Just a quick ride from Old Town Scottsdale, the Desert Botanical Garden provides a fantastic view of desert life. Gardens do a particularly good job of integrating artistic elements with specific artworks dispersed throughout the property. Beyond the trees, you can also hope to see butterflies flitting about, hummingbirds swaying by, woodpeckers settling on the saguaros, and several other birds running and flying about. Gardens reflect the varied deserts of the Southwestern United States: the Sonoran Desert, the Chihuahuan Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Great Basin Desert. The different areas are set out according to themes and provide descriptive plaques in each area to help you recognize key elements and map out what you need to look for.

The Scottsdale Museum of the West exhibits the culture and legacy of 19 western states along with the bordering provinces of Canada and several Mexican states. The museum is located in a very new and elegant building right in the middle of Scottsdale, not far from the Old Town. Within, you’ll discover two floors of art, memorabilia, cultural artifacts, and fascinating themed exhibits all focused on the history of the West. The museum is particularly well-known for its collection of Hopi pottery and cowboy movie posters. Don’t miss out on the outdoor central courtyard and its rare sculptures.

Scottsdale is proud of its natural surroundings, and McDowell Sonoran Preserve is one of the finest. The reserve occupies 30,000 acres and includes trails ideal for camping, cycling, biking, or horseback riding. Any of the top hikes are Tom’s Thumb, which promises spectacular views of the immediate city, and trails from the Lost Dog Wash Trail, where you’ll find shorter hikes to the south. The paths are very well defined, and you’ll find public toilets, accurate maps, and locals happy to answer your queries. McDowell Sonoran Preserve is open all day from dawn to dusk and situated in Scottsdale’s northeastern corner.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is an excellent place for family outings, especially those with small kids. The biggest draw is the open-air mini train, which travels around the park daily, but there’s a lot more to enjoy. Another highlight is the colorful carousel designed in the 1950s by Allan Herschell, which played music from that period. Nearby, a vast 10,000-square-foot train model building features many different miniature train gauges. This free attraction helps you to make the trains run around the tracks by clicking the buttons. There’s also a train museum in the park, with exhibits and an antique steam engine and rail cars that you can stroll in. This park has various playground equipment, grassy fields, tables and chairs, and large trees and shrubs. Admission to the park is free, although there is a nominal charge to ride a train, a carousel, and visit the Railway Museum.

The Scottsdale Museum of Modern Art is located only a short walk from the Old Town in the Civic Center Mall district. Art lovers can enjoy the four galleries full of craft, art, and architecture. The museum is locally known by the nickname of SMoCA. Compared to temporary galleries, there is still a steady supply of travel and local shows on the display. The museum has an active schedule of exciting activities, including encouraging you to bring your dog with you.

Swing by Butterfly Wonderland in Northern Scottsdale for more family fun. This is one of the safest places to visit on cool winter days or beat the summer sun. Within is a vibrant array of butterflies flitting about, as well as exhibits of hard-working honey bees, edible insects, rainforest snakes, and arthropods. A 3D cinema reveals a friendly insect movie that almost appears to fly off the screen.

Golf and Scottsdale are synonymous with each other. Many golfers plan their holidays to Scottsdale, particularly during the winter months, to enjoy the great courses. The city has a multitude of special classes to fit any level of ability and budget. Two of the better races are Troon North and TPC Scottsdale. Troon North has two golf resorts designed by Tom Weiskopf, beautifully set within the desert landscape, featuring rare granite boulders, ravines, and rolling hills. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North offers free shuttles and exclusive prices to the Troon North Golf Club for visitors staying at their home. TPC Scottsdale is the only PGA Tour property in the region. It allows ordinary players to play where golf masters have once competed. TPA has two courses, one called The Arena, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, and the other is called The Winners, designed by Randy Heckenke. “In life, there’s nothing greater than your liberty to experience the world and all its amazing wonders. Be safe and comfortable with your travels and let Private Jet Charter Scottsdale take you to wherever your heart leads you.”