Scottsdale, Arizona oozes luxury, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. Often called “The Beverly Hills of Arizona,” Scottsdale offers high-end resorts, boutique shopping, acclaimed restaurants, and outdoor adventures in the Sonoran Desert. Located just east of Phoenix, Scottsdale provides plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy year-round sunshine.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Hike Camelback Mountain | Challenging trails with panoramic views |
| Hot Air Balloon Ride | Scenic flights over Sonoran Desert |
| Shop and Dine in Old Town Scottsdale | Art galleries, shops, restaurants |
| Relax at a Luxury Resort & Spa | Opulent accommodations, spa services |
| Taliesin West Architecture | Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home |
| Native American History & Culture | Museums and cultural sites |
| Cosanti Art Collection | Unique wind bells and art exhibits |
| McDowell Sonoran Preserve Hike | Desert landscape and hiking trails |
| Casinos | Gaming, live music, and entertainment |
| Food Tour | Local cuisine tasting tours |
| Scottsdale Museum of the West | Cowboy culture and Indigenous artifacts |
| Desert Botanical Garden | Over 50,000 plants, desert flora |
From admiring cacti at botanical gardens to experiencing the Old West downtown, Scottsdale blends relaxation and excitement. For your best vacation yet, check out these top 12 things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Hike Camelback Mountain
Name and Location: Camelback Mountain is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area in central Scottsdale, Arizona.
History and Significance: Known for its distinct camel-like shape, Camelback Mountain is a challenging yet popular hike offering panoramic views of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
What to Expect: The Summit Trail and Cholla Trail provide steep, strenuous paths up to the top of the mountain.Rewarding views and a sense of accomplishment await at the summit.
Visitor Information: The recreation area is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The trails are free to hike. Arrive early as parking is limited.
One of Scottsdale’s must-do activities is tackling the hiking trails up Camelback Mountain. At just over 2,700 feet high, the summit delivers panoramic views of the Phoenix metropolitan area and access to the Sonoran Desert’s rugged beauty.
Two trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla, offer challenging ascents to the top of the mountain’s distinctive “hump” silhouette. Along the steep paths, you’ll navigate boulders, saguaro cacti, and exposed cliffs. The landscape provides a perfect Instagram backdrop at the top. While the hike is difficult, completing it gives an immense sense of accomplishment.
Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride
Name and Location: Hot air balloon rides launch from various locations around Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona.
History and Significance: Floating over the Sonoran Desert in a hot air balloon provides unique views and has been a popular activity since ballooning began here in the 1970s.
What to Expect: Typical rides last 60-90 minutes, taking off before sunrise for ideal sightseeing conditions. You’ll soar up to 3,000 feet to view the landscape from above.
Visitor Information: Book ahead with companies like Rainbow Ryders or Phoenix Hot Air Expeditions. Flights run year-round. Dress warmly for the early morning.
Awe-inspiring landscapes surround Scottsdale, and you can take in sights like the McDowell Mountains from an entirely new perspective floating thousands of feet up in a hot air balloon.
See desert wildlife, cacti, and rock formations up close as you gently float over the terrain. Morning rides conclude with a champagne brunch. Hot air balloon rides provide unforgettable views and make for a romantic special occasion activity. Float serenely into the Arizona sky.
Shop and Dine in Old Town Scottsdale
Name and Location: Old Town Scottsdale refers to the historic downtown district centered along Main Street in Scottsdale, Arizona.
History and Significance: This walkable Western-themed area features unique boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and nightlife in preserved 19th and early 20th century buildings.
What to Expect: Browse southwestern-inspired gifts, fashion, and art. Refuel with Mexican fare, burgers, sushi and more. People-watch at a sidewalk cafe. Soak up the lively atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Free to stroll. Shops and restaurants are open daily. Parking garages provide convenient access.
This historic district downtown transports visitors back to Scottsdale’s early days as a frontier town. Old Town Scottsdale contains over 80 art galleries and shops selling Western décor, jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs.Grab a table at one of the local restaurants housed in old adobe buildings for Southwestern fare and people watching on lively Old Town streets.
Don’t miss hourly live reenactments with gunfights and cowboys roaming the streets. Take a walking tour to learn more about Old Town’s architecture and history. With its rustic vibe and local flavor, this is one of Scottsdale’s most engaging areas to explore.
Relax at a Luxury Resort & Spa
Name and Location: Scottsdale is home to many upscale resorts like The Phoenician, Four Seasons, Sanctuary Camelback, and Boulders Resort & Spa.
History and Significance: World-class spa treatments and upscale amenities have made luxury resorts in Scottsdale perfect for relaxing and rejuvenating getaways.
What to Expect: Resort features include plush guest rooms, fine dining, pools, golf, and spas offering massages, facials, body treatments and more.
