Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art: This intimate museum of modern art, architecture, and design stands out in the capital of cowboy art. The permanent Knight Rise installation, which distorts your perception of Arizona’s wide blue sky, is the highlight.

Camelback Mountain: You can’t miss the iconic “kneeling camel” profile. The red-sandstone-and-granite peak rises at the center of the Valley of the Sun and is a top draw for hikers and rock climbers.

Taliesin West: Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home blends the architect’s trademark techniques and design motifs with the desert landscape. Tour the National Landmark, which is still a working architecture school and home to members of the Wright Foundation.

Scottsdale’s Nightlife: Scottsdale’s downtown transforms from a shoppers’ paradise to a social hub when the sun goes down. The city’s world-class restaurants and sizzling bars, lounges, and clubs are famous — and occasionally infamous — for their posh crowds and steep prices.

Art Galleries: Scottsdale commands the country’s third-largest art market, and its three arts districts showcase Southwestern pieces and avant-garde works.

Golf: The city courses tee up some of the best golf in the world. Be sure to play one of the sprawling desert courses, which contrast lush fairways with the natural, rocky landscape.

Spas: Scottsdale’s opulent spas impress even the most jaded spa-goers. Revel in the outdoor showers, Native American–inspired treatments, healing mineral pools, and chic decor.