What's New in Scottsdale this Fall?

CHUTE FOR THE STARS

As kids we all dreamed of soaring through the air on our very own spaceship or hover craft. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North's latest offering is inspired by those childlike ambitions. The resort has teamed up with Arizona Powerchutes for the “Chute for the Stars” experience. A powerchute – or powered parachute – is a two-passenger cart with a motor, prop and wheels attached to a 40-foot long parachute. You'll join owner and pilot Randy Long on your journey through the air in this unique aircraft. Upon returning to the resort, explore the skies from below during a Celestial Picnic with a customized picnic basket packed by Executive Chef Mel Mecina, a blanket, and a constellation chart so you can study the night sky. If you're looking to delve into astronomy a bit further, book a private stargazing session with astronomer Richard Allen and his high-powered telescope. Rates begin at $329 per person.

SCOTTSDALE ARTWALK TURNS 40

Over the hill? Not this 40-year-old. “America's Original ArtWalk” keeps getting better with age, and this year Scottsdale ArtWalk celebrates the landmark birthday. Galleries along Main Street and Marshall Way in downtown Scottsdale have kept their doors open late since the 1970s. Each Thursday, Scottsdale ArtWalk brings together gallery owners, artists, visitors and locals. Wander the marked paths at your own pace, browse the selection of galleries, and enjoy small bites and live music along the way. You'll see Western art at Trailside Galleries, Soviet-era paintings at Gallery Russia, and contemporary art at Calvin Charles Gallery, among others. Plus, shop for unique gifts from local artist co-op On the Edge Gallery. The celebration kicks off with the Anniversary ArtWalk on Oct. 2, and the season includes highlights like The Big Game ArtWalk on Jan. 31, 2015 and the 4th Annual Native Arts ArtWalk on March 5, 2015.

SPEAKEASY MEETS SPA

Tap, tap, tap. Knock on the Castilian-style doors and whisper the secret password to access a new bespoke luxury spa experience in Scottsdale. Joya Spa at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia captures the exclusivity and secrecy of a speakeasy with a wellness-inspired and romantic twist. Puerta Privada – meaning ‘private door' in Spanish – gives you exclusive access to the renowned spa's myriad offerings after hours. Once spa-goers have gone home refreshed and massaged, your night begins. A butler guides you and your significant other to a luxurious spa suite situated along the terrace, complete with private pool. Relax in the Moroccan-inspired setting with Camelback Mountain as your backdrop. An acoustic guitarist performs for you and your loved one all evening. Puerta Privada is open Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7:30 p.m., and it hosts three couples per night. Packages start at $750 and include a couples massage, an astrology reading, and a custom dinner for two created by Executive Chef Michael Cairns.

THE WRIGHT TOUCH

This month a piece of Frank Lloyd Wright history in Arizona turns 50. Fifty years ago, Arizona State University President Grady Gammage called on Wright, a close friend, to design a distinct university auditorium for the campus. The design, originally made for an opera house in Baghdad, Iraq, took form in Tempe in 1964. Ever since, ASU Gammage has brought Broadway to the desert. This year it will celebrate its 50th season with an impressive lineup that includes “Phantom of the Opera,” “Pippin” and “Wicked.” Learn more about this 3,000-seat theater and explore the unique layout during a behind-the-scenes tour.

The famed architect's influence is evident throughout the Scottsdale area. Sometimes, his influence can be spotted in minor touches throughout the city. An archway in downtown Scottsdale evokes Wright's love of geometric shapes. A 125-foot-tall spire in a shopping plaza was designed by Wright himself. (The illuminated spire at Scottsdale Promenade was originally designed for the Arizona State Capitol.)

And sometimes, his influence is insurmountable. As is the case with Taliesin West, his winter home and desert masterpiece in north Scottsdale. Not only did Wright share the home with his wife, Olgivanna, until his death in 1959, but he also shared Taliesin West with his students. His protégés included Edward L. Varney, who conceived downtown Scottsdale's famed Hotel Valley Ho, and Hiram Hudson Benedict, who designed what is now Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa. Get a glimpse of the current students' lives at Taliesin West with the two-hour Desert “Shelter” Tour.

WILD, WILD WEST

Scottsdale has been known as “The West's Most Western Town” since 1947, and that cowboy spirit is still central to the City's identity. Scottsdale was once beloved by the likes of Hopalong Cassidy and John Wayne, and it continues to pay homage to its rustic roots. Get a dose of cowboy history and flavor.

Spend the day on horseback at Arizona Cowboy College and MacDonald's Ranch. At MacDonald's ranch, you'll be paired with a horse that matches your comfort level. Wranglers will lead you and your trusty pal on a scenic trail surrounded by lush desert flora. Choose between one-day, three-day or weeklong camps at Arizona Cowboy College. You'll learn from real cowboys about horsemanship, roping and cattle, and you'll help out with some of the everyday ranch operations.

After a long day of roping and riding, quench your thirst at rustic spots like Rusty Spur Saloon in downtown Scottsdale and Handlebar J up north. You'll two-step the night away alongside the cowboys. If you're looking for country music in a sleek, modern setting, look no further than Dierks Bentley Whiskey Row in Scottsdale's hopping entertainment district.

Inspired by the cowboy lifestyle, but prefer to observe rather than participate? Stop by Los Cedros USA to view the Moroccan citadel-designed stables that house champion Arabian horses. You'll see trainers grooming horses and horses taking a dip in the facility's swimming pool. Many of those horses will compete come February at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Access to the stables is free for visitors. And watch American Quarter Horses compete before judges at the Arizona Quarter Horse Association's Arizona Fall Championship Show this month and Sun Circuit in January. There will be shopping, vendors and entertainment at the free events.

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Photo Credit: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North