Visitor Information: Make reservations well in advance. Resort fees and parking fees may apply. Spa treatments require booking.
Scottsdale is synonymous with lavish resorts set amidst impeccably manicured grounds and featuring opulent accommodations, restaurants, golf courses, and spas. Even if you’re not staying overnight, stop by hotel lobbies like The Phoenician or the Boulders to appreciate upscale interior designs.
World-class spa treatments like private yoga sessions, oxygen facials, and Himalayan salt stone massages will leave you rejuvenated. Soak in hot tubs, take a dip in palm-lined pools, or enjoy fine dining at these oases in the desert.
See the Taliesin West Architecture
Name and Location: Taliesin West was architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
History and Significance: Wright built Taliesin West starting in 1937 as his winter home and an architectural school. It exemplifies his style with striking desert landscaping.
What to Expect: Take a guided tour to see the home’s innovative features and design. View Wright’s living quarters, studio, drafting room and more. Tours run daily.
Visitor Information: Tickets $36-129. Book online in advance. Tours run daily from 9am-4pm, limited evening tours available. Closed major holidays.
As Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and design studio, Taliesin West exemplifies the beloved architect’s signature style using desert materials. This National Historic Landmark spans 600 acres at the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. Take a guided walking tour to understand Wright’s innovative approaches and respect for the landscape.
Explore the home’s dramatic stone and wood construction along with Wright-designed furniture that blends indoor and outdoor spaces. Seeing Taliesin West provides insight into one of America’s most esteemed architectural talents.
Experience Native American History & Culture
Name and Location: Scottsdale is near several Native American sites including Montezuma Castle National Monument, Apache Trail Historic Road, and the Heard Museum.
History and Significance: This region has a rich indigenous history. Scottsdale provides access to Native ruins, historic sites and museums celebrating these cultures.
What to Expect: See well-preserved cliff dwellings, take scenic drives through ancestral lands, and explore extensive exhibits/art collections relating to Southwestern Native people.
Visitor Information: Check individual site hours. Entry fees vary, from free national monuments to about $15 for museums. Guided cultural tours available.
Scottsdale embraces its ancient Indigenous roots with numerous museums and cultural sites focused on Native American history and traditions. Check out centuries-old Hohokam and Pueblo ruins at archaeological parks. At the Heard Museum, see one of the country’s largest displays of Southwestern Native art.
Attend traditional dances like colorful hoop dances and learn about ceremonies like basket weaving. Tasting fry bread, turquoise jewelry shopping, and other immersive activities enrich understanding of Scottsdale’s original inhabitants.
See the Outrageous Art Collection at Cosanti
Name and Location: Cosanti is an art complex and gallery located in Paradise Valley, just outside Scottsdale, Arizona.
History and Significance: Founded by innovative architect Paolo Soleri in 1970, Cosanti produces unique cast bronze windbells and features striking concrete structures.
What to Expect: Take a self-guided tour through the desert architecture and see artisans at work. The gift shop sells the signature bronze bells in all sizes.
Visitor Information: Open daily 9am-5pm. The walking tour is free. Bells cost $20-200+. Cash or check only for purchases.
This studio and gallery created by influential architect Paolo Soleri houses unique wind bells along with avant-garde paintings, prints, and sculptures. Products crafted at Cosanti integrate art with functionality. Take a guided tour to hear about the experimental community’s vision based on Soleri’s forward-thinking principles.
Hands-on workshops allow you to make your own wind bell. Cosanti’s unconventional designs and provocative works make for an intriguing art encounter. Don’t miss seeing this creative space.
Hike Among Saguaro Cacti at Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Name and Location: McDowell Sonoran Preserve in North Scottsdale, Arizona.
History and Significance: This 30,000 acre desert preserve provides ample hiking opportunities among scenic rock formations, mountains, and giant saguaro cacti.
What to Expect: Miles of trails range from easy nature walks to difficult mountain hikes. Breathtaking desert scenery. Trailheads located throughout the preserve.
Visitor Information: Open daily sunrise to sunset. No entrance fee. Bring lots of water. Dogs allowed on leash.
Covering over 30,000 acres, this extensive preserve contains rugged Sonoran Desert landscape perfect for day hikes. Follow trails through forests of towering saguaro cacti, each estimated to be over 150 years old. Learn about desert ecology from interpretive signs and keep an eye out for wildlife.
With its proximity to Old Town Scottsdale and looping interconnecting trails, these desert hikes can easily be incorporated into any itinerary. The beauty and stillness amid the saguaro sentinels inspire awe.
Try Your Luck in the Casinos
Name and Location: Scottsdale has several nearby Native American casinos including Casino Arizona, Talking Stick, and Salt River Fields.
History and Significance: These full-service casinos are operated by Arizona’s Native tribes, offering Las Vegas-style gaming and entertainment.
