In search of all of the fabulous issues to do in Scottsdale? We acquired you. Spend an unforgettable weekend in Scottsdale getaway having fun with the perfect of this unbelievable vacation spot that will get 330 days of sunshine a 12 months! It’s no marvel why this is among the most wanted heat winter holidays in the USA!
Well-known for its luxurious purchasing, artwork galleries, premiere {golfing}, desert panorama, and saguaro – there’s loads of pure magnificence and sights in Previous City Scottsdale to make an ideal weekend journey (and even longer!). Positioned within the higher Pheonix space, you even have entry to a few of the finest sights close by too together with the parks, Camelback Mountain, and close by cities if Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix.
You may completely do that journey with or and not using a automotive, with a automotive you may have entry to driving to locations like Frank Lloyd Wright’s property, Papago Park, and Camelback Mountain. With out a automotive, you’ll be able to take pleasure in the perfect issues to do in Previous City Scottsdale by foot as this space is extremely walkable and wherever you could go that’s only a hair too far for a stroll could be solved utilizing a rideshare app.
Simply remember when planning a weekend in Scottsdale that essentially the most comfy occasions of 12 months are fall by spring, and the summer season months could be brutally sizzling in the course of the day. If you happen to do go to in the summertime, you’ll wish to do issues early within the morning and later within the night to get out of direct daylight. Good factor there are nice museums and galleries within the space in case you do go to this time of 12 months, which is doable, you simply need to be mentally and bodily ready for the warmth and ensure you keep effectively hydrated.
With out additional ado, listed here are all the perfect Scottsdale actions in Previous City and close by!
Disclaimer: This publish accommodates commissionable hyperlinks at no further price to you.
How you can Spend a Weekend in Scottsdale
Scottsdale Museum of the West
Handle: 3830 N Marshall Approach
Throughout your weekend in Scottsdale, take not less than a couple of hours and go to the Museum of the West, a Smithsonian affiliate. If you happen to love Western artwork or are eager to have an academic expertise round Native Individuals and even cowboys, then this Downtown Scottsdale museum is not going to disappoint.
Each ranges of the Museum of the West are superbly laid out with quite a lot of rotating reveals. You may see galleries of pictures and work impressed by Arizona and western landscapes.
There are additionally fantastic artwork reveals and deep dives into the cultures of 19 states within the American West. In addition they have a fantastic assortment of real historic artifacts starting from Native American pottery, saloon card video games, and precise tomahawks.
You may take a docent-led tour totally free or discover out about audio excursions if you go to. The Museum of the West is open from 9:30 AM to five PM Tuesday by Saturday and 11 AM to five PM on Sunday.
Sugar Bowl
Handle: 4005 N Scottsdale Rd
Considered one of our favourite issues to do in Scottdale was visiting the Sugar Bowl, an outdated style ice cream parlor that feels prefer it hasn’t modified because it opened. You may’t miss the bubblegum pink storefront with its multi-color signage within the coronary heart of Downtown Scottsdale.
Opened in 1958, the Sugar Bowl has barely modified over time. It’s a nostalgia lover’s dreamland, with classic, hand-drawn illustrations on pink and white menus (which can be largely desserts however there’s meals right here too in case you want a meal earlier than your candy deal with). You may sit on the basic counter with blush pink swivel chairs or at a blush pink half-moon sales space! Understanding how we LOVE pink, we adored the inside right here.
Ice cream sundaes and scoops of ice cream are available glass cups on doily-lined plates. Or you’ll be able to order from an extended record of floats, shakes, sandwiches, salads, and extra. There’s additionally a room stuffed with basic arcade video games within the again that each one ages will love.
The Mission Previous City
Handle: 3815 N Brown Ave
The meals scene in Scottsdale is spectacular, with dozens of basic eating places, famous person ideas, and classic cafes. The Mission ought to be on the prime of your record if you’re in search of issues to do in Previous City Scottsdale. It’s a Latin fine-dining restaurant inside a good looking former chapel that’s virtually 100 years outdated.
