Explore Scottsdale and Arizona
Conference Venue: The 2012 ACM SIGMOD/PODS Conference will be held in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch. Among others, the amenities of this 27-acre hotel resort includes
- a 2.5 acre "water playground" consisting of ten swimming pools, three-story water slide, sand beach, whirlpool spa and two poolside bars,
- the Spa Avania, with outdoor heated mineral pool, state of the art exercise facility, steam and sauna,
- jogging paths and bicycling trails with onsite bicycles,
- 27-holes at the Gainey Ranch Golf Club adjacent to the resort, and
- four lighted tennis courts.
Scottsdale: In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale welcomes you with the energy of a sophisticated city on the move, the charm and hospitality of days gone by, and a breathtaking landscape that will inspire you to vacation-induced bliss. Amng others, the city of Scottsdale has been declared
- 6th most popular travel spot in the US (Travel Leaders, 2010),
- 4th best place to play golf in the world (Golf World, 2008),
- top-25 art destination in the US (American Style, 2010),
- top-100 best places to live (CNN Money, 2010) (RelocateAmerica, 2010),
- top-50 bike-friendly community (Bicycling Magazine, 2010),
- top-100 best communities for young people (America's promise, 2010),
- best place to raise kids (Sunset, 2011),
- best city for babies (Parents, 2010), and
- top-10 city for families (Parents, 2010).
Points of Interest in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area:
- Desert Botanical Garden For more than 70 years, the Desert Botanical Garden has been teaching and inspiring visitors from the local community and around the world, providing research, exhibits and more designed to help us understand, protect and preserve the desert's natural beauty. Today, the garden features 50,000+ plant displays showcased in beautiful outdoor exhibits. With approximately fifty acres under cultivation, something is always blooming at the Desert Botanical Garden.
- Phoenix Zoo Voted one of the nation's top 5 zoos for kids, the Phoenix Zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals including 200 endangered species and participates in 37 Species Survival Plans (SSPs) to breed and maintain endangered species populations in captivity.
- Phoenix Symphony Based in Phoenix Symphony Hall (opened in 1972, renovated in 2005, and seating 2,312), the 76-member ensemble is Arizona's only full-time, professional orchestra. The orchestra offers 275 concerts and presentations in an annual season running from September to May. Events in the second half of May 2012 include Concierto de Aranjuez and Cirque de la Symphonie.
- Arizona Science Center Arizona Science Center offers educational fun for the whole family, from pre-K to gray! From family-friendly presentations to hands-on gallery programs, get your hands on science!
- Arizona Diamondbacks In their first five seasons, the Diamondbacks won three division titles, a National League pennant, and a World Series championship in 2001. You can check them out at the Chase Field located in downtown Phoenix.
- Heard Museum The Heard Museum actively collects American Indian fine art, and a variety of paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculpture can be found throughout the museum's galleries and grounds. Dedicated to the sensitive and accurate portrayal of Native arts and cultures, the Heard is an institution that successfully combines the stories of American Indian people from a personal perspective with the beauty of art. Partnerships with American Indian artists and tribal communities provide visitors with a distinctive perspective about the art and cultures of Native people, especially those from the Southwest.
- Taliesin West Frank Lloyd Wright began building this desert masterpiece in 1937 as his personal winter home, studio, and architectural campus. Located on the beautiful Sonoran desert in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale, the site offers a broad range of guided public tours. Visitors experience firsthand Wright's brilliant ability to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Lost Dutchman State Park Superstition Mountain and the Dutchman's Lost Mine are synonymous with Arizona lost mine lore. Lost Dutchman State Park is home to the Lost Dutchman Museum and the Goldfield Ghost Town.
- Arcosanti An experimental town in the desert of Arizona, built to embody Paolo Soleri's concept of arcology - the fusion of architecture with ecology. Arcosanti is an urban laboratory focused on pursuing lean alternatives to urban sprawl through innovative design with environmental accountability.
- Old Town Scottsdale Take a walk through the historic Old Town Scottsdale and get a flavor of the old west. Wooden sidewalks and rustic traditions are preserved as you tie your horse to each shop's hitching post. Browse the many quaint stores that line the streets of Old Town and you'll find a mix of traditional Western-wear retailers, Southwestern specialty shops and tasty treats.
- Greasewood Flat The original stagecoach stop between Fort McDowell and Phoenix, the Greasewood Flat bar is housed in a 120+-year-old bunkhouse. Greasewood Flat (which serves hearty burgers and some wicked libations) and the nearby Reata Pass Steakhouse are located at an elevation 2000 feet above the valley floorm making the night air 10 degrees cooler.
In addition, many parks have been established to preserve the desert landscape in areas that would otherwise quickly be developed with commercial and residential zoning. Aside from the Desert Botanical Garden listed above, the most noteworthy park is South Mountain Park, the world's largest municipal park with 16,500 acres (67 km2); others include Camelback Mountain, Sunnyslope Mountain, also known as "S" Mountain, and Piestewa Peak, which boasts dozens of miles of trails to enjoy the glory of the Sonoran Desert in relative solitude. Encanto Park, named one of the "Top 12 Best City Parks in America!" by the Forbes Magazine, is the city's largest and primary urban park, and lies just northwest of downtown Phoenix. Papago Park in east Phoenix is home to both the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, as well as a few golf courses.
Outdoor Adventures: Explore Arizona in a variety of ways and locations - in the Phoenix area, the enchanting red rocks of Sedona, or the majestic Grand Canyon. The sky's the limit - literally! Adventures include hot air balloon rides, hiking, scenic tours, and more. You may check the 360 Adventures Web site for more details on some exciting tours.
- Tours available in the Phoenix metropolitan area in the morning and afternoon for a duration of about 2 hours include hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and Hummer and ATV tours.
- Sedona tours depart in the morning for a duration of about 10 hours and include scenic, hiking and mountain biking.
- Grand Canyon tours depart in the morning for a duration of about 12 hours and include scenic and hiking tours.
- Explore Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon at Page if you have two or three days, which offer unique scenery and a most-photographed spot in the American Southwest.
- Enjoy the Petrified Forest National Park for globally significant Late Triassic fossils and Painted Desert if you have two or three days.
- Admire the gigantic saguaros at the Saguaro National Park at Tucson for a day trip.
360 Adventures offers some of the above tours and requires online scheduling of your outdoor adventures 7 days in advance for availability. Mention the ACM SIGMOD conference on your reservation under Special Requests to be grouped with conference attendees when possible and to get a potential group discount. (Some tour vendors are providing discounts for conference attendees in groups of 10 or more.) Also note on the online reservation whether you want a morning or afternoon time for the local tours. After submission of the online reservation, you must call 360 Adventures to secure the reservation with a credit card, which will be charged 72 hours before the adventure per the cancellation policy. 360 Adventures is also on site at the conference hotel - Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch.
