Casino Arizona makes Scottsdale a Gaming Capital

The combination of the desert and gambling is nothing new. Las Vegas has been a tourist destination for over 50 years and millions of people have won, lost and had a great time. Now, Scottsdale has its own gambling destination. Casino Arizona removes the need to travel far to have a great time at the games tables. They combine all of your favorite slots and table games you already know and love with live entertainment and excellent service. Perfect for serious gamers who know how to play the odds and for folks just looking to have a bit of fun, Casino Arizona has all of the fun of Vegas without leaving home. If you are in town looking for Scottsdale real estate, be sure to stop by Casino Arizona.

No matter what you are looking for, Casino Arizona has your game of choice. There is a wide selection of slot machines throughout the property. Casino Arizona has over 1600 unique machines and you never know when you might hit a jackpot. Blackjack is a fixture of any casino and Casino Arizona is no exception. Play the hottest piece of Scottsdale real estate anywhere! Hitting 21 is easier than it looks and the payoff can be huge.

If poker is your game, than this is the destination for you. Play at the tables and at machines so no matter what style you are looking for, you’ll find it here. Casino Arizona welcomes locals as well as those visiting from afar. No matter what your game, Casino Arizona has a fun time in store for you.

Perhaps you enjoy a more relaxed gaming experience? This prime piece of Scottsdale real estate offers Keno to those looking for something a bit more sedate. Match the numbers and win, it’s that easy. Play against the best at Casino Arizona.

You can visit Casino Arizona with no intention of gaming and still have a great time. They offer a wide array of dining options and first-class, Vegas-style entertainment that is sure to entertain. You’ll find buffets with every imaginable food and drink alongside a patio grill that cooks up all of your favorites. Don’t waste time at restaurants that only have one menu. Casino Arizona has everything you could ever want, so why not visit today? No other bit of Scottsdale real estate offers more to the average visitor as Casino Arizona.

Surviving the Scorching Scottsdale Summer

Living in Scottsdale is an incredible experience no matter what the calendar says, but many people who may be visiting for the first time or are considering moving to the Scottsdale area are concerned about the hot summers. Fear not, however, as many companies have stepped up to provide a plethora of things to do on the hottest summer days. You won’t be stuck indoors in August, although with as nice as most Scottsdale homes are, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

For as long as humans have roamed the earth, summer has meant finding the nearest source of water and jumping in. If you live in the desert, though, finding a nearby watering hole can be difficult. Thankfully, there are several water parks that have risen from the desert to entertain and to cool. You won’t find a more beautiful piece of Scottsdale real estate anywhere!

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has a recreation area that boasts 6,000 square feet of fun and excitement. Needless to say, this attraction can be quite busy in the summer so it is best to go early or late. The middle of the day can be crowded.

A second option for those who want to get wet is at the Phoenician. You can ride their massive 165-foot waterslide and partake in a myriad of other water-based attractions, including a pool with 11-million gallons of water! Don’t be surprised if you are looking for Scottsdale homes for sale next door to these facilities.

If you are looking for the same kind of cool-off without the splashing and the waterslides, you can discover sandy, quiet beaches right in the middle of the Arizona desert. Over at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, you can bask on the white sand beach the hotel made. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, it is worth the trip as the beach is a sight to behold. Over at the competing FireSky Resort, you will find a sandy beach tool that encourages massive sand castle building. You can sculpt your very own piece of Scottsdale real estate into a masterpiece while you cool off in the surf. Who said you had to sacrifice a day at the beach to live in beautiful Arizona? With these great attractions you don’t have to give up anything.

Scottsdale real estate is a one-of-a-kind investment that you will love to own. With these nearby water attractions, you’ll survive the summer in style!

Explore wild Scottsdale real estate

The Greater Scottsdale and Phoenix area has a little something for everyone. Fantastic shopping, top rated restaurants and friendly neighbors can be found everywhere. The big attraction for some people is Wild Arizona. On the outskirts of Scottsdale, you’ll find a myriad of things to do that don’t require a lot of money and let you get back to nature. There are dune buggies you can drive, bike paths by the dozens, more hiking trails than you could use in a lifetime and even fishing holes deep in the red rock desert. If you are looking at purchasing Scottsdale real estate, rest assured there is enough nature here to keep you busy for several lifetimes.

