I have lived in Arizona for 19 years and have seen many newcomers make mistakes.
A hike through the desert is different from a hike through the woods.
Other people don't look out for desert wildlife, which can lead to death.
I've lived in Arizona for 19 years and have seen tourists making the same mistakes.
I've learned a lot about the West's Most Western Town since I moved to the area.
I'm thrilled that so many people flock here for the sunshine and world-class hiking trails, but I see a lot of them make avoidable errors that get in the way of their perfect trips.
There are a lot of tourists in the area.
It's not a good idea to visit in the summer as the temperature can reach 115 degrees.
Don't let the fact that it's dry fool you into thinking it's not as hot in the summer as people think. Dry heat in the ovens makes it easy to cook things.
It's not unusual for the temperature to hover around 115 degrees for weeks on end, making outdoor activities difficult and dangerous.
Some of the best hotel deals during the low season include rates at five-star resorts that can be as low as 60% off peak season prices.
If you're traveling with your dog, be sure to keep their paws protected from the hot pavement and have water on hand to keep them hydrated.
It is a mistake to eat at a chain restaurant.
Local options are the best way to experience a true taste of Scottsdale.
There's no shortage of restaurants that serve Mexican and Southwestern flavors in this region.
The Old Town Tortilla Factory has 120 premium options and homemade tortillas. There is a patio in the historic adobe house.
James Beard Award-winning chefs and restaurants can be found in the area.
Those who don't plan ahead are left behind.
It's one of the warmest places in the country and it has a high season from October through April.
Snowbirds flee their primary residences in colder states in favor of their second homes in our warmer climate, and many first-time tourists come here to enjoy the weather too.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open and the Cactus League spring training games are held in February and March.
You will need to make reservations weeks or months in advance for hotels, restaurants, spas, golf courses, and other places to accommodate you.
Playing it by ear is not going to work.
Visitors can't access all of the experiences and activities in the area if they don't have a car.
Renting a vehicle is the best way to explore the entire city since there aren't a lot of public transportation options.
There are award-winning golf courses up north and many art galleries and museums further south.
If you plan on visiting without a car and don't want to rent one, the best place to stay is in Old Town, where you'll find hotels, restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, brewery, museums, public art installations, art galleries, and shops within walking.
Electric scooters and bicycles can be rented here, as can golf-cart services and the free trolley.
People who aren't looking for desert wildlife could be in for a shock.
There are many venomous and predatory animals in the desert.
The bark scorpions of Arizona are the most venomous scorpions in the world. They're notorious for hiding in shoes, so make sure to check before slipping. Humans do not die from their sting, but they do get hurt for a while.
The Sonoran Desert is home to a number of animals.
They're not strangers to residential and tourist areas, so you can definitely see them on a hike.
Failure to prepare for a hike can have dire consequences.
Travelers can go through stunning desert preserves or up steep mountains on the miles of amazing hiking trails in the area.
One mistake tourists make is thinking a hike through the desert is the same as a hike through the woods. That's not the case.
You'll want to wear a hat and sunscreen when you're out in the sun. No flip-flops are required since the landscape is rocky and dusty.
You'll need to bring a lot more water than you think you'll need because of Arizona's dry air. It's a good rule of thumb to always turn back when you run out of water.
On the trails, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, as they blend into the landscape, and avoid brushing up against prickly pear cacti.
One of the most well known landmarks in the area is Camelback Mountain. Most visitors don't realize that both trails are difficult. To get to the top, you need to climb on your hands.
The view is worth the climb once you reach the top. If you choose to hike in the summer, you should start at sunrise and finish by midmorning.
Hiking isn't the only outdoors activity in the area.
There are over 400 miles of hiking trails in the area, but there's more to see and do here.
Off-roading, trail running, and bike riding can be done in the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt.
Stand-up paddle boarding is one of the options at the Lower Salt River.
You can take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West if you don't like any of the other activities.
It's a missed opportunity to see a creative hub if you skip the art scene in scottsdale.
The Arts District is located in the heart of Old Town and is a great place to visit.
Every Thursday and the second Saturday of the month, the museum is free.
The self-guided Scottsdale Public Art Walking Tour will take you through more than 70 public artworks in about an hour. Along the way, there are dozens of galleries to visit.
The Museum of the West is an affiliated museum of the Smithsonian.
Buying authentic Native American crafts is a bad idea.
There are a lot of items that look like they are made by the local tribes in Arizona. Don't think you're being deceived.
Native Art Market is the first and only Indigenous-owned shop in Old Town, which brings cultural awareness to tourists and allows them to immerse themselves in the state's indigenous culture.
Quality handmade items include turquoise jewelry, carved wood-handled knives, kachina dolls, dream catchers, paintings, and baskets.
People underestimate the power of storms in the area because it is warm and sunny.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows in the area.
The Arizona monsoon season runs from June to September and accounts for a large portion of the area's yearly precipitation.
If you're not familiar with the roads, I don't recommend getting on a motor- powered vehicle. A small dip in the road can turn into a lake and a dry wash can turn into a raging river.
Massive dust storms can stretch as far as 100 miles wide and thousands of feet high. The desert landscape is strewn with debris and visibility is very low.
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