The Mission is nestled inside a historic block for an immersive style of Scottsdale from the second you stroll as much as the restaurant. Inside, you’ll be able to sit beneath candlelight and chandeliers for a romantic environment. Outback, the patio has a peaceful, relaxed vibe with string lights and white-washed surfaces.
Chef Matt Carter works with flavors, components, and traditions of cooking from throughout Spain, Central America, and South America to create inspiring dishes at The Mission. You’ll additionally be capable to style the Southwest affect within the mesquite and pecan woods used throughout cooking. And don’t cross up one of many fascinating cocktails, just like the Spicy Hibiscus Margarita!
Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork
Handle: 7374 E 2nd Avenue
Scottsdale has a thriving artwork scene, with galleries galore, there’s a excessive density of locations to take pleasure in fantastic artwork in a small walkable space. Scottsdale additionally has nice museums together with artwork museums, remember to try the Scottsdale Museum of Up to date Artwork throughout your weekend in Scottsdale.
Although it’s a smaller museum, SMoCA provides a formidable assortment of recent artwork throughout many alternative mediums. They’re additionally identified for his or her architectural reveals that embrace murals and shows that remember the stark terrain round Scottsdale.
SMoCA is inside a minimalistic constructing that holds 5 totally different gallery rooms and an city sculpture backyard. An outside courtyard can be a everlasting exhibit for the ideas of an artist that works with gentle and shadow.
There’s a small admission price for entry, and also you obtain entry to all these areas. First responders and people beneath 18 years of age are free. The museum is open Wednesday by Sunday from 11 AM to five PM with prolonged hours on Thursdays. For a further price, you too can attend particular occasions that occur each week, like demonstrations within the out of doors courtyard by the sunshine artist.
Previous City Scottsdale Artwork Galleries
Talking of artwork, one factor Scottsdale is thought for is the ton of wonderful artwork galleries you’ll discover in a walkable distance in Previous City Scottsdale, largely alongside Essential Avenue. We suggest strolling round and peering into the home windows to resolve which galleries to checkout for your self, except you already know!
Just a few we favored included Niki Woehler Studio & Gallery. Niki works with a mix of paint and resin and is thought for her gorgeous large-scale summary work.
One other nice choice is Bonner David Artwork Galleries options each a recent gallery and a conventional gallery at its location in Scottsdale, in addition they have a location in New York. There’s one thing for each style, and it’s all superbly displayed.
One of many prime issues to do in Previous City Scottdale in case you’re a fan of artwork is attend the weekly ArtWalks on Thursday nights at 7 PM. That is when greater than 2 dozen artwork galleries alongside Essential Avenue and Marshall Approach open their doorways with appetizers and dwell music. For a couple of hours, you will discover locals and guests mingling, having fun with dwell music, and testing the native artwork scene.
McDowell Sonoran Protect
The McDowell Sonoran Protect is a protected city park on the northeastern facet of Scottsdale. It’s over 30,000 acres of superbly preserved desert land with greater than 180 miles of straightforward to troublesome trails. If you happen to’re in search of out of doors issues to do in Scottsdale, this can be a good place to remain. It’s a preferred space to hike for these new to the world. And it’s an effective way to get acquainted with the native terrain.
To guard the native fauna and flora, automobiles, ATVs, and even electrical bikes aren’t allowed contained in the protect grounds. You may hike, mountain bike, or go trip horses within the park. The truth is, guided group hikes are recurrently scheduled by the McDowell Sonoran Conservatory. On their web site, you will discover an inventory of free upcoming hikes together with an outline of the ability degree and size of every hike. To attend, you simply have to arrive on the appropriate trailhead on the given time for every scheduled hike!
The park itself is free to entry and it’s open from dawn to sundown all year long. You may also entry all of the trailheads your self and hike the park and not using a group.
Simply needless to say Arizona desert circumstances could be brutal, so deliver water and begin early within the hotter months. Excessive warmth and rattlesnakes are widespread beginning within the spring, however in case you plan accordingly, a nature stroll on the protect could be a stunning and rewarding expertise!
Seize a Drink
If you happen to’re in search of issues to do in Scottsdale at night time, you gained’t need to look far! Scottsdale has a wholesome nightlife all through Downtown in addition to within the Leisure District.
