Tourism - Resources for Jewish Life and Tourist Activities
Davening
Davening times for Ahavas Torah (Rabbi Ariel Shoshan) in Scottsdale can be found here.
Location:
Ahavas Torah
The Scottsdale Torah Center
Rabbi Ariel Shoshan
13402 N Scottsdale Rd #B-150
In Phoenix, Ohr HaTorah Congregation (Rabbi Shaphir Roizman) is a convenient option (located across the street from La Bella Pizza).
Location:
Ohr HaTorah Congregation
6741 N. 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85014
Kosher Food
The Phoenix/Scottsdale communities boast a number of excellent dining and kosher shopping options. The Ahavas Torah website maintains a comprehensive list of kosher eateries along with each establishment's hashgacha. Click here to view the list of kosher options.
Mikvah Information
The following is a list of mikvaos for keilim and people, as listed on the Ahavas Torah shul website.
Esformes Family Mikvah
at Ahavas Torah: The Scottsdale Torah Center
Men's Mikvah - Mikvah Be'er Moshe
For questions call 480.369.5988 (no texts, please)
Women's Mikvah
For appointments text 718.683.6558 13402 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite #B140-150Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-580-5685
Goldman Mikvah at Beth Tefillah
6529 E. Shea Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
480-580-5685
Mikvah Chaya Mushka at Chabad of Phoenix
2110 E. Lincoln Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-944-2753
The Phoenix Mikvah - Birchas Malka note: at this time, appointments are required- scheduling can be done online. Please see the Phoenix Mikvah website for further details.
840 E. Maryland Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-282-0307
Phoenix Keilim Mikvah at Phoenix Community Kollel
6516 N. 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-433-0300
Scottsdale Chabad Keilim Mikvah at Chabad of Scottsdale(Note: Press the button near the door to be let in remotely. If nobody answers, the key to the mikvah is located next door at Kitchen 18 Restaurant, ask at register)
10215 N. Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85253
480-998-1410
Hiking/Nature Adventures
The southwestern United States is known for its incredible natural scenery, including the richly colored red rocks, expansive skies and unique wildlife. Whether you enjoy taking in nature on a day hike, in an ATV or even on a hot air balloon, you will be mesmerized as you experience the natural wonders of Phoenix and its surrounding areas.
Here are just a few suggestions of nature's finest offerings within Phoenix and beyond:
Hole in the Rock Trail/Papago Park - an easy 20 minute drive from Scottsdale, this hike is short, with great views and photo opportunities at the top. Makes an amateur hiker feel accomplished!
Pro tip: This hike is easily combined with any number of other activities within Papago Park, such as a visit to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden.
Camelback Mountain - one of Phoenix's most popular hikes, the Echo Canyon trail at Camelback Mountain will challenge even experienced hikers with its elevation of 2,704 feet. Bring sturdy footwear and plenty of water to drink! The trail requires quite a bit of rock scrambling, and the payoff is incredible views of the city from the top. For a slightly longer but easier route, you can ascend the mountain via the Cholla trail. Not recommended for summer, as the heat makes this hike pretty unbearable.
South Mountain Preserve - a sprawling city park with many opportunities for hiking in the mountains. Fat Man's Pass (along the Mormon trail) is a beloved hike where a narrow passage between the rocks makes even thin hikers feel like fat men!
McDowell Sonoran Conservancy - a stunning location for hiking right within Scottsdale! The conservancy is easy to access and tends to be more peaceful than hiking locations within the city of Phoenix. Tom's Thumb Trail is a moderately challenging hike that winds through the mountains, providing both close up and panoramic views of the rocky terrain.
Sedona - roughly a 2 hour drive from Scottsdale, Sedona's red rocks rise almost magically from the landscape. Bring along your camera for some unbelievable photo ops! There are an incredible number of fabulous hikes and scenic drives in Sedona, along with a thriving artist colony and many spa and relaxation venues.
Pro tip: Sedona's temperatures average about 10 degrees cooler than the Phoenix area. Plan to layer your clothing accordingly, and check the weather before you go. Sedona occasionally experiences light snowfall in the winter!
