly Wonderland is described as a state of the art facility in the form of a tropical rainforest and habitat for thousands of different types of butterflies. The butterflies in the habitat come from points the world over. Butterfly Wonderland comes complete with a gift shop and café.

Old Town Scottsdale

A must-see destination for tourists, and a must-visit-often destination for residents, is Old Town Scottsdale. Old Town provides a hands-experience of what Scottsdale was like during its early days. The district features shops, exhibits, bistros, and other compelling destinations.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

Situated in Old Town, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West preserves the history of the West. The museum maintains exhibits that commemorate the history of all 17 western states, with Hawaii and Alaska added into the mix. The museum strives to celebrate all aspects of life in the Old West. This includes rotating presentations of the very best in Western art.

Penske Racing Museum

The Penske Racing Museum of Scottsdale is a two story museum. The museum is open to the public and there is no admission charge. The Penske Racing Museum is dedicated to presenting exhibits that feature compelling racing memorabilia. Many of the winning cars from the Penske Racing team are on display. The Penske Racing Museum is an ideal destination for the automobile aficionado.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is considered to be one of the best venues of its kind in the country. Every year, the multifaceted Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts stages more than 1,000 performances of different types. These include performances and productions presented inside and outside. Visual art is also exhibited throughout the facility. In addition, the Scottsdale modern art museum is a part of the broader Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts complex. In addition, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located near some of the east eateries in the city. Thus, many people make attending a performance at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts a grand occasion.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

Finally, on this list of seven amazing things to do in Scottsdale is the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. The Center is a sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing and serving the needs of injured, orphaned, or otherwise endangered wild animals. The goal of the Center is to rehabilitate wild animals and release them back into the wild. When that is not possible, these animals are provided a safe, comfortable place to live their lives at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center. Human visitors are welcome to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center the year around. The Center has proven particularly interesting and compelling for children.

MacDonald’s Ranch

MacDonald’s Ranch hearkens back to days gone by. MacDonald’s Ranch is the horseback riding stable of choice in Scottsdale, indeed in all of Maricopa County. Visitors to the ranch can enjoy guided horseback rides, hayrides, and even old-fashioned cowboy cookouts. This is yet another Scottsdale destination that is well-suited for the entire family.

This list of amazing things to do in Scottsdale just touches the service. There truly is a multitude of entertaining, educational, and exciting things to do in this leading Arizona community. A resident of Scottsdale could take in a new venue or activity every week for a decade and still have great things left to do.