Jul 28, 2023

The sun is shining, the skies are blue, and it’s a perfect day for going outside. At Earnhardt Cadillac, we’re fortunate to have several great outdoor activities right on our doorstep. Here are some of our favorite places to visit in Scottsdale, AZ.

Papago Park

Papago Park is a large desert park with many different activities to enjoy within its boundaries. If you enjoy taking a walk, there’s a large selection of trails to choose from, including the famous Hole-in-the-Rock trail that leads you to a spectacular view of the city. There are several community fishing lakes in the park and plenty of picnic tables where you can enjoy a relaxing lunch in the shade.

Many people come to Papago Park to visit Phoenix Zoo, the home of an impressive collection of animals, including panda cubs, elephants, lions, and rhinos. The zoo has several different trails to follow, each containing animal and plant life from different parts of the world. The park itself is free to enter and has restrooms and drinking fountains. Papago Park is at 625 N Galvin Parkway.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a family-friendly attraction that will appeal to train lovers young and old. The 30-acre park is very well cared for, and there are restrooms and picnic tables for the casual visitor. However, the main attraction of the park is coming to see the railroad and the trains themselves. Riding the miniature outdoor steam train is great fun, particularly for younger visitors.

Children will also appreciate the vintage outdoor carousel, as well as the playgrounds and play areas. The park contains a museum with some outstanding model railway displays. There is also a full-size steam engine and carriage in the museum, and a gift shop stocking interesting locomotive souvenirs. You can find the railroad park at 7301 E Indian Bend Rd.

Desert Botanical Garden

The Desert Botanical Garden, situated inside Papago Park, is home to a huge variety of rare and endangered plant species. You can take a walk around the garden’s main loop trail to see a wealth of cactuses and succulents that are beautifully preserved in their native environment. It can get quite hot in the garden, and we appreciated the numerous water stations and resting areas on the trail.

The Butterfly Pavilion in the garden is well worth a visit and contains a butterfly nursery where you can see new butterflies coming to life. If you’re feeling hungry, Gertrude’s Restaurant has an excellent selection of family food. There are also picnic tables available if you decide to bring your own lunch. The Desert Botanical Garden is at 1201 N Galvin Parkway.

When you’re planning an outdoor adventure, the 2023 Cadillac XT5 SUV is the perfect way to travel. The Cadillac Smart System and Chassis Damping Control provide outstanding comfort and safety for you and your family. Come to Earnhardt Cadillac today for a test drive.

Image by Eric Barrett from Pixabay