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Fun Things To Do In and Around Scottsdale AZ – Mac Donald’s Ranch

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Mac Donalds Ranch Scottsdale AZ Pumpkin Hay RideLocated on the corner of Scottsdale Road and Jomax Road and encompassing 1,300 acres, Mac Donald’s Ranch is a North Scottsdale treasure where you can embrace your inner cowboy or cowgirl and experience the ranch lifestyle.

Mac Donald’s Ranch offers a variety of options from trail rides where you can enjoy and explore the Sonoran Desert and beautiful views, to hay rides that end in a desert cookout, to horseback riding lessons and more. There is also a small zoo onsite and you will often see new additions to the ranch. The last time we were there, we got to see a litter of piglets that were a day old.

For the kids or grandkids, there are impromptu pony rides around the front area and even a “Mine” where they can dig and pan for hidden treasure.

Mac Donald’s Ranch is great for parties large or small. You can either pay a site fee and bring your own food and drink or, you can let the team at Mac Donald’s Ranch set up and serve an authentic “Cowboy Cookout” for you. There are BBQ pits up front as well as several cookout sites throughout the ranch.

If you want to add even more fun to your event, there are many options you can add-on including a trick pony, a western balladeer, a petting zoo, cattle drives and even having two armed bandits hold-up your hayride.

Mac Donald’s Ranch also hosts some wonderful seasonal events. During Halloween, it becomes home to a large pumpkin patch with a hay-bale maze and during the holiday season, there is the most beautiful display of lights, transforming the desert along the hay ride path.
More Information:
MacDonald’s Ranch
26540 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480.585.0239
https://www.macdonaldsranch.com/
Open Daily

 

 

Fun Things to Do In and Around Scottsdale AZ – Take a Trip to Sedona

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Sedona CliffsSedona is one of the most visually stunning places in the world. Known for its red and pink cliffs, Sedona can be reached in about two hours from Scottsdale.

Sedona’s elevation is 4,500 feet, making the summers a bit cooler than Scottsdale and the Phoenix Valley, although the normal high temperature still comes in around 93.

If you like outdoor pursuits, head over to Oak Creek Canyon where you can fish on 49 fishable miles, picnic, hike, camp, swim and even take a ride on the natural water slide at Slide Rock State Park. (Click for Joyce Tawes’ post on hiking West Fork, which is said to be the most popular hike in Coconino County.)

Another way to enjoy the outdoors while exploring Sedona is to take a Jeep tour. There are several tour operators who will take you out to see the cliffs up close, view historical ruins and enjoy scenic vistas. Although I have not had a chance to try them yet, the tour operator that stands out in my mind is Pink Jeep Tours. (And yes, the Jeeps are pink…)

If you like to shop and browse through galleries, you will not want to miss Tlaquepaque. Tlaquepaque is an arts and crafts village that features wonderful art, handmade items and several restaurants. There are also many restaurants, stores and boutiques in downtown Sedona to choose from.

Sedona is believed to be the site of several spiritual vortices and many folks come to visit them. If the thought of vortices makes you curious, there are many New Age shops in town where you can learn more about them.

Sedona is an easy day trip from Scottsdale, but since it is so beautiful and there are so many things to do, you may want to consider taking a few days to stay and explore.

Fun Things to Do In and Around Scottsdale AZ – Spend a Day Shopping

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Scotts Waterfront WaterIf you are looking to spend the day shopping for the perfect outfit, or something for your home or a great sale, look no further than the corner of Camelback Road and Scottsdale Road where you will find the Fashion Square Mall and the Scottsdale Waterfront. Between both locations, there are ample stores to suit everyone in your life. And, if you would like to make a full day of it, there are plenty of restaurant options for lunch and/or dinner.

Scottsdale Fashion Square
Fashion Square is Scottsdale’s largest mall with an incredibly diverse selection of retailers. On the high-end, you have Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus department stores as well as many standalone luxury purveyors such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Vilebrequin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Jimmy Choo and St. John. And, in October of 2009, Arizona’s first Barney’s store is slated to open.

The south part of Scottsdale Fashion Square is anchored by Nordstrom and the other department stores include Macy’s and Dillard’s. In addition to the department stores, there is a huge selection of nationally-known and individual retailers at all price points.

On the lower level, there is a large food court with everything from Asian food to Mexican to burgers and salads. If you prefer a sit-down lunch, you can choose from restaurants like the Z Tejas, Kona Grill or Yard House.

Scottsdale Fashion Square Store Directory

Scottsdale Waterfront
If you leave Scottsdale Fashion Square via Nordstrom, you can easily walk over to the Scottsdale Waterfront complex, a newer addition to the shopping scene. Visit retailers such as Urban Outfitters, Sur La Table and Borders as well as many specialty boutiques. Also located in the complex are the high-end Scottsdale Waterfront Residences.

Dining at Scottsdale Waterfront is excellent. You can choose from Wildfish, an upscale seafood restaurant, Olive and Ivy, with its impressive design and waterfront location, as well as more casual offerings like PF Changs and Sauce.

