Location: Scottsdale
Top Things to do in Scottsdale
The 10 Best 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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Scottsdale Fashion Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 586 reviews
Scottsdale Fashion Square is the Southwest's distinctive address for premier shopping, dining and entertainment. Scottsdale Fashion Square offers a compelling retail experience in the heart of the country's fastest-growing major metropolitan area. In Phoenix, where shopping is a top passion for domestic and international visitors, Scottsdale Fashion Square offers the very best in every category. Elite brands beckon at every turn - from Burberry and Boss Hugo Boss to kate spade, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Neiman Marcus.
Reviewed By 91brandil - Turlock, United States
Neimans, Dillards, Nordstrom, Macy’s and designer shops all in one mall. The parking was easy too! Large food court. I’ll be back!!!
6. Pinnacle Peak Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 984 reviews
Reviewed By RknRon - Madison, United States
This is a solid five stars from picturesque scenery, solidly manicured trails, to great views all with a great hike which is a challenge from start to finish, this is a must for hiking!
7. Butterfly Wonderland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,477 reviews
Reviewed By Mike-n-Inga - Williamsburg, United States
My wife and I really did not know what to expect when we visited this attraction. First: it is indoors, so offers a welcome break from mid-summer heat. Second: it has welcome hours (we visited late afternoon on a Sunday). You start off with an educational and entertaining movie about Monarch butterflies and their life-cycle. They really are a wonder and have a fascinating story for young and old alike. You follow this up with a visit to a room where the butterflies emerge from their cocoons (go earlier in the day to see more activity, later afternoon is too late). This is followed by the true wonder of the facility: the indoors butterfly sanctuary. My wife and I spent nearly two hours hunting through the foliage, each topping the other with the amazing pictures and movies we made capturing the various butterflies we found! We have many great pictures which we have shown to friends and relatives already and all are in awe. It's a great adventure and done at a leisurely pace away from the heat of the desert. Finally, we were surprised by the exhibits outside the sanctuary. We were awarded with dozens more pictures of various creepy critters! This place is a must-see, especially for parents looking for something educational and less hectic than some standard entertainment faire...
8. Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 619 reviews
Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West celebrates the art, history and unique stories of the 19 states comprising the American West. The rotating exhibitions feature hundreds of Western artworks and rare historic artifacts on loan from some of the world's foremost collectors and institutions. The contemporary, 43,000-square-foot building is an architectural gem that meets the highest standards for sustainability and conservation of natural resources. Visitors also will enjoy the informative video kiosks, beautiful outdoor sculpture courtyard,museum store, and inspirational film "Spirit Is." Located in downtown Scottsdale's arts district, Western Spirit is within easy walking distance of numerous art galleries and restaurants. Nearby attractions include Old Town Scottsdale,Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale Stadium (Cactus League Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team), the Scottsdale Waterfront, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Scottsdale's Museum of the West is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum, and was selected 2016 Best Western Museum in the nation by True West magazine.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
This is an unusual and fascinating museum, Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West, a well thought-out conglomeration of exhibitions from everything from cowboy and Native American attire to spurs to saddles to paintings to sculpture, even a stuffed buffalo. Located at 3830 North Marshall, in Old Town Scottsdale, on the former site of the Loloma Transit Station at North Marshall Way and East 1st Street, it was the vision of former Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater and opened in 2015. The two-story, 43,000-square-foot museum features the art, culture and history of 19 states in the American West, including Arizona. As museum director Mike Fox has said: "We are not a museum of objects, but a museum of ideas." And so it is. With eight exhibit spaces, a 135-seat multimedia theater, a gift shop and a sculpture garden, it covers everything you want to know about the Wild West. Even photographs and biographies of influential Westerners such as Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and Billy the Kid, the notorious gunfighter. Current exhibits of note include photographs by the late Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, paintings by western artists Maynard Dixon, Gilbert Waldman and Paul Calle, Hopi pottery, western movie posters, bronze sculpture by John Coleman, western artifacts and paintings and sculpture by Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran and Alfred Jacob Miller. It's a collection that you won't find anywhere else.
9. Old Town Scottsdale
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,485 reviews
Old Town Scottsdale - Scottsdale's downtown - is among the most vibrant and unique urban downtown centers in the American Southwest. Its pedestrian-friendly streets are home to world class art galleries, museums, restaurants and retail shops... and when the sun goes down you don’t have to because of the exciting nightlife. Old Town Scottsdale is known for hosting great events throughout the year such as markets, art walks, festivals, parades, concerts, and block parties.
Reviewed By treesel_13 - Phoenix, United States
This is a great place to visit and walk around with lots of shops , restaurants and bars sporting the “ western” vibe....there are quite a few historic buildings and interesting sculptures...within walking distance of the San Francisco Giants’ training ground....
10. OdySea Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,019 reviews
OdySea Aquarium, located in Scottsdale, is America’s newest aquarium and was recently voted Kids Best Indoor Entertainment. This multi-level, state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and is the largest aquarium in Arizona. OdySea Aquarium offers an educational, interactive and entertaining experience for guests of all ages by combining theme-park style amusement with highly engaging presentations of aquatic life. OdySea Aquarium features more than 65 exhibits, 370 species, the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit as well as 2 Stingray touch exhibits and a tide touch pool! OdySea is also home to Voyager, where guests take their seats in a stadium-seating style theatre with 46 ft. viewing windows for the “world’s only revolving aquarium experience.
Reviewed By C8088WRdavet
If you enjoy aquariums and the sea world, you must visit Odysea aquarium. From a full wall shark tank restroom to beautiful aquariums of all types of salt and fresh water exhibits, you will be continuisly in awe. I'm very happy that I went!
