News & Events

January in Scottsdale, beyond the auctions

Sunday, January 10, 2010

January in the Valley of the Sun is Auction season. If you are coming to Scottsdale and Phoenix for the auctions you will be treated to wonderful weather and the casual life style that makes Arizona winters delightful. With six auctions running almost nonstop from the 7th through the 25th you just might need a diversion from the crowded auction house. Here are a few suggestions:

Taliesin West This was the winter home of one of America’s most iconic architects. Taliesin West is now an active architecture school with a campus covering 500 acres. Located just around the corner from West World where the Barrett-Jackson auction takes place. Tours are available daily. www.franklloydwright.org .

Penske Racing Museum is dedicated to the racecars of the Penske Racing. These include cars Roger Penske drove and cars built and fielded by Penske Racing. This museum is literally across the street from Russo and Steele.

The Arizona wing of the Confederate Air Force is housed at Falcon Field in Mesa. This is about 45 minutes from Phoenix or Scottsdale and is a real treat for airplane buffs.

Saturday night casual? Check out The Rock And Roll Car Show at the Pavilions in Scottsdale. This is where locals come on a Saturday evening to show off their cools cars. Everybody else comes to walk around and admire the iron.

For the art lovers there are three museums close by that are worthy of your attention. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMOCA), Phoenix Art Museum (home of the Copperstate 1000) and Heard Museum.

FOOD! There are enough great restaurants in the Valley of the Sun that you could eat your way through 2010 without repeating yourself. This is a list of some local favorites from the elegant to the humble. These restaurants focus on quality and authenticity.

Los Dos Molinos. Mexican food that can be enjoyed either hot or hotter. South Phoenix.

NOCA. A new local favorite. Central Phoenix.

Rokerji / Richardson’s. A long time favorite of locals and savvy visitors. Richardson’s recently went up in smoke but the Richardson’s Menu is available at Rokerij just up the road. Dicks Hideaway is still open. Central Phoenix.

Binkley’s Restaurant. Always rated with all the stars and all the forks and all of the dollar signs available - Cave Creek.

Atlas Bistro. Bring your own wine or buy it in the wine store next door. Cool, great foodie restaurant. South Scottsdale.

Sens. Sens is an Asian Tapas joint. Very unique. Downtown Phoenix.

Radio Milano. Trendy family style Italian. Central Phoenix.

Cowboy Ciao. Very creative. Scottsdale Waterfront area.

The Mission. Modern Latin. Old Town Scottsdale.


Patrick Bryson, Southwest Sales Manager for Premier Financial Services, has been a resident of the Phoenix/Scottsdale area since 1977.

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