Things to do in Scottsdale

What are the best things to do in Scottsdale, AZ?

For first-time visitors, one of the best things to do in Scottsdale, AZ is explore Old Town Scottsdale. Known as the city’s beating heart, it offers galleries, dining, shopping, nightlife, museums, wine tasting rooms, breweries, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and clubs, all within a walkable square mile.

Next, visit the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Scottsdale’s signature outdoor playground, with 11 trailheads and 230+ miles of shared-use trails ranging from easy walks to tougher summit routes. For culture, book a tour of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert “camp,” set in the McDowell Mountain foothills.

Things to do in Scottsdale for adults

Take a food tour (or beer tour) in Old Town

A guided food tour is one of the quickest ways to “get” Scottsdale - because you’re tasting your way through it, while someone else handles the planning! Popular Old Town walking food tours typically cover about 1.5 miles and include multiple tasting stops, blending bites with Scottsdale history and local stories along the way. The Old Town’s density in Scottsdale also makes it ideal for craft beer stops - with a tempting range of craft beer houses and breweries also to sample in this compact area.

If you don’t feel like walking in the heat, hop around Old Town using street-legal golf cart rides like JoyRidesAZ - for easy car-free transportation.

Tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West

No trip to experience the culture of Scottsdale would be complete without a trip to the Taliesin West; Scottsdale’s most iconic cultural attraction. Designers and culture vultures flock to this designated World Heritage site and National Historic landmark.

Set at the McDowell foothills, this architectural marvel known as “desert camp”, was Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and workplace. Its unique style and design heavily influenced the mid-century aesthetic. Choose from a 60-minute self-guided audio tour or guided options. Explore Wright’s living and working spaces, while learning how the site was designed to harmonize with the dramatic desert landscape. Blending heritage and iconic style with desert scenery, this place is very photogenic - so bring your camera!

Play a round on Scottsdale’s desert golf courses

Scottsdale is legendary for golf, and a huge part of the appeal is the setting: rugged Sonoran Desert terrain, dramatic boulder formations, and mountain backdrops that make every fairway feel cinematic. If you’re choosing just a few public rounds, start with Troon North Golf Club, where two 18-hole courses wind through natural ravines and desert foothills beneath Pinnacle Peak.

It’s the quintessential “Scottsdale desert golf” experience! For a round with serious bragging rights, book TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, home to tournament-famous holes and a pure stadium-style atmosphere. For a more nature-forward, walkable-feeling desert layout that plays beautifully with the land, We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro Course is a standout. This course is praised for its open vistas, strategic design, and a pace that lets you truly soak up the stunning scenery.

Hike Scottsdale’s best desert routes

For variety and amazing trails, head to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Experience everything from accessible nature trails to steeper climbs. The ADA-accessible Bajada Nature Trail and the Sunrise Peak Summit Trail for those who want a workout. The classic Pinnacle Peak Trail meanwhile is another popular choice, with this 4.1 miles out-and-back route offering a scenic trail with 1,020 ft elevation gain to enjoy.

Things to do in Scottsdale for families

Visit Butterfly Wonderland

This is a go-to family favourite - especially when you want something fun and sensory (and a break from the desert heat!). Butterfly Wonderland bills itself as the largest butterfly conservatory in the country, designed to immerse guests in a rainforest-style environment filled with up to 4,000 butterflies and other rainforest creatures.

Kids will love spotting the mesmerizing colours and patterns of the butterflies. The Emergence Galley meanwhile offers an educational “wow” moment, watching butterflies hatching from chrysalises.

Explore OdySea Aquarium

Another top all-weather attraction in Scottsdale is OdySea. Families flock to the largest aquarium in the Southwest - with 30,000+ animals to spot, including sharks, otters, penguins, sea turtles and more.

Kids will also love the OdySea Voyager, billed as the world’s only “rotating aquarium experience,” where you sit in stadium-style seats as you’re gently rotated past huge viewing windows for a 20-minute “voyage.” For extra hands-on fun, the touch exhibits such as Stingray Shores and the tidal touch pool are perfect for curious little explorers.

