Hiking: Phoenix is home to more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves, and more than 200 miles of trails. When we are in Scottsdale, we love to be outside! When we aren't by the pool or playing at a park with our nephews, we love to hike. Featured below are more details on a couple of hikes we really enjoy - but there are plenty of options.
Exploring: We're kids at heart so we'll leave a few ideas here and you can read more about them by clicking on the names below:

-- Odysea Acquarium: We're both Pisces so we love this one. Odysea, the Southwest's largest aquarium, takes you on a voyage through the rivers and oceans of the world. You'll see thousands of sea creatures, including sharks, penguins, sea turtles and exotic fish. This state-of-the-art aquarium includes a 3D movie and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.

-- MacDonald's Ranch: It's Arizona, folks - saddle-up and explore the Sonoran Desert like the cowboys did (only 15 minutes away from the Four Seasons Resort)! MacDonald's Ranch offers horseback and stagecoach rides, as well as a petting zoo and free pony rides for cowpokes under 5 years old.

-- Musical Instrument Museum: Music is food for the soul! MIM provides a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors of all ages where you will discover more than 6,500 instruments on display and music from around the world. High-tech headphones and multi-media displays immerse you in global musical traditions. TripAdvisor rates this as the #1 attraction in Phoenix and ranked in the top 20 museums in the United States. Just sayin'.

-- Rawhide 1880s Western Town: The Old West comes alive at Rawhide! This replica of an 1880s Western town features stunt shows at the Six Gun Theater; burro, stagecoach and hay wagon rides; and the Deadman's Drop rock-climbing wall, as well as retail stores and an award-winning steakhouse.
Other:

-- Shopping: So many options! But Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter are outdoor malls (great mix of retail, dining and entertainment) and closest to the wedding venue; Scottsdale Fashion Square mall is also fabulous. Old Town Scottsdale/5th Ave. Area is located on the original townsite of Scottsdale and offers boutique shopping alongside souvenirs, jewelry and art with a Southwestern flair (check out the famous 1950s Sugar Bowl for ice cream, shakes and splits!).

-- There's also golf (and Topgolf), biking trails, spas, hot air balloons, Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, an iPic movie theatre (which we love!), and more. If you are interested in something particular, feel free to reach out to us for suggestions or click here for more information on anything :)

Difficulty: Extremely Difficult

The kneeling camel profile of this red sandstone and granite mountain is the city's most beloved icon—and a challenging, must-climb destination for hiking enthusiasts. Two summit trails ascend the mountain: the Echo Canyon Summit Trail (4925 E. McDonald Dr.), which starts at the "camel's head" (you can even make out the eyelash) and the less-crowded Cholla Trail (6131 E. Cholla Ln.), which traverses the eastern slope or "hump" of Camelback Mountain. Steep, rocky terrain and slick patches make this a difficult hike with plenty of great photo ops. Echo Canyon is steeper (several small boulder climbs) and Cholla is longer (but still steep and rocky). Both are only recommended for experienced hikers (and we agree).

Hiking Camelback Mountain is one of the top 10 things to do in Phoenix according to Trip Advisor. The most common Flora on the Mountain are the Saguaro Cactus, Ocotillo, Palo Verde, Cholla, Barrel Cactus and the Creosote Bush.

Rescues on the Mountain happen often so please proceed with CAUTION, know your limits, and don't forget to bring plenty of water, snacks, and wear sunblock.

The trailheads are about a 40 minute drive from the Four Seasons Resort, and about 25 minutes from the McDowell Mountain Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn North (the hotels listed on our Accommodations page).

Difficulty: Moderate

The unique granite formations and turnip-shaped rock of Pinnacle Peak in north Scottsdale make this one of the area's most picturesque hikes—not to mention the towering saguaros, abundant wildlife, and spectacular views of Scottsdale and Phoenix. The moderately difficult, trail is smooth with a number of ups and downs over the course, making it a great option for most hikers. The trail does not go to the peak so while it is not truly a peak hike, the trail does offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. Pinnacle Peak is a wildlife sanctuary. You will most likely see gamble quail, jack rabbits, cactus wrens, antelope ground squirrels, scampering lizards and maybe even a road runner.

The trailhead is only a 5 minute drive from the Four Seasons Resort, and about 15 minutes from the McDowell Mountain Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn North (the hotels listed on our Accommodations page).

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

There are a couple different trails, but the Piestewa Peak Summit Trail is the most popular, where over a half a million people hike every year. The lower portions of the trail are easy to moderate. The upper portions become steeper and much more difficult.

Once uniformly known as Squaw (a derogatory term) Peak, Arizona renamed it in 2003 in honor of Lori Piestewa, an heroic Arizonan who became the first American woman to die in the Iraq war, and the first Native American woman ever to die in combat on foreign soil.

Piestewa Peak is a 35 minute drive from the Four Seasons Resort, and about 25 minutes from the McDowell Mountain Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn North (the hotels listed on our Accommodations page).

Difficulty: Easy

This rounded, red-hued butte is a Phoenix landmark—though the real treat comes with a short, easy trek up the sandstone formation. The mountain's unique "holes," which were formed by water erosion over millions of years were important sites for ancient Native American people, especially Hole-in-the-Rock, a natural formation through which you can survey the city.

Visitors to Papago Park (625 N. Galvin Pkwy.) enjoy its extensive trail network through the Sonoran Desert habitat, as well as the park's two major residents - the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden, world-class attractions that draw millions of visits each year.

Papago Park is about a 40 minute drive from the Four Seasons Resort, and about 25 minutes from the McDowell Mountain Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn North (the hotels listed on our Accommodations page).