While exploring the nature surrounding Scottsdale on foot or by bike is popular, nothing beats discovering through red rock canyons in a dune buggy. It is a wild and crazy trip that many of us have wanted to try since we were kids. There are several companies in the area that offer tours of the desert via dune buggy. Even though these buggy tours let you get back to nature, they aren’t a ride that will leave you sore. They have dramatically improved shocks and plush seats, so you’ll always be riding in comfort.

Seeing the Arizona desert fly by in the back of a dune buggy is fun, but taking a quiet, educational hike can be just as fun. Few areas on earth offer the flora and fauna that Scottsdale does and the city planners realized early on that hiking and biking would be fantastic tourist attractions that locals would want to use, as well. Always remember to bring water and, if you can, hike with a buddy in case you slip and fall. Bring a cell phone with you, as well. If you do hike alone, be sure to tell someone that you are going and have them check in with you around the time you are supposed to get home. Hiking through miles of pristine Scottsdale real estate can be an experience you never forget and more than enough reason to consider buying a home here.

The great outdoors in beautiful Scottsdale beckons you. While the city and all the things to do are great, the biggest reason to move here is to enjoy the spectacular outdoors.

Scottsdale Real Estate is Your Window to the Old West

There can be no doubt that the Old West retains a high level of interest for both kids and adults in 2011. While you don’t see quite as many kids dressed up as Davy Crockett or a cowboy for Halloween, there are few things more enjoyable than spending the day exploring Old West landmarks in and around the greater Scottsdale area. The lawlessness may be gone, but the ghosts of heroes and villains can still be heard if you know where to look. These pieces of Scottsdale real estate are a must-see if you have any interest in history or the Old West.

It is true that much of what we see about the Old West on television and in movies is not completely true. Hollywood enjoys changing the script and adding happy endings onto events that did not quite play out that way. The Heard Museum has a stunning number of cultural objects on display for you to enjoy. There are multi-media displays that tell the real story of the Old West and there are plenty of things to do for the kids, as well. Discover how Scottsdale real estate came to be how it is today.

For a millennium, the Hohokam people called the Scottsdale area home and now you can learn all about their history and what happened to them at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. This is an outdoor, hands-on experience that takes the traditional museum experience and turns it on its head. Explore an actual ruin from 500+ years ago and learn how these advanced people raised crops and survived in the harsh, unforgiving climate. It is truly incredible that people survived here before air conditioning!

If you are looking for something a bit more civilized, consider visiting the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch. Not only can you partake in all of the exquisite facilities at the Hyatt, but you can visit their Native American Learning Center which is chock full of educational material that is both fun and informative. Speak to a member of the Hopi tribe and learn the ways of these ancient people.

If you are the kind of person that couldn’t imagine living in an area bereft of culture, than a visit to these fantastic Scottsdale locations is sure to satisfy your longing. The Old West is alive and well in beautiful Scottsdale.

Desert Botanical Garden is a Flower in the Desert

Most often when people are searching for Scottsdale real estate, it is because they want the desert weather than living in the Scottsdale or Phoenix area can provide. However, even though the city is known for its dry, arid climate, even those living in the desert can find an oasis in the Desert Botanical Garden.

Like most botanical gardens, the Desert Botanical Garden features acres of beautiful colorful flowers of many different types and varieties. Just walking through the garden is a delight of the senses, with all the beautiful colors and enticing smells. It is a photographer’s paradise, with so many unique things to photograph and the sunshine makes the lighting perfect.

For those not simply content with a stroll through the garden, there are special programs available. For example, every Monday morning at 7:00am, there is a “Birds in the Garden” tour. It teaches visitors about the many different species of birds living in the garden and how to spot them by both sight and sound.

Another fun experience is a flashlight tour. These take place Thursday and Sunday nights from June until August from 7pm-9pm and allows visitors the unique experience of seeing the garden in the dark, with just the light of flashlights to guide them.

For those interested in experiencing what it is like to be a royal, the garden hosts an Afternoon Tea. And with all the focus on Britain with the recent royal wedding, this might be a fun activity. Other events include cooking demos and the jazz in the garden program which presents jazz music every Sunday afternoon and Friday evening. While there are plenty of places to hear music in Scottsdale and in Phoenix, none may be as beautiful as at the garden. Just hearing music in such a serene and lovely setting really adds something to the experience.