Step into the Old West at Western Spirit

“Yee-ha!” Located right in Old Town, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is an easy, family-friendly culture stop because it’s highly visual, story-led, and packed with plenty of “wow” moments. The museum spotlights the art, history, and stories of the 19 states of the American West. The family programs and learning activities make it both fun and easy for younger visitors to connect with the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and Native communities, in a hands-on way. -And because it’s a Smithsonian Affiliate, you can expect polished, museum-quality curation, without it feeling stuffy!

Ride the trains at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

A Scottsdale classic for younger kids, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park promises a fun day out for train fans and families. Hop aboard the 5/12ths-scale train for a loop around the 30-acre park and take a spin on the 1950s carousel. You’ll also be able to keep the “choo-choo” obsession going strong with a wander into the railroad museum.

With places to grab a bite to eat and a souvenir shop, you can refuel and grab a small keepsake without leaving the park. For a special celebration you can also book birthday parties in a real railroad car - a guaranteed way to keep your kid’s birthday on the right track!

Book a Sonoran Desert jeep tour

If your school-age family wants a big desert adventure without committing to a long hike, a guided jeep tour is one of the most exciting (and easiest) ways to explore the Sonoran Desert. You’ll rumble along rugged backcountry trails with an expert guide, stop at scenic viewpoints for photos, and learn fun, kid-friendly facts about local plants and wildlife.

Learn how saguaros survive the heat, why desert animals are most active at dawn and dusk, and what you’re likely to spot on the trail. Many Scottsdale jeep tours run through public lands like the Tonto National Forest on designated “jeep trails,” which are rugged routes specifically meant for more compact off-road vehicles.

Romantic things to do in Scottsdale for couples

Sunrise hot air balloon ride over the desert

For peak romance (and peak views), it’s hard to beat a sunrise balloon flight. The year-around balloon rides over the Phoenix/Scottsdale area promise an unforgettable way to watch the desert light up from above.

Most flights include a pre-dawn check-in and last around an hour in the air, so it’s best to plan a relaxed morning afterward (think brunch and a slow wander through Old Town). The peak season for balloon rides in Scottsdale is October through April. For optimum weather conditions, the most reliable time of year for balloon rides here are the cooler months of November through March.

Golden-hour Taliesin West

Taliesin West is already atmospheric, but it’s especially memorable as a couple’s “culture date” - because of the enigmatic desert valley views. This iconic architectural gem sets the scene for a top unique thing to do in Scottsdale for couples.

Outside, wander along the scenic terraces and walkways. By choosing a later tour time you’ll also be able to take in the warm glow of the surrounding mountains as the sun dips.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center

For couples who are genuinely wildlife- and conservation-mad, Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center feels like an “in-the-know” Scottsdale experience rather than a standard attraction. Tours are by appointment only, so it has that exclusive, small-group feel - just you, a guide, and the sanctuary’s rescued residents, with plenty of time to hear the stories behind each animal you meet. It’s also the real deal on the conservation side: the centre is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility specialising in wild mammals, with over 70% of the animals coming into its care being returned to the wild.

Old Town date night

Old Town Scottsdale is made for fun date nights. First start with an early evening stroll through galleries and shops, before heading to one of the many bars and eateries for cocktails and fine dining. The compact one-square-mile footprint of the Old Town makes for easy-going spontaneous moments together. Timing your romantic walk around sunset and pre-booking a table on a terrace is one of the best ways to soak up Scottsdale’s evening buzz, in a laid-back romantic way.

Sunset desert jeep tour

Couples looking to blend romance with a little adrenaline can enjoy an evening or sunset jeep experience. Take in scenic viewpoints and the sunset bathing the desert landscape. You’ll want to bring a light layer for an evening tour, as even in warmer months, desert temperatures can drop after dark. Don’t forget your camera, for amazing desert photos together!

FAQs for things to do in Scottsdale

What are the must-see attractions?

Key “don’t-miss” picks include:

• Old Town Scottsdale for art, dining, shopping and nightlife (it’s a core Scottsdale experience).
• Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic desert site).
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve for signature Sonoran Desert hiking and scenery.
• Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (guided tours by appointment; rescue/rehab work).
• Butterfly Wonderland (a top family favourite).

