Location: Scottsdale
Top Things to do in Scottsdale
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona (AZ)
Scottsdale has more spas per capita than any other city in the U.S.—so whether you’re looking for the latest medi-spa technology or a new-agey, bohemian vibe, there’s sure to be something for you. It's a good thing, too—after spending all day touring the beautiful desert, you'll be grateful for some pampering.
Restaurants in Scottsdale
1. McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,114 reviews
Reviewed By 110edwardf
We visited the preserve on two different days from two different trailheads. Both Gateway and Lost Dog Wash trailheads had good parking, restrooms and trails. There were good maps and well marked trails in good condition. The trails were interlinked loops, so you could start on one but switch to another if you wanted to see different territory. For example at the Lost Dog Wash trailhead, we started in the Ring Tail trail. But at a junction at a choice to stay on that trail that had city views, but switched to Lost Dog Wash to hike into a different little valley with more birds, plants and cactus to see. WeSaw lots of people both days, but it didn’t feel crowded at all.
2. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 503 reviews
Tours by appointment only. Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility specializing in wild mammals. Over 70% of the animals that come into our center are returned to the wild. For those that cannot be released, we offer a home for life in our sanctuary. We conduct guided tours of our sanctuary by appointment only. Reservations are required and can be made on our website under the Visit Us tab.
Reviewed By nf0x - Denver, United States
Fun and educational experience for all ages. Passionate and well informed volunteers lead you through this animal sanctuary for Arizona rescued animals. Up close opportunity to see and learn about a variety of animals. See Mexican Gray Wolves that the center plays a role in their repopulation in the southwest US. Tours are outdoors and in the shade.
3. Tom's Thumb Trailhead
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 393 reviews
Reviewed By ca847
Beautiful scenery. Fun walk in the heat. Trails are marked very well. Be sure to bring plenty of water and proper shoes.
4. Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is a statewide facility that includes a surrender facility, education program, summer camps and rescue and rehabilitation. Visit over 1700 reptiles in their natural habitat while expert guides describe origin, diet, and conservation status. Students may even interact with some critically endangered animals. See more than 230 venomous snakes in the Venom & Research Lab as well as alligators, crocodiles, Galapagos tortoises, Gila monsters, just to name a few.
Reviewed By Daryl0591 - Sanibel Island, United States
Must make appointment. Great to do with kids. Extensive collection of alligators, crocks, turtles and snakes. Took 2.5 hours.
5. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,215 reviews
Climb aboard the miniature replica of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad to explore this park that features famous railroad cars and an antique carousel.
Reviewed By jssplsn
This is a great way to spend a beautiful day in the Phoenix area if you have kids under the age of 5. There's a large playground and a model railroad for free, and for less than $20 you can buy enough tickets for a family of 4 to ride the carousel and the miniature train and visit the museum, which has real historical train cars to explore. There's tons of space for picnics and just running around, too.
6. Taliesin West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,062 reviews
Experience the beauty of the Sonoran Desert through the eyes of Frank Lloyd Wright. Deeply connected to the land from which it was forged, Taliesin West is a celebration of the Arizona desert — a celebration you can step into and explore on a tour, either guided by a Taliesin West expert or at your own pace with an audio tour.
Reviewed By Bob1775 - Houston, United States
We took the night lights tour and highly recommend it. You need to make reservations. Start times range from 6, 6:30 or 7 depending on the time of year. The tour lasts for 2 hours and even had a snack stop of cookies and lemonade towards the end. The tour starts with everyone walking to Frank Lloyd Wright’s office where everyone sits down and listens to a history of Wright and the facility....it is still an active architecture school conferring Masters Degrees in Architecture. You then walk outside and see the night views of the valley and the facility. Here you get an explanation of the facility in the early days and how it closed up for the summer and how the canvas roofs were stored. Next stop is Wright’s living room where again you sit down and the architecture of the facility is discussed. We then walk back to Wright’s living quarters and hear about his bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Also discussed how every year the place received tweaks with rooms being moved or reconfigured. Next we go to Wright’s movie and entertainment room. You are offered snacks and the sit down to hear about Wright’s connections to the motion picture industry. Also we hear about how Wright entertained his apprentices and visitors. Next we walk to the cabaret, which is our final stop. We walk through the school seeing the dining facility and student work areas. Don’t miss the fire breathing dragon...see attached photo. At the cabaret which is a tiered theater type room we sit again. We hear about Wright’s dinner parties and performances put on by the apprentices. We also hear more about Wright’s thoughts on right angles and acoustics. Over all a fascinating two hours. It was very informative, interactive and never boring. Bruce our guide. who is a retired employee of the architecture school, did an outstanding job giving us a fun and interesting learning experience.
7. Cosanti
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 376 reviews
Our Windbell Gallery features an awe-inspiring collection of our hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind bells. Cosanti is a designated Arizona historic site, designed by world-renowned architect Paolo Soleri, featuring terraced landscaping with experimental earth-formed concrete structures. Organic structures emerge out of the Arizona landscape to immerse guests in a creative, meditative experience. Guests can take guided tours of the property 7 days a week, and can also view the dramatic bronze casting process weekday mornings at Cosanti’s foundry.
8. Scottsdale Civic Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By earlr877 - Scottsdale, United States
We bought a condo within two blocks of Scottsdale's Civic Center Park. Oddly, at the time of purchase we were unaware of this gem of a park. It contains the Performing Arts Center, Contemporary Arts Museum, the amazing Civic Center Library, City Hall, several restaurants, a major local hotel, interesting fountains, and impressive public art. We enjoy major festivals there throughout the year. It is one of the most photographed areas of any city in Arizona. Just this morning, some visitors asked me to take their pictures in front of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture, a spot that so popular it's hard for the city to keep the grass alive in front of it. The Scottsdale Civic Center is an exceptional gem, far surpassing similar facilities in much larger cities.
9. Main Street Arts District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By Brandyomariva
Nice district for a tourist who loves art and bars! I enjoyed my time here, and loved the galleries.
10. Salt River Fields
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
Reviewed By Rickconnor - Scottsdale, United States
Salt River Fields, MLB Spring Training facility shared by the AZ Diamondbacks and CO Rockies is incredible. Plenty of parking, lots of great food/beverage options and an incredible view of the Scottsdale McDowell Mountains...take a selfie (ideally at sunset) from the main concourse behind home plate for great shot with the mountains backdrop.
TAGS
