Hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
With more than 200 miles of trails for hiking, the McDowell Sonoran Preserve is over 30,000 acres of picturesque desert scenery. With a variety of routes that meander through superb natural beauty, the preserve has paths for every level of hiker, including Tom’s Thumb – one of the best lookout viewpoints in Scottsdale. www.mcdowellsonoran.org
Experience Wellness
The approach to wellness at CIVANA Wellness Resort & Spa is all-encompassing and relatively affordable, too. Begin your day with meditation, participate in one of the many classes included in your stay package, relax at the spa with a treatment of indigenous herbs, and end with an evening ritual. You’ll find many such experiences at CIVANA, and at over 50 resorts and day spas throughout Scottsdale. www.civanacarefree.com
Relaxing weekend in the Scottsdale Desert
You don’t have to love golf to love Scottsdale—but you should definitely be into relaxation. Just east of Phoenix, the city has lots to see, including some spectacular design, incredible desert hikes, lots of great art, and some pretty fantastic Western history (the latter in the city’s charming Old Town neighborhood). The food’s amazing, as are the spa treatments and the museums—not to mention the margaritas.
Personalized Nutrition at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Four Seasons and Red Rock Casino & Spa
The niche spa concept Well & Being has partnered with a roster of hotels to offer customized healthy culinary menus (from a quinoa energy breakfast with dried apricots, macadamia nuts, honey, coconut oil, and edamame succotash) to fitness classes with personalized nutrition consultations, grocery store checklists, nutrition label lessons, and more everyday solutions. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess & Four Seasons
Magical History Tour with Ace Bailey
Immerse yourself in Scottsdale’s Mid-Century Modern architecture with a two-and-a-half-hour walking art tour led by local expert Ace Bailey. From the funky-chic Hotel Valley Ho to the historic buildings in Old Town, the intricate architecture will be a welcome surprise. www.hotelvalleyho.com