From October through May, this destination farmers market convenes on Saturday mornings in Old Town Scottsdale. I received guidance from veteran farmer Bob McClendon from McClendon’s Select and Noble Bread owner Jason Raducha, who helped me navigate the sea of produce stalls, cheese vendors, honey producers, seafood and meat purveyors, and bakers. Noble Bread produces delectable bread loaves along with some tantalizing pastries. I was particularly enamored with their chocolate chip scone and “black bottom,” a steamed chocolate muffin with sweet cream cheese center.

Chef Shinji Kurita presides over a deluxe sushi bar. His 4-course omakase included sake steamed clams with garlic butter and five types of Japanese mushrooms; A5 Wagyu rib-eye cap seared on a tobinyaki (ceramic grill); and nigiri crafted with slightly warm rice, Shiriguku vinegar and fish like sayori (Japanese halfbeak), silky shiru ebi (silver shrimp) and fatty kampachi (yellowtail) belly.

D.J. Fernandes and business partner Jessica Ruiz opened in 2012. Vovomeena is what Fernandes called his grandma in Portuguese. The fast casual restaurant goes big for breakfast. B.M.O.C. combines a boneless pork chop with airy waffle, two eggs, and Portuguese donut. Johnnycakes top two corn and chile cakes with sweet rice dressed with cinnamon and sultanas, prickly pear maple syrup, and choice of meat (pork or turkey sausage, bacon) or spuds. Fernandes is from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where johnnycakes are popular. Coffee is also a focus. Five towers produce Japanese cold brew, aka “mornin’ moonshine.”

ZuZu is a Googie paradise inside Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho. Breakfast is a big draw. Fluffy carrot and ginger pancakes are sweet, but craveworthy, dressed with whipped cream cheese and maple pecan butter. Later in the day, “giant” shrimp cocktail lives up to the name. Tuscan kale salad teams hearty lacinato with Pecorino Romano, pear, pan-roasted bread crumbs, pine nuts, oven-roasted tomato, and lemon dressing. I also enjoyed the Famous ZuZu Burger with Virginia bacon, balsamic onions, and Maytag blue cheese.

Butterfly Wonderland debuted at Arizona Boardwalk in 2013. Commune with over 60 butterfly species in the conservatory. See butterflies emerge from chrysalises in the “emergence gallery.” They even have a tropical aquarium and rainforest reptile exhibit.

Architect and ceramicist Paolo Soleri is best known for “earthcasting” and for establishing the Arcosanti artist community, which is still active 70 miles north of Scottsdale. He took over this Paradise Valley property in 1956, which now resembles a Star Wars set. Acolytes continue to produce bronze and ceramic windbells, jewelry and planters in the outdoor foundry. The gift shop is must visit.

In 1939, botanist Gustaf Starck led Phoenicians to found the Desert Botanical Garden. Las Noches de la Luminarias debuted in 1978. For holidays, they light succulent lined paths. Musicians perform throughout, including mariachis, rock bands and harpists.

Taliesin West is Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece in the Scottsdale foothills. The architectural icon established Taliesin West at the base of the McDowell Mountains in 1937. This was his winter home until Wright’s passing in 1959. Take an inspiring tour.