The 65 acres of expansive botanical beauty is something that should be experienced by all of those living and Phoenix and even those living in Scottsdale homes are likely to find it worth the trip. The garden is open from 7:00am to 8:00pm each day and is located at 1201 North Galvin Parkway. It is $15 for adults, $6 for children, but kids under three are free, making it a great opportunity to get kids interested in the outdoors and flowers at a young age.

Its a Bird, Its a Plane: No Its a Comic Book Library Exhibit

Comic books have long enjoyed a great following in this country, but it seems like the past decade has brought an even greater increase in the love of comics. What was once thought of as a pleasure reserved for young children has really expanded to include everyone as increasingly, both children and adults are falling in love with their favorite characters on the big screen and in comic book form.

Despite the overall affinity for comic books, many people are unaware of the history behind comic books, including what started them or the origin of some of the favorite characters like Superman or Spiderman. This type of history lesson is just not something taught in classrooms or regularly featured on educational programs.

As a result, people may be leaving their Scottsdale homes in droves to head to the new exhibit the Scottsdale Civic Center Library. It is called The Superhero: Golden Age of Comic Books. The exhibit provides an historical look at comic books of the 1930s and 1940s that offered champions during some darker times. It explores the iconic characters created through these comic books and how they shaped pop culture and opinions as well as how they have changed over time.

Although they are texts, people do not usually associate libraries with comic books. However, because many libraries have, in recent years, started increasing their catalog of both comic books and graphic novels, it is the perfect setting for this exhibit.

Those interested can view the exhibit at the Civic Center Library, which is located at 3839 N. Drinkwater Boulevard from now through September 2, 2011. This is a perfect opportunity for parents to give their children an opportunity to do some thinking and learning while on their summer break. Best of all, the exhibit is free to all and is really worth stopping by to check out. For more information on the exhibit, call (480) 874-4645.

Many Opportunities for Great Summer Music in Scottsdale

One of the great summer traditions just about everywhere in this country, including in Scottsdale, is attending outdoor music events during the summer. There is nothing like summer to get people excited about gathering together on an evening with hundreds of strangers and enjoying the beauty of live music.

Fortunately, for those who live in Scottsdale, or those who are looking into purchasing Scottsdale real estate, the city of Scottsdale has many great summer opportunities for seeing live music. While there are always the big name acts that appear at arenas or county fairs, this blog entry serves to highlight some of the smaller music events that can be found in Scottsdale.

The first is the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Concert Series. Most people are familiar with the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for the wonderful train collection that they have for visitors. However, every Sunday night, now through July 3rd, they will be featuring free concerts. The shows run from 7:30pm-9:00pm and feature a variety of music.

The great thing about a free concert is that even if the music is not really something that you love or not the best ever concert that you have attended, the price is perfect for an evening of fun. Because they do have a variety of local bands, however, you are likely to find one that you like.

Another great thing is the fact that they feature local bands. It is wonderful to be able to support local up and coming artists, rather than national touring groups that have no connection with Scottsdale. The concerts take place at 7301 East Indian Bend Road and more information can be had at (480) 312-2312.

The Monday Jazz Jam is another great concert series, which takes place at the Compound Grill Music Venue. Jazz lovers will enjoy jam sessions featuring Dom Mojo, Dwight Killian, as well as new jazz artists each week. The purpose of the shows is to bring together jazz students, teachers, and connoisseurs for a pure jazz experience that everyone will enjoy. The shows are just $5 and more information is available at (480) 585-5483.

These are just two of the lot of wonderful music opportunities this summer in Scottsdale. It is a great opportunity to expand your musical horizons and venture outside of your comfort zone or simply to enjoy the music that you have always loved.

Afternoon Tea at the Phoenician – A Taste of Royalty in Scottsdale

The recent wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton has reignited a love of British royalty in the United States not seen since the time of Princess Diana. The regal clothing, the manners, and the traditions of the British are unlike anything we have in this country. Even our leaders are not as formal as the British. It may be for that reason that people in our country are fascinating with all of the British customs.

Even those people living in Scottsdale homes, rather than in English homes, can experience one of the oldest British traditions: afternoon tea. The relationship between the British and tea time goes back centuries and really is the cornerstone of many of the events there, including celebrating birthdays and other special occasions.

Each day of the week at the Phoenician, guests can experience the fun and tradition that is afternoon tea. This award-winning tea service, voted “Best Afternoon Tea” by several publications really goes all out to replicate an authentic British tea experience. Guests are served tea finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and, of course, a selection of fine blends of tea.

