Scottsdale is renowned for its golf, but that’s not why architect Frank Lloyd Wright came here in the 1930s and built Taliesin West, his winter retreat. This fascinating historic landmark in North Scottsdale, amid the McDowell Mountains and a 500-acre (195-hectare) desert preserve with Saguaro cactus, continues to inspire with its connection to the natural environment. Wright’s influence and the rich Native American history can be felt throughout Scottsdale and neighbouring Phoenix—matched by an equally impressive arts, dining and nightlife scene. Downtown Scottsdale offers a robust collection of fine art galleries, dominated by both modern and Southwestern work, while the prestigious Heard Museum in Phoenix expands on the Native American arts. Downtown Scottsdale’s River Walk and North Scottsdale’s Kierland Commons are just two of the destinations for a rich array of dining and upscale shopping. That just might be the perfect way to end a day that begins with hiking along ruggedly beautiful Camelback Mountain or golfing at Troon North, one of the city’s jewels.