Both Scottsdale Fashion Square and Scottsdale Waterfront are on the free Downtown Trolley route, which also takes you through Old Town Scottsdale.
Downtown Trolley Information 

Fun Things to Do In and Around Scottsdale AZ – Explore Old Town Scottsdale

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Downtown Scottsdale AZ GalleriesOld Town Scottsdale is an entertainment, dining and shopping hub that draws locals and visitors alike year-round. There has been a lot of development over the last several years and now the area is even more of a destination.

Old Town Scottsdale is known for its many galleries. In them, you will find everything from Southwestern art to modern art and pretty much everything else in between. You can spend hours strolling down the sidewalks and looking at the vast array of artwork.

For over 30 years, Thursday evenings from 7-9 PM have been home to the Scottsdale Art Walk where the galleries stay open late and you can take your time walking from gallery to gallery enjoying to cooler weather. In addition to the galleries, you will also find several purveyors of Native American and Southwestern souvenirs and jewelry and more.

It is not hard to find excellent dining in Old Town Scottsdale. It seems there is always a new, fun place to try. The recently launched SouthBridge is home to great shopping and dining. Nearby, you will find Cowboy Ciao, an upscale, eclectic restaurant that gets rave reviews. For breakfast and lunch, you will find the Orange Table tucked away in a little strip mall serving delicious food. Craving ice cream? Look no further than the cotton candy pink Sugar Bowl, which has been serving ice cream, sundaes, floats and more since 1958. And, these are only a few of Old Town Scottsdale’s amazing places to dine and snack.

For evening entertainment, there are several nightclubs and lounges to spend the evening. One place of note is the Kazimierz World Wine Bar. Featuring 3,200 wines, a food menu and live music, it is a great place to spend an evening and try wines from all over the world. The Estate House that I mentioned earlier also has an elegant bar and patio area on the top level.

This post just scratches the surface of all there is to do in Old Town Scottsdale… There are so many great things to enjoy and I am always discovering new places and adventures.

 

Fun Things to Do In and Around Scottsdale AZ – Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium

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World Widlfife Zoo PhoenixIf you are looking for a fun day trip outside of Scottsdale, take a drive and visit the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium. Located in the West Valley in Litchfield Park, AZ, the Wildlife Zoo is home to thousands of animals and fish from all over the world.

The original development was the Wildlife Zoo section, where you can follow the long loop and see everything from lemurs to lions and meerkats to monkeys.

  • Want to interact with giraffes? Simply head up onto the viewing deck and feed them with special food available for purchase.
  • Want to get even more hands on? Head over to the children’s petting zoo or to the Lory Parrot feeding.
  • Not afraid of getting wet? Touch and explore slipper lobsters and starfish or feed the rays at the hands-on exhibits. (Food available for purchase.)
  • Special exhibits include the Small Mammals of the World and a Reptile Collection.

World Wildlife Zoo Litchfield ParkThere are also a few specialty adventures for an additional fee. One of the rides we really enjoyed was the African Safari Train. Once you board, you will be taken into a large area that resembles the plains of Africa dotted with many native African animals and birds. There is also an Australian boat ride where you can see kangaroos and emus. If you like aerial views, you can take an aerial Skyride that takes you over the park.

In addition to the petting zoo, there is also a large playground area and carousel for little ones.

The aquarium opened at the end of 2008 and it has added another exiting dimension to an already exciting Zoo. Several buildings house the aquarium and the diversity of species is fabulous. From large sharks to tiny seahorses and an albino alligator, there is something for everyone. To see the aquarium in a whole new way, buy your tickets for the log ride and hop on. Part of the ride includes going through a tunnel that cuts through the aquarium so you can enjoy the fish as you pass by.

There is an onsite restaurant called Tiburon, where you can watch the sharks swim by as you eat, as well as a few food and drink spots sprinkled throughout the park.

The Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium is great way for both young and old to spend the day. Plus, the aquarium stays open until 10PM.

More Information:
Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium
16501 W. Northern Ave.
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
623-935-WILD (9453)
https://www.wildlifeworld.com/

Zoo Hours: 9AM to 6PM.
Aquarium Hours: 9AM to 10PM

 

 

Scottsdale AZ Home Sales Update – Whisper Rock

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Whisper Rock Golf Home Scottsdale AZ 85266Here is the Scottsdale AZ Home Sales Update for the first six months of the year for the community of Whisper Rock in Scottsdale, Arizona. This information was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 7/1/2009.

 

About Scottsdale’s Whisper Rock: Whisper Rock is an elegant, luxury community located on 800 acres in North Scottsdale. At the end of June 2009, Whisper Rock home prices ranged from just under $1.8M up to $4.3M.

Home sites average two acres, allowing residents to enjoy privacy while still maintaining a sense of community. Home designs range from haciendas, to villas, to southwestern and more. Whisper Rock features a three acre park with BBQ facilities, a fitness center, tennis, basketball courts, hiking trails and other delightful amenities. In addition, Whisper Rock is guard-gated and the neighborhood is patrolled regularly.

The Whisper Rock Golf Club, featuring two courses designed by Phil Mickelson (Lower Course) and Tom Fazio (Upper Course), is available via invitation only. It is not tied to property ownership within Whisper Rock.

