AREA SIGHTSEEING
Looking for things to do while visiting Scottsdale?
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned regular, there are some quintessential Scottsdale experiences you simply shouldn’t miss! Here’s your insider’s guide to the top things to do in Scottsdale, from off-road desert tours and championship golf to architectural wonders, chef-driven restaurants, ArtWalks and more!
Attractions in Chicago
Experience Scottsdale – Things to Do
Outdoor Adventure
Whether you’re a hardcore adventure seeker or prefer to experience nature on a more low-key outing, there are plenty of things to do in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert.
Arts & Culture
The Scottsdale arts scene vibrates with a creative energy all its own. Experience art-driven events like the free weekly ArtWalk, Canal Convergence and Scottsdale Contemporary Month. Catch Broadway shows at our performing arts theaters. Take a walking tour of public art installations in Old Town. However you’d like to indulge your creative muse, you can do it in Scottsdale!
Dining
With more than 800 restaurants in Scottsdale from which to choose, finding your next bucket-list dining experience might seem overwhelming. But we’ve got you covered! Below are our recommendations for some of Scottsdale’s best restaurants, as well as stories that will give you the scoop on our city’s dining scene from an insider’s point of view.
Old Town Scottsdale
Take one look at Old Town Scottsdale and it’s easy to see what makes the vibrant heart of our city so original. Nestled within nine walkable neighborhoods you’ll find a unique collection of shops, restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs, as well as contemporary public art installations, world-class museums and historic sites from the late 1880s. It’s this effortless blend of urban chic and Old West charm that gives our city’s downtown its one-of-a-kind flair and makes it a can’t-miss stop on any Scottsdale itinerary!
Golfing
With more than 200 golf courses in the Scottsdale area, a portfolio of luxury resorts and year-round sunny skies, it’s no wonder Scottsdale is known as The World’s Finest Golf Destination. Make it worth your time to visit the golf courses in Scottsdale. Check out our picks for the best golf courses, as well as insider tips from local golf experts below. Then book your tee time and experience the round of a lifetime!
Spa & Wellness
When you’re ready for a little pampering (or a lot), Scottsdale is home to some of the best spas in Arizona with over 50 luxury resort and day spas. These blissful dens of Zen will soothe you from head to toe with treatments and wellness therapies inspired by Sonoran Desert Botanicals, ancient Native American healing techniques and curative traditions from around the world. It’s the perfect recipe for relaxation! Relax the day away at one of these spas in Scottsdale!
Shopping
Scottsdale boasts the best shopping in Arizona with more than 2,500 luxury retailers, one-off boutiques, and upscale malls. Old Town Scottsdale is home to dozens of gift shops, Native American jewelry stores and Scottsdale Fashion Square, the Southwest’s largest shopping destination. And in north Scottsdale, Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons delight shoppers with high-end stores in sunny outdoor settings. When you plan on shopping in Scottsdale, be prepared for all the options available!
Attractions in the areas surrounding Scottsdale
Explore Arizona
Scottsdale’s central-Arizona location makes it the perfect basecamp from which to explore all the wonders Arizona has to offer. You'll notice the vast landscapes that range from one end of the state to the other the more you explore Arizona and its vast beauty. From the scenic grandeur of the Grand Canyon and Sedona in the north to the historic streets of Tombstone in the south, there's no shortage of places to see here. Here’s your guide to exciting Arizona day trips from Scottsdale!
Explore beyond the city limits
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
You’ll never look at the desert the same again. Located just an hour from Scottsdale, this shady sanctuary harbors thousands of drought-tolerant plants from cacti to succulents to a forest of hardy trees, all collected from arid regions across the globe. Founded by wealthy mining engineer, Colonel William Boyce Thompson, the arboretum is crisscrossed by easy hiking trails (some wheelchair accessible) that explore a variety of themed gardens and even a small lake.
Superior
Grab a bite of lunch in the neighboring burg of Superior. Nestled at the foot of Apache Leap Mountain and filled with historic buildings, the picturesque old mining town is definitely on an upswing. New shops and restaurants have opened. Vibrant murals add a splash of color, and landscaped little parks entice visitors to linger in the kind of small towns you were afraid no longer existed.
Ghost Towns
Don’t miss the Legends of Superior Trail (LOST), which leads through the desert scrub to the ghost town of Pinal City, including the cemetery where Mattie Blaylock, the common law wife of Wyatt Earp, is buried.
Bearizone Wildlife Park
Bearizona allows visitors to drive through the Arizona wilderness and witness North American wildlife in natural forested habitats. Walk through Fort Bearizona to see baby and smaller animals up close! Don't miss the exciting birds of prey show at 11am, 1pm & 3pm.
Verde Canyon Railroad
Postcard-perfect scenery is only part of the magic of Verde Canyon Railroad. The train provides a quiet sanctuary as it travels a leisurely four hours from the charming Clarkdale depot through the red rock Sedona area. It is a retreat into the heart of the land, and the mood on the train suits the spirit of the journey.
First-class cars boast comfortable seating, complimentary appetizers and a full-service bar. Coach offers vintage Pullman-style seating, enormous viewing windows and snack bars. The caboose is your own private car with a personal attendant and private platforms. Everyone has access to open-air viewing cars where photographic opportunities abound.