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Whether you are a business traveler or simply an independent wandering soul, you will find plenty of things to do alone in the "Valley of the Sun".
Shopping:
Old Town Scottsdale boasts some of the best southwest art and antique shopping around. An afternoon stroller around the quaint streets will take you past galleries featuring local artists, clothing stores in which you can browse through collections of everything from couture cowboy boots to cotemporary jewelry. With sample opportunities to take part in local cuisine, you will have your choice of modern Sushi spots, traditional southwestern fare, simple sandwiches and luscious ice cream parlors. Located on Scottsdale Road between Indian School Road and Mc Dowell.
Hiking:
Phoenix offers innumerable opportunities to experience the desert landscape. Hiking trails are everywhere. Two of the more popular are:
Squaw Peak Park: Located at 2701 East Squaw Peak Park, this is a popular outdoor spot with many trails ranging from easy to very difficult. The facilities include picnic areas, electrical hookups in Ramadas, drinking water, restrooms and fire pits.
South Mountain Park:
Located at 10919 South Central Ave, this is the largest public park in the world. The park boasts several impressive vistas which provide a great spot to see the famous desert sunsets. The most popular of which is Dobbins Lookout. The park also includes an education center, which is staffed with knowledgeable rangers and displays on the desert flora, people and history. Amenities inlcude water, fire pits, picnic areas, covered Ramadas and restrooms.
Funky Dining:
Rawhide Steakhouse is located at 23023 North Scottsdale Road and is a great place to go back to Arizona's frontier days. The steaks are tender, the beverages are cold, and the people are friendly. The saloon is a vintage bar with live country music and the kitchen serves everything from ribs to fried rattlesnake. Only open for lunch on weekends.
Greesewood Flatts:
Located at 2700 North Alma School Road, this bare bones outdoor bar is a must see. Patrons gather in eclectic groups on picnic tables and visit around open bit bonfires. Several funky shacks serve cold beer and burgers, while an acoustic crooner belts out everything from Jimmy Buffet to George Strait Thursday through Sunday nights.
Local Culture:
The Heard Museum (22 East Monte Vista Rd) is the best place to get an accurate picture of the rich cultural history of the area. The museum is home to various Native American collections (including an impressive Hopi Kachina Collection), an educational center, a working artist studio and a café.
Any of these sites are worth the price of admission (free in most cases) and promise an interesting time for the solo traveler. Locals are friendly, and the valley is a popular spot for relocations, so chances are, without much trouble you will find someone from your corner of the world wandering the desert. In all cases, when exploring the desert, bring along a water bottle, a healthy sense of adventure, and your camera. These are sights that you will want to remember. Happy Trails!!
