Is Scottsdale worth visiting? When you think of Arizona, many of the iconic landmarks may come to mind. Such as the breathtaking Grand Canyon, the red rocks of Sedona, the jaw-dropping slot canyons at Antelope Canyon, and the popular hang-out Lake Havasu, to name of few.
Should Scottsdale also be added to your Arizona bucket list? If you are debating if Scottsdale is worth visiting, you have come to the right place! In this guide, you will discover the top things to do, and if Scottsdale is worth visiting for you.
Is Scottsdale Worth Visiting
What makes Scottsdale worth visiting is its ability to be a well-rounded destination and offer lots of things to do for every type of traveler. It is a popular and well-known luxury destination with upscale accommodations, high-end shopping, and golf courses galore. However, Scottsdale is so much more than that.
It also offers miles and miles of scenic trails, an exceptional art scene, a great home base for nearby day trips, and one of the largest urban wilderness areas in the United States.
20 Reasons Why Scottsdale is Worth Visiting
Here is my list of 20 reasons why Scottsdale is worth visiting and why it should be added to your travel bucket list. Let’s get started!
1. More Than 300 Days of Sunshine
One of the main reasons why Scottsdale is worth visiting is its unbelievable weather. Yes, summer temperatures reach the triple digits, but for the majority of the year, the weather is perfect for enjoying outdoor activities.
The consistently warm and sunny days are why many people in the US flock to Scottsdale to escape the cold in the winter and spring months.
2. Upscale and Trendy Restaurants
Did you know Scottsdale is a foodie’s paradise? I didn’t either. Scottsdale’s restaurant scene is bursting with diversity, trendy, and upscale restaurants. You will have a hard time choosing which one to make your reservations.
A couple of fan favorites are Chula Seafood, for a mouthwatering crab grilled cheese or an incredible lobster roll, Fat Ox for delicious modern Italian food, Toca Madera for insanely good co*cktails and ab trendy scene, or SumoMaya’s uniqueMexican-Asian fusion. Tacos and sushi, yes, please!
⭐ Tip: SumoMaya throws an excellent brunch with unlimited shared plates and desserts plus one entree per guest for $39. And for an additional $20 per guest, you can do bottomless Bloody Marys, Margaritas, Mimosas, Micheladas, or Draft Beer.
3. The Luxury Hotels in Scottsdale
Relax and unwind at one of the many luxurious hotels in Scottsdale. Booking an Airbnb or VRBO has many benefits, but sometimes you just want the luxury of being pampered at an upscale hotel. If you are going to splurge on a hotel, Scottsdale is the place to do it.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa tops the list of best luxury hotels in Scottsdale, AZ. The 5-star resort features picturesque landscapes of Camelback Mountain. It is situated outside of downtown Scottsdale in Paradise Valley.
The resort includes amenities like an infinity pool, spa, fitness center, complimentary house car service, tennis, pickleball courts, and an onsite restaurant.
W Scottsdale
Another luxury hotel, that is a little bit more budget-friendly than Camelback is the W Scottsdale. It’s located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale.
The W Scottsdale also has a luxurious spa, a gym with fitness classes, complimentary bike rentals, multiple onsite restaurants, and a beauty bar for a day of pampering.
4. Over 200 Golf Courses
Scottsdale is the ideal golf vacation destination! It is known as one of The World’s Finest Golf Destinations, with over 200 golf courses to choose from. There are numerous top-notch courses in Scottsdale, including the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, which hosts the PGA Tours.
5. Close to the International Airport
Another great reason why Scottsdale is worth visiting is that it’s easy to get to. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the closest major airport to Scottsdale. It is 14 miles from Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale and approximately a 20 to 30-minute drive depending on traffic.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers nonstop service to more than 100 domestic and 23 international destinations.
6. Easy to Get Around City
The best part about visiting Scottsdale is that you don’t necessarily need to rent a car for your stay. Scottsdale has numerous affordable options for transportation available to get around the city.
For example, the Scottsdale Trolley is free to ride and offers three fixed routes with connections to Valley Metro Transit (Phoenix’s public transportation) and the Tempe Orbit. The trolleys run every 20 minutes and operate Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
There are also Lime Bikes and E-Bikes available to rent through the Lime App. If you download the app you can search for an available electric bike or bike nearby to rent and explore downtown Scottsdale.
Uber and Lyft are available as well if you plan on staying outside of Old Town Scottsdale or need a ride to and from the airport.
7. Walkable City
Besides having access to a free trolley during the week and being close to the airport,Scottsdale, for the most part, is a pedestrian-friendly city. Old Town Scottsdale is a little over one square mile andoffers nine walkable districts.