Best time to visit these: For outdoor-heavy days (Old Town strolling and Preserve hikes), aim for the cooler winter months of December through February.

Indoor attractions (including Butterfly Wonderland and the city museums) work well year-round, and offer the perfect respite in the summer heat.

What are the top events in Scottsdale, AZ?

January

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction: A high-energy collector car spectacle at WestWorld where thousands of vehicles and fans kick off Scottsdale’s winter event season.

Celebration of Fine Art: The famous “big white tents” showcase 100+ juried artists from mid-January through March, with live artist demos and gallery-style browsing.

Parada del Sol Historic Parade + Trail’s End Festival: A beloved Old Town tradition with a major parade followed by a family-friendly, Western-style street festival.

February

WM Phoenix Open (TPC Scottsdale): The “People’s Open” delivers tournament golf plus an electric, stadium-style atmosphere in early February.

Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show + Shopping Expo: A world-famous equestrian event at WestWorld that blends competition, shopping, and food across mid-February.

What is there to do in Old Town?

The easily-walkable Old Town is brilliant for a “choose-your-own-adventure” day: wander galleries and public art, pop into museums like Western Spirit, shop in the boutiques, then finish with cocktails and nightlife.

Best time to visit Old Town: The late afternoon and evening time is perfect for heading to the Old Town. In particular the cooler months offer the ideal conditions for walking tours, wine trails and alfresco dining experiences.

What are the best outdoor activities?

Top outdoor experiences include:

• Hiking at Pinnacle Peak Park (for classic Scottsdale views) or the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
• A sunrise hot air balloon ride for big desert panoramas.
• Golf on Scottsdale’s public courses - Scottsdale is a bucket-list golf destination!
• Sonoran Desert jeep tour (Tonto National Forest is great for wildlife spotting + photo opps)
• Horseback riding in the desert (for classic Western-meets-Sonoran vibes)
• Cycling the Scottsdale Greenbelt (for a scenic way to explore parks and paths)

Best time for outdoor activities: October through May is typically the sweet spot - particularly for getting out in the Pinnacle Peak Trail. If you're staying in the heat of summer it's best to experience the outdoor activities in the early morning.

Best Events in Scottsdale

Attend the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction

The Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction brings collector cars, auction action, and automotive buzz to Scottsdale each January.

Visit the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show

The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show returns each February with world-class competition, elegant horses, and major equestrian event energy at WestWorld.

Experience the WM Phoenix Open

The WM Phoenix Open brings PGA TOUR golf, lively crowds, and Scottsdale event energy to TPC Scottsdale each February.

Is Scottsdale good for families?

Yes - Scottsdale is one of the easiest Arizona destinations for family-friendly fun. Popular picks include OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland and McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park.

Best time for families: Cooler months make outdoor activities and attractions more comfortable. Indoor attractions like the aquarium and museums are great any time of year, especially for families looking to escape the summer heat.

How do I get around?

The compact Old Town is dense with top things to do, and is highly walkable. For quick hops, use the golf cart services, ride-shares like Uber/Lyft, or the popular scooters and bike rentals.

The cooler winter months are more comfortable for those looking to get around on foot/scooter/bike.

What is the best time to visit?

Scottsdale is sunny year-round, but the most comfortable sightseeing is generally in the cooler months. Just like Arizona, the best time to visit depends on what type of vacation you're looking for. The winter months (December through February) in Scottsdale promise pretty perfect weather - with sunny days and temps in the 70s to look forward to.

Summer can still be fun, but the destination is known for triple-digit heat, so it’s smart to plan early mornings and mix in indoor attractions.

Where to stay for the best things to do in Scottsdale

Our Scottsdale vacation rentals with chic kitchen diners, pools and dining terraces offer the ideal way to cool off in style and soak up the desert warmth. Choose from scenic desert retreats with optional games and media rooms, hot tubs, private gyms and more, for an indulgent year-round vacation.