What to Expect: Try hands at slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and more. Enjoy dining, live music, comedy shows, or sports betting. Most offer complimentary drinks.
Visitor Information: Located 15-20 minutes from Scottsdale. Open 24/7. Age limit is 18+ or 21+ depending on casino.
While Vegas may be the first place you think of for casino gaming, Scottsdale also offers some top-notch options. Play slot machines, blackjack, poker, bingo and more at luxury casino resorts like Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort. Live music, trendy bars, and entertainment make for a glitzy night out.
For low-key gaming, head to specialty spots like MVP Sports Poker room with sports simulcasting. With buttons begging to be pressed and jackpots waiting, Scottsdale provides plenty of ways to roll the dice.
Sample Local Eats on a Food Tour
Name and Location: Food tours are offered throughout Scottsdale, Arizona and nearby Phoenix.
History and Significance: Food tours provide a fun way to experience some of the city’s top local eateries and specialty food shops.
What to Expect: Typically 3-4 hours long via walking, van or bike. Stop at 6-8 restaurants, markets, bakeries, etc. to sample food and drinks. Learn about the city too.
Visitor Information: Book ahead online. Offered year-round. Cost is usually $50-$100 per person. Gratuities extra.
With its fusion of Native, Mexican, and Western influences, Scottsdale’s food scene has tempting flavors for every palate. Taste the city’s can’t miss dishes by joining a tasting tour with stops at top local eateries. Savor Sonoran hot dogs, tacos al pastor, or fry bread while learning food facts.
Downtown food tours by foot or bike cover the Old Town area. Valley-wide tours include restaurants along with visits to chocolatiers, bakeries, and ice cream shops, too. Grazing your way through Scottsdale provides delicious fun.
See Exhibits Focused on the West at Scottsdale Museum of the West
Name and Location: Scottsdale Museum of the West is located in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona.
History and Significance: This museum opened in 2015, showcasing art, artifacts and stories relating to the 19th-century American West.
What to Expect: Permanent and rotating exhibits cover Native American culture, Western landscape art, cowboy gear/tools, and more. The museum store offers Western-themed gifts.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm. Closed major holidays. Admission is $15 for adults.
From cowboy culture to Indigenous artifacts, this expansive museum illustrates Scottsdale’s Western heritage through interactive exhibits and cultural objects. Learn more about themes like the cattle industry’s influence on Arizona or the art colony that flourished in Scottsdale. Talks by experts provide added context.
The museum also showcases painting collections related to the Old West, including many realistic works by renowned artist Frederic Remington. You’ll leave with a robust understanding of Scottsdale’s roots.
Marvel at the Botanical Wonders of Desert Botanical Garden
Name and Location: Desert Botanical Garden is located in Papago Park just outside central Phoenix, a short drive from Scottsdale.
History and Significance: Founded in 1937, this outdoor living museum features 50,000+ desert plants from around the world across 140 acres.
What to Expect: Walk through trails to admire cacti, wildflowers, and desert trees from places like South America and Africa. Unique exhibits like an outdoor sculpture garden.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am-8pm. Admission is $24.95, discounts available. Guided tours offered.
Home to over 50,000 plants, this living museum contains immense botanical diversity with species adapted to thrive in the arid climate. See towering cacti, wildflowers, and desert trees while strolling through creatively designed garden spaces like an aromatic herb garden.
Special exhibits highlight unique plants like butterfly-attracting flowers or intricate succulents. For a peaceful desert oasis right in Scottsdale city limits, the Desert Botanical Garden is a must-visit. The beauty and ingenuity found in nature here will rejuvenate you.
Conclusion
With spectacular desert scenery, Indigenous heritage, artsy culture, Old West charm, and indulgent resorts, Scottsdale offers endless possibilities for making unforgettable vacation memories. Hiking craggy peaks, drifting over the landscape in a hot air balloon, or sampling gourmet cuisine are just some of the experiences that make Scottsdale such a phenomenal getaway.
Learning about Native American traditions, admiring world-class art collections, and playing a hand of poker provide additional avenues for immersing yourself in what Scottsdale does best. Whether you spend your days exploring downtown or lounging poolside at a luxury resort, Scottsdale’s natural and cultural wonders will wow you at every turn.
With its enviable sunny weather, stunning Sonoran Desert as a backdrop, and blend of big city attractions with laidback Southwestern attitude, Scottsdale is a destination with wide appeal. Adventure seekers, art aficionados, spa devotees, nature lovers, foodies, and everyone in between will find ample activities tailored just for them.
When it’s time to visit Arizona, make sure Scottsdale is high on your sightseeing list. The city’s vibrant spirit and diverse offerings ensure you’ll go home feeling relaxed, enlightened, and already eager to return. Start planning your Scottsdale getaway now to experience the best of this extraordinary desert city.