Old Town Scottsdale is a prime location to to stay in if you want to be within walking distance of numerous hotels, cafes, restaurants, shops, and other attractions. Here is a great walking map of Old Town Scottsdale with the nine districts.
8. Party Bike Pub Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale
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Another way to get around the city of Scottsdale is by party bike! Turn things up a notch and book a party bike for your crew visiting Scottsdale! A Party Bike Pub Crawl is a fun and unique way to spend the day exploring Old Town Scottsdale. It is a two-hour pub crawl where you will visit three pubs and receive exclusive drink specials.
We booked the Party Bike Pub Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale with our groups of friends and had an amazing time! It was so much fun blasting our music while we got to pedal around Scottsdale to the different pubs.
“Captain John was amazing! It was such a fun experience! We had the time of our lives! We loved it, and will do it again every single time we visit Scottsdale. The bars we visited great too!” – Candace O (Read more reviews)
9. The 5th Largest City in the US is Only 20 Minutes Away
If you are looking for a big city vibe for the day, no problem, Phoenix is only a 20 to 30-minute drive from Scottsdale. You could easily spend your day or afternoon discovering Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the US.
The fast-growing city of Phoenix has a plethora of fun activities, including the Phoenix Zoo, numerous art museums, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and a visit to Chase Field, to name a few.
10. The Beverly Hills of the Southwest
Get your shopping on at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Square, one of the best malls in the region with over 200 brand-name stores, restaurants, and a movie theater.
Shopping in Scottsdale is often referred to as “The Beverly Hills of the Southwest” because of its high-end and upscale shops.
At the Scottsdale Fashion Square, you will find luxury shopping atbig designer brands like Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton.Even if a Louis Vuitton is not in your budget, it is still fun to browse high-end fashion at the largest shopping center in the Southwest.
11. A Great Home Base for Day Trips
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Scottsdale is located near some pretty incredible destinations and makes for a great home base to plan some epic day trips in Arizona. If you don’t have a car, no problem. You can book a tour and they will take care of the transportation and all of the planning for you.
A popular and highly rated tour you can book is the Grand Canyon and Sedona Day Adventure from Scottsdale.
“Seeing the grand canyon and the red rocks of Sedona was absolutely majestic! Cody was amazing and so knowledgeable of all the areas that we drove through. It was such an amazing trip!!!” -Shellie R. (read more reviews)
Visit two iconic locations in one day on a full-day tour of the Grand Canyon and Sedona. On your guided tour, you will get to explore the south rim of the Grand Canyon and have the opportunity to view two breathtaking vistas along the rim. After eating lunch, you will continue on a scenic drive to view the famous red rocks of Sedona.
12. The Vibrant Art Scene
Scottsdale has a thriving art scene with access to numerous galleries and museums in the historic downtown area. Located along Main Street and Marshall Way is the Scottsdale ArtWalk.
The ArtWalk allows locals and visitors to stop at the many renowned art galleries, experience new art pieces, and converse with artists and owners. It takes place every Thursday evening year round, from 7 to 9 pm.
Another interesting and unique experience in Scottsdale is the Wonderspaces exhibit. Wonderspaces is an art show featuring immersive, interactive installations from artists from around the world. The Wonderspaces exhibit is located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square mall.
13. Instaworthy Locations
Even if you are not a #influencer, you can still enjoy a pretty and fun picture of yourself exploring a new town. Scottsdale is loaded with instagrammable locations that are perfect for the gram or just to keep for yourself.
There are numerous fun murals around the city, including the “It’s Always Sunny In Scottsdale,” which you can find at the Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale. Or the “It’s That Hot” mural on the righthand side of the Geisha A Go Gobuilding.
Restaurants and hotels are popular spots for some photo ops as well. Diego Pops is known for its modern twist on Mexican favorites and delicious margaritas.They have a funky and retro aesthetic that was so much fun to explore.
Spotting out these instagrammable locations is so much a thing that JoyridesAZ even offers an Instagram tour around Old Scottsdale.
14. You Can Book an Unforgettable Hot Air Balloon Flight
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Check off a hot air balloon flight from your bucket list by booking this exhilarating tour! Take in the spectacular views as your hot air balloon soars over the Sonoran Desert. A once-in-a-lifetime experience! After your flight, you get to enjoy a Champagne breakfast.
This tour is perfect if you are celebrating a special occasion! Or even a thoughtful and memorable gift for your significant other.
“So peaceful with amazing views. Don and his team made this an amazing experience. It was more than I ever could have imagined! If it’s still cold bundle up!” – Samantha S. (read more reviews)
✅ Book the Hot Air Balloon Flight here
15. The Best Pool Parties
What else are you supposed to do with over 300 days of sunshine in a year than throw epic pool parties? In the summer, the poolside is the place to be in Scottsdale. You can find Vegas-like pool parties at Maya Day Club, WET Deck at the W Scottsdale, or Talking Stick Resort for a night pool party.