The experience touches all the senses, as they play classical music throughout the dining experience, to make it feel quite regal and formal. Speaking of formal, the tea requires formal dress, so do not show up in jeans and a t-shirt and expect to be served. The elegance and formality of the experience really makes it a great treat for a birthday for a mother or other person who would appreciate it.

For more information on the Afternoon Tea at the Phoenician, call (480) 423-2530 or visit their website. The Phoenician is located the intersection of Camelback Road and 64th Street. It is easy to get to and the Tea is rather affordable, given the elegance and precision that goes into putting on the tea for the customers.

No longer do you have to imagine what life is like for the British royalty who experience formal tea on a daily basis. Now, at least for an afternoon you can enjoy the pleasure of being a British person enjoying their afternoon tea. While certainly you may not enjoy doing something like this every day, it is a fun experience and worth an afternoon to try out this interesting custom.

Finding the Foodies of Scottsdale, Arizona

It seems like the world has hopped onto the Foodie train, and now everyone, from those who live in the big city to those who live in smaller towns, are learning how amazing and fun food can be. Television shows have made it easier now than ever before to enjoy stylized food, even if it does occasionally showcase the type of food that isn’t available near us. Fortunately for those living in Scottsdale homes it’s easy to get your hands on delicious meals, so that even the most devout of foodies is able to find something, or a few things, that they absolutely love.

One great way for a foodie living on Scottsdale real estate to enjoy the area is to partake in the Taste of Old Town Scottsdale. This is an ongoing event that is put on by Arizona Food Tours. This tour is not like most of the other Scottsdale tours, where you see Scottsdale homes and hear about their history, or where you view Scottsdale wildlife and fauna. This tour is all about food. This Scottsdale walking tour takes you all around the Phoenix and Scottsdale area trying great food and wine.

The tour lasts about three hours and starts out by giving you a taste of the old Wild West where Scottsdale began. Your guide will show you how Scottsdale has changed throughout the years and you’ll be able to easily see how different life is for people living in the community now as opposed to how it used to be hundreds of years ago. This historical part of the tour is a must for anyone who loves history, especially local history about Scottsdale real estate.

But the tour doesn’t end there! After that you’ll be able to try a number of distinctive bites from local Scottsdale restaurants and shops, and you’ll also get to sample some wines. This historical and foodie tour is one of the more popular tours going on in Scottsdale today, likely because food has become something that everyone is beginning to enjoy again. There are two tours offered throughout the week, and each tour goes to a different set of restaurants, which means you can go on the tour a few times and can see different things, and taste different foods, each time you go! That is definitely a win-win situation for anyone who loves history and/or food.

A Little Known Art Secret in Scottsdale

Once you’ve purchased your Scottsdale real estate, it’s time to start decorating your home. There are all sorts of places where you can go to get decorations, from the internet to local stores. You can head to big box stores, or you can take your business to smaller art stores that are littered around the city. But if you’re looking for a unique piece, or if you’d like to view some beautiful artwork in a place that has gathered crowds for a number of years, what you want is to go to the Scottsdale ArtWalk.

The Scottsdale ArtWalk is familiar to many who have Scottsdale homes, but not to everyone. It occurs every Thursday in downtown Scottsdale. Most days you’ll find artists who have put their work up for you to enjoy, or to purchase. It’s a great opportunity for friends to get together and to walk through the different art pieces, viewing and commenting on the exhibitions or demonstrations that you may see, and there is always something new to see, even if you’ve been to the ArtWalk a few times!

Some people opt to make a date out of the ArtWalk. They bring their girlfriend, boyfriend, or simply their friends down to the ArtWalk to walk around for the evening. This is a great way to get out and to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Scottsdale while having another objective at the same time. It can be a great spot to meet a blind date for the first time, or it can even be a wonderful place for you to reconnect with your sweetheart after you’ve spent days or weeks without having a few moments to yourselves.

If you want to make a great night of it, head down to the ArtWalk on Thursday nights. From seven to nine pm you’ll find entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, from singers to entire bands and even to jugglers and magicians. You just never know what you’re going to find if you hit up the ArtWalk on a Thursday nights. So the next time you’re thinking that your Scottsdale real estate needs a new piece, instead of heading to a store, think about hitting up the ArtWalk. You’re almost guaranteed to find something that you like, or in the least you’re guaranteed to have a great time.