Flagstaff - just over 2 hours north of Phoenix, Flagstaff is known for its great variety of outdoor adventures, including skiing in the winter. Guided tours to scenic destinations, boating trips and a wealth of hiking trails are only the beginning of the outdoor activities to be found in Flagstaff. In addition to the town itself, Flagstaff is famously known as the gateway to the Grand Canyon and indeed is a mere 80 miles from this world famous natural attraction.
Grand Canyon - the Grand Canyon is world renowned for its breathtaking beauty, sheer size and variety of ways it can be experienced. Donkey rides, airplane tours, hiking and camping are all popular ways of viewing the canyon's striking features. Read up on all the options so you choose the experiences best suited for your group! Many people choose to stay over at the Canyon for a night or two in order to fully enjoy the experience.
Pro tip: Time of year greatly impacts the available options at the Grand Canyon. For example, the North Rim of the canyon is closed December through mid-May. In the summer, extreme temperatures can limit your ability to safely hike down the canyon. Guidebooks, websites and blogs about touring the canyon abound; take advantage of others' experience when planning your trip.
Canyon Lake - About 45 minutes east, Canyon Lake is a beautiful oasis loaded with water activities and hiking opportunities. The Canyon Lake Marina is the ideal place to rent pontoon boats, canoes or kayaks. The Dolly Steamboat is a "scenic nature cruise" where visitors can take in the beauty of the area without the need for strenuous hiking.
Arts and Culture
The greater Phoenix area offers a number of interesting cultural attractions. If you're part of a group that enjoys architecture, history, art, music, or local culture, read on for Phoenix's top picks in these areas.
Taliesin West - A pet project and personal residence of Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West is a prized architectural site located right in Scottsdale. See the brilliant and beautiful ways that the desert location is integrated into the very structure of the building. Get personal with Frank Lloyd Wright's creative process as you view his studio and other works that highlight his development into a world-renowned architect. Guided tours and personal audio tours allow visitors a close-up look at this World UNESCO Heritage site and National Historic Landmark. For information and reservations, visit https://franklloydwright.org/t...
Heard Museum - For those looking to truly embrace Southwestern culture, the Heard Museum in Phoenix is an iconic collection of American Indian art. Carefully cultivated since 1929, the museum provides traditional and contemporary exhibits which celebrate not only the art installations themselves, but the unique perspectives of the tribal communities and individuals who produced them. For more information, visit https://heard.org/
MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) - If you are a believer in the axiom, "Music is the language of the soul", a visit to MIM is in order. Developed with that very belief in mind, MIM offers an entertaining, hands-on and educational display of 8,000 musical instruments from all over the world. Explore new instruments, or learn the fascinating science behind familiar instruments and their ability to produce sound. An entertaining visit for all ages, your group is sure to have fun and possibly even learn something new along the way! Visit https://www.mim.org/ to plan your visit.
Kids' Activities
Scottsdale, Phoenix and the surrounding cities have a wealth of exciting indoor and outdoor children's activities. Check out the options below for the young (and young at heart) members of your group.
Children's Museum of Phoenix - with four floors of fun and learning for toddlers through tweens, this museum is an afternoon's worth of entertainment for a variety of ages.
Arizona Science Center - for preschoolers through adults, the Arizona Science Center offers a variety of fun and multisensory exhibits that examine different scientific phenomena. Have you ever walked through a gigantic stomach as it digests lunch? Sat in a pulley chair? After a day at the Arizona Science Center, you can answer "yes" to those questions and many more.
City of Phoenix Parks - The city of Phoenix maintains over 150 public park spaces, including playgrounds, splash pads, hiking trails and more. Check out one or more for an enjoyable and budget-friendly outing.
Indoor Play Spaces - On very hot or rainy days, you'll appreciate the numerous indoor play spaces around the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas. Some of our favorites include: Makatu's Island, Glow Putt Mini Golf, Urban Air Trampoline Park, Arizona Boardwalk (home to an aquarium, butterfly habitat and more).
Shopping
Scottsdale Quarter - A quick 5 minute drive from the house, Scottsdale Quarter is an outdoor mall which combines beautiful surroundings with an upscale shopping experience.
Scottsdale Fashion Square - A mostly indoor shopping mall with a huge variety of stores.