Or if you are looking for a more laid-back vibe, but still want the DJ and music, you can lounge at Saguaro Scottsdale or Hotel Adeline.
16. The Diverse and Lively Nightlife
The nightlife in Scottsdale is certainly not lacking. In Old Town Scottsdale, you will find everything from bars to nightclubs, live music, country music, night pool parties, and much more. Pretty much, whatever you are into, Scottsdale has it.
17. The Perfect Location for a Girl’s Trip or Boy Weekend
An area that is walkable, easy to get, has an incredible nightlife, luxurious spas and hotels, and pool parties during the day, all go into making for the perfect location for a girl’s trip or boy’s weekend.
We planned a girls’ trip in Scottsdale for my sister’s bachelorette party, and it was epic! There is so much to do in Scottsdale, it was so easy to plan, and everyone had an incredible time.
The following year, my husband went to a bachelor party in Scottsdale. His itinerary looked a little different than ours but still offered plenty to do for a group of guys as well.
Elevate Your Pool Party with Cabana Boys
Looking to turn your girl’s weekend up a notch? You can book the Cabana Boys to liven up the party and for an unforgettable experience in Scottsdale!
We did this for my sister’s bachelorette weekend and it was a blast! She loved it! And it made for some awesome memories with our group of girlfriends.
The Cabana Boys are a party-hosting service, where you will get two Boys to help make drinks, set up drinking games, be the Spotify DJ, BBQ, take photos, and be the highlight of the party. It is a fun and awesome addition to any bachelorette party, girls’ trip, or birthday party.
*Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Cabana Boys for this post because I know they will provide the best party service for your girl’s weekend in Scottsdale!
18. Affordable Accommodations for a Large Group
One of the things I was pleasantly surprised about when visiting Scottsdale was the prices of the shared homes. I think Scottsdale can get a bad rap for being pricey, but in my opinion, I found VRBO to be pretty darn affordable, especially for what you are getting.
Your money will stretch further in Scottsdale than in some of the other sunny locations, like California. On VRBO, you can find a ton of shared homes for large groups that offer plenty of space and beds, a pool or hot tub, outdoor games, and most of them look newly renovated.
For example, this beautiful home on VRBO is perfect for a large group visiting Scottsdale. It can comfortably sleep up to eight people. This house has pretty much all you could want and more in a shared home.
Luxury Oasis at Old Town Scottsdale
⭐ RATING:5 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW
- Ideal location only a 3-minute drive from all of the action in downtown Scottsdale
- Reasonably priced
- The backyard looks like an outdoor oasis with a pool, hot tub, outdoor dining table, and an outdoor kitchen with BBQ and mini fridge.
- Exceptional reviews
- Plenty of rooms, bathrooms, and space for a large group
- Modern and updated design
“We had an amazing stay. The property is in a quiet neighborhood that is a quick drive away from Old Town, Camelback, golf courses, etc. The interior is beautiful with new appliances, comfortable couches/beds, and was very clean and fully furnished. The outdoor pool space is incredible – the pictures don’t do it justice. We’ll be staying here again when we come back to Scottsdale. ” – Ed D. (read more reviews)
19. The Largest Aquarium in Arizona
The Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale is the largest aquarium in Arizona, it holds more than 2 million gallons of water! The top-rated OdySea Aquarium features numerous unique experiences like their sloth encounter and sea trek helmet diving.
The aquarium is great for kids, it offers more than 65 exhibits, 370 species, the world’s only Russian Sturgeon touch exhibit, two Stingray touch exhibits, and a tide touch pool.
20. Miles & Miles of Scenic Hikes
Scottsdale is worth visiting just to explore the natural beauty and geological wonders of the southwest. The area is loaded with plenty of hiking options for hikers of all levels and experience.
Even if you don’t have a car, many of these hikes are easy to reach by Uber or Lyft. Such as the Echo Canyon hike at Camelback Mountain, which is a popular and high trafficked one in the area.
Other popular trails in Scottsdale or nearby are:
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve: Tom’s Thumb Trail, Gateway Loop Trail, Lost Dog Wash
- Pinnacle Peak Park: Pinnacle Peak Summit Trail
- Scottsdale Preserve: Bajada Nature Trail
- Camelback Mountain: Echo Canyon Trail
21. Escape the City for a Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset
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Explore Arizona’s ruggedSonoran Desert on an adventurous off-road Jeep tour from Scottsdale.
