About Town: Scottsdale

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As the Fall Series winds down, the PGA TOUR heads back to Scottsdale, Ariz., for its third stop in the Grand Canyon State; the Frys.com Open at Grayhawk Golf Club. It's mid-October, but the temperatures are still soaring out West, so if you're attending this event, don't forget your sunscreen.

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The Arizona skies provide breathtaking sunsets.

HUNGRY?

Phoenix City Grille
Fox Sports Grill

GET BUSY

Open Road Tours
Desert Botanical Garden
Scottsdale Art Walk
Fox Sports Grill

SOMEWHERE TO SNACK

Phoenix City Grille: You can't come to Arizona and not chow down on some good old Southwestern cuisine, and while the Frys.com Open takes place in Scottsdale, the city's friendly neighbor Phoenix is close by and therefore extends your list of options when it comes to dining. You'll find the Phoenix City Grille in east Phoenix, close to Scottsdale. In keeping with the atmosphere of the area, this restaurant has the look and feel of a Southwest tavern but serves up modern favorites such as bacon-wrapped shrimp and rib eye steak. If you do take a trip to the grille for an evening, definitely sample the green chile queso fundido -- a queso dip with shredded pork and manchego cheese served alongside warm tortilla chips. Doesn't that sound good?

More restaurants
• Marco Polo Supper Club Restaurant: This place is pretty popular with locals and tourists alike for its unusual menu of Asian-Italian food. Marco Polo also has dancing and live music every night.
• Fox Sports Grill: More on this later, but you have to have somewhere to watch the MLB playoffs, right? All your sports bar needs and more are met here.

SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT

The Southwest is truly stunning, and the best way to see it is from right in the thick of it. Take an open road tour through the desertscape at sunset when the red rocks seem to be ablaze against the painted sky. You can't find this anywhere else in America.

More things to keep you busy
• If Arizona is known for anything, it's the ruby-red terrain and awe-inspiring desert-mountain landscape, but despite the state's barren look, it's a haven for plant life like you've never seen. Check out the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix for an up-close look at this rare and beautiful flora.
• Every Thursday evening in Scottsdale, all the galleries and stores in the Scottsdale arts district open up their doors from 7-9 p.m. to show off the work of the local artists. It's a fun way to see some regional culture and get a feel for the area.
• Let's not pretend this weekend is only about the Frys.com Open. You're going to need somewhere to watch the baseball playoffs -- even if your team is out of the picture. Head to the Fox Sports Grill in Scottsdale and settle down for what is sure to be two exciting championship series -- yes, even without the Red Sox.

Special to PGATOUR.COM

Arizona's pride and joy: The Grand Canyon

STICKING AROUND?

Try to find some time to spare during your trip to the Grand Canyon State to spread beyond the Phoenix area and see what the rest of Arizona has to offer, starting with, well, I don't know, how about the Grand Canyon?

The grandest: Maybe you've been to the Grand Canyon. Maybe you've seen it on TV and don't think you'd be into it. But have you ever considered white water rafting down the river that runs through it? Waaaay cooler than just looking at it ...

Tuzigoot National Monument: If you do plan to make the drive out to the Grand Canyon National Park, try to make a pit stop at Tuzigoot on your way. This ancient pueblo perched atop a small desert peak is about two hours outside of Scottsdale en route to the Grand Canyon. The first buildings in the pueblo were built in 1000 A.D. by the Sinagua culture, and the structure remains partially intact and explorable by foot despite the fact that the Sinagua left the area over 600 years ago.

So whether you're most excited about the golf, the baseball or the Grand Canyon, you'll have to trip over yourself and fall down a desert cave not to have a good time in Arizona this week.