Scottsdale offers something for everyone, beginners and pros. The Old Town’s beautiful streets, stunning galleries, and the Palo Verde Spa’s health and wellness offerings provide plenty of activities. Visit Old Town’s art, culture, and history, or rest your body and spirit. Scottsdale’s hidden gems provide outdoor thrills and peaceful Sonoran Desert escapes.
The Desert Botanical Garden shows how desert plants adapt and symbiose, letting you appreciate nature. Art displays, calm walks, and desert beauty refreshments. Shows at the Museum of Contemporary Art encourage thought and transcend existence. Things to Do in Scottsdale is not just about fun—it’s a place to relax, learn, and find peace in nature and art, not just a vacation resort. Let’s explore top 10 things to do in Scottsdale.
Best Things to Do in Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale has activities for everyone. There’s something for everyone, from touring Fifth Avenue galleries to partying in the Entertainment District. Walkable areas and the local vibe make this historic portion of the city easy to explore on foot. Things to Do in Santa Fe also offers vibrant arts and culture; you can connect this to Scottsdale’s thriving cultural scene. JoyRidesAZ provides street-legal golf cart trips of Scottsdale’s history and origins for a more relaxed experience.
Old Town is great for unique shopping and the monthly ArtWalk. Its lively daytime and fascinating nightlife give something to enjoy. Art, history, and atmosphere make Old Town great for shopping, eating, and resting. Things To Do In Scottsdale are endless in this area, with vibrant districts offering a mix of excitement and relaxation.
Must-See Things to Do in Scottsdale – Relax at Palo Verde Spa
Palo Verde Spa is the best place to relax. The spa provides desert-inspired body treatments to boost self-esteem. Medical therapies include Sonoran clay, juniper clay wraps, cactus, and apple stem cell facials. Enjoy the private outdoor tub and heated pool while taking in Camelback Mountain views. The steam rooms and outdoor lounge let you relax. All Palo Verde treatments aim to alter your body and soul. Palo Verde Spa is a must-see for tranquil relaxation or a refreshing retreat.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S TALIESIN WEST
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Sonoran Desert masterpiece, is famous. In the 1930s, Wright created this winter home and architecture school. Its innovative indoor-outdoor design blends with the area’s natural beauty. Visitors love how the buildings mimic nature, with each design carefully situated to take advantage of the bright temperature and magnificent desert views.
UNESCO Heritage Site Taliesin West inspires and trains architects. Daily tours of old buildings carefully preserved and renovated with ADA-compliant ramps, restrooms, and accessible surfaces illustrate the site’s fascinating history. No matter your design tastes or curiosity about Taliesin West’s genius, its ageless appeal is straightforward. It’s genuinely one of the top Things To Do In Scottsdale.
Play a Round at Talking Stick Golf Course
Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore built Scottsdale Desert Course Talking Stick Golf Course. The strategy game challenges players with nature. The well-designed angular course offers wide fairways but needs planning and skill. Golfers seeking beauty and challenge visit the course, which is one of the most intriguing.
Golfers looking to improve will love the region’s largest public practice facility’s 17,000-square-foot driving range. Talking Stick is more than just a place to play, whether in the course or VISION54 mental gaming program. The course celebrates the O’odham and Piipash people and their land, making it immersive and one of the top Things To Do In Scottsdale.
SCOTTSDALE’S MCDOWELL SONORAN PRESERVE
Scottsdale’s 30,500-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve is America’s biggest urban preserve. This vast desert provides hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The popular Bajada Nature Trail and the more challenging Windgate Pass Trail are among 11 trailheads for different difficulty levels. Desert panoramas and panoramic views await in the McDowell Mountain foothills.
Gateway is perfect for fun and discovery. The preserve’s beautiful surroundings may be explored peacefully on these accessible pathways. Nature lovers could hike or explore Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve to see the desert’s genuine splendor.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art draws you into a world of art and imagination. Its distinctiveness is reflected in its rotating shows of local and international artists. Explore thought-provoking sculptures and digital art. The permanent exhibition showcases contemporary architecture beautifully and creatively, with each item carefully chosen to inspire creativity.
Knight Rise, by psychological artist James Turrell, is a highlight of the museum. Natural light and color create a strange environment that challenges your senses. At this art show, you may connect with yourself and be inspired by modern art. It’s truly one of the must-try things to do in Scottsdale.
SONORAN DESERT ADVENTURES
Scottsdale has amazing outdoor adventures for anybody wanting to see the Sonoran Desert. Hot air ballooning above the desert or horseback riding over the harsh terrain are great ways to experience nature. Experience the desert with off-road trips or river rafting. No experience is needed—professional guides and outfitters lead these outdoor activities, providing a fantastic experience.
Every encounter is different, with a bright sky and the desert’s fantastic nature. The Sonoran Desert is ideal for peaceful or thrilling adventures. Scottsdale offers additional possibilities to enjoy these beautiful activities and develop memories.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM
The Scottsdale Musical Instrument Museum provides a unique musical adventure. The museum’s outstanding collection spans continents with unique instruments from various musical traditions. Explore the multimedia displays to find guitars, gongs, and gamelans with exceptional stories. The Experience Gallery is a highlight, where you may touch and listen to these instruments.
The museum is a must-see for musicians and music history buffs. More than a build, it’s a live tour of global music that reveals how instruments affect societies. The museum shows how music can unite people throughout the globe, whether you’re learning about guitars or bells.
Wine & Dine at Maple & Ash Scottsdale
Maple & Ash, a Scottsdale hidden gem, will renew your passion for delicious cuisine. You’re taken to a world of improved cuisine and excellent service when you enter this beautiful restaurant. The Michelin Star chef Danny Grant has created an eating trip to please you at every stop.
Their seafood tower is a stunning display of fresh, lovely seafood to start your dinner. Taste the tasting menu’s chili oil-infused delicacies and fire-roasted excellence for a life-changing experience. In this establishment, a simple meal becomes a sensory experience that lasts. The ingenuity in every dish makes Maple & Ash a place to appreciate, not simply consume.
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN
Nature fans and desert adventurers should visit Scottsdale’s Desert Botanical Garden. Its spectacular desert and arid-land plant collection makes this garden a great spot to learn about local flora. Explore themed pathways and interesting displays of desert life’s beauty and resilience. With live music, Las Noches de las Luminarias and Music in the Garden create a beautiful environment.
Flashlight Nights, which allows you to explore the garden at night, is a highlight. The Desert Botanical Garden is a peaceful place to unwind with nature. You can have lunch at Gertrude’s, browse for unusual products, or see the stunning art.
Conclusion
Scottsdale thrills. Sonoran Desert Adventures, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Desert Botanical Garden, and Old Town provide something for everyone. Scottsdale’s top attractions include Maple & Ash, Taliesin West, and Talking Stick. Scottsdale’s art, nature, and elegance are perfect for relaxing, exploring, and making memories.