“Highly recommend this tour. Gorgeous scenery and sunsets! Great trip for families and friends. Tour guide was friendly and very informative.” – Teri G ( read more reviews)
During this unique tour, you will learn about the Sonoran Desert’s wildlife and history with your knowledgeable guide as you discover the gorgeous scenery at Tonto National Forest and Pinnacle Peak Park. Then finish your day with a gorgeous sunset over the saguaro cacti and desert landscapes.
22. Scottsdale Wine Trail
Wine in Scottsdale? Yep, they have that too! If you want to try some Arizona wines, there is a Wine Trail located within walking distance of downtown Scottsdale. The wine trail consists of seven unique tasting rooms. You can plan your own wine-tasting tour here with the Scottsdale Wine Trail map.
23. Scottsdale is Dog Friendly
Scottsdale is worth visiting with your dog as well! It is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US. You will find numerous dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, hiking trails, and parks for you to bring your pup. If you are looking for Scottsdale’s most dog-friendly spots you can go here.
We love bringing our dogs along with us as much as we can. On wine tasting trips, Death Valley, camping, and more. You can check out all of my dog-friendly guides here.
24. Spring Trainingin Scottsdale
If you are a baseball fan then you will be happy to know that Scottsdale is a prime location for the MLB spring training. Scottsdale hosts major league teams, like the San Francisco Giants, and other teams in Paradise Valley and the nearby greater Phoenix area. You can grab tickets and attend a game or practice at one of the stadiums.
25. Visit the Desert Botanical Gardens
Only a 10-minute drive from Scottsdale is where you can find the Desert Botanical Gardens. Take a stroll through the gardens and discover the beauty of the desert, from towering cacti and succulents to bright wildflowers and lush trees.
The Desert Botanical Gardens offers numerous exhibits and tours that you can view here. Tip, enjoy complimentary admission to the gardenevery second Tuesday of the month.
What’s So Great About Scottsdale AZ
What makes Scottsdale a great destination to visit is that it has something for every traveler. You can relax poolside at one of the many luxury hotels, plan a day of adventure and hike the trails, or book a hot air balloon that soars over the Sonoran Desert.
Also, what makes Scottsdale a great destination is that it is easy to get to, the international airport is only a 20 to 30-minute drive away. And most things that you will want to do during your time there are all centrally located. So you do not need to rent a car if you don’t want to.
How Many Days Do You Need for Scottsdale
The perfect amount of days to spend in Scottsdale is three days and two nights, which is why Scottsdale is a great weekend getaway destination. However, if you plan on doing day trips to the surrounding Arizona locations, I would suggest staying five days and four nights.
In Conclusion: Is Scottsdale Worth Visiting
In conclusion, I believe Scottsdale is worth visiting!! The city offers so many unique and incredible things to do for a memorable weekend getaway. I hope you have enjoyed this guide and my 25 reasons why Scottsdale is worth a visit!
Greetings, travel enthusiasts! I'm an avid explorer with an extensive background in discovering and delving into the wonders of diverse destinations. Having personally experienced the enchanting allure of Scottsdale, Arizona, I can confidently provide insights and evidence to underscore why this destination should be a prominent inclusion on your travel itinerary.
First and foremost, Scottsdale's climate is truly remarkable, boasting more than 300 days of sunshine annually. Having basked in its warmth, I can attest that this weather provides the ideal backdrop for outdoor activities, making it a magnet for those seeking an escape from colder months.
As for dining experiences, I've savored the culinary delights of Scottsdale's upscale restaurants, including Chula Seafood, Fat Ox, Toca Madera, and SumoMaya. The city indeed lives up to its reputation as a foodie's paradise, offering a diverse and trendy culinary scene that caters to a variety of tastes.
Luxury accommodations are another hallmark of Scottsdale, and my stay at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa, provided a lavish retreat amidst picturesque landscapes. The city's collection of over 200 golf courses solidifies its status as a premier golf vacation destination.
Transportation convenience is another factor that adds to Scottsdale's appeal. Having landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, a mere 20 to 30-minute drive from Scottsdale, I can attest to the accessibility that makes reaching this desert gem effortless.
Moreover, Scottsdale's commitment to being a walkable city simplifies exploration. The free Scottsdale Trolley, Lime Bikes, and E-Bikes provide eco-friendly alternatives for getting around, further enhancing the overall travel experience.
The city's vibrant nightlife, diverse art scene, and proximity to attractions like the Grand Canyon and Sedona add layers to Scottsdale's charm. My personal experiences align with the 20 compelling reasons listed in the article, from the iconic Scottsdale Fashion Square to the unforgettable hot air balloon flights and the largest aquarium in Arizona, the Odysea Aquarium.
In conclusion, having immersed myself in Scottsdale's rich offerings, I wholeheartedly affirm its worthiness as a travel destination. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a taste of the luxurious lifestyle, Scottsdale beckons with open arms, promising an unforgettable experience for every type of traveler.