Porters Western Saloon was one in every of our favorites and you may’t miss it with the enormous horse above the entrance entrance. It’s a basic western-style bar in a cool historic constructing with a fantastic environment, remember to strive the cactus margarita!
And plan to cease at The Rusty Spur throughout your weekend in Scottsdale, it’s a basic dive saloon and iconic honkytonk bar with Tex-Mex and dwell nation music each night time. It’s in a historic bank-turned-bar and has been round for 70 years! You’ll want to take note of the seats on the bar too.
Then there’s LDV Vineyard for individuals who love sipping on a glass of wine. The LDV Vineyard model of wines is comprised of domestically grown grapes. Come to the tasting room on the Arizona Canal the place you’ll be able to strive wine by the flight, glass, or bottle. The vineyard is open each day and provides each indoor and out of doors seating.
Taliesin West
Handle: 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd
Calling all structure followers, you’ll love this spot! Whereas a lot of Downtown Scottsdale is walkable, this subsequent cease is a 20-minute drive north, so that you’ll want a automotive. Nevertheless it’s undoubtedly well worth the effort.
Taliesin West was the winter residence of influential American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, his residence in the summertime is called Taliesin and is open to guests simply outdoors of Madison, Wisconsin. He constructed the home within the Nineteen Thirties, and in the present day it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Taliesin West additionally hosts Taliesin Institute, an structure college that Wright himself established.
Seeing Taliesin West is among the finest issues to do in Scottsdale as a result of it’s so stunning, and it’s open to the general public for excursions and Frank Lloyd Wright is arguably essentially the most well-known architect in American historical past. Wright liked working with native supplies, which you see within the design. Native wooden and rock are from Arizona, and even the cement is combined with desert sand. Wright is thought for the way in which he integrated artifical constructions into the pure panorama, and he did this with Taliesin West.
October by the top of Could, you’ll be able to take guided excursions of the grounds, the house, and the studio areas. Guided excursions are 90 minutes and tickets should be bought upfront. Sixty-minute self-guided audio excursions are additionally out there throughout the identical interval for a smaller price.
Scottsdale Waterfront
Off Camelback Highway within the Downtown space is the Scottsdale Waterfront, a big upscale shopping center winding alongside the canal. There are out of doors areas, and a number of buildings with retailers, eating places, and extra. Your entire place is full of pure lighting, together with the indoor mall which options a good looking multi-level atrium by the middle.
All 12 months spherical, Scottsdale Waterfront is a stunning place to take pleasure in a stroll alongside the canal. There isn’t a ton of shade, however the structure is gorgeous in shades of sandstone and terra cotta in every single place. There are potted flowers, fairly water fountains throughout, Western statues, and fairly often dwell music.
Throughout your go to, you may see artwork installations alongside the canal or an artwork present on the mall. And within the winter the vacation lights and Christmas tree give a festive really feel.
Papago Park
A weekend in Scottsdale wouldn’t be full and not using a journey to Papago Park, a spot we acquired acquainted with throughout our weekend in Tempe which can be close by. It’s lower than 10 minutes driving south of Downtown Scottsdale to a few of the finest mountaineering and pure areas within the higher Phoenix space. The park is huge with virtually 1,500 acres of desert, lagoons with palm bushes, cacti, and beautiful pink sandstone rock formations.
The hilly Papago Park has mountaineering trails with nice views of Scottsdale throughout. Considered one of our favourite issues to do in Scottsdale was mountaineering the Gap within the Rock path. That is a simple 5-minute hike up a hill to an enormous, easy-to-find sandstone rock formation with a gap by the center. That is Gap within the Rock and if you stand in it, you may have wonderful views of the park throughout the Salt River.Â
Another cool locations to hike to within the park are the Papago Amphitheater, a pure out of doors amphitheater the place you’ll usually see individuals attending yoga courses. Or there’s Hunt’s Tomb, a big white pyramid inbuilt memorial to Arizona’s first governor. It’s fascinating to see the brilliant white tile pyramid behind forged iron in distinction to the pure pink rocks of the desert round it!
