Your guide to Scottsdale
Scottsdale highlights
Great outdoors
Exploring the desert beauty is a must on a visit to Scottsdale. You can hike, bike or scramble up rocky paths at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Head to the top of Pinnacle Peak for a panorama of the city and the wilderness that wraps around it. Looking to get even higher? Book a hot-air balloon ride over the region.
Wild West culture
You’ll find custom boot shops, a rodeo museum and restaurants serving steaks the size of a small car around Old Town Scottsdale. The scene may feel touristy, but the roots are genuine — many of the businesses and buildings have stood for over a century. Beyond the town centre, several ranches offer classic Western experiences like guided horse rides and open-fire cookouts.
Art appreciation
Visit the dozens of galleries to tap into the thriving local art scene, and view minimalist masterpieces at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Learn from the region’s best with a workshop at the Scottsdale Art School. Or simply walk the streets, where sculptures range from a two-metre-tall metal horse rider to a Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture.
Scottsdale: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-7 (MST) |
| High season | January - April and October - December |
| Low season | July - September |
Find the best time to go to Scottsdale
Weather in Scottsdale
February – April: Scottsdale’s clear, sunny winter days make it a popular escape for families on spring break. Evenings can be cool, so pack a light jacket, even if it’s often warm enough for short sleeves during the day.
May – August: The blazing hot days of Scottsdale’s summer are best split between the pool and air-conditioned spaces. You can usually find amazing deals at luxury hotels.
September – November: The heat breaks and temperatures get increasingly mild through autumn, making it a great time to be outdoors.
December – February: With Scottsdale’s long string of clear, sunny days, it’s an oasis for people fleeing frigid climates in winter. Pack a light jacket, though it’s often warm enough for short sleeves.
Events in Scottsdale
Western Week (January to February): Learn to lasso and line dance during this week-long celebration of Western culture in Old Town. Held at the same time, the Arizona Indian Festival takes over the Scottsdale Civic Center with performances from the region’s Indigenous tribes.
MLB Spring Training (February to April): Baseball fans gather to watch major league teams prepare for the season through practices and exhibition games. Players are often more accessible than during the regular season, making it a good time to snag an autograph.
Arizona Bike Week (April): Gawk at motorcycle stunt shows or join a group ride by day, then stick around for rock concerts at night. Book a campsite for the full, high-octane experience.
The best neighbourhoods in Scottsdale
Historic Old Town
Most of the city’s top attractions are centred around Old Town, with Historic Old Town offering the clearest sense of its Western roots. Compact and walkable, it’s lined with low-slung buildings, working blacksmiths and saloon-style shopfronts. Just beyond, the Arts District adds a contemporary layer, with galleries and museums within easy walking distance.
Good for: Old West vibes, souvenirs, art
Scottsdale Waterfront
Though part of Old Town, the waterfront shows Scottsdale’s more polished, contemporary side. Palm-lined paths and public sculptures frame the canal, with shops and restaurants set along the water. From here, it’s an easy walk to a luxury shopping centre or the Entertainment District, where bars and clubs keep things lively into the night.
Good for: Shopping, public art, nightlife
North Scottsdale
This is where to stay in Scottsdale if you’re here for pool time and spa appointments. Several luxury resorts are scattered around the area, with stunning private views of the peaks and mesas beyond. Nearby, you can hike the McDowell Sonoran Preserve or tee up at one of several top-rated golf courses.
Good for: Resorts, hiking, golfing
Things to do in Scottsdale
Family friendly
The Arizona Boardwalk packs in family attractions, including a mirror maze, a museum full of animatronic dinosaurs and the southwestern United States’ largest aquarium. At the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, kids can ride in a scaled-down version of a vintage locomotive, then blow off steam at a train-themed playground. For an easy hike, head to the Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park.
Take in the culture
Museums in Scottsdale cover a wide range, from contemporary art to regional history. The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art presents international work in a light-filled space, while the Western Spirit Museum explores the area’s past without leaning into cliché. Nearby, Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, blends seamlessly into the desert landscape.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Scottsdale range from polished, chef-driven dining rooms to smaller, family-run spots. While the headline names draw the biggest crowds, it’s worth branching out to find local favourites. Along the way, look for regional specialities like Native American fry bread and Sonoran hot dogs, wrapped in bacon and topped with beans.
Nightlife
Scottsdale’s many rooftop bars are the best place to spend the golden hour. Once the sun goes down, you can hit the nightclubs and bars of the area’s lively Entertainment District. If velvet ropes and VIP bottle service aren’t your scene, head to Historic Old Town or the Arts District for low-key wine bars and watering holes.
Shopping
Old Town is stacked with artisan boutiques and galleries, particularly in the Historic and Fifth Avenue districts. Pick up a hand-woven Native American blanket or custom-fit rancher hat. To bring a local jam home with you, hit the Saturday morning farmers market. If you need a high-end fashion fix, visit Scottsdale Fashion Square, the largest shopping centre in Arizona.
Free things to do
Thursday evenings are for ArtWalk, a Scottsdale tradition where locals and tourists wander between the Arts District galleries. In summer, free concerts often take place after dark at open-air venues across the city. And that spectacular desert scenery? It’s always free to explore, including the trails at Pinnacle Peak Park and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Get ready for Scottsdale
Budget
Swap the luxury stays and upmarket restaurants for more modest options, and you can easily swing a cheap trip to Scottsdale. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you around 20 US dollars ($), a domestic beer roughly $6 and bottled water less than $3. A short taxi ride will only set you back a few dollars.
Day trips from Scottsdale
Camelback Mountain and Phoenix Mountains Park offer some of the best hiking just outside the city. Nearby, Phoenix adds a cultural angle, with standout stops like the Musical Instrument Museum and the Heard Museum worth exploring. A bit farther afield, Sedona’s sandstone formations and much-discussed energy vortexes make it well worth the two-hour drive.
Getting around Scottsdale
While you’ll want a car to reach the natural landscape beyond Scottsdale, you won’t need it to explore the city itself. Old Town is compact and walkable. You can also hop onto the free city trolley, which stops at the area’s major attractions. Or hire an e-bike at multiple spots in town. Rideshare companies also operate within the city.
