Scottsdale, Arizona

In this edition of Aimlessly Wandering, we’ll highlight how we spent 24 unplanned hours in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills Arizona.

As I sit down to write this blog entry, I can't help but smile at the unexpected turn of events that made my recent trip to Arizona a truly memorable one. What was supposed to be a visit to the iconic Grand Canyon turned out to be a serendipitous journey through some of the most beautiful towns in the state. All thanks to a snowstorm that led to the closure of the highways in northern Arizona!

At first, I have to admit that I was disappointed. I had been looking forward to seeing the majestic Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, for months. But as they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. So, we decided to make the most of our trip and explore other parts of Arizona that we might not have visited otherwise on this trip

First up was Scottsdale.

Old Town Scottsdale by GoodFocused

Scottsdale, Arizona is a trendy and upscale city that's known for its luxurious spas, high-end restaurants, and designer shopping.

One of the most popular destinations in the city is the Scottsdale Fashion Square, a premier shopping destination that draws visitors from all over the world. It was here that we started the day.

DanCoogan.com

The Scottsdale Fashion Square is the largest shopping mall in Arizona and is home to more than 200 retailers, including luxury brands such as Apple, Gucci, Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. It's a shopper's paradise, with a wide variety of stores that cater to all tastes and styles.

The Scottsdale Fashion Square is not just a place to shop, it's also a place to see and be seen.

The mall is beautifully designed, with sleek architecture, stunning artwork, and a modern, upscale feel. There are also several dining options at the mall, ranging from casual eateries to high-end restaurants, making it the perfect place to spend a day shopping, dining, and people-watching.

Outside of the mall, Scottsdale is a vibrant city with a lot to offer visitors. The city has a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries and public art installations. It's also home to several world-class golf courses, as well as beautiful parks and hiking trails.

After exploring the mall, we made our way to Topgolf Scottsdale.

Topgolf Scottsdale is a premier entertainment destination that's perfect for golfers of all levels. The venue combines the fun and excitement of a high-tech driving range with the atmosphere of a sports bar, making it a great place to hang out with friends, enjoy some delicious food and drinks, and improve your golf game.

The Topgolf experience starts with the hitting bays, which are equipped with microchipped golf balls that track your shots and display your score on a screen in front of you. You can compete with friends or challenge yourself to beat your own personal best. The range is covered and climate-controlled, so you can enjoy golf year-round, regardless of the weather outside.

Topgolf Scottsdale also has a full-service restaurant and bar, where you can indulge in some delicious food and drinks while you play. The menu features classic American dishes with a modern twist, and there are plenty of craft beers, cocktails, and other beverages to choose from.

We ended the day with dinner at Casa Mia, an authentic Italian Cuisine experience. Its owners moved to Arizona from Sorrento Italy in 1993. All of their ingredients are of the finest quality, from their homemade pastas, organic produce, and organic grass-fed beef. Their wine list features only Italian wines, and is always a work in progress as they are always searching for new surprising flavours.

The meal was mouthwatering and flavourful, and considering it was a Wednesday night, we were surprised at how busy it was. Reservations are certainly recommended.

Seeing as we had cancelled our reservations in Flagstaff due to the snow storm, we ended up staying in Scottsdale at the Inn at Eagle Mountain, billed as “Arizona’s Hidden Gem”.

This boutique hotel has only 37 suites and sells out frequently. Each suite features fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs, southwestern-inspired decor, private balconies and patios, and most importantly, gorgeous views of the desert.

We started our next morning in Fountain Hills, a picturesque town known for its stunning fountain.

The Fountain Hills Fountain is a true marvel to behold, and it's one of the biggest attractions in the town. The fountain was built in 1970 and is situated in a man-made lake in the heart of Fountain Park. It's a stunning sight to see, as the water shoots up to 560 feet in the air, making it one of the tallest fountains in the world.

When it was first built, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized it as the highest fountain in the world until 1985. At present, it is the 5th tallest. The fountain operates on a schedule, shooting water every hour for 15 minutes between 9 am and 9 pm. When the fountain is on, it creates a beautiful mist that is illuminated by colorful lights, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Watching the fountain from a distance is one thing, but experiencing it up close is something else entirely. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the opportunity to see it up close because our timing was off.

Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the lake, or even take a boat ride to get a closer look at the fountain. There is also a PDGA disc golf course that surrounds the fountain for those who are interested.

Aside from the fountain, Fountain Hills is a lovely town with a lot to offer visitors. It's known for its golf courses, stunning mountain views, and outdoor recreation opportunities. The town also has a vibrant art community, with numerous galleries and public art installations.

We strolled through the town's beautiful park and took in the gorgeous mountain views before departing for Sedona.