Desert Botanical Backyard
Handle: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy
Inside Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Backyard is an effective way to see numerous desert crops and flowers in a single place and probably the greatest botanical gardens we’ve ever visited. The backyard is gorgeous with over 50,000 totally different crops, amongst out of doors artwork installations that superbly complement the pure setting.
The park provides all the pieces from tiny succulents to towering saguaro cacti. Nonetheless, the Desert Botanical Backyard additionally has trails devoted to several types of flowers you won’t consider. Take a nature stroll by a wildflower backyard that includes dozens of aromatic desert flowers that appeal to bees, hummingbirds, and different pollinators. Or learn instructional markers alongside one other path to learn the way indigenous peoples used crops for meals, shelter, and extra.
You may go to the backyard daily however Sunday, and hours change seasonally. From October by mid-Could, docent-led excursions and household actions are provided all through the park. The worth of admission provides you entry to those guided experiences.
Phoenix Zoo
Handle: 455 N Galvin Pkwy
Inside Papago Park is the Phoenix Zoo, some of the satisfying locations to go in Scottsdale. You may see alligators, monkeys, tropical birds, spiders, and extra. There’s additionally a carousel, fountains, a farm animal petting zoo, a kids’s space, and present retailers.
The zoo is open year-round, however in case you’re visiting between Could and September, go in the course of the earliest hours to keep away from overheating beneath the nice and cozy solar! Within the winter they do vacation lights within the zoo too, so don’t miss that in case you’re coming within the winter.
Hours are seasonal, and there’s a normal admission price for these older than 3 years. Buy tickets on-line to keep away from standing in an extended line (there’s additionally a small low cost for getting tickets upfront).
Butterfly Wonderland
Handle: 9500 East VÃa de Ventura F100
For extra Scottsdale actions that can attraction to all ages, head to Butterfly Wonderland. It’s a dreamy expertise to stroll by the primary habitat, which is principally a greenhouse with butterflies in every single place!
Stroll by the habitat and take a look at totally different species of caterpillars, butterflies, and moths feeding on bowls of fruit, resting on crops, and even touchdown on you. There’s a 3D theater with a brief movie on the migration of Monarch butterflies, in addition to reveals with birds, reptiles, bugs, and extra.
Butterfly Wonderland strives to be an accessible attraction for wheelchair customers and people with autism and different developmental disabilities. The habitat is open daily from 9 AM to five PM and admission provides you entry to all reveals and particular applications.
Rydables Tour
Previous City Scottsdale is a good looking, walkable a part of town with historic landmarks, boutique retailers, and extra. It’s a enjoyable place to discover by yourself, however you probably have an opportunity and wish to do one thing foolish and quirky, you must undoubtedly e book an Previous City Rydables tour!
Rydables is among the most original issues to do in Scottsdale, the place you be part of enjoyable group excursions on electrical carts which can be adorned to appear like all types of plush animals. Everybody will get their very own Rydable, with designs like unicorns, jungle animals, and even custom-designed creatures!Â
These excursions are good for all ages. In Scottsdale, Rydables provides a historic Previous City tour the place you’ll be taught concerning the historical past of the district and go to a number of landmarks. It lasts round 90 minutes, and it’s an effective way to get a really feel for Scottsdale whereas additionally giving your ft a break.
Rainbow Ryders Scorching Air Balloon Experience
Arriving in Scottsdale, you understand how strikingly stunning the arid desert panorama is. There are the Phoenix Mountains and low desert adorned with pink rock formations, desert shrubs, and cacti of all sizes and shapes. Among the best methods to see Scottsdale is from the air in a sizzling air balloon with Rainbow Ryders.
Take a half-day sizzling air balloon tour of the higher Phoenix space for the expertise of a lifetime. You’ll meet your pilots in Phoenix and even assist them blow up the balloon! Through the 3-hour-long journey, you’ll benefit from the heat winds and breathtaking views of the Arizona horizon from 3000 ft. The entire journey ends with a celebratory glass of champagne. You may go by your self or e book for as much as 6 individuals in your group.
