Scottsdale Travel Forum

Hi,

I tried to read as many as the "I'm visiting Scottsdale, what should I do?" posts in this forum so that I wouldn't be wasting your times with the same old question. I normally have time to thoroughly do some research on places I plan to visit, but there's not much time now for that. I'm planning to stay at the Firesky resort and not sure whether I should go to their in-house spa for services. Are there cheaper spas in the area which are just as or more wonderful experiences? Also, all the talk I've noticed about hiking spots, are these spots right within Scottsdale, or will I have to drive an hour or so from town. I was hoping to skip the car rental thing (I have to save money and sanity somewhere) and just venture on my own two feet... or at least on the fine bus and cab options offered by the resort and the town. Any and all ideas are welcomed. Thanks!

The center of Scottsdale is near Scottsdale and Indian School Roads, which is only a few blocks south of the Firesky. You'll be around quite a bit.
Almost all hiking in the Phoenix area requires a car. The Phoenix area, and particularly Scottsdale, has a terrible public transit system. Camelback Mountain is close to the resort to the west, but the trailheads are not on a bus line so you'd have to walk (2 miles?). Camelback itself is a pretty voracious hike and is usually crowded because of its proximity to town.
If you do rent a car (better choice), try to rent one at an off-airport location to save money. They built a rental car center at Sky Harbor Airport recently and the fees to pay for it and other things make renting cars there very expensive.
Your also not going to be able to see much else in the area without a car. Mill Avenue, Downtown Phoenix, the Heard Museum, the Mesa Southwest Museum and others are all accessible by bus, but not easily.
Also, not sure when you're there, but there's an art crawl on the first Friday of each month ("First Fridays") along Roosevelt Street north of Downtown Phoenix and along Grand Avenue (there's a shuttle between the two). It's actually really fun.
hth

Ah, bocmaxima, thank you for the hiking information... I can easily walk 2 miles, but would this be a highway/unsafe type of walk? Also, I take it that you don't have any advice or suggestions regarding spa options?

Hi I got back from Scottsdale last week and had a great time. I do not drive at all (not unusual in London) and managed to get around either by walking, bicycle and the occasional taxi. From memory the firesky is close to main shops and restaurants in Scottsdale. For the hiking you would be able to walk to the Cholla trail which is on Invergordon and is about 2 miles. If you wanted to go to Echo Canyon I would suggest a bicycle - you can ride along the sidewalk and it is safe and straightforward, the roads are on a grid system. There are cycle racks at Echo canyon trail start and I would estimate is about 3/4 miles from Firesky.

I found the hikes very tough but not impossible, I got to the top from Echo Canyon - going up was ok but coming down more difficult. They are worth doing, I am reasonably fit but not an experienced hiker, make sure you have plenty of water and some protection from the sun. I found other hikers here helpful and supportive, all abilities, shapes, sizes and ages. Start early (6-7 am) before it gets hot.

The other thing that may interest you - there is a trolleybus service that runs from Fashion Square Mall through Scottsdale, this will take you to the Art Gallery areas etc.

Think you will be fine with no car, my only regret was not getting out to Frank Lloyd Wrights house - that would be something to be done by car.

Sorry can't help with the Spa.

Sorry I forgot to add. All of the roads I came across in Scottsdale had a sidewalk on at least one side of the road, think this is a very friendly area for walkers, runners and cyclists. All of the wealthy beautiful people here need somewhere to take their morning jog of course!

Walking is fine and safe, there plenty of dog walkers and joggers most mornings.

Have a great time.

Wow, this information is great!!! If there's more keep 'em coming! Otherwise, thanks so much for these helpful tips. BTW, I did do some quick research and discovered that there are some spa spots within reasonable distance. If anyone has any spa favorites or suggestions, though, enlighten me, please!