Scottsdale Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Scottsdale, Arizona — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Scottsdale

• Old Town Scottsdale. The city's historic and social heart, Old Town packs nine walkable neighborhoods with art galleries, boutique shops, acclaimed restaurants, and Arizona's most electric nightlife. Thursday evenings bring the ArtWalk — the oldest continuous art walk in the country — where galleries along Marshall Way and Main Street…
• Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright's Desert Masterpiece. Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio, built in 1937 from the rocks and sand of the Sonoran Desert itself, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Daily guided tours reveal how Wright wove the McDowell Mountain landscape into every room, terrace, and garden of this living laboratory of organic…
• McDowell Sonoran Preserve. One of the largest urban preserves in the United States, this 30,500-acre swath of protected Sonoran Desert offers more than 230 miles of shared-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Gateway Loop Trail (4.4 miles, moderate) is the most popular entry point, rewarding visitors with sweeping…
• Camelback Mountain. Scottsdale's most iconic landmark rises 2,704 feet and offers two challenging summit trails — the steep Echo Canyon route and the longer Cholla Trail. The 1,500-foot elevation gain in under two miles is strenuous, but the panoramic views of the Valley of the Sun from the top are among the most dramatic in the desert…
• Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). Housed in an inventive renovation of a historic theater, SMoCA brings world-class modern art, architecture, and design to the heart of Old Town. Its permanent centerpiece is James Turrell's Knight Rise skyspace — one of only a handful in the world — where visitors experience the ever-shifting light of the Arizona sky…
• Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. A Smithsonian Affiliate since opening in 2015 and named Best Western Museum in the USA by True West magazine in 2023, this 43,000-square-foot museum brings to life the art, culture, and history of 19 Western states plus Western Canada and Mexico. Cowboy gear, frontier paintings, and Native American artifacts share…
• Scottsdale Spa and Wellness Scene. With more than 50 luxury resort and day spas, Scottsdale has more resort spas per capita than any other U.S. city. Treatments blend Sonoran Desert botanicals, ancient Native American healing traditions, and global wellness techniques — making the city a genuine pilgrimage destination for relaxation and rejuvenation.
• Scottsdale Fashion Square. Arizona's largest mall at roughly two million square feet anchors the intersection of Scottsdale Road and Camelback, with luxury flagships including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, and Brunello Cucinelli alongside a Nobu restaurant and Harkins movie theater. It consistently ranks among the top-grossing malls in the…

Best time to visit Scottsdale

Mid-April to early June, and late September to late October (shoulder seasons). WeatherSpark identifies these windows as optimal for outdoor tourist activities: temperatures are warm but not oppressive (not the brutal 105°F+ of summer), crowds are thinner than peak winter, and rates at resorts and spas drop significantly versus the Nov–Mar peak. October especially offers ideal hiking and golf temperatures with cooler desert nights

Scottsdale weather by month

Getting to Scottsdale

A rental car is the most practical option for exploring beyond Old Town. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 10 miles west of Old Town Scottsdale (roughly 15–20 minutes). Within Old Town, the free Scottsdale Trolley runs Monday–Friday and connects to the Tempe Orbit bus system. Uber, Lyft, and Waymo autonomous vehicles operate city-wide.

• PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — 15 min drive
• SDL Scottsdale Airport — 10 min drive
• AZA Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport — 40 min drive

Where to stay in Scottsdale

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Old Town Scottsdale. The most walkable area in the city, with more than 15 hotels within steps of the ArtWalk galleries, Fifth Avenue boutiques, James Beard-level restaurants, and Scottsdale's most spirited nightlife. Electric scooters, golf cart taxis, and the free Scottsdale… Good for: First-time visitors, foodies, couples, nightlife seekers, bachelorette groups.
• North Scottsdale (Kierland / DC Ranch / Troon). The quieter, more upscale side of Scottsdale is home to luxury resort spas, world-class golf courses including Troon North and Grayhawk, and the open-air Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter shopping districts. The Sonoran Desert feels close here, with… Good for: Golfers, spa seekers, families, travelers wanting resort seclusion and high-end shopping.
• Paradise Valley. The enclave between Scottsdale and Phoenix is defined by high desert luxury — celebrated resorts, mountain views of Camelback and Mummy Mountain, world-class spa retreats, and intimate restaurants like Lon's at The Hermosa Inn. This is the destination for a… Good for: Luxury travelers, honeymooners, spa enthusiasts, those wanting a serene mountain backdrop.
• Camelback Road Corridor (Central Scottsdale). The stretch along Camelback Road between Old Town and Fashion Square offers mid-range and business hotels with quick access to the Scottsdale Waterfront, Fashion Square mall, and both the Old Town entertainment district and the quieter residential… Good for: Business travelers, value-conscious visitors who still want a central location, repeat visitors who know the city.
• McCormick Ranch. A master-planned community of lakes, parks, and bike paths in central Scottsdale that provides a calm, residential alternative to the bustle of Old Town. Proximity to Talking Stick Resort, OdySea Aquarium, and Butterfly Wonderland makes it a practical base… Good for: Families, cyclists, visitors who prefer a quieter neighborhood feel.

