The Best Things to Do in Scottsdale, AZ: From Hiking to Art Galleries
If you’re headed to Arizona, chances are Scottsdale is already on your radar and if it’s not, well, let me share with you why it should be.
Scottsdale is one of Arizona’s most iconic cities. It’s a place where the Wild West spirit meets a vibrant art scene, luxury resorts, and a ton of outdoor adventures. With more than 125 art galleries and studios calling Scottsdale home, it’s no wonder it’s often dubbed “The West’s Most Western Town.”
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Tucked just east of Phoenix, Scottsdale stretches skinny and long about 30 miles north to south and 13 miles wide and is home to around 240,000 people. The city is basically divided into four parts: South Scottsdale, Old Town, Central, and North Scottsdale and each one has its own special vibe.
Fun Things to do in Scottsdale
Below are a few of my favorite things to do around Scottsdale from butterfly gardens to PGA golf courses, and even a magical place where the wind literally sings to you.
- Butterfly World
- Visit an Art Gallery – Cosanti Wind Bells
- Harley Davidson Dealership (largest)
- Lighthouse Art House
- McCormick Stillman Park
- McDowell Sonoran Park
- Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
- Musical Instrument Museum
- OdySea Aquarium
- Scottsdale Contemporary Art Museum
- Scottsdale Museum of the West
- Taliesen West
- Top Golf
- Talking Stick Resort
- TPC Golf Course
- Westworld
- Wonderspaces
Things to do in Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is the heartbeat of the city where you can wander from one boutique to another, sip a craft cocktail under the palms, and admire colorful public art and art galleries. Bordered by Chapparal Road to the north and Earll Drive to the south, this part is the historic and cultural district of Scottsdale.
Getting Around Old Town Scottsdale
Once you’re here, ditch the car. Old Town is super walkable and there’s even a free trolley that shuttles you around if you want to give your feet a break.
Shop
Scottsdale has so many places to shop, from boutiques to name brand stores. If luxury shopping is your jam, you’ll love the upscale Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. Think Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and all the big names.
Wonderspaces
This cool art space is tucked inside the Scottsdale Fashion Square near the food court. Wonderspaces is a mixture of interactive and immersive art. The exhibits are always changing, so there is always something new to see.
Lighthouse Art Space
Immersive art is very popular right now and Lighthouse Art Space is an experience for the senses. Popular events here are the immersive Monet and Van Gogh art experiences.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
This contemporary art museum focuses on architecture and design. It is near the Scottsdale Center for Performing Arts and the Stadium. While visiting Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art I love popping in here especially to see the Knight Rise skyspace installation. It’s one of the handful of skyspaces open to the public. Make sure you snap a photo with the iconic LOVE sculpture too!
Scottsdale Museum of the West
An art museum dedicated to western art pieces. Some of the exhibits include Native American jewelry and Hopi pottery. Check out Jack Knife, a bronze sculpture of a rider on a bucking horse. The Scottsdale Museum of the West is just south of Indian School Road.
Scottsdale Stadium
The San Francisco Giants practice at Scottsdale Stadium in downtown Scottsdale for baseball’s spring training season.
Things to do in Central Scottsdale
Just north of Old Town, Central Scottsdale brings the luxury vibes. Here you’ll find AAA Five-Diamond resorts and world-class spas. Honestly, if lounging by a sparkling pool with a margarita sounds like your kind of vacation this is your zone. Central Scottsdale is just north of Old town and south of Shea Boulevard.
Talking Stick Resort
The largest casino in Arizona, Talking Stick Resort host concerts and shows. In addition it has slot machines, keno, poker, and table games. In addition they have six restaurants, and several bars. They have a huge entertainment district including OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, Top Golf, Mavrix to name a few.
OdySea Aquarium
See the largest aquarium in the southwest. We were so excited when Phoenix finally had an aquarium to visit. OdySea Aquarium has over 50 exhibits with marine life. My favorite part of the aquarium is the Living Sea Carousel. The Living Sea Carousel is a cool experience, essentially you sit in a theatre and the seats rotate you through several ocean exhibits. See the sea turtles, sharks and sea lions.