Salt River Journey
Throughout a weekend in Scottsdale, you gained’t remorse taking time to trip the Salt River. It’s a big river that runs by Phoenix’s Maricopa County and 200 miles on each side of the metro space. Such a big physique of water within the deserts of Arizona makes the Salt River a preferred place year-round for swimming, kayaking, and tubing. The river additionally attracts native wildlife and provides considerable native flowers.
Take a half-day kayaking tour by Scottsdale up and out east of town for gorgeous views of the desert. It’s additionally widespread to see wild horses that graze alongside the banks of the Salt River! For desert surroundings and metropolis views, benefit from the higher Phoenix skyline from the water with a half-day kayaking journey west from Scottsdale. If the water’s heat sufficient, you may get out of your canoe and revel in a swim within the stunning river.
Tonto Nationwide Forest Off-Roading Tour
Exploring Tonto Nationwide Forest is among the finest issues to do in Scottsdale. Image a basic western desert, with clusters of large saguaro cacti with rugged mountains each which approach you look. The park can be residence to oasis-like lakes and rivers, in addition to forests of ponderosa pine and juniper bushes.
It’s a preferred place for mountaineering, tenting, fishing, and plenty of different out of doors actions. If you happen to’re up for a thrill, there are 2 designated areas of the park only for off-roading. That is an thrilling technique to see the tough terrain of Tonto Nationwide Forest up shut! Particularly in case you’ve by no means accomplished it, an off-roading tour is an effective way to ease into such a enjoyable exercise.
Your skilled and educated information will meet you at your resort in Scottsdale and take you to the park. Experience an H1 Hummer and revel in hours out and in of the mountains, rivers, and desert of Tonto with a few of the most stunning views in Arizona.
E-Bike Tour
Among the best methods to see a brand new place is thru the eyes of a pleasant information. Take pleasure in low-impact bodily exercise on a 3-hour e-bike tour by residential Scottsdale. You’ll be outfitted with a top quality e-bike rental, a helmet, and all the pieces you want for a enjoyable trip. Take within the stunning surroundings round you and hearken to your information level out historic landmarks and wildlife.
The small group tour permits for as much as 10 people, so chances are you’ll make some new buddies. Whereas your route is totally on paved or clear filth roads, it’s thought of straightforward to average due to the size of the trip.
Personal Climbing Tour of Camelback Mountain
Among the best locations to go in Scottsdale, and some of the well-liked in all of Arizona, is Camelback Mountain. It’s conveniently situated in central Scottsdale and provides wonderful views of the horizon from over 1,400 ft on the summit.
Each of the paths to the highest of Camelback Mountain take about 2.5 to three hours out and again. They’re each thought of strenuous trails with free rocks and difficult climbs. It would ease your thoughts to be led by an skilled native on a personal mountaineering tour of Camelback Mountain.
On the prime, you’ll really feel the satisfaction of assembly the problem of the climb! Plus, the unobstructed 360-degree views of Phoenix and the encompassing desert mountains make all of it value it.
Half-Day Sonoran Desert Guided Climbing Tour
A lot of Arizona is a part of the large Sonoran Desert and due to the way in which Scottsdale and Phoenix are laid out, there are pure areas and wonderful trails in every single place! If you happen to’re in search of the perfect place to go mountaineering throughout a weekend in Scottsdale, we suggest taking a guided mountaineering tour on the Sonoran Protect.
Particularly in case you’re unfamiliar with the world, this can be a nice technique to benefit from the nice open air round Scottsdale. The wonderful information with this tour works with you to seek out out your ability degree and expertise. They’ll select the right path for a top quality hike that’s exhilarating and nice. Stand up near native crops and wildlife and take within the nice views.
Prepare Day Journey
Whilst you’re in search of issues to do in Scottsdale, take into account venturing out a bit methods to see a few of the most wonderful historic websites within the state. Ebook a Verde Canyon Rail Day tour and start your day by being picked up for a scenic drive 90 minutes to Camp Verde.
You’ll spend the morning exploring a few of the most well-preserved Native American monuments in Arizona, together with the wonderful Montezuma Citadel. Subsequent, you’ll go to a historic mining city to study one other facet of Arizona’s layered historical past.
