Visiting the Scottsdale area? Perhaps you’ve basked in the glorious sunshine, enjoyed the luxurious desert spa resorts, and savored the culinary delights offered by the sumptuous dining options. And now, maybe you’re ready for a little adventure. If so, why not explore the best of the wacky and peculiar attractions near The West’s Most Western Town. If “odd” is on your agenda, you might enjoy:

– Living Ghost Town – Oatman, Arizona, pop. 135 (2010), bills itself as a living ghost town. Rock vistas tower over weathered shops and saloons that have clearly seen better days, but the real draws – pun intended – are the burros and gunfights. During the gold rush, miners used burros to haul their supplies, and the descendants of these faithful pack animals still inhabit the nearby hills. The docile burros appear regularly to beg for handouts from the tourists who come by to watch the Wild West gun battles, which are held in the streets several times each day. That’s right; two groups of “outlaws” simply walk out into the traffic and loudly “blow each other away.” Fun stuff.

– Tombstone – If you’re a fan of the frontier west, or at least the version you’ve seen in the movies, check out the former silver boomtown of Tombstone. An otherwise real town, Tombstone encompasses a sectioned-off six-block area that has been restored to its former 1880s splendor. Be sure to check out Boot Hill Graveyard, Good Enough Mine, Bird Cage Theater, the Tombstone Rattlesnake Exhibit, O.K. Corral, and Historama narrated by Vincent Price – and don’t forget the World’s Largest Rosebush. In Tombstone, there is truly something for everyone.

– Four Corners – Nearby Shiprock, New Mexico, boasts the only spot in the country where – depending on how good your balance is – you can stand in four states simultaneously. By perching precariously on one toe or sprawling “drawn and quartered” style on the cement slab marking the geographic crosshairs, you can have a picture snapped of yourself inhabiting Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah – all at the same time. Now that’s a unique vacation photo.

– The Thing – Here’s The Thing…if you’re traveling on I-10 between Mountain View, Arizona, and Deming, New Mexico, the vast emptiness of the desert surroundings can easily lull you to sleep. One way to stay awake and alert is to read the numerous billboards, many of which advertise “The Mystery of the Desert,” or simply ask, “The Thing? What Is It?” By the time you reach the large filling station and gift shop complex, you’ll probably be intrigued (or weary) enough to stop in and find out. For a nominal fee, you’ll be granted admission to an open courtyard with several sheds housing a rather unusual artifact display, along with a white cinder block box topped by a glass lid. Inside is – you guessed it – The Thing. A tourist attraction since 1950, and best kept a secret prior to viewing, this funky exhibit is a Thing not to be missed.

– Hi Jolly’s Tomb – Back in 1856, Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War and later President of the Confederacy, thought it might be efficient to transport people and supplies across the southwestern desert via camels. He imported over 70 of these creatures, which were accompanied by their Syrian caretaker, Hadji Ali, who was fondly known as “Hi Jolly.” Whether or not the idea had any merit will never be known, because the project subsequently floundered when the Civil War intervened and Mr. Davis’ attention was redirected to more urgent matters. The camels remained and roamed free in nearby Quartzsite, Arizona, until about 1942, the date of the last reported sighting. Hi Jolly stayed on as well until his death in 1902. Saddened, the locals build a special pyramid tomb in his honor, which was later topped with a metal camel silhouette by the Arizona Highway Department.

– Casa Grande Ruins – The purpose behind the iconic “Great House,” which has stood defiantly in the Sonoran Desert in Coolidge, Arizona, for more than 650 years, contributes to its mystique. Anthropologists speculate that it may have been a gathering place, waypoint marker, or even an astronomical observatory. Thanks to the construction of a steel shelter roof by the U.S. government in 1932, the crumbling, four-story mud skyscraper has remained essentially intact. You can take part in an informational tour around – but not inside – the ruins, and perhaps formulate your own theory on the reason for its existence.

Widely renowned for its natural beauty, pampering world-class resorts, and intriguing Native American culture, Scottsdale is a popular vacation spot for good reason. If you care to journey just beyond the obvious, though, an exciting – and perhaps unexpected – adventure awaits.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to general Scottsdale information.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to general Scottsdale information. http://www.laserspinelocations.com/scottsdale/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to general Scottsdale information.

Category: Travel
Keywords: general Scottsdale information