Butterfly Wonderland
Just behind the aquarium you can step into the a rainforest and butterfly wonderland. A fun place to take the kids to. You can watch the process of a butterfly metamorphosis live.
Then head into the rainforest area to see hundreds of butterflies in the plants, flying around or if you’re lucky one might even land on you.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
A unique place to have dinner and see a show. At Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament eat a feast in a castle and watch a jousting show.
Top Golf
My golf speed is miniature golf or Top Golf.
Hike Camelback Mountain
The most popular place to hike in Phoenix is Camelback Mountain.
Cosanti Originals – An Art Gallery of Wind Bells
Tucked away in a residential area, you might almost miss this little gem just outside Scottsdale in Paradise Valley. Years ago we were given Cosanti windchimes as a housewarming present. I decided to drive out to Paradise Valley and see for myself where these beautiful wind chimes are made.
It is truly an enchanting place to walk among the hundreds of windchimes winding down the pathways and through the cave like outside structures. You can watch as the artisans form and forge the metal that creates these lovely chimes and you will all the more cherish them when they are hanging on your patio or porch. Prices range from $30 on up. We saw a few for more than $2500, so whatever your budget you are sure to find something you like here.
If you enjoy the arts, you will love a visit to Cosanti. See an outdoor gallery of the famous Paolo Soleri’s Windbells.
About Cosanti Originals
Paolo Soleri was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and has designed these works of art. Paolo Soleri creates beautiful ceramic and bronze wind bells.
Preferably visit on a day with a slight breeze, so you can walk around the grounds and listen to the beautiful chimes. It truly is a magical place to stop for a bit. Cosanti is located in a residential area, so you have to pay attention to find the low sign near the driveway. Entering is like entering a faraway place within this big metro area of Phoenix.
You can walk around the grounds, enjoy the sounds of the hundreds of wind bells, watch as they are crafted, and of course you can purchase them. The bells range from around $30 on up to hundreds or thousands of dollars.
6433 E Doubletree Ranch Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
McCormick Stillman Park
Most resorts in Scottsdale offer kid friendly programs. McCormick Stillman Park offers a lot of fun for the younger kids.
Things to to do in North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale encompasses the area north of Shea Blvd and south of Carefree. This area of the city holds the annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and the Scottsdale Jaycees Parada del Sol/Rode.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Some of the prettiest hikes are in McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Taliesin West
Ever since Frank Lloyd Wright decided to create his winter home here in the 1930’s, his architectural influence can be seen throughout the Phoenix area. Taliesin West is a top tourist attraction and a must see if visiting Scottsdale.
Golf – PGA Tournament
Golf at the TPC golf course where the PGA tour is held annually.
The The PGA’s tour Waste Management Open Golf Tournament is held each January in Scottsdale and attracts thousands of golfers and fans. Golf fanatics can choose from hundreds of golf courses just in Scottsdale alone.
After a day of watching the PGA tour you can see a concert at the Phoenix Birds Nest.
Visit the World’s Largest Harley Dealership
If you like bikes this is a really cool Harley dealership. Not only will you find a large selection of bikes here, there is also an indoor theatre, a tattoo parlor and even a wedding chapel here. This is the world’s largest Harley Davidson dealership.
The Musical Instrument Museum
Love music? The Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale has many hands-on exhibits dedicated to music. It is home to a collection of over 10,000 musical instruments.
Attend a Festival at WestWorld
Nearly every weekend you can visit one of the many festivals or shows held at WestWorld in Scottsdale. If you like cars check out the Good Guys car show held annual in Scottsdale.
Arizona Bike Week is held every spring and a great time of year to see one of the many concerts.
See a 500-foot Water Fountain
Have a picnic in nearby Fountain Hills at the nations second tallest fountain. The fountain is a landmark and shoots water over 500 feet into the air. Fountain Hills is a town about 15 minutes east of Scottsdale.
