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Things to Do in Scottsdale AZ: The Musical Instrument Museum

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The Musical Instrument Museum in North Phoenix AZLooking for something to do in and around Scottsdale, Arizona? In April of 2010, the Musical Instrument Museum opened its doors in North Phoenix.

The Musical Instrument Museum (or MIM) is the first of its kind and it offers a truly global perspective and collection of musical instruments. The design of the museum is sleek and modern with high ceilings and plenty of room for visitors.

 The second floor is a series of large open galleries that are arranged geographically by continent. What makes for such an educational and interactive experience is that you have a wireless headset that automatically transmits information about that instrument when you get near the video screen. So not only do you get to see the instruments in the displays, but you get to see them and hear them in use as well. 

The MIM entrance Phoenix AZThe first floor also has plenty of interesting displays. There is a guitar section, an electronic instrument section and an interactive area. In the interactive area, you are encouraged to touch and play everything in the room. There are a ton of instruments to choose from including guitars, harps, other string instruments, drums, maracas, versions of xylophones, a huge gong and more. The first floor also houses a cafe and coffee shop, gift store, as well as a family area where there are educational toys and books for children to enjoy.

In addition to all of the above, the MIM has a theater and artists from all over the world will come to perform. You can find the performance schedule on the MIM website.

The Musical Instrument Museum is certainly a welcome addition to the Scottsdale/Phoenix area and I highly recommend visiting it.

More Information:
The Musical Instrument Museum
4725 East Mayo Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85050
480-478-6000
www.themim.org

– Open Daily
– Adult Admission $15, Senior $13, Youth 6-17 $10 and Children under 6 are free.

Musican Instrument Museum Play Area Phoenix AZ

Market Street at DC Ranch- Scottsdale, Arizona

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DC Ranch located in Scottsdale, Arizona is home to Market Street. Market Street is a wonderful combination of shopping, dining, personal and pet care and entertainment. Food choices range from casual, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria and The Herb Box, to higher-end dining at Eddie V’s.  This photo is of a nicely landscaped green area in the middle of the main thoroughfare.

Update: Eddie V’s has relocated to the Scottsdale Quarter

Things to Do in Scottsdale: The Golden Door Spa at The Boulders Resort in Carefree, Arizona

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Boulders at The Boulders in Scottsdale ArizonaUPDATE: The Spa at The Boulders is no longer a Golden Door Spa. It is now called The Spa at The Boulders.

If you are looking for a soothing and luxurious escape for a morning, afternoon or even a day, the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders Resort is for you.

Nestled just below the beautiful rock formations that give The Boulders its name, the Golden Door Spa is a relaxing retreat. The atmosphere is very Zen-like and the moment you walk in, you can smell the subtle spa scents.

Once you are in the lobby, the fitness center and workout rooms are located in the wing to the right. Right in front of you through floor to ceiling windows is an outdoor pool and patio areas that spa guests can use. If you turn to the left, you will walk on a pathway that takes you by the salon and gift boutique on your way to the spa wing.

Once you are in the spa area, you will be assigned a locker and given a robe and slippers. From there, you enter the locker rooms which are called “Niwa.” Not only are the locker rooms outfitted with all of the amenities you would expect in a luxury spa, like a steam room and sauna, a serene waiting room with flavored waters, teas and light snacks, individual showers and changing areas, but you are also encouraged to participate in a Japanese-inspired bath called O’furos. You certainly want to build in time before or after your service to enjoy the various amenities that the Niwas offer.

The Golden Door offers a full menu of spa and beauty services. You will see all of the traditional massages and skin care, but the Golden Door also has a few treatments that are unique to the desert and desert living. One of these is the Turquoise Wrap which pays tribute to the Native American history of the area.

If you are looking for a relaxing, serene spa experience in a tranquil and stunning desert setting, the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders should fit the bill nicely.

More information:
The Golden Door Spa at The Boulders
34631 N. Tom Darlington Dr.
Carefree, Arizona 85377
480-595-3500 /800-553-1717

Disclaimer:  Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This blog represents the opinion of the writer.

The Rocks Club Fractional Residences – Scottsdale, Arizona

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The Rocks Club, adjacent to the Four Seasons and minutes from Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale, is the perfect turnkey solution for people looking for a part-time residence in Scottsdale.

Virtually everything is taken care of for owners by the competent staff, leaving the owners to enjoy their stays. There is a clubhouse located by the guard gate that houses an onsite concierge, a pool and spa, a bar, wine storage, spa treatment rooms, business center and mens’ and ladies’ locker rooms. If you are looking for a year-round solution, the villas can also be sold as full-time residences.

 

Scottsdale AZ Golf Communities – Homes for Sale – May 2010

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Here is an overview of several Scottsdale golf communities and the active homes for sale at the end of May 2010. For each golf community, I looked at the number of homes on the market, the average price of those homes and noted the range of home prices from low to high.

Terravita in North Scottsdale is the most affordable of all of the communities with the lowest priced home and the lowest average asking price per square foot of $225.89. The average list price of homes in Terravita is just over $500,000.  On the other end of the spectrum is Estancia, which currently has the highest average asking price per square foot of $582.20 and the most expensive home on the market at $15,000,000. Whisper Rock is currently the most expensive Scottsdale golf community to purchase in as far as lowest priced homes. The lowest priced home on the market at Whisper Rock at the end of May 2010 was $1,699,000. As the largest golf community, with over 8,000 acres, Desert Mountain has the most inventory for sale with 223 homes.


Community Location Homes for Sale Average Asking Price Average Price/ Square Foot Lowest Priced Highest Priced
DC Ranch Scottsdale – North 65 $1,414,676 $331.01 $349,000 $4,995,000
Desert Highlands Scottsdale – North 50 $1,743,674 $345.86 $509,900 $4,995,000
Desert Mountain Scottsdale – Far North 223 $2,108,090 $406.18 $597,000 $12,900,000
Estancia Scottsdale – North 27 $3,720,222 $582.20 $1,295,000 $15,000,000
Grayhawk Scottsdale – North 60 $859,859 $245.40 $409,000 $2,275,000
Mirabel Scottsdale – Far North 36 $1,985,444 $379.93 $350,000 $5,990,000
Silverleaf Scottsdale – North 53 $3,637,245 $512.05 $1,021,000 $10,000,000
Terravita Scottsdale – North 53 $508,536 $225.89 $269,900 $990,000
Troon North Scottsdale – North 67 $1,084,209 $262.07 $325,000 $3,950,000
Troon Village Scottsdale – North 66 $1,142,205 $275.03 $369,900 $5,970,000
Whisper Rock Scottsdale – North 20 $2,305,900 $404.42 $1,699,000 $3,299,000

Disclaimer: Data and information for this snapshot was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 6/1/2010 and can change at any time. The analysis looks at single-family resale homes for sale  in various Scottsdale AZ golf communities. There may be new home inventory in these figures if the developer is using the MLS to market its homes. Golf membership varies by the specific communities. In some communities, membership is included with the home and in others, it is an additional cost and may be by invitation only.
Copyright © 2010 Heather Tawes Nelson

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