Travel Experience Archives - Oh My Heartsie Girl

Scottsdale is just northeast of Phoenix, Arizona but some say a world apart. With its hip night scene, art galleries and outdoor recreation, Scottsdale is a great place for family fun and desert adventure. There are several family-friendly Scottsdale hotels and resorts in the region including the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, which is itself a vacation destination. With 27 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, golf courses, tennis courts and 10 swimming pools including a 2.5-acre water park, you and your family will never have a dull moment. Click here to start booking your next family vacation!

Outdoor Adventure

The Sonoran Desert has a lot to offer hikers who want to see the beauty of the desert up close. The Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers 200 miles of trails that range from leisurely strolls, ADA-approved pathways and challenging climbs in the McDowell Mountains. If desert trekking and mountain biking are your ideas of a great vacation, you won’t be disappointed.

Another way to see the beauty of the desert is on horseback. Whether you have never been on a horse or are an experienced rider, there is the horse and guide for you. The trails lead to gorges, lush desert washes and through the foothills.

Imagine gliding over the desert at sunset, or any other time, in a hot-air balloon. You will feel the gentle breeze as your guide takes you high and low for expansive views and a close look at local wildlife and vegetation.

Within one hour of Old Town Scottsdale, there are eight lakes and rivers where you can enjoy a variety of water sports, including kayaking, fishing, tubing, river rafting, paddle boarding and more. It is a unique experience to see the desert from a boat tour.

Golf, Golf, and More Golf

Have you ever wanted to hit your best driver down the same fairway as Tiger Woods, or Rickie Fowler. Well, you can in Scottsdale, where you can play golf at some of the most famous golf courses in the world. Including the Legendary Scottsdale TPC, home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. You can even get custom fitted for your golf clubs at the headquarters of such notable brands as Ping and PXG. With over 25 golf courses, Scottsdale is a golfers dream!

Top 10 Golf Course in Scottsdale Video

Walking Through Old Town

Locals and visitors alike enjoy spending a day in Old Town Scottsdale. A few of the top things to see and do are:

Visit the Old Town Farmer’s Market on Saturdays
Take a walk around the 21 acres of Civic Center Park and enjoy the public art
Visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Visit the historic Old Town Trading Post for authentic turquoise jewelry and other Western items
Have lunch at the Ivy and Olive Restaurant and Marketplace overlooking the Scottsdale waterfront
Visit some of the more than 200 high-end shops
Stroll through On The Edge Gallery for original artwork
Have dinner at one of the award-winning restaurants in the area
On Thursdays, take the Art Walk through the many galleries
When you have had enough walking, take the free trolley around Old Town Scottsdale

Scenic Drives

If you’re up for a road trip, there are a few destinations that are worth the time.

Sedona, with its towering, mystical red rocks is just over two hours away.
The Grand Canyon is farther and may require an overnight, but it is well worth the trip.
The White Mountains in eastern Arizona near the New Mexico border offer a wealth of fascinating and fun things to do. It has several lakes and rivers for outdoor recreation and the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. During the winter it offers many alpine activities.

When you visit the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, you will find a wide range of family-friendly Scottsdale hotels and resorts that provide the perfect base from which to enjoy all the activities and adventure the region has to offer.
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Related:
Cities Less Traveled
Sedona, Arizona-Travel Series
Cities Less Traveled -Sedona, Arizona-Travel Series

10 Must Do’s Before Traveling:

What is more exciting than booking that last minute vacation or on the other hand having had that vacation booked for several months and being able to look forward to it. Regardless of when you booked it, it is an exciting time in your life and before you go it’s time to get fully prepared. What are those must do’s before you head out on your vacation? Let’s take a look at our ‘10 Must Do’s Before Traveling!

For many people out there, they worry about their appearance before traveling. They rush in to get their nails and toenails done and maybe even their eyelashes. What they would love to be doing, but don’t know much about it is coolsculpting. Click on the link to learn more about coolsculpting and why you should look into doing it before you head on vacation. It’s a great way to freeze your fat!

Depending on where you are traveling to, it’s important to always have the local currency. If you are traveling to Mexico for example, you should take out Mexican Pesos to get the most for your money. The same applies to traveling to Europe. Instead of paying with euros in places that accept their own currency- take time to research what they use and go to your bank or get it at their bank upon arrival.

For many people out there, they worry about their appearance before traveling. They rush in to get their nails and toenails done and maybe even their eyelashes. What they would love to be doing, but don’t know much about it is coolsculpting. Click on the link to learn more about cool sculpting and why you should look into doing it before you head on vacation. It’s a great way to freeze your fat!
Depending on where you are traveling to, it’s important to always have the local currency. If you are traveling to Mexico for example, you should take out Mexican Pesos to get the most for your money. The same applies to traveling to Europe. Instead of paying with euros in places that accept their own currency- take time to research what they use and go to your bank or get it at their bank upon arrival.
Set in place a good health plan. Some people don’t believe in health insurance when you travel but trust me- you do not want to be on the other side of the fence when you get sick and must pay out of pocket.
Make sure before you make any travel plans that you are aware of the entry fees and if you need a visa to get into the country in the first place.
This one is very important. Make sure to print a couple copies of your passport via photocopying. This is important in case you lose or someone steals your passport. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
If you know you want to go certain excursions, why not pay for them before you go. It’s important to make sure you are buying from a reputable source but prepaying for any excursions gives you the certainty that you have a spot on the day of choice.
Make sure you have a phone plan. It’s always good to be able to access your phone for emergency reasons when you are away. It might not be on your end, but your family members who are trying to get a hold of you while you are on vacation.
Remember that some places use different adapters when traveling. It’s important to know which adapter and purchase it before you travel. This will allow you to charge your devices once you arrive in that country.
It’s crucial that you call your bank if you are intending to use your debit or credit cards. If you do not call them and tell them you are traveling, you run the risk of them putting a hold on your card.
Always, always, always, pack and extra set of clothes in your carry on and any snacks that you would like to bring. This is good in case your airline loses your luggage.

Tag: Travel Experience

Fun Desert Adventures While on Vacation in Scottsdale

Outdoor Adventure

Scenic Drives

10 Tips You Must Do Before Traveling