By Jenna Lebovits
It’s any nature-lover’s paradise, with refreshing mountain air, locally sourced cuisine, nearly year-round sunshine (330 days annually) and endless winding hiking trails. Situated in the Sonoran Desert, the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, is bordered by the Tonto National Forest, the McDowell Mountains and Phoenix. Convenient access to top wellness adventures are always within reach.
A 20-minute car ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, this upscale, centrally located hub has quickly become a favorite among celebrities and travelers alike. It’s the best of both worlds: Dramatic desert terrain and world-class luxury abound. Scottsdale is a city where wellness is shaped by the landscape itself and the area’s strong Indigenous roots. Native American communities have been living in harmony with the land here for more than 12,000 years, turning to nature for healing with local plants like aloe vera, wild desert lavender and prickly pear cactus, or nopal. A holistic legacy runs deep; it has become the heartbeat of present-day Scottsdale and neighboring communities, where an abundance of luxe resorts offer delicious menus of spa treatments—like the Four Seasons Resort’s Jojoba and Prickly Pear Body Polish, with a Vichy shower—that are often infused with locally sourced ingredients and influenced by native wisdom.
Today, Scottsdale is home to more spas per capita than any other city in the United States, many of which consistently rank among the best. The award-winning Civana Wellness Resort and Spa, the 37,000-square-foot spa at the Phoenician, and the Four Seasons Resort all deliver a unique escape for every kind of traveler.
The gateway to the Sonoran Desert—thought to have the greatest species diversity of the country’s four deserts—Scottsdale offers visitors and locals a special environment to revitalize mind, body and soul. Adventure seekers can gear up for a mountainside horseback trek, an off-road Jeep exploration or a scenic hot-air balloon ride. For those looking to exercise the mind and body and press the reset button, no shortage of opportunities exist: sunrise yoga sessions amid massive saguaro cacti, scenic hikes in the lush McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or simply soaking up the mysterious beauty of the desert (check out the Four Seasons’ Desert Bathing).
Enjoy sightseeing and the outdoors, but prefer not to break a sweat? Consider a trip to Old Town Scottsdale, a vibrant, family-friendly cultural hub with over 90 restaurants, 320 retail shops and more than 30 art galleries to explore at your own pace. Don’t miss out on a visit to the indoor Native Art Market, an Indigenous-owned locale selling handcrafted pieces by more than 400 local vendors and artisans. Find vacation inspiration at ExperienceScottsdale.com.