The practice day tour culminates in a trip on the Verde Valley Railroad, the place you’ll take pleasure in a first-class automotive with champagne and a lightweight meal. Through the 4-hour trip, you’ll sit again and preserve an eye fixed out for indigenous ruins and deserted mines with all the pieces you simply discovered about this a part of Arizona!
Day Journey to the Grand Canyon
If in case you have time in your weekend in Scottsdale, it’s important to see the Grand Canyon. This notorious Arizona landmark is 4 hours north and with a day tour, you’ll be able to benefit from resort decide up and drop off.
See the historic Route 66 within the desert city of Williams, Arizona earlier than persevering with for half a day of exploring the Grand Canyon. The sweeping views at this nationwide park need to be seen to be understood! You’ll have 3 hours to discover Grand Canyon Village with its museums, present retailers, eateries, and exquisite lodges.
There are a number of viewpoints the place you may get near the canyon beneath, in addition to straightforward rim hikes in case you’re up for it. For a further price, you’ll be able to add on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Your journey ends with a cease on the South Rim viewpoint earlier than having fun with a comfortable trip again to Scottsdale.
Day Journey to Horseshoe Bend
One other unforgettable pure space north of Scottsdale that’s value a day journey is Horseshoe Bend in Web page, Arizona. Deliver a digital camera for picture alternatives of a lifetime on this full-day tour of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. We loved this space of Arizona on a fantastic southwest highway journey in winter a couple of years again, however in case you’re restricted on time and trip and don’t make it to Arizona usually, it could be value checking it out on the full-day tour of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
Get picked up at your resort and revel in a snug 4-hour trip to Antelope Canyon. You’ll marvel on the gentle and colours taking part in off the gorgeous slot canyons of sentimental sandstone carved from water chopping by them.
Your Navajo information will lead you on a hike by the canyon earlier than taking a break for lunch close by. Then go on one other brief hike to viewpoints at Horseshoe Bend. After a possibility to see the pure formations of the bend, you’ll relaxation within the van again to your resort.
The place to Keep in Previous City Scottsdale
Keep inside strolling distance to all the perfect issues to do in Scottsdale at Cover by Hilton Previous City Scottsdale. Positioned instantly throughout from the Museum of the American West, this beautiful property by Hilton incorporates the great thing about the Southwest and Arizona in all of its design and decor parts all through the property.
The situation alone is well worth the keep right here, however the property actually is particular. For starters, the primary degree is a little bit of an open idea the place you test in, there are lounges across the space with western paintings. The restaurant and bar on-site on the primary degree, Cobre Kitchen + Cocktails is value consuming dinner at, or on the very least breakfast with their Southwestern-inspired menu.
There’s additionally a stellar rooftop pool and bar the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a cocktail watching the sundown and jaw-dropping views of Camelback Mountain and the desert panorama.
The rooms are spacious and handsomely adorned with paintings by native artists. The resort is pet pleasant and has parking out there for a price, and actually, this place is simply the right base to your weekend in Scottsdale. Ebook right here.
Scottsdale is thought for its close to good climate sunshine all year long, being one of many world’s most interesting {golfing} locations, having over 90 eating places, loads of purchasing, and being part of the McDowell Sonoran Protect – the biggest city wilderness space within the USA.
Scottsdale and Previous City Scottsdale are undoubtedly value visiting. Whether or not you solely have a couple of hours, the entire day, or are spending a complete weekend in Scottsdale, there are many sights in Previous City Scottsdale like museums, artwork galleries, eating, and nightlife choices in addition to out of doors actions like mountaineering, e-biking, and day journeys you’ll be able to take from Scottsdale.
If you happen to solely have someday in Scottsdale you’ll be able to simply spend it strolling across the artwork galleries up and down Essential Avenue, loads of eating places and bars in Previous City Scottsdale, purchasing, and nice museums. If you happen to’re in search of an outside exercise to incorporate, Papago Park is a simple and exquisite exercise to suit into someday in Scottsdale.
Loved this information to the perfect issues to do in Scottsdale on a weekend getaway? Bookmark for later or share the love beneath on Pinterest.
