Scottsdale is located east of Phoenix. It is considered a suburb of Phoenix, as the two cities share a long border and are very close geographically. Downtown areas are about 12 miles away. Scottsdale is 31 miles (50 km) from its north end to the south end, and covers 184.5 square miles (478 km).
The city is bordered by the city of Phoenix to the west, the Tonto National Forest to the north, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Salt River to the south. Scottsdale, Arizona, is located in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, at the foot of the picturesque McDowell Mountains. It is bordered by Phoenix to the west, the Tonto National Forest to the north, the McDowell Mountains to the east, and the Salt River to the south. Welcome to the Valley of the Sun. While Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, the Phoenix metropolitan area actually encompasses several cities Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler.
Located in central Arizona, this region is best known for its year-round sunshine, desert landscapes, luxury resorts, and world-class golf courses. The city and its surroundings also have incredible architecture and urban landscapes, authentic southwestern culture and endless outdoor adventures to discover. Notable regional centers include Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, in north Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Fashion Square, in downtown Scottsdale, a major destination for luxury shoppers. The Downtown Trolley runs through downtown Scottsdale, and the Neighborhood Trolley runs from downtown Scottsdale to neighborhoods across South Scottsdale and connects to the city of Tempe's free public transit station, the Tempe Orbit, on Roosevelt and Scottsdale Road. In 1999, the school opened a second campus at Scottsdale Airfield, allowing it to serve the business community and north of Scottsdale.
Scottsdale Fashion Square presents the Old Town Scottsdale lifestyle with approximately 2 million square feet of luxury retail space. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Scottsdale Art Festival, which is held annually, are key attractions for art lovers. Scottsdale Fashion Square features Old Town Scottsdale, which is among the 30 largest shopping malls in the country and offers upscale luxury and luxury stores. Scottsdale was the site of a German POW camp at the intersection of Scottsdale and Thomas Roads, in what is now Papago Park.
The largest is the Scottsdale Main Street Arts District, which houses the largest and most diverse collection of styles and genres, the more contemporary Marshall Way Art District, and the more touristy and Western-themed Old Town district, which houses the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. The Scottsdale Jaycees Sun Parade, an annual month-long event held in Scottsdale since 1954.
