Scottsdale's popularity is due to its combination of luxury, natural beauty and year-round warm climate, making it an attractive destination for both visitors and residents. It is known for its high-end resorts, breathtaking desert landscapes, vibrant art scene and bustling old town, which attract those looking for a unique and exclusive experience. The city also has first-class golf courses, top-notch restaurants, and a thriving entertainment scene, further increasing its appeal. As it turns out, Scottsdale is a destination full of art, food, outdoor adventures, and a great atmosphere that's definitely “for everyone”.”.
Scottsdale Fashion Square features the old town of Scottsdale, which is among the 30 largest shopping centers in the country and offers exclusive and luxury stores. 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. Scottsdale is considered to be one of the most beautiful suburbs in Arizona and is commonly defined by its high quality of life. Notable regional centers include Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter in north Scottsdale, and Scottsdale Fashion Square in downtown Scottsdale, a major destination for upscale shoppers.
South Scottsdale is home to SkySong, the ASU Innovation Center in Scottsdale and one of the main economic drivers of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Scottsdale Municipal Airport is a single-runway airport located in north Scottsdale that is primarily used for corporate and transitory air traffic, and is one of the busiest single-runway airports in the country. The San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks train in the city of Scottsdale during the spring training season. 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 Arts District, and the more touristy and Western-themed Old Town district, which features the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
Scottsdale housed a German prisoner of war camp at the intersection of Scottsdale and Thomas highways, in what is now Papago Park. The downtown streetcar runs through downtown Scottsdale, and the neighborhood streetcar runs from downtown Scottsdale to neighborhoods across South Scottsdale, connecting to the city of Tempe's free public transportation network, the Tempe orbit at Roosevelt and Scottsdale Road. The old town has boutique shops, restaurants and nightlife, and is home to numerous galleries, such as the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of the West of Scottsdale. Scottsdale is now ready for millennial travelers thanks to its dining scene, good nightlife, and quirky features, such as the golf cart taxis that operate in old town Scottsdale.
The Scottsdale Jaycees Sun Parade, a month-long annual event that has been held in Scottsdale since 1954. Scottsdale is also home to an excellent community college and is very close to Arizona State University, less than 6 miles away.