Read more about Whisper Rock. 
View Whisper Rock Homes for Sale

 

* Cumulative days on market.

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Disclaimer: Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Data pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 7/1/2009 and can change at any time. This blog represents the opinion of the author. No warranties implied or expressed.
Copyright © 2009 Heather Tawes Nelson

Fun Things to Do In and Around Scottsdale AZ – Hike Pinnacle Peak

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Pinnacle Peak Troon Scottsdale AZLocated in North Scottsdale, Pinnacle Peak is a favorite landmark that locals and visitors enjoy. Not only is it impressive to look at, you can also hike to the top and enjoy unobstructed, breathtaking views of Scottsdale and the Phoenix Valley.

Pinnacle Peak Park consists of 150 acres and is located west of Alma School Road and south of Dynamite Road. The hike is a total of 3.5 miles round trip and the change in elevation is about 1,300 feet. It is not designed as a loop, so the trail you enter on is the same trail you use to exit.

The hike is nice as it is not a pure vertical walk. Instead, there are several ups and downs along the trail which allow you to catch your breath a little bit before the next incline. The hike begins with a pretty vertical section until it starts to level out. It then reaches its highest point (2,889 feet) at almost 3/4 mile in. Although you do not climb to the top of the actual Pinnacle Peak (3,171 feet), the trail winds around it so you can enjoy the view.

If you are looking to learn more about what you are seeing, there are plenty of educational displays that describe the fauna, the history of the area and so on.

The trailhead features parking, restrooms, a water fountain, ramada and a few picnic tables. There are no facilities on the trail once you get started.

Hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing (in designated areas) are all permitted at Pinnacle Peak Park.

Information:
Pinnacle Peak Park
26802 N. 102nd Way
Scottsdale, AZ  85262
Pinnacle Peak Park Website
Pinnacle Peak Trail Map
Friends of Pinnacle Peak Park Website

Hours: 5:30AM – 7:30PM
Pets and bicycles are not allowed.

 

Local tip: You cannot access Pinnacle Peak off of Pinnacle Peak Road. Instead, you will need to use Happy Valley or Dynamite.

 

Scottsdale AZ Luxury Home Market – July 2009

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Here are the July 2009 numbers for the Scottsdale AZ luxury home market. For this analysis, luxury homes are defined as single-family resale homes in Scottsdale priced $1,000,000 and above.

Although inventory levels are falling at all price points, there were mixed results between the segments as far as sales and pending sales.  

– July 2009 –
 Homes Priced Between $1,000,000 – $1,499,999
– Actives: There were 378 homes for sale at this price point, down 4.5% over June. The 12 month average is 505.
– Pendings: Pending sales were up by one over June to 35. This is the second highest the pending number has been over the last year. The 12 month average is 26.
– Sold: Only 18 homes sold in July in this segment, down quite a bit from June’s 29. However, it is still ahead of the 12 month average of 16 sales.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 90.6%. This is pretty typical for this price range.

Homes Priced Between $1,500,000 – $1,999,999
– Actives: 237 homes were for sale in this price range. This figure has been dropping steadily since April of this year, with the 12 month average being 283.
– Pendings:  There were 11 pending sales at the end of July. While it is ahead of the 12 month average of 10, this is a lot lower than the 15 and 16’s we have seen in the past three months.
– Sold: On a more positive note, 13 homes sold in July. The last time this number was that high was March of 2008. The 12 month average for this price segment is 8.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 85.9%. This is the lowest this figure has been since January of this year. Typically, it hovers near the high 80%’s and low 90%’s.

Homes Priced Between $2,000,000 – $2,999,999
– Actives: This figure has been decreasing each month since January and at the end of July, there were 237 homes for sale. The 12 month average is 330.
– Pendings: Six homes were pending, which is the same as the 12 month average.
– Sold: Nine homes sold in the month of July for this price segment. That is almost double the 12 month average of 5 sales.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 85.8%. This figure swings a lot month to month. We saw 91.1% in January and then saw 77.3% in March. 85.8% is a little bit lower than average.

Homes Priced $3,000,000+
– Actives: At the end of July, there were 156 homes for sale for over $3M. This number has decreased every month from a high in November 2008 of 287 to where it is today. The 12 month average is 246.
– Pendings: Only three homes were pending at the end of the month. This is half of the 12 month average of 6.
– Sold: Only two homes sold for more than $3M in July. Again, this is only half of the 12 month average.
– Sales Price to Listed Price: 37.1%. This figure is being distorted because one of the sales has incorrect information loaded into the system. However, the other home sale sold at 55% of asking price so regardless, this figure is uncharacteristically low for July.

As you can see, the results vary quite a bit between the price segments. The good news is that the number of homes for sale has decreased across the board. We are still seeing good sales and pending sales activity. However, the month of July was a tough one for homes listed for more than $3 million.

 

Disclaimer: Data and information was pulled from the Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) as of 8/1/2009 and can change at any time. The analysis looks at single-family resale homes in Scottsdale over the preceding 12 months. There may be new home inventory in these figures if the developer is using the MLS to market its homes.
Copyright © 2009 Heather Tawes Nelson

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