Where to eat in Scottsdale

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• FnB Restaurant. Old Town Scottsdale (Fifth Avenue) · Seasonal American — James Beard Award-winning chef Charleen Badman — named Best Chef Southwest in 2019 — coaxes exceptional flavor from locally grown Arizona…
• Andreoli Italian Grocer. Via Linda / East Scottsdale · Artisan Italian — Chef Giovanni Scorzo received multiple James Beard nominations (Best Chef Southwest; Outstanding Hospitality 2024) for his singularly authentic…
• Lon's at The Hermosa Inn. Paradise Valley · Arizona Regional / Wood-Fired — Set in a 1936 adobe estate once home to cowboy artist Alonzo Megargee, Lon's is rated the No. 1 restaurant in Paradise Valley on TripAdvisor and…
• Fat Ox. Scottsdale Road / Paradise Valley border · Modern Italian / High-End — Known for a show-stopping 25-layer lasagna and handmade purple pasta, Fat Ox channels the spirit of a sophisticated Italian…
• Chula Seafood. Hayden Road / Central Scottsdale · Sustainable Seafood — A fishmonger-restaurant hybrid sourcing from sustainable fisheries, best known for the Hatch green-chile tuna melt with chimichurri and…
• Pizzeria Virtù. Old Town Scottsdale (Main Street) · Neapolitan Pizza — Chef Gio Osso's wood-fired Neapolitan pies and superlative burrata plate anchored by locally sourced and imported Italian ingredients. A…
• Francine. Old Town Scottsdale (Goldwater Boulevard) · French — An elegant date-night restaurant inside Scottsdale Fashion Square's restaurant corridor, celebrated for lobster pasta, fresh seafood, and a…
• Olive & Ivy. 7135 E Camelback Rd · 4.6★ (6,149 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Citizen Public House. Old Town Scottsdale (Fifth Avenue) · Modern American Gastropub — A Scottsdale institution since 2011, celebrated for the Original Chopped Salad — smoked salmon, arugula, couscous, currants, and…
• SugarJam The Southern Kitchen. 15111 Hayden Rd Suite 170 Suite 170 · 4.5★ (2,453 reviews)
• BEG Bakery & Creamery. 3030 N 68th St · 4.9★ (858 reviews)
• Jewel's Bakery & Cafe. 4041 E Thomas Rd · 4.5★ (1,389 reviews)
• Wildflower. 7001 N Scottsdale Rd · 4.5★ (1,088 reviews)
• JL Patisserie. 7342 E Shea Blvd #108 · 4.7★ (778 reviews)
• Merci French Cafe. 7620 E Indian School Rd · 4.5★ (969 reviews)
• The Eleanor. 3207 Hayden Rd · 4.7★ (649 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Cafe Monarch. Old Town Scottsdale · Contemporary Fine Dining — Named to OpenTable's Top 100 Romantic Restaurants and TripAdvisor's top three fine-dining restaurants nationally. A four-course prix fixe menu…
• Kai Restaurant. Wild Horse Pass / Chandler (near Scottsdale) · Indigenous / Native American Tasting Menu — Arizona's only restaurant holding both Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond ratings for 17 consecutive…
• Dominick's Steakhouse. 15169 N Scottsdale Rd · 4.7★ (2,546 reviews)
• Different Pointe of View. 11111 N 7th St · 4.5★ (2,670 reviews)
• Cala Scottsdale. 7501 E Camelback Rd · 4.5★ (2,540 reviews)
• The Capital Grille. 16489 N Scottsdale Rd · 4.7★ (1,715 reviews)
• Prestons Scottsdale. 8700 E Pinnacle Peak Rd #115 · 4.7★ (1,586 reviews)
• Maple & Ash. 7135 E Camelback Rd #130 · 4.4★ (2,278 reviews)

A 7-Day Scottsdale Plan

1. Day 1 — Old Town Soul & Western Spirit. Start in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, wandering the historic Fifth Avenue shops and browsing galleries along Main Street's Art Walk corridor before the midday heat builds. Step into Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West for an immersive look at cowboy culture,…
2. Day 2 — Desert Dawn & Camelback Summit. Rise before sunrise to beat the heat and tackle the Echo Canyon Trail up Camelback Mountain — the 1.5-mile scramble rewards with sweeping 360-degree views of the Valley of the Sun. Cool down and refuel at The Herb Box in Scottsdale Quarter, then spend a leisurely afternoon…
3. Day 3 — Desert Blooms & Botanical Wonder. Spend a full morning at the Desert Botanical Garden in nearby Phoenix — arrive early to catch the cooler air among towering saguaros, wildflower trails, and stunning desert plant collections. Head back to Scottsdale and visit the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the largest urban…
4. Day 4 — Sunrise Balloon & Sonoran Sky. Depart before dawn for a hot air balloon flight over the Sonoran Desert with operators like Hot Air Expeditions — the golden-hour views over saguaro forests and rugged mountain ranges are unforgettable. After your landing champagne toast, head to Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd…
5. Day 5 — Spa, Wellness & Resort Bliss. Dedicate the morning to Scottsdale's legendary spa scene — The Well at Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North or Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offer world-class treatments in stunning desert settings. Enjoy a poolside lunch at your resort, then head to the…
6. Day 6 — Championship Greens & Southbridge Nights. Tee off early at TPC Scottsdale, home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, on one of its legendary desert courses — the Stadium Course is a bucket-list round for golf enthusiasts. After the round, explore the Scottsdale Waterfront and the adjacent Southbridge…
7. Day 7 — Preserve Trails & Arizona Farewell. Return to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve for a longer hike — the Tom's Thumb Trail delivers dramatic granite formations and panoramic desert vistas that rival anywhere in the American Southwest. Head back into Old Town for a final browse through galleries and artisan shops…

Events & festivals in Scottsdale

• Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction (January 17–25, 2026). World-class collector car auction at WestWorld of Scottsdale (16601 N. Pima Road). One of the largest collector car auctions in the world, drawing tens of thousands of enthusiasts annually.
• Parada del Sol Historic Parade (Late January (Jan. 31, 2026 for the 72nd annual edition)). Historic Western parade through Old Town Scottsdale drawing over 30,000 spectators; tradition since 1953, organized by the Scottsdale Charros.
• Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (February 12–22, 2026). Founded 1955; the world's largest Arabian horse show held annually at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Over 2,200 horses, 320,000+ visitors, economic impact ~$52 million. Dubbed the 'Super Bowl of the Arabian World.'
• WM Phoenix Open (Waste Management Phoenix Open) (February 2–8, 2026). Annual PGA TOUR event at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course. Known as 'The Greatest Show on Grass' and the best-attended golf tournament in the world with over 700,000 fans. 85-year history; has raised more than $165M for…
• Cactus League Spring Training (February 20 – March 24, 2026). MLB Spring Training in Scottsdale at Scottsdale Stadium (San Francisco Giants) and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies). Part of the 10-stadium, 15-team Cactus League across…
• Parada del Sol Rodeo (Rodeo Scottsdale) (March 5–8, 2026). PRCA-sanctioned professional rodeo at WestWorld of Scottsdale's Equidome Arena; tradition since the 1950s.

Top-rated tours & activities in Scottsdale

• Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale — 5.0★ (4,433 reviews)
• Party Bike Private Party Up To 14 People in Old Town Scottsdale — 5.0★ (3,688 reviews)
• Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset — 5.0★ (2,749 reviews)
• Scottsdale's Original Food Tour — 5.0★ (355 reviews)
• Hole in the Rock & Tempe Lake E-Bike Tour - 2 Hours — 4.9★ (219 reviews)
• 2 Hour Segway Tour - Sunset & City Lights — 4.9★ (107 reviews)
• Small-Group or Private Grand Canyon with Sedona Tour from Phoenix — 4.8★ (2,552 reviews)
• Desert Off-Road UTV Tour, 2 hours, 2 people per vehicle — 5.0★ (1,597 reviews)

Scottsdale travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Scottsdale?

Mid-April to early June, and late September to late October (shoulder seasons).

What are the top things to do in Scottsdale?

Top experiences include Old Town Scottsdale, Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright's Desert Masterpiece, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA).

Which airport is closest to Scottsdale?

Scottsdale Airport (SDL) is the nearest, about 10 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Scottsdale?

Popular areas to base yourself include Old Town Scottsdale, North Scottsdale (Kierland / DC Ranch / Troon), Paradise Valley, Camelback Road Corridor (Central Scottsdale).

How do I get around Scottsdale?

A rental car is the most